10 Best Red Hair Dyes UK 2024 | Garnier, L'Oréal and More
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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How to Choose a Red Hair Dye in the UK
- Consider How Long You Want the Colour to Last - Permanent, Semi-permanent or Temporary
- Keep Your Skin Tone and Hair Colour in Mind When Choosing Your Ideal Shade
- Identifying Shade Numbers Can Assist You in Choosing the Right Color
- Go for Products Without Harmful Additives to Minimise Damage
- Seek Out Dyes With Added Conditioners and Other Handy Supplies
How Long Do You Want the Colour to Last? Choose Between Permanent, Semi-Permanent or Temporary
Permanent Hair Colours Can Last for 2 Months and Are Best for Covering Greys
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!
Semi-Permanent Dyes Are a Great Way to Test Out a Shade or Change it Up Often
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.
Pick the Shade of Red You Want to Go For While Considering Your Skin Tone and Colouring
Try Dusty Reds, Coppers and Strawberry Blondes if You Have Fair Hair and Skin
Darker Ginger, Orange and Auburn Will Suit Most Skin Tones as Well as Natural Brunettes
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.
Go Vibrant With Bright Reds, but Bear in Mind You’ll Need Lightened Hair for It to Pop
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.
Dark, Purpley and Cherry Reds Complement Dark Skin Tones and Brown Eyes
When it's time to go blonde, we'll be here for you too with the best blonde hair dye suggestions!
Understand the Shade Numbers on the Box to Help You Choose the Perfect Colour
The first number denotes how light or dark the base colour is, as follows:
- 0/1: Black/darkest
- 5: Light brown
- 6: Dark blonde
- 7: Medium blonde
- 10: Lightest blonde
The second number, or sometimes letter, denotes the tones or nuances in the colour:
- 1: Blue
- 2: Violet
- 3: Gold
- 4: Copper
- 5: Mahogany
- 6: Red
- 7: Matte
- 8: Mocha
Thinking of going purple instead? We got you covered (as always) with our favourite purple hair dyes!
Opt For Dyes Without Ammonia and Peroxide to Limit Damage and Irritation
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.
Look Out for Formulas With Added Conditioners and Other Handy Kit Inclusions Like Brushes and Gloves
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.
10 Best Red Hair Dyes in the UK
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 |
Gentle Yet Effective Dye Made With 80% Natural Ingredients
This gentle semi-permanent dye lasts for 28 washes so you can change up your hair as often as you like. It seamlessly blends away greys and is suitable for dark or brunette locks too. All in all, this is an excellent at-home dye that cares for your hair.
A Gorgeous Bold Ginger for Blonde to Mid-Brown Tones
This vibrant and bold ginger is designed for blonde to mid-brown hair, covers greys and would shine on most skin tones. The dye itself is a non-drip cream with an ergonomic applicator for accurate and even colour.
SchwarzkopfLive Intense Permanent Hair Colour ｜ 3 Pack
The Best Permanent Red for Dark Hair
For Glossy, Salon-Quality Colour That Covers Every Last Grey
A Long-Lasting Bright Red With Added Shine
Although it's ammonia free, you will get striking results in just 20 minutes that will last up to 8 weeks. This punchy red is designed for medium-blonde to brown shades, or you could opt for their cherry red or copper if you’d like something more suited to your tones.
A Natural, Ammonia-Free Option Enriched With Plant Oils
This stunning auburn-copper promises 100% grey coverage and is packed with organic plant and seed oils to hydrate, strengthen and even reduce ageing of the hair. It comes with shampoo, conditioner and a CC cream too.
Manic Panic High Voltage Semi-Permanent Hair Dye ｜ 2 Pack
Vegan-Friendly, Low-Chemical Colour in Dozens of Shades
Like other similar dyes, this one will show up best on light or bleached hair, though it will still add a cherry-ish hue to brunettes. However, it’s not recommended for those with more than 10% of grey hair as results might not be that effective.
The Ideal Permanent Dye for Those Who Prefer the Natural Look
Another plus is that, although permanent, it's free from ammonia and formulated to be gentle against allergies. There are also added conditioners in every step for not just luminous colour but healthier hair, too.
La RicheDirections Semi Permanent Hair Colour ｜ 4 Pack
A Budget-Friendly Way to Try Out Pillarbox Red
Much more gentle on the scalp than you’d assume, there are also added conditioners that leave the hair soft and nourished. You’ll have to stock up on your own equipment, though, as neither a brush nor gloves come with this one.
Pure, Chemical-Free Henna in a Classic Deep Red Shade
This trending brand offers a few more shades for the modern age, but this deep red shade is a classic everyone should sport at some point in their life. Just bear in mind that each hair type reacts differently to henna colour-wise, and avoid using on pre-dyed hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Remove Red Hair Dye at Home?
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.
How Long Does Red Hair Dye Last?
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.
How to Remove Red Hair Dye From Skin?
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
Top 5 Red Hair Dyes
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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