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31 Red-Brown Hair Color Ideas to Effortlessly Elevate Your Natural Shade

 

It’s the best of both worlds.

If you’re bored as a brunette but don’t want to go fully blonde or strawberry, red-brown hair color just might be the shade you’re looking for. By embracing both dark hair and red tones, you inevitably get the best of both worlds.

“Red-brown hair is vibrant and eye-catching, adding drama and sophistication,” says hairstylist and Ulta Beauty Pro team member Danielle Keasling. “It works well with fair to medium skin tones, enhancing warm undertones, and its versatility allows shades from subtle strawberry to deep auburn brunette.”

However, these shades can fade quickly due to their high red pigment, and regular maintenance is required to keep the color vibrant. “Finding the right shade can also be tricky, as it needs to complement your natural undertones,” she continues.

If you’re thinking of dyeing your hair a reddish brown, here’s what you need to know. “Consultation is key, as red undertones can enhance or clash with your skin tone,” Keasling says. “Maintenance matters, so invest in professional color maintaining shampoos like Biolage Color Last is key to longevity and extended vibrancy. First-timers may start with red-leaning highlights before committing to a full color.”

Feeling inspired? Ahead, see top stylists and colorists’ favorite takes on red-brown hair color, and get ready to screenshot.

Fire Chestnut

“Fire Chestnut is an all over auburn brown with a red chestnut undertone,” says Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon, pointing to Camila Mendes’s fiery new shade as a great example of the look. “I would recommend doing an allover color to create this look. The maintenance will be every six to eight weeks for roots and as needed apply a gloss to refresh the ends.”

Classic Auburn

“Auburn hair is vibrant and eye-catching, adding drama and sophistication. It works well with fair to medium skin tones, enhancing warm undertones,” says Keasling. (Think: Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts.) “Classic auburn offers deep brown infused with auburn for a subtle yet striking effect,” Keasling says of the look.

Spicy Copper

For something a little more adventurous, Keasling recommends spicy copper luxe. “It’s a warm, rich blend that intertwines deep chestnut brown with shimmering copper highlights,” she says. “This combination adds depth and multidimensional shine, creating a luxe effect that complements all skin tones. The coppery accents catch the winter light beautifully, making hair look vibrant and full of life and luxury!”

Praline Brown

Eva Mendes’s reddish shade of praline brown is also especially influential, says Diana Mildice, a colorist specialist at Maxine Salon who coined the shade’s name. “Praline auburn brown is a cozy blend of glowing golds and pearlescent browns achieved by placing very fine pieces of light gold and wider pieces of rich hazel brown throughout the hair,” she says. “Baby lights are a more delicate and finer thread, easing harsh grow-out, while the bolder hazel brown defines the highlights with stronger ribbons.”

But the best part? It’s super low-maintenance. “It’s a great option for brunettes who want to keep some brightness during the depth of winter,” she says.

Chestnut Highlights

According to Chase Kusero, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of IGK Hair Care, blended chestnut highlights are a great option for adding subtle warmth to a brunette base. “This adds depth and dimension to flat or monotone brown hair,” he says. While it’s low-maintenance, you should still use home hair care, he says: “Apply IGK Antisocial Time-Release Bond-Building Mask to keep hair hydrated and prevent fading.”

Burnt-Orange Brunette

Prefer your auburn hair color on the toastier side? “Medium skin tones pair well with vibrant burnt orange infused with hints of red,” says Kim Kimble, celebrity stylist and Clairol brand partner.
“If your hair is dark, pre-lighten it with a bleach kit to ensure the color appears vibrant.”

To get the perfect burnt-orange hue, Kimble suggests using Clairol Textures & Tones in Sunset Copper for a bold finish.

Copper Auburn

Want an even darker, more vibrant take on auburn? Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist, extensions artist, educator, and owner of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar, recommends a dark copper or penny-colored take on the shade. That’s also exactly what to ask for when asking for the look; a “copper” or “penny” auburn.

“When the color is vibrant and fresh it is stunning,” she continues. ”Just remember that as with most red-based colors, it can fade quickly. So color-protecting products between visits are always recommended to keep the hair looking fresh.”

Vibrant Brunette

“Anyone can pull off a chestnut glow by adjusting the intensity to complement their natural skin tone,” says Renée Valerie, director of R+Color education and R+Color Collective member. One of her favorite ways to wear it? Vibrant chestnut brunette. “While it is technically a brown, it stands out for its warmth and richness, making it distinctly different from more neutral traditional brunettes.” Sarah Hyland has been sporting one of our favorite takes on the lush hue.

Warm Balayage

Contrary to what some people may think, balayage is still one of the prettiest ways to wear chestnut hair color. “Chestnut balayage achieves a natural, sunlit gradient perfect for effortless chic and that lived-in look everyone’s loving,” says Keasling.

Burgundy Brunette

If you have naturally dark hair and little time (or interest) in extensive maintenance, you might want to consider a brunette take on burgundy. “The burgundy shade blends beautifully with natural brunettes, requiring less lightening or damage compared to lighter hair colors,” says Kimble. “It also adds depth and dimension to dark hair.”

Auburn Chestnut

For something closer to auburn, simply combine the two: “Auburn chestnut pops in the sun,” says Valdes. “To get the look, make an appointment for an allover color. For maintenance it will need a root touch-up every four to six weeks and when needed a gloss to freshen up the mids and ends.”

Strawberry Brunette

Kendall Jenner’s strawberry brunette is one of the most popular takes on the shade in recent years. “This color is a blend of gold and copper hair colors,” says Jenna Perry, celebrity colorist and owner of Jenna Perry Hair. “It could also be described as ginger.”

As for how she customizes it for her clients? “Lighter skin tones look best with more gold copper,” she says. “Dark skin tones typically look better with a red copper.”

Honey Chestnut

“Chestnut is a rich, multidimensional hue that falls within the brunette family with a twist,” says Keasling. “Infused with a subtle warm, reddish-golden undertone mostly seen in outside light, it’s brown hair with a luxurious, sunlit glow,” Keasling explains. “While brown or brunette shades can range from ashy to deep espresso, chestnut hair is defined by its subtle warmth, giving it an extremely healthy appearance and incredibly polished feel.”

Burgundy Tones

“Burgundy hair is a rich hue that blends deep red and purple tones, offering a bold, wine-like undertone that sets it apart from traditional browns or brunettes,” says Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa. “Its versatility makes it suitable for a variety of skin tones—cooler burgundy shades pair beautifully with fair skin, balanced tones enhance medium skin, and warmer burgundy hues complement darker complexions.”

Red Auburn Brown

“Auburn is a hair color that can transform in different light,” says Perry. “It’s the chameleon of all hair colors. Sometimes it appears browner, and sometimes more red.”

One of her favorite ways to work with the hue, however, is a gorgeous red auburn brown, much like the one she created for Maude Apatow.

Copper Balayage

When in doubt, look to Rihanna for beauty inspo—especially since balayage is making a comeback. “We are seeing a lot of copper brunettes that are high in shine and rich in copper, golden tones,” Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa tells Glamour. “This hair color is soft and seamless. We are also seeing a lot of brunettes add highlights of copper to accentuate and create a warm, vibrant look.”

Cherry Cola

“Cherry Cola is primarily a deep red with brown chocolate undertones with a soft hue of mahogany,” says Maxine Salon colorist Lauren Mildice. “You will need to get your roots colored about every six weeks due to outgrowth and refresh your ends with gloss or toner to bring back the vibrancy.”

You’ve likely already seen the look on Hoyeon Jung, Dua Lipa, and Cardi B. “The momentum is still growing as many others try Cherry Cola,” Mildice says. “This color works on all skin types, from fair to deeper complexions, from straight hair to coil—this color is made for everyone.”

Golden Auburn

According to Kusero, Emma Stone’s gilded auburn hair is “an amazing example” of the color’s potential: “It’s become her signature shade.” It’s not hard to see why. “It’s flattering with the right customization, adds brightness and a youthful glow, and is perfect for soft, romantic looks,” Kusero says.

Copper Brown

Lauren Mildice also points to“bropper,” which is a brown-copper color blend, as a a perfect in-between red brown hair color shade. “This is a great option for the cozy months when you feel the urge to richen your color but do not want a dramatic change,” she says. “Everyone can embrace hair color warmth, especially when cozying up to a nice warm fire. Since copper and deep brunette color is in high demand during the colder months, combining the two just makes sense.”

Warm Burgundy

Want something more vibrant? If you have a warm undertone, Kimble recommends burgundy shades with rich, red undertones, like Gigi Hadid’s short-lived red hair.

Taking the plunge is especially convenient if your hair is already brown or brunette, Kimble adds: “If your hair is naturally dark, you may not need to pre-lighten, as these shades show vibrantly on darker bases.”

Auburn Brunette

If you have naturally dark hair and little to no time (or patience) for extensive upkeep, you might want to consider auburn brunette. “Auburn brunette is a deep rich auburn that can easily be achieved by glossing over lighter brunette hair,” says Christine Bellemare, cofounder, owner, and lead stylist at Maven A Collect. “It also fades very well.” Looking for more auburn brunette inspo? Check out Rihanna’s gorgeous take on the look.

Strawberry Ombré

“Strawberry offers countless styling options,” says Korab. One of her—and our—favorite unexpected ways to wear the look is with rich red balayage, as seen on Priyanka Chopra Jonas. “Each variation of this color adds a personal twist to the trend, allowing for creativity and depth while keeping your hair vibrant and healthy,” Korab adds.

Amber Glazed

Emily Ratajkowski’s glazed amber hair is another ideal in-between red brown hair color, since it’s a relatively easy shade to transition back to your natural hue after (if you so desire). “I wanted to create a red shade that not only complemented her skin and eye color but also something that was fun for summer and easy for her to transition back to her signature brunette,” Perry says of the look she created for Ratajkowski.

Chestnut Copper

“Zendaya’s glossy chestnut hair highlights her glowing complexion,” says Keasling—and it’s true, her chestnut copper hair is indeed iconic.

Mahogany Brunette

True red’s “earthier sister,” according to celebrity hair colorist and Evo creative director Tom Smith? A chic shade of celebrity-approved mahogany. “This shade has copper and gold elements with a touch of rose that makes it extremely pretty and unusual,” he says. “Its warm-cool nature makes it flattering for many skin tones.”

Chocolate Cherry

If you have naturally dark brown or black hair, or you simply prefer the brunette vibe, you might want to try chocolate cherry red, says Jason Lee, hairstylist, colorist, and founder of Mela & Kera. “It’s an alternative to auburn but still in the warm reddish family,” he says, defining the shade as adding a red wine undertone throughout brunette, which can also be accomplished with red highlights or balayage.

“For those of us who aren’t ready to take the full plunge into red, chocolate cherry seems to be a great way to update your look and make it modern but still live in the brunette world,” he says. Think: Sophie Turner’s dark red hue.

Ombré Chestnut

“Adding chestnut lowlights or undertones can elevate your overall look without a drastic color change by adding light reflection and dimension to flat, dark hair,” says Keasling. “It’s great to enhance natural curls, waves, and texture by creating a shimmering, multitonal effect.” Case in point: Chloe Bailey.

Auburnt Sienna

Auburn hair color, but make it even more brilliant. “Auburnt sienna is shimmering into the season with a multifaceted blend of our favorites!” says Diana Mildice. “The movement of terra-cotta copper, glitzy gold, and chili red appears lit from within this rich auburn base, and the golden micro-lights sprinkled throughout add just a touch of additional sparkle.”

What’s more, she adds, tons of variations of auburnt sienna are complementary to most skin tones and can be personalized based on each individual.

Chestnut Blend

Valdes also recommends incorporating warm reddish, chestnut, and caramel tones throughout your hair for a natural-looking warm aesthetic. “Baby-lights or balayage would mimic what the sun does to the hair naturally,” she says.

Cool Burgundy

Alternatively, if you have a cooler skin tone (or feel like you tend to look better in silver jewelry than gold), Kimble suggests trying plum or violet.

“Cool skin tones pair well with burgundy shades that have plum or violet undertones,” she says. “For a daring shade of red with strong purple undertones, Clairol Natural Instincts 4RV Dark Burgundy Hair is your go-to.”

Warm Gloss

If you identify as a “lazy hot girl” when it comes to hair color upkeep, you might want to consider a fiery, red-toned gloss.

“I like glosses for everyone, but mostly for people who don’t want to, or aren’t quite ready to, fully commit,” says Perry. “Glosses are not permanent, there is no damage to the hair, and they add shine and depth. It’s also good for in-between coloring and for refreshes—it stretches the longevity.”