The 17 Best Dark Red Hair Dyes

There’s nothing quite like sporting vibrant red hair that turns every head as you walk down the street. Being a redhead is the epitome of flaunting beauty and attitude all at once.

Red is a unique hair color that comes in many shades, from deep and sultry maroon to bright, firetruck red.

Whatever the specific shade, red looks exquisite on many skin tones and always captures attention because of how glowy and fiery it looks.

Many women with more common hair colors, like brown or blonde, often get tempted to change up their shade to something more electrifying and sexy, like red.

That’s why many top hair brands have developed red hair dyes. And among them, a silky dark red is one of the most popular colors.

Be warned—red hair dye tends to stain easily

While red hair is beautiful, it also has a reputation for being finicky. This is due to its chemical makeup and how it has a larger-than-average color molecule.

Because the red color molecule is bigger than other colors, it doesn’t penetrate the hair cortex as efficiently, so it washes out faster and easier as you shampoo your hair.

That’s why red fades faster than bottle blonde or brunette. Unfortunately, this also means that red hair stains easily.

Think about red lipstick—the brighter and more crimson the shade of red, the more likely it is to leave your lips with a pink stain once you’ve wiped everything off with a makeup remover.

Dyeing hair red can stain fabrics, so you may want to use darker towels the first few weeks after your coloring session.

You should also be ready to bleach your bathtub or shower tiles if the pigment leaves a red or orange tint on them. Soap and water should do the trick for this one.

And when you’re at the gym to work out, put your hair up in a ponytail to make sure your sweat doesn’t drain your red color and drip down your clothes.

If you’re committed to flaunting red locks, even if it means being extra careful with staining and fading, then let’s get cracking.

How to dye your hair dark red at home

The first step is to purchase dark red hair dye that complements your skin tone.

The formula for this is simple: if you have warm-toned skin, go for a cooler red, like maroon or deep violet. If you have cool-toned skin, opt for an orangey or copper-red.

You can opt for dark red hair dyes ranging from permanent to semi-permanent and even temporary (like those clays and color conditioners that wash out after a bath).

Professional dyes need to be mixed with the developer, while box dyes have all the materials you need in the set.

Make sure to bleach your hair first if you have darker locks. If you attempt to color black or dark brown hair red without lightening it first, the dye will likely not show up.

Now, it’s time to dye your hair. If you’re going with temporary hair color, like clay or color-depositing shampoos, follow the instructions on your packaging. Temporary hair color should take five minutes or so to apply, making them the easiest to work with and fastest to wash out.

If you’re doing a full-blown coloring sesh with permanent or semi-permanent dye, make sure to wear a T-shirt you don’t mind ruining when you color your hair, just in case the red dye stains. 

Wear a cape or towel over your shoulders too. You may also want to rub petroleum jelly over your hairline and ears to reduce staining.

Apply your dye into your hair by section, putting them in clips to make organizing easier. Start from the roots and then work your way down. 

Let the dye sit in your hair for the recommended time, as stated in your dye’s instructions, before washing it off in the shower. Rinse with cold water to avoid too much color run-off, which can lead to a less vibrant red color.

Top 17 Best Dark Red Hair Dye

1. Schwarzkopf Keratin Color in Ruby Noir

It’s formulated with a unique keratin bond complex to strengthen your hair’s structure for more bounce and elasticity after your coloring sesh. This complex coats your hair to protect it from breakage and hair fall.

2. Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye

Because the formula sits on your hair instead of penetrating deep in the cortex, it deals less hair damage. The color fades in about a month or two, depending on how often you shampoo your hair.

3. Color X-Change Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Renegade Red

It’s vegan and formulated to be suitable for sensitive scalps and delicate hair. It’s free of harsh chemicals that can damage the hair, including ammonia, parabens, peroxide, and more.

4. L’Oreal Paris Feria High-Intensity Shimmering Colour in Intense Deep Auburn

The gentle formula deep conditions the hair as you color it, allowing your locks to be softer and smoother after your coloring session.

5. Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color in Vibrant Red

They also strengthen your hair fibers to make them more elastic and healthy, leaving your locks in a better condition than before your dye session.

6. Schwarzkopf Color Ultime in Ruby Red

The color is fade-resistant, so it can last up to 10 weeks. It also adds tons of shine and gloss to your hair with a special diamond brilliance serum, making it more attention-grabbing as it catches the light.

7. Clairol Professional Texture and Tones Permanent Hair Color in Cognac

The moisturizing formula was designed for women of color who need extra nourishment in their dry hair.

8. Lime Crime Unicorn Hair in Valentine

This 100% vegan color is designed to be moisturizing and ultra-nourishing to soften and condition the hair.

It contains no bleach, peroxide, ammonia, or any other hazardous chemicals that can strip the hair of healthy moisture.

9. Schwarzkopf Simply Color Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry

Instead, it has hair-loving ingredients like argan oil and oat milk, which condition the hair to boost softness and shine.

10. Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Wild Cherry

Instead of leaving your hair crisp and fragile, it elevates your locks’ hydration levels while adding shine.

The color is vibrant and vivid, and stays for a really long time even though it’s semi-permanent.

11. L’Oreal Superior Preference Fade-Defying Color + Shine System in Intense Dark Red

Every box of this dye comes with a care conditioner and shine serum to finish off your coloring session with a boost of luster and luminosity.

12. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme in Pomegranate True Red

The thick, non-drip formula of this dye makes it easy to apply without having to worry about making a mess or ruining your clothes.

13. John Frieda Precision Foam Colour in Deep Cherry Brown

It spreads easily from root to tip, making for a hassle-free coloring session at home. The foam penetrates the hair deeply, so you’re sure to have a rich and intense red-brown color after your session.

14. Iroiro Natural Premium Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Red

It’s made with nourishing coconut oil to condition your hair and keep it silky smooth. It also has a fruity cranberry fragrance, so you don’t have to deal with the usual chemical-like stench that other dyes have.

15. Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Go Intense! in Spicy Red

Its anti-drying gel formula is enriched with nourishing olive oil to add shine and silkiness to your hair. It’s perfect for African-American hair that needs extra moisture when coloring.

16. Creme of Nature Moisture Rich Hair Color in Vivid Red

The vivid red color of this dye is intense and multi-dimensional, so it won’t leave you with a flat hue. The system also boosts shine in your locks, making them look healthier.

17. Revlon Colorsilk Buttercream Hair Dye in Vivid Intense Red

It’s a great way to bring parched, dehydrated locks back to life as you color them with a new, sexy red hue.

Conclusion

Dark red hair is exceptionally captivating and is one of the fiercest, sultriest shades you can color your hair.

It’s trendy, so it’s no surprise that there are tons of dye options out there for you, whether it’s just for a night of experimental fun or a more permanent change.

Be careful of stains and learn how to dress with dark red hair, and you’re set to wow the world with your fiery new look. Look out everyone, there’s a new redhead in town!