Whether you’re trying to transform your hair or looking to cover up those grays, you don’t need to head to your stylist to get that done. With several at-home hair dye options available on the market, you can achieve pretty much any hair color you want from the comfort of your home.
While it’s true there are many color options to choose from, nothing beats the elegance of red hair. It’s one of the most vivacious shades that can make you stand out. Plus, it can really boost your confidence and enhance your features.
And the best part is you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to get salon-like results. Of course, you’ll have to master the right technique but that’s not too hard if you follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
If you’re planning to go red, we bring you the best red hair dye that won’t burn your scalp or cause irritation. Keep scrolling to find out more.
Top Red Hair Dyes Reviewed
1. Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye
If you’re worried about damaging your strands, meet this semi-permanent hair color from Manic Panic. It features a vegan, ammonia-free formula that doesn’t penetrate the hair cortex, so it won’t damage your tresses.
The color basically sits on top of your hair shaft to deliver results that last from 4 to 6 weeks. What’s more, the formula is infused with conditioners to seal moisture and keep your hair healthy.
It boasts a powerful blend of ingredients such as citric acid, aloe vera that not only condition your hair but also leave it feeling softer and shinier than before. Additionally, it doesn’t dry out your strands. You can expect manageable and frizz-free tresses.
Even if you’re coloring your hair for the first time, it’s a safe choice as it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. For the highest level of effectiveness, we recommend that you bleach your hair to level 9 or 10.
It’s super easy to use, thanks to the non-drip cream formula. The result is gorgeous looking hair that turns heads wherever you go.
2. L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference, 6AB Chic Auburn Brown
Are you trying to match the salon-gorgeous color at home? Superior Preference line from L’Oreal Paris is your best bet. It’s all the rage in both the UK and the US. The product in question is a permanent hair dye that will give you a beautiful red color that lasts for up to 8 weeks.
With its fade-defying formula, this hair dye delivers a luminous color that doesn’t fade for weeks. Each packaging contains a Care Supreme Conditioner that is infused with golden camelina oil and vitamin E.
Camelina oil contains fatty acids that nourish your scalp and restore damaged cuticles. Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress and promotes healthy hair.
Additionally, there’s a UV-filter that protects your hair from sun damage while maintaining shine and vibrancy.
More importantly, your hair won’t look dull or rough post-application. That’s why it has got a cult following. You’ll love how it makes your hair soft, shiny, and natural. And the best part? It’s quite affordable. No need to splurge for good-quality results.
3. Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream, Ruby Red
This hair color from Schwarzkopf is an excellent choice for anyone eager to get a vivid shade of red that lasts for weeks. The color lasts for up to 8 to 10 weeks, making it the longest-lasting hair dye on the list.
What’s more, it’s suitable for all hair types and textures. Despite being strong, it won’t damage your locks. Plus, it will make your hair crazy soft while adding plenty of shine.
What we really liked about this product is that it delivers great results even if you have dark hair. However, we still recommend you lighten your hair before applying the color.
The kit includes color cream, developer lotion, conditioner, and a pair of gloves. The conditioner is loaded with diamond brilliance serum that locks moisture, removes dullness, and makes your hair look lustrous.
There’s a special UV filter as well for additional protection against the sun and other environmental factors. Keep in mind that the color may bleed when your hair is wet. But that’s not unusual with red hair dyes.
Wash your hair with cold water to make the color last longer.
Related: Best Purple Hair Colors You Should Try
4. Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye
If you like testing new colors and are not ready to commit to a single shade, this semi-permanent hair dye from Arctic Fox would do the trick. It will give you the truest red color that will last around 4 weeks.
There are so many things to like about this product. First off, it’s 100% vegan and animal-cruelty free. It doesn’t contain ammonia, peroxide, and PPD.
Secondly, it doesn’t have that usual hair dye smell. Instead, it comes with a sweet scent that is hard to dislike.
More importantly, it will condition your hair while coloring. There won’t be any damage to your hair shaft. It’s easily one of the least damaging hair colors out there.
Additionally, the color fades into a lighter version of itself. This means that your hair will still look good even when the color starts to wash away.
If you want the best results, you would want to lighten your hair to at least level 8 first. And if you intend to keep your color vibrant for longer, consider adding the leftover dye to your conditioner every time you apply it.
5. L’Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48
With a unique selection of red tones, L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Hair Color offers high-definition, multi-dimensional results through a single process. It boasts a gentle formula that not only colors your hair but also conditions it at the same time.
This hair dye comes with color booster technology to give you high-intensity colors that grab attention. The formula penetrates into the hair fiber, reacts with the cortex, and deposits the new color real quick causing the minimum amount of surface damage possible.
It spreads nicely and offers great coverage. What’s great about this product is that it will last through 28 shampoos and it doesn’t wash off every time you shampoo.
Plus, you’ll love the Feria conditioner. It seals the moisture and fixes summer-ravaged tresses. Also, it protects the color and leaves your hair feeling soft and smooth.
You won’t be breaking the bank as it’s super affordable. Keep note that this hair dye is not an ideal choice if you’re looking to cover up your roots. And if you have long hair, you’ll need two boxes.
6. Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color Cream,1.8 Ruby Noir
If you’re looking for a fresh change and want to color your hair without damaging it in the process, you should try Schwarzkopf Keratin Color. What makes this product so special, you may ask?
Well, it’s infused with keratin that not only strengthens your hair but also makes it sleek whilst adding a beautiful shine. It also makes your hair less frizzy, more manageable, and smooth in appearance.
The color goes on very easily. And there’s no dripping or stinging when using the product, which is a big plus. A foul smell is one of the major gripes when it comes to hair colors. Fortunately, it doesn’t smell bad at all.
You also receive a pre-color serum that conditions your hair before coloring. Expect healthy-looking hair with a vibrant hue. What’s more, it’s also a great option if you’re looking to cover up grays.
And thanks to enhanced K-Bond-Plex, the brand says there will be 80% less breakage as compared to untreated hair. That’s pretty impressive.
7. Clairol Natural Instincts Crema Keratina Hair Color Kit
If you have a sensitive scalp that gets angry every time you put something on it, you’ve got to try Clairol Natural Instincts Crema Keratina Hair Color. It’s a demi-permanent hair dye that deposits color without penetrating the hair shaft.
As a result, you get a vibrant red color that lasts up to 28 shampoos. The formula is fortified with the goodness of keratin that protects hair from damage while coloring.
With its impressive non-drip formula, you won’t have to worry about staining the clothes or floor. It covers the grays, retains shine, and doesn’t wash off easily.
And since it contains keratin, you can expect gorgeous, resilient hair post-application. On top of that, it rinses off pretty well and doesn’t leave a residue.
Each hair dye is paired with a conditioner that’s formulated with coconut oil. The conditioner will strengthen the hair cuticles, deliver shine, and nourish your tresses from tip to toe. Also, it will make your hair silky and soft.
It’s somewhat expensive but you’re going to love the results. Quite simply, it’s worth every penny.
8. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme, Pomegranate
When a product has over 1400 5-star reviews, you can know for sure that it’s the real deal. If you’re planning to go crimson, you can never go wrong with Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme.
The hair dye comes with color boost technology to deliver a bold, vibrant color that makes all the heads turn. What’s more, it’s a permanent color that will last you for weeks.
It spreads evenly and is very easy to apply. The highlight of the product? Well, it’s definitely the nourishing formula that’s imbued with the goodness of avocado oil. In addition to coloring your hair, it also moistures strands from inside out.
The packaging includes color creme, developer, fruit ampoule, and conditioner. You’ll have everything you need to get the color of your dreams. And the best part? You don’t damage your tresses in the process.
Even better? It delivers shine and dimension, so your color will never look boring. Above all, it’s priced reasonably well. No need to loosen the purse strings.
9. Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor, Vibrant Red
Red hair color fades faster than other dyes because it doesn’t penetrate your hair as other colors because of its large molecule size. That’s why it can be hard to maintain vibrant color for long.
Thankfully, Revlon ColorSilk Hair Color doesn’t fade as quickly as some other brands. It is powered with UV defense to protect your color from fading. Even when it fades, it does look really good.
Revlon has a beautiful selection of red shades, so you’re sure to find something that you like. Oftentimes, permanent hair colors can be pretty damaging. But that’s not the case with this hair dye.
It features an ammonia-free formula, which can be hard to find in permanent hair colors. And it’s the most budget-friendly option on the list.
So, if you’re not willing to spend a lot of money on hair colors, this color right here will do the trick for you. If it means anything to you, Revlon is one of the best brands when it comes to hair dyes.
How to Choose the Best Red Hair Dye?
When it comes to choosing the right hair dye, there are a few things you have to take into account. Let’s take a look:
Type of Formula
Hair dyes mainly come in these formulas: permanent and semi-permanent. The type of formula you need totally depends on your needs. If you want long-lasting color, you should go with permanent formulas as they last the longest.
However, if you don’t want to commit, you may opt for semi-permanent color options as they tend to fade away with washing and exposure to hair.
Shade
From natural auburn to burgundy red, there are several shades of red to choose from. And the dyes we’ve reviewed above come in a variety of shades.
You can choose anything according to your needs. We recommend performing a strand test first in order to ensure that you like the results.
Understand Your Hair
If you have a sensitive scalp, you should look for formulas that do not contain harsh ingredients. Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color is a great choice as it boasts a gentle formula. Also, try to find ammonia-free formulas as sensitive scalps are more prone to damage.
Luckily, there are tons of products on the market that feature ammonia-free formulas, so finding one should not be a problem.
Conditioner
Hair dying can be quite damaging. Thankfully, you can restore damaged hair with the help of a conditioner. Look for the brands that include a conditioner with the dye kits. Also, make sure that the conditioner contains nourishing ingredients such as aloe, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc.
These ingredients are intensely moisturizing – they’ll keep your hair healthy, shiny, and beautiful.
Price
For many of us, the whole point of coloring the hair at home is to save some money because salon visits can be pretty expensive. And thankfully, even the expensive at-home hair dyes cost way less than what you pay at the salon.
That being said, it’s up to you how much you’re willing to spend on red hair color. Some dyes cost as low as $5 while others can cost upwards of $20.
Essential Tips to Keep Red Hair Color from Fading
Red hair is hard to maintain. Following some simple tips, you can make your color last longer. Here are a few of them:
Wait 2 Days Before the First Shampoo
Washing your hair too soon after coloring can cause the dye to seep out. Experts recommend waiting at least 48 hours to wash your hair after coloring. That will give hair strands enough time to absorb the color completely.
Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Invest in a shampoo that’s formulated for color-treated hair. Look for formulas that don’t contain sulfates. Sulfates are added to the shampoos for deep cleaning, but they have the tendency to fade color as well. Even the top brands use sulfates in their formulas.
Thankfully, there are lots of shampoos that don’t contain sulfates, parabens, etc. You’re sure to find something that works for your hair.
And don’t forget to condition your hair every time you shampoo.
Avoid Sun
UV rays have the tendency to lighten everything in sight, including your beautiful red hair color. When you’re exposed to the sun, the UV radiation breaks down the bonds and causes the color to fade.
Therefore, make sure to avoid the sun or wear protective balm if you really have to go out.
Hair Mask
It’s important to keep your hair healthy if you want the color to last longer. Conditioning is the best way to ensure that. Use hair masks twice a week to deeply condition your hair. This will keep your hair strong, healthy, and shiny. And the color will stick for longer.
Get Rid of Brassiness
Consider investing in hair toners to get rid of orange or brassy undertones. Brassiness can really mess up your look. Conditioning your hair regularly will also help keep brassiness at bay.
Conclusion
Red is one of the few colors that never fails to make an impression. It can never go out of style. That’s why everyone should try it at least once in their lifetime. And if you’re ready to take the plunge, the best red hair dyes we have reviewed above will help you achieve the perfect color.
Once you’ve colored your hair, it’s vital that you take good care of it. Only then, you’ll be able to maintain the shine and vibrancy. We hope you found this guide useful. If you have any questions about the topic, feel free to ask.
Stay happy, stay safe!
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