45 Best Dark Red Hair Color Inspirations (2025 Images)

Avery Hunt
Avery Hunt Hair Colorist

Dark crimson hair is among the most sought-after fashion shades this year. Bolder and edgier than the typical red – this hue comes in a variety of forms. What is dark crimson hair called? These include the deeper tones and shades of a broad red spectrum. Chestnut, auburn, burgundy, and wine red are just a few popular choices!

One reason why women and colorists are captivated by this hue is how it can elegantly accentuate facial features. It provides your hair with a multi-dimensional appearance without excessive dyeing methods. Dark reddish hair allows you to maintain healthy locks while giving your locks a super stylish look.

What You Should Consider When Selecting a Dark Red Hair Color

  • ‍♀️ Selecting a Shade: The lighter your base hair color, the longer the process will take and the more it will.
  • ‍♀️ Upkeep: Maintaining a dark red tone will necessitate more regular touch-ups the deeper your hair is. Prepare to see your colorist every 2-4 weeks. To preserve your new red hue, wash your hair less frequently and use dry shampoo. If you must wash it, opt for cold water.
  • Average Expense: The price of having your hair dyed dark red by a professional hair colorist ranges from $75 to $200, depending on the method used. For instance, an ombre or balayage will typically be pricier than obtaining a solid hue. The lighter your hair color, the more visits you’ll need to make to gradually deepen your hair’s pigment.
  • ‍♀️ Ideal Skin Tones: According to hairstylist Melvin Walden, “the darker your skin tone, the richer red your hair ought to be.” Medium to darker skin tones like olive and brown are most suited.
  • ‍♀️ Ideal Natural Base Color: Light brown, dark brown, and jet black.
  • Comparable Shades: Mahogany, maroon, dark burgundy, dark auburn, plum, chestnut
  • Recommended Products: The top products to sustain a dark red shade and prevent it from fading quickly include sulfate-free blue shampoo, hair masks, dry shampoo, and a deep conditioner once a week.

Is dark crimson hair natural? Absolutely, it can be! Natural redheads generate more pheomelanin, which gives their hair its red color (source). Therefore, for those with naturally red hair, achieving a darker shade will be simpler and more cost-effective. If you have brown hair, which indicates you possess less pheomelanin and more eumelanin (source), it becomes slightly more challenging and will be a bit pricier.

Lastly, if you have blonde hair, indicating you have the least amount of eumelanin, the process to color your hair will take longer, resulting in higher costs.

Before your next hair coloring session, take a look at these images of the trendiest dark red hair color inspirations!

Photos
A Dark red brown hair for older women

#1 Rich Dark Red Brown Hair Shades for Mature Women

A multidimensional rich dark red-brown hair color can often rejuvenate the appearance of mature women. Enhancing a youthful radiance is best achieved by infusing similar warmth and softness into your tresses.

A Deep Auburn

#2 Rich Auburn Red Hair Shade

This rich, auburn red hair shade resembles dark mahogany. It may evoke the warmth of spices like cinnamon, clove, and saffron.

A black and red hair

#3 Dark Red and Black Hair

This dark red and black hair color creates a stunning ombre effect that complements either a sleek or voluminous hairstyle. Enhance your locks with this black-red color, and add a vibrant flair.

A Stunning Dark Cherry Red Hair Color for long curly hair

#4 Gorgeous Dark Cherry Hair Hue

For striking and enchanting hair color, a cherry red tone is an excellent choice for long, curly hair. This lively color is the ideal shade of red hair on dark skin. It will undoubtedly be a head-turner, adding an element of elegance to your appearance.

A Shoulder Length Maroon

#5 Deep Maroon Hair Color

Deep maroon hair color is best described as rich red berries and dark wine! Ask your colorist for a very soft lavender, then add vibrant tones later.

A dark red highlights on dark hair

#6 Subtle Red Highlights on Dark Hair

Hints of red highlights on dark hair will always enhance your look. The reddish tone stands out even more when styled with loose curls.

A rich dark red hair color

#7 Deep Burgundy Red

A hue of deep burgundy red can enhance your natural hair color, assuming you’re one of the natural redheads. It offers a darker tone that shines the best with long and wavy tresses.

A dark purple and red hair

#8 Rich Purple-Red Tresses

Discover this luxurious purple-red hair dye perfect for dark hair that you should consider. The blend of crimson strands and deep roots is a delight to behold. When you introduce purple-red waves to a lengthy hairstyle, the result is beautifully lustrous! It evokes the essence of red velvet cake!

A Dark Brick Red Wavy Hair

#9 Rich Dark Brick Red Wavy Locks

Wavy tresses in a rich dark brick red hue is an excellent choice. Your hair will shine beautifully in any setting. To keep your hair hydrated and vibrant, indulge in a weekly conditioning mask.

A Red Wine for Wavy Hair

#10 Crimson Hue for Wavy Dark Locks

Crimson hue for wavy dark locks is the simplest dark shade to achieve for natural brunettes. Ask your colorist for a deep red wine hair color to complement your mid-length mane. Since your base color is already dark, applying a rich red requires your colorist less time and less expense.

A Dark Red Long Curls with No Bangs

#11 Deep Crimson Long Curls Without Bangs

Explore these elegant long deep crimson curls if you’re considering changing your hair color! When discussing with your stylist, aim to collaborate on the perfect shade of red that suits you! Maintaining a darker hue will beautifully enhance your brown eyes.

A Dark Red Cherry Curly Hair

#12 Deep Cherry Curls

A deep cherry curly style can be crafted by following certain steps. You might need a pre-lightener if you are a dark-haired woman and desire a rich, radiant red. There’s no need to go platinum blonde for this. But, you must lift your hair a few levels to red-orange for a brighter red tone. If your hair naturally sits at level 1-2-3, you need this process. If it’s level 4 or higher, you can achieve a deep cherry color with one step of color and developer.

A Gorgeous Dark Red Long Hair

#13 Stunning Dark Red Tints for Long Hair

If you’re seeking a warm, vibrant hue, I would opt for a dark copper balayage. My preferred method to highlight a red shade is to pair it with contrasting colors. Request your stylist for a base shade that is 1-2 levels deeper than the tone of copper. Plan on washing with cooler temperatures to maintain your color.

A Rooted Deep Red Balayage Highlights on Long Hair

#14 Deep Red Balayage with Rooted Highlights

A deep red balayage highlight offers a stylish approach to infusing vivid red shades into your appearance while requiring minimal upkeep. As long as the root color remains close to your natural shade, you can extend the time between visits to as much as 8 weeks!

A Bold Red with Blonde Highlights

#15 Vibrant Red Hair Enhanced with Striking Blonde Highlights

Vibrant red hair with blonde highlights is stunning! There’s no issue with retro chunky gold streaks on your auburn red and blonde mane. This lively style is perfect for women who want to infuse some brightness into their red hair.

A Dark Crimson Red Color with Long Waves

#16 Deep Crimson Red with Cascading Waves

Deep crimson-red hair with cascading waves is the ultimate way to channel your inner mermaid!

A deep red violet hair

#17 Rich Deep Red Violet Hair

Achieve this stunning red violet hair, and prepare to shine! The rich tones blend beautifully, particularly with waves. A nourishing oil or serum will definitely enhance the shine in your hair.

A Dark Cranberry Red with Copper Bangs

#18 Cranberry Red with Copper Highlights

If you’re considering a new hair color, take a look at this cranberry red with copper highlights on a textured bob. Color blocking has become quite popular and is here to stay. A hair color placement like this combined with texture at any length creates a perfect match!

A Dark Red Hair with Copper Highlights

#19 Shoulder-Length Hair Featuring Copper Accents

Enhance your dark red hair with copper accents for a touch of elegance and depth. These shades provide a stylish dimension to complement your shoulder-length hairstyle.

A Red Chestnut Highlights on Brown Natural Hair

#20 Subtle Red Chestnut Highlights on Natural Brown Hair

Subtle red chestnut highlights on natural brown hair can elevate a lady’s everyday look! The hints of reddish-brown tones bring an instant shine to dark locks. Achieve this stunning brown red hair color by requesting a balayage for a beautifully natural-looking red mane!

A Dark Cherry Red

#21 Rich Dark Cherry Red Hair Shade

This rich dark cherry red hair shade is a color mix that resembles a vampire’s black cherry red. It’s a black color melted root, smoothly transitioning into a vibrant, alluring red. It’s an excellent fall option for those looking to enhance their look!

A Dimensional Dark Red and Brunette Balayage

#22 Multidimensional Red and Brunette Balayage

A multidimensional red and brunette balayage is an exciting way to explore colors while transitioning back to a dark one. Going from light to dark takes time to properly fill and create a rich tone. With this in mind, try that striking red or copper you’ve always wanted to. There’s no commitment, and it will be kinder on your hair as you transition back to a dark color.

A Deep Mahogany

#23 Rich Mahogany Red Hair with Dark Roots

Mahogany red is a sought-after dark red hair hue. This beautiful shade is typically achieved through the balayage technique.

A Dark Red Highlights

#24 Burgundy with Lighter Accents

Burgundy with lighter accents and black roots provide contrast and shine. With multidimensional tones, you achieve a more blended color rather than losing vibrancy.

A Red Hair with Dark Roots

#25 Crimson Tresses with Shadowy Roots

Crimson tresses with shadowy roots offer a radiant hue without the worry of a stark grow-out line. If you have long, v-cut hair, this vibrant shade of red will captivate you! Style your fiery locks with luxurious waves, and watch how the movement enhances the color.

A dark ginger hair

#26 Deep Ginger Tresses

Isn’t this deep ginger tresses breathtaking? With your lengthy dark red locks, a combination of middle-part style and vintage Hollywood waves is your ideal choice.

A Dark reddish strawberry blonde hair

#27 Rich Reddish Strawberry Blonde Hair

Rich reddish strawberry blonde hair is a vibrant hue that enhances pale skin. It’s fashionable, and any woman of any age can pull it off.

A Burgundy with Short Hair

#28 Burgundy Short Hairstyles

This beautiful burgundy shade complements a chic angled bob hairstyle. Burgundy is an intriguing color choice for those preferring deeper tones. This look is vibrant, fashionable, and on-trend!

A Medium Wavy Dark Red Hair for Girls

#29 Medium Wavy Dark Crimson Hair

Medium wavy hair is the perfect choice to elevate your hairstyle! Everyone should experience a red shade at least once in their lives.

A Dark Fire Engine Red

#30 Vibrant Fire Engine Red

This vibrant fire engine red shade is absolutely stunning! This bold, eye-catching fiery red hair will ensure you draw attention! Regardless of your skin tone, you can pull this off if you’re dedicated to upkeep!

 A Hot Dark Red Tone on Medium-Length Black Hair

#31 Vibrant Red Highlights on Black Hair

If you have naturally dark or black hair, consider adding vibrant red-toned highlights or balayage! These bold red shades beautifully complement black hair.

 A Gorgeous Dark Red Wine Hair Color

#32 Stunning Wine Hair

Let’s consider a stunning wine hair color. For a shift in hair color from brown to red, you should choose a red that suits the client’s skin tone and style to achieve a beautiful hue. A red wine tone with a violet base will work particularly well with a warm golden skin tone. Swarzkopf is a remarkable color line known to bring out stunning reds in all hair hues. These colors can be specifically formulated for dark hair to bring out a deep tone.

A dark brown hair with red highlights

#33 Rich Brown Hair with Crimson Highlights

Brighten up your brown hair with crimson highlights for a chic, multi-dimensional look. These curls truly shine when styled with a shoulder-length bob that maintains their fullness. Finish off with a spritz of dry texture spray to enhance the movement in your striking red hair.

A Dark Red-Purple

#34 Vibrant Short Dark Red-Purple Hair

This vibrant dark red-purple is a super-easy way to enhance your red hair while seeking something exciting! Pair with a flawlessly shaped haircut, and you’ll certainly grab attention!

A dark plum red hair

#35 Deep Plum Red Tresses

A touch of plum red hue will enhance the richness of your natural dark hair. This deep plum red tresses style is perfectly suited for a sleek, medium-length cut.

A Dark red hair with auburn highlights

#36 Deep Auburn Highlights

Auburn highlights add a gorgeous touch to dark red hair. The result enhances a multi-dimensional and shiny look. This deep auburn shade showcases the finest tones for warmer skin types. Coloring your hair in such a dark red is ideal if you’re aiming to lighten gradually or desire a subtle hair transformation. Dark red hair with highlights, particularly with an auburn hue, is also a hassle-free option.

A dark cherry red hair

#37 Deep Cherry Red Locks

What’s not to adore about these deep cherry-red locks? The rich red hue is chic and alluring, providing a playful finish. If you sport a long haircut with blunt ends, style the mid-lengths with gentle waves for a soft, flowing movement.

A Medium to Dark Red Ombre

#38 Rich Medium to Dark Red Ombre

This rich medium-to-dark red ombre radiates heat and intensity. This color is thoughtfully pigmented to highlight the most vibrant deep red.

A Deep Copper Red Hair with waves for dimension

#39 Vibrant Copper Red Tresses

If you desire a luxurious and striking hair color, a deeper shade of copper can make a statement. This hue is stunning and is an excellent choice if you wish to express your fiery spirit. Aim for a shade that is vivid enough to highlight the copper undertones yet deep enough to suit any occasion. If you’re looking to experiment with your style, this hair color presents a fantastic choice.

A Dark Red Balayage with Teasylights for women with slightly wavy hair

#40 Cozy Caramel Red Balayage with Teasylights

Consider trying a cozy dark caramel red balayage with teasylights. To achieve a reflective warm red, incorporating highlights can enhance this dimension. Toning with multiple toners may be necessary to achieve the ideal color. Reds can become vibrant quite quickly. Soften them with neutral warm tones, returning them to a harmonious copper. To keep your reds looking fresh, opt for a red toning shampoo recommended by your stylist. Alternatively, try Hairstory New Wash Original for gentle cleansing between toning shampoos.

A dark red brown hair

#41 Rich Mahogany Hair

This mahogany hair is absolutely stunning! Want an effortlessly radiant vibe for your tresses? This is the vibrant brown hair color you need to try. It may appear understated at night, but it shines beautifully in the daylight. This is also how you can dye your red hair while keeping it voluminous.

A Dark Copper

#42 Rich Copper Red Locks

Rich copper red locks are among the most complimentary shades that suit nearly every skin tone. Naturally, you can still enjoy the advantages of warm red tones to pair with a deeper hue. This lively and striking hairstyle looks incredible on straight hair.

A Sangria Balayage Dark Red Color

#43 Sangria Balayage Deep Red for Fair Complexions

This sangria balayage hue radiates vibrancy and is ideal for fair complexions. The red tones shift with the light, offering a look that is both shiny and lush.

A Natural Dark Red

#44 Rich Dark Red Hair Color

This rich dark red hair color is striking yet elegant. It’s sure to enhance green eyes. To achieve this shade, ask your colorist to boost your natural red hair color with vibrant copper and gold hues.

A Vivid Dark Ruby Red Hair

#45 Rich Dark Ruby Red Hair

If you’re seeking a striking shade, consider this rich dark ruby red hair. I suggest using salon-quality, color-safe shampoo and conditioner. This hue will flatter women with neutral and warm skin tones. To maintain its vibrancy, refreshing the color every 6 weeks would be ideal.