TURNING (red) heads

From finding your perfect shade to keeping the colour salon-fresh, this is your ultimate guide to becoming a redhead.

- BY LEILA PETERSEN

Red hair is undeniably having a moment and shows no sign of slowing down. From runways to red carpets, tones of copper, auburn and cherry are dominating the beauty scene. It all kicked off in early 2021 when celebrities like Zendaya, Sophie Turner and Kendall Jenner all embraced fiery transformations, experimenting with everything from rich mahogany to golden copper. More recently, Dua Lipa and Cardi B have fuelled the trend with deep oxblood and vibrant cherry hues.

Red hair makes a bold statement, but it's a high-maintenance colour that requires care to keep it vibrant. Whether you're after a soft strawberry tint or a dramatic crimson punch, there's a shade of red for everyone. But before you grab the dye, it’s worth knowing how to choose a red that truly flatters you.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT RED

Red hair can look stunning on everyone; it's just a matter of finding the shade that suits you. The key? Match the undertone and intensity of the red to your complexion. While red is a bold move, it’s surprisingly adaptable when you know what to look for.

1 Start with Your Undertone

Your skin's undertone plays a major role in how a red shade will look on you.

A quick way to determine yours is by checking the veins on your wrist in natural, indirect light. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. Green or olive veins usually indicate warm undertones, while a mix of both suggests a neutral undertone. Once you've identified your undertone, you can narrow down the most flattering red shades for your skin.

Warm undertones (yellow, peach, golden): Opt for vibrant shades like copper, ginger and warm auburns. These tones enhance your skin's natural glow.