Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Spring Summer 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    • Digital Issues
    • Women Who Win
    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    Red hair is having a moment and there's a perfect shade for everyone

    Red hair is fierce, and that's a fact. You only have to see the stars embracing their crimson-colours and the celebrities copy-catting their fiery shades to know...

    By Marie Claire
    Published 13 June 2017 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    red hair
    (Image credit: Deadline/REX/Shutterstock)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Red hair is fierce, and that's a fact. You only have to see the stars embracing their crimson-colours and the celebrities copy-catting their fiery shades to know...

    Red hair has never been hotter. Whether you're rocking a freshly-dyed redhead 'do or embracing some stunning auburn locks, a shade of red hair is the most-sought after on the spectrum. Just take a look at the A-list.

    Redhead du jour Lily Collins leads the way when it comes to natural red shades. As do actresses Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Christina Hendricks and Isla Fisher.

    For more subtle cinnamon shades, French babe Joséphine de La Baume and Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman boast two of the best hues on the scene, while Blake Lively and Drew Barrymore prove the hottest shade of the year can be copied to perfection.

    Brighter colours are also popular with celebrities. Everyone from singers Cheryl to Rihanna have indulged their creative sides at the salon, opting for more fiery reds. And who could forget the firiest of them all, Florence Welch, who regularly slicks on a lipstick in a similar shade before stepping out on stage to perform with her band.

    You may like
    • Luke Hersheson My Life In Hair I Spoke to the Super Stylist Behind Victoria Beckham's Iconic Bob—Here Are His Thoughts on Great Hair
    • brunette woman with bouncy blow dry The 11 Best Hair Dryers of 2026 for Every Hair Type—Tried and Tested by Our Beauty Team
    • woman with tinted maroon sunglasses wearing a beige military style jacket with long, straight blonde hair - best hair straighteners The 14 Best Hair Straighteners That Justify the Investment

    Worried about your look getting stale? Do as Nicola Roberts does. The Girls Aloud star updated her mid-length locks by introducing a much softer sun-kissed tone towards the tips. The end result perfectly complemented Nicola's porcelain skin which she began to embrace towards the end of her chart-topping group's time in the spotlight.

    If you're considering making the change but aren't sure what way to turn, we have you covered. We went to Paul Edmonds London in Knightsbridge and spoke to Steven Kamara, the hair colouring mastermind behind redheads like Mad Men's Christina Hendricks, to help us understand how to get the red you want.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    To book an appointment at the salon, visit www.pauledmonds.com

    How to choose the right shade of red

    Work with your natural skin tone. If your skin is pale, try lighter shades of red like ginger or strawberry blonde or go really rich in colour.

    Many associate redheads with fair skin, but if you've got golden or warm undertones you can still pull off a killer red colour.

    What to read next
    • The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos  Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full
    • red and blue outfit Fashion Experts Are Swapping "Boring" Neutrals for This Joyful Colour Pairing Instead
    • The long hair trend and the post-bob era I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending

    'Warmer skin tones need to use a balancing colour,' Steven advises, so opt for shades with a hint of copper to keep warmth in your complexion.

    And if you have darker skin, try auburn shades of red or go for really popping, bright red.

    'Adding some subtle ballayage pieces throughout the hair also gives it a lovely depth,' Steven says.

    How to go from blonde to red hair

    Luckily, it's quite easy to transition form blonde hair to red, as your hair will pick up the red dye easily. Remember, if you have copper tones in your hair already, it will show up in the red too. If you don't want copper tones, visit your hair colourist who will be able to counteract this for you.

    How to go from brown to red hair

    Because brown hair is darker than red, it can be slightly harder to achieve the exact red hair colour you want, especially if you're trying to do it at home. You will most likely have to go lighter in colour before you can go red, but as Steven proved it's possible to go from a medium-dark brown to a copper red in one session - just make sure you leave it up to the professionals to ensure your hair is kept in tip-top condition. Also consider an Olaplex treatment in between salon visits to improve the quality of your hair, and so it absorbs the colour more.

    How to care for dyed red hair

    'It's really important to properly care for red hair, so you need to make sure you're using the right products,' Steven warns. 'Red tends to fade pretty quickly, so make sure you stay away from anything that's going to strip the colour.'

    Avoid using anti-dandruff shampoos and instead choose sulphate-free products to keep your colour looking vibrant for longer.

    Take a look at our favourite naturally auburn stunners and those experimental redheads - we're confident you'll be booking in an appointment after...

    Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne
    (Image credit: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock)

    First up, our favourite redhead Bella Thorne was spotted getting some sun in LA in April 2016, pairing her luscious auburn locks with a floral-printed red dress.

    Scarlett Johansson

    Scarlett Johansson

    Scarlett Johansson
    (Image credit: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

    We're pretty sure that Scarlett Johansson has sported every hair colour there is and somehow, she manages to pull off each one - this red being no exception. 

    Kristen Stewart

    Kristen Stewart

    Kristen Stewart
    (Image credit: Matt Baron/BEI/BEI/Shutterstock)

    Kristen Stewart nailed this fiery shade of red with a simply side-swept part. Hot!

    Jaime King

    Jaime King

    Jaime King
    (Image credit: BEI/BEI/Shutterstock)

    She's typically known as a blonde bombshell, but Jaime King proves that blondes don't always get to have all the fun. 

    Emma Roberts

    Emma Roberts

    Emma Roberts
    (Image credit: Buzz Foto/REX/Shutterstock)

    Emma Roberts was spotted showing off her brand new 'Desert Rose' hue, giving redheads major inspiration for their spring 'do...

    Lily Cole

    Lily Cole

    Lily Cole's Red Hairstyle

    Model Lily Cole has never been afraid to fly the flag for crimson-coloured roots everywhere either.

    Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne opted to wear her naturally glossy hair in a sleek centre parting with plenty of volume for her turn on the red carpet at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards,

    Eleanor Tomlinson

    Eleanor Tomlinson

    Eleanor Tomlinson in celebrity red hairstyles
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Whether she's opted for an effortlessly elegant updo or she's twisted her layers into boho waves, Eleanor Tomlinson's warm colour always takes centre stage and looks undeniably glossy and glamorous.


    Rihanna

    Rihanna

    Rihanna at Dior event in Tokyo
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Rihanna hits a Dior presentation in Tokyo with retro-look curls.

    Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain

    Photo of Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain champions boho-style tousled waves.

    Bryce Dallas Howard

    Bryce Dallas Howard

    Bryce Dallas Howard out in London

    Jurassic World's Bryce Dallas Howard steps out in London with her red hair in a sleek and straight style.

    Amy Adams

    Amy Adams

    Amy Adams at Max Mara dinner
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Amy Adams channels a chic old Hollywood vibe with her softly curled red hairstyle at a Max Mara dinner in London.

    Amy Poehler

    Amy Poehler

    Amy Poehler at Cannes Film Festival 2015
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Amy Poehler's shoulder-length auburn locks have a slight wave at the Cannes Film Festival 2015.

    Rihanna

    Rihanna

    Rihanna with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Rihanna twists the top section of her hair into two topknots, leaving the red of her copper curls loose out in New York.

    Cheryl

    Cheryl

    Cheryl Fernandez-Versini reveals new red hair
    (Image credit: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Instagram)

    Not long after she cut her long hair into a throwback bob, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini takes to Instagram to unveil a fiery new look.

    Rumer Willis

    Rumer Willis

    Rumer Willis rocks retro red hair
    (Image credit: Rex)

    Rumer Willis proves to be a fan of retro styling when she steps out in LA with her red hair pinned in an old-fashioned 'do.

    Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne

    Photo of Bella Thorne

    Bella Thorne proves you don't have to be a natural redhead to suit this striking hue. Light, strawberry blonde and copper tones are better on a natural blonde than deep burgundy or hot red tones.

    Julianne Moore

    Julianne Moore

    Photo of Julianne Moore

    Even natural redheads can play around with colour. Follow Julianne Moore's lead and go one step bolder with a rich cherry hue.

    Riley Keough

    Riley Keough

    Riley Keough Red Hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Elvis Presley's granddaughter, the one and only Riley Keough, is one foxy red head. She wears her scarlet style in loose ringlets, tousled around the shoulders.

    Amy Adams

    Amy Adams

    Photo of Amy Adams

    Amy Adams is our new redheaded heroine, after she updated her soft auburn locks to this bright copper hue. Paired with old Hollywood waves, this is the colour to turn bland hair into beautiful tresses in an instant.

    Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain

    Photo of Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain is one of our favourite natural redheads. We love this relaxed wave on the actress and how the soft side parting really frames her face.

    Olivia Grant

    Olivia Grant

    Olivia Grant Red Hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Olivia Grant is one of the most striking natural redheads in Hollywood. She embraces her stunning auburn locks with a slinky tight-ringlet curled do.

    Karen Elson

    Karen Elson

    Photo of Karen Elson

    Karen Elson earned the nickname 'Le Freak' because of her unique red hair, pale skin and fair eyebrows, but we think she looks anything but freaky with this feminine 'do. The sleek style is softened by Karen's longer-length fringe, which also frames the model's petite elfin features.

    Emma Stone

    Emma Stone

    Emma Stone with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    A girl who suits just about every shade in the spectrum, Emma Stone definitely secured her place in our hair hero hitlist with her crimson-style. A subtle-shine, high impact style that really caught our eye.

    Amy Adams

    Amy Adams

    Amy Adams with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Another star who favours the more natural red colour, actress Amy Adams' tresses are understatedly pretty.

    Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Redhead du jour Jessica Chastain wears hers in a natural shade, which leaves her locks looking shiny and healthy.

    Isla Fisher

    Isla Fisher

    Isla Fisher with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Isla Fisher's coppery-style red look is one of our all-time favourites.

    Nicole Kidman

    Nicole Kidman

    Nicole Kidman with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Granted, this is a less fiery red than one she's worn in the past, but Nicole Kidman's carrot-hued locks still look fab.

    Blake Lively

    Blake Lively

    Blake Lively with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Blake Lively also tried out the red hair look in 2011 with a warm and rich shade.

    Jessica Chastain

    Jessica Chastain

    Photo of Jessica Chastain

    How striking does Jessica Chastain look with this new fringe? Her choppy style reminds us of a redheaded Brigitte Bardot...

    Rihanna

    Rihanna

    Rihanna Red Hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Rihanna quickly established herself as a very fiery red head when she went red than ever in 2010. These are some of the most iconic looks we remember of the statement-making singer.

    Florence Welch

    Florence Welch

    Florence Welch with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Florence Welch's striking red hair is as much her trademark as her boho style and her haunting vocals. Here she is pictured with it at its most vivid.

    Christina Hendricks

    Christina Hendricks

    Christina Hendricks with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Christina Hendricks illustrates how elegant red hair can be. Make like the Mad Men star and wear yours shoulder length with natural tousled waves.

    Nicola Roberts

    Nicola Roberts

    Nicola Roberts red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Nicola Roberts remained faithful to her red roots throughout Girls Aloud, finally embracing her gorgeous porcellaine skin towards the end of the band's history. We love her dip-dyed look with fiery roots and lighter, sunkissed ends.

    Drew Barrymore

    Drew Barrymore

    Drew Barrymore Red Hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Drew Barrymore experimented with a red phase - and it really suited her. This colour chameleon has had more hair colours than we can remember but this one was definitely a favourite.

    Julianne Moore

    Julianne Moore

    Julianne Moore with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Julianne Moore's smooth and sleek hair is natural red at its best.

    Kylie Minogue

    Kylie Minogue

    Kylie Minogue with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Back in 1995, pop star Kylie Minogue hit the bottle and dyed her hair a vibrant shade of red, which she wore with sex kitten kohled eyes and a milky pale complexion. Love this look on her!

    Joséphine de La Baume

    Joséphine de La Baume

    Joséphine de La Baume with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    If a lighter red is what you're after, then look to French babe Joséphine de La Baume for inspiration.

    Hayley Williams

    Hayley Williams

    Hayley Williams with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams has opted for full-on red with her hair colour choice, and we've got to admit, we love this electrifying look.

    Karen Elson

    Karen Elson

    Karen Elson with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Manchester-born model Karen Elson's deep red hair colour is one of our favourites.

    Julia Roberts

    Julia Roberts

    Julia Roberts with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Darker red shades look great in classic glossy waves. Let Julia Roberts be your guide.

    Rose McGowan

    Rose McGowan

    Rose McGowan with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    She's been blonde, she's been brunette, but we think Rose McGowan really suited being a redhead back in 2008.

    Tilda Swinton

    Tilda Swinton

    Tilda Swinton with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Actress Tilda Swinton off-set her striking features with an equally striking red hair colour.

    Lily Cole

    Lily Cole

    Lily Cole with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Lily Cole lets her hair go au naturale with a muted red hue.

    Carey Mulligan

    Carey Mulligan

    Carey Mulligan with red hair
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    She maybe an ice cool blonde now, but two years ago British actress Carey Mulligan wore her pixie crop in a natural shade of red.

    Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone and Cameron Crowe

    Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone and Cameron Crowe

    Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone and Cameron Crowe at Aloho premiere in LA
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
    Marie Claire
    Social Links Navigation

    The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.

    Read more
    Luke Hersheson My Life In Hair
    Hair I Spoke to the Super Stylist Behind Victoria Beckham's Iconic Bob—Here Are His Thoughts on Great Hair
    brunette woman with bouncy blow dry
    Hair The 11 Best Hair Dryers of 2026 for Every Hair Type—Tried and Tested by Our Beauty Team
     
     
    woman with tinted maroon sunglasses wearing a beige military style jacket with long, straight blonde hair - best hair straighteners
    Hair The 14 Best Hair Straighteners That Justify the Investment
    The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos
    Hair Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full
     
     
    Latest in Hair
    The long hair trend and the post-bob era
    Hair I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
    selection of the best pre-shampoo treatments tested by Marie Claire UK
    Hair If Your Hair Still Feels Lacklustre No Matter What You Try, a Pre-Shampoo Treatment Could Be What’s Missing
     
     
    best hair repair masks tested by Marie Claire UK
    Hair My Hair Is Dry and Lacklustre After Summer—Of All the Repair Masks I’ve Tried, These Are the Ones I Recommend
    Scalp SPF
    Hair So You Think You Know All About SPF—But Beauty Experts Say This "Forgotten" Part Of Your Body Needs Attention
     
     
    Latest in Features
    The Beauty Digest
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: Head Spas, Coco Mademoiselle Reimagined, and What the TPO Ban Really Means
    The long hair trend and the post-bob era
    Hair I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
     
     
    @nlmarilyn in transitional autumn outfits
    Fashion Goodbye Summer Dresses, I'm in Autumn Outfit Planning Mode—These 5 Are Fresh
    AW26 denim trends listing
    Fashion Autumn's Denim Trends Are Already Surfacing—Here Are the Cuts, Colours and Details to Know Now
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.