“Reds, coppers, and auburn, oh my! When it comes to giving a guest that popping red that they’re been in search of, as a pro, we know that there is so much to consider. What tone of red are you looking for? How red is red enough? If I give you the red of your dreams, will you keep up with the home care? As vibrant as red can begin, we know that because it is a really big hair color molecule, it’s constantly working its way out of the hair, hence the dramatic fading overtime. With that said, there are some tips and tricks when it comes to choosing reds that can really extend the longevity of the look. Here are some of my favorite red trends right now that can give your guests that wow-factor fresh out of the salon with extended results.
Christin Brown (@curlfactor) shares her three favorite trending fall red colors, so you can be prepared to create the looks your clients will be asking for.
“Reds, coppers, and auburn, oh my! When it comes to giving a guest that popping red that they’re been in search of, as a pro, we know that there is so much to consider. What tone of red are you looking for? How red is red enough? If I give you the red of your dreams, will you keep up with the home care? As vibrant as red can begin, we know that because it is a really big hair color molecule, it’s constantly working its way out of the hair, hence the dramatic fading overtime. With that said, there are some tips and tricks when it comes to choosing reds that can really extend the longevity of the look. Here are some of my favorite red trends right now that can give your guests that wow-factor fresh out of the salon with extended results.
The Classic Red
There is nothing more iconic and controversial than thinking about the “classic red”... We hear “I wanna go red” from a client and as a colorist, a million versions of red funnels through our mental library. Crush orange-red? Fire engine red? Red violet? There are quite literally so many options, but when it comes to selecting a red that ignites your client, show them the classic version of red to start. This is the Jessica Rabbit red (am I dating myself yet?). The red that has a touch of blue but also a deep reflection of orange. It’s hard to find that beautiful balance, why? Because blue and orange are complementary on the color wheel and neutralize each other. It’s also the perfect dance that makes a classic red have that pop.
Autumn Leaves
I had a client recently say to me that she wanted to switch her blonde to red because and I quote, “I want to look like I fell into a pile of fall leaves.” Um, yes. That’s a vibe and also, what does that mean?! It took me a full 35 minutes to consult with her to get the ideas that were in her head out of there and into my head. What we came up with was the beautifully vibrant tones of oranges, deep reds and also some honey blondes. The tonalities of fall commands colors that are both found in nature but are also the tones that clients sometimes shy away from because of fading and brassiness. However, if we educate our guests with either color-enhancing home care products like shampoo and conditioners with built-in color, the life of the initial session can be extended and even morph into different hues. No matter when you land in the field of leaves, I love the fact that some clients mirror the seasons, and as artists we can truly step outside of our comfort zone by challenging our creative window of opportunity as artists.
Red, Red Wine
Then, we have our red violets that pull out a whole other version of dimension, balance and sometimes the art of subtlety. I know that I mentioned both autumn tones and the classic reds have been basically hitting hard this fall for hair trends. With that said, the amount of pinot-reds that are in my request box are stacking up greatly, and I’m wondering if this is the new red flex on the block? For someone that wants to change their hair color but doesn’t want to go blonde or even caramel, the red-violets have seemed like a tempting and often desirable choice for my guests when it comes to the world of exploration. Whether it’s subtle highlights that they can show off at their corporate job or deciding to go for the full monty and commit to a global red-violet, this choice isn’t just a color of the past. It’s become a revival of something that was quite literally glossed over for years. No matter the trend, I’m here for both the subtle hue and also the richness of red.
I can tell you for a fact that there are some artists that dabble in the red family, some that completely avoid it and some that have made it their calling card to perfect that category. As an artist that does more blonding and caramels than reds, I have personally had so many requests for the crimsons and cabernets that I can’t deny the wave. We are meant to give our guests the inspiration to go for the gold (in this case, the red), which can help us expand our toolbox. The trend for Fall 2023 has been a wide array of red-oranges to wine tones, and I’m actually here for it all. The main objective is to give our clients the look that they want with our twist on it, and if you can achieve that with the red family, you’re a baddie. “
