Quick List - Top Red Hair Dyes
Clairol
Gentle Yet Effective Dye Made With 80% Natural Ingredients
L'Oreal
For Glossy, Salon-Quality Colour That Covers Every Last Grey
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Whether you’ve got a full head of silver or a few strands peeking through, permanent red dyes will also cover greys most effectively, so if this is your goal, try to choose those that promise 100% grey coverage.
Bear in mind that natural red hair colours are the most difficult to imitate in and out of salons, so if you’re a redhead-gone-grey you may not be able to completely match your true shade. However, this does mean that you can experiment with all sorts of fiery hues!
They’re a great way to try out the redhead look or a new shade before taking the permanent plunge too, plus they allow you to change up your look seasonally (autumn is the perfect excuse to go red!) or as often as you like.
They may not last as long as permanent shades, but as semi-permanent dyes don’t use as many strong chemicals, they won’t inflict as much damage on your hair. This also makes them a good pick for those with weak or dry hair, or those who can’t live without heat styling tools.
Often described as reddish-brown, auburn has blue undertones so it will suit cooler skin tones nicely. A darker auburn can also suit those with medium complexions and is often the best bet for those with brown or brunette hair wanting to go red.
To get a true vibrant red, you’ll need a base of light or bleached hair, so remember to factor this in if you want to go as bright as possible. You can always use these reds on the ends of your hair or in streaks to avoid bleaching your whole head.
When it's time to go blonde, we'll be here for you too with the best blonde hair dye suggestions!
The first number denotes how light or dark the base colour is, as follows:
The second number, or sometimes letter, denotes the tones or nuances in the colour:
Thinking of going purple instead? We got you covered (as always) with our favourite purple hair dyes!
Fortunately, lately some of the biggest brands are producing permanent dyes without this chemical addition. The chemical used in replacement of ammonia, however, isn’t too wonderful for your hair or scalp either, and does not cover greys as successfully, but it can be a good alternative for those wishing to avoid it.
Browse here for our top picks for henna hair dyes in the UK.
On a related note, it’s also worth noting exactly what else is included in the kit, such as gloves and applicator brushes. You may have to source them yourself if some useful items are not included and it always pays to be prepared with home dye jobs.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye | ![]() | Gentle Yet Effective Dye Made With 80% Natural Ingredients | |
2 | Garnier Olia Bold Permanent Hair Dye | ![]() | A Gorgeous Bold Ginger for Blonde to Mid-Brown Tones | |
3 | Schwarzkopf Live Intense Permanent Hair Colour|3 Pack | ![]() | The Best Permanent Red for Dark Hair | |
4 | L'Oreal Infinia Préférence Premium Hair Colour | ![]() | For Glossy, Salon-Quality Colour That Covers Every Last Grey | |
5 | L’Oreal Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Colour | ![]() | A Long-Lasting Bright Red With Added Shine | |
6 | Naturtint Permanent Hair Colour | ![]() | A Natural, Ammonia-Free Option Enriched With Plant Oils | |
7 | Manic Panic High Voltage Semi-Permanent Hair Dye|2 Pack | ![]() | Vegan-Friendly, Low-Chemical Colour in Dozens of Shades | |
8 | Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye | ![]() | The Ideal Permanent Dye for Those Who Prefer the Natural Look | |
9 | La Riche Directions Semi Permanent Hair Colour|4 Pack | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly Way to Try Out Pillarbox Red | |
10 | The Henna Guys Deep Red Henna Hair & Beard Dye | ![]() | Pure, Chemical-Free Henna in a Classic Deep Red Shade |
While we would always advise speaking to a hair professional first, there are some ways you can help to lift the colour at home. Try applying lemon juice or mixing baking soda in equal amounts to shampoo; these both have acidic properties which can neutralise colour intensity. Always follow-up with a treatment to reduce damage.
Red is notorious for fading very quickly, so you should expect to be topping up the colour every 4-6 weeks. Nevertheless, there are things you can do to slightly slow down the process; consider not washing your hair as often and when you do, using cool water and leave-in conditioners.
Hair dye should fade from your skin within a few days, but if you don’t want to wait, you can try gently rubbing makeup remover or a facial cleanser into the skin and rinsing. Otherwise washing up liquid mixed with baking soda is another option if you don’t have sensitive skin.
Written and researched by Natasha Dziubajlo
No. 1: Clairol|Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
No. 2: Garnier|Olia Bold Permanent Hair Dye
No. 3: Schwarzkopf|Live Intense Permanent Hair Colour|3 Pack
No. 4: L'Oreal|Infinia Préférence Premium Hair Colour
No. 5: L’Oreal|Colorista Permanent Gel Hair Colour
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