How to Find the Perfect Shade of Red For Your Skin Tone
Emilie Branch
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If we’ve walked away from the bold hair color trend with just one takeaway, it’s that there’s no such thing as a color you can’t try. From purple to rose gold and green, we’ve watched our IG feeds get more eye-catching and statement-making with each scroll. These days, you can rock any shade—it’s just about finding the customized hue for you. If you want to make a big change, but aren’t sure the office will react as kindly to unicorn locks as your followers, don’t despair.
(via iStock)
Enter red, or as I like to think of it, the most striking shade you could have actually been born with. Red is a guaranteed head-turner, and we would be lying if we said we didn’t want to turn heads. To go red fearlessly, consult our color guide below and match your skin tone with your new dream crimson. From fire engine to auburn or strawberry blonde, here is how to find the best red hair color for your skin tone!
STRAWBERRY BLONDE FOR SUN-KISSED SKIN
If your skin is sun-kissed but you’re bored with platinum, add in strawberry lowlights to channel Brazilian beauty and legendary redhead, Cintia Dicker. Although appearing “washed out” is a common concern for blondes, it’s next to impossible for skin and hair to mesh when sporting red tresses—this translates to lighter shades of the color as well. It’s okay if you’re not tan year round like Cintia, the color is just as glam on Bella Thorne.
DEEP GINGER FOR PEACHY, CREAM COMPLEXIONS
Classic brazen copper is best suited for those with peaches and cream complexions; after all, you could have been born with it. A general rule of thumb follows that the darker your skin, the darker your red should be. For an unexpected twist on this fun-loving tangerine, try a subtle reverse ombré, which will give you lighter roots and darker ends.
MAHOGANY FOR COOLER UNDERTONES
A touch darker than ginger, you will find mahogany. This tint gives life to light to medium complexions with cooler undertones. If you’re not willing to go all the way just yet, experiment by adding in highlights, which are guaranteed to create depth—especially for brunettes.
AUBURN UNIVERSALLY FLATTERS MOST SKIN TONES
An option for nearly any complexion, but often seen on those with medium or olive skin is dark auburn. Going auburn all over is a gentle way to graduate from brown. It also works if you’re more on the conservative side but crave change. ATM we’re catching serious inspo from songstress Lana del Rey’s soulful strands.
BURGUNDY FOR WARMER TONES
If you have warm undertones but want to go redder, the best bet is burgundy. This rich pigment brings out golden skin in a way that other colors simply can’t. Again, the crux of this versatile color is tone and saturation—while ginger might not make golden skin pop, an opaque burgundy will—without clashing or overpowering.
CHERRY FOR OLIVE AND DEEPER SKIN TONES
Girls with olive and deeper skin tones don’t look cartoonish with cherry, in fact, this statement color radiates off ladies who dare to take red up to its highest notch. It’s important to note that cherry will change the way your clothes and make-up appear since it is such an attention-grabbing shade, but that’s never stopped us! Instead, play with your color so it purposely matches your wardrobe à la Slick Woods (whose red locks look even redder against her outfit) and prepare for every day to feel editorial.
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