The Best Red Hair Dyes 2021 | Buying Guide

Have you ever colored your hair? Try out the color for a gorgeous appearance. The color that you want to apply to your hair should stand out for a more extended period. So, choosing the right brand and color is a significant factor.

Are you confused about choosing the best color for your hair? If yes! Why don't you consider red color? Usually, red will be the center of attraction wherever it is, so the red hair dye is no exception. You'll look good in a great red hair dye.

How To Choose The Best Red Hair Dye For Your Hair?

Some things need to consider selecting the best red hair dyes for any hair shades, achieving the bright and vibrant red hues.

Bleaching your hair also ensures its color intensity and results. So, here we have compiled some considerations for your references.

1. No Bleach

There is no need to bleach your hair to achieve the darker red shade, but it might depend on the red color you want to grab.

You can choose the Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye on our list to get vibrant red on dark hair without bleaching.

This is an excellent option for those who have dark hair to achieve a deep burgundy color. As this is semi-permanent, anyone can try them out for an edge, and fiery red hair look!

2. Moisturizing Formula

Another consideration should be its moisturization effects to avoid hair damages. The infused moisturizing formula helps lock the hair's moisture during coloring hair and even after colored hair until the next coloring. There is no need to worry about it even you go for bleaching, which nourishes your hair effectively. You will never have any hair damages during and after coloring.

They help you achieve a look of shine and vibrancy!

3. No Harsh Chemicals

The product that you are going to choose should not contain any harmful chemicals. They should be 100% vegan and free from ammonia, cruelty, parabens, gluten, PPD, and phthalates. They will be safe for any hair types and shades. You can mix the colors that are chemicals-free with any other hues.

Manic Panic comes with over 49 shades, which can be mixed to grab a new color. This makes you achieve the flexible and vibrant red color that you are looking for.

However, one crucial thing that you remember is it is semi-permanent so that it won't last for a more extended period.

4. Permanent vs. Semi-permanent

Another consideration should be this, ensuring that you need a temporary or permanent hair solution for your hair is more crucial. Permanent will offer a last longer effect that semi-permanent couldn't provide. We know that red is hard to maintain, so you need to be very mindful of the washing.

Frequent wash might wash out the dye faster! So, make sure that you are stepping in the right way!

5. Shade

Shades of the red dye are also fundamental as this is available in various red shades. Most brands will provide a color chart with its package, allowing you to choose the red shades you prefer!

6. Conditioner

Conditioners must be required for hair coloring, especially in red color, as they lock the moisturizing effect in your hair and extend the coloring durability. So, choose the red hair dye that is infused with a conditioning formula. Ingredients like shea oil, avocado oil are good for the conditioning effect.

7. Price 

Today, you can see the different brands with similar features. This is because it is necessary to compare the products with one another to figure out the right and best red hair dye.

Which Red Hair Dye Last Longer?

There should be only one way to achieve a last longer effect is switching your hair color to permanent hair dye.

Have you already tried out semi-permanent hair dye? Are you looking for the changes to get a natural look? Then, permanent hair dye would be better.

Do you want to know the best long-lasting permanent red hair dye from our list? Probably! The red hair dye from the Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream, 5.22 Ruby Red, would be the best choice. This gives you a luxurious and shiny look of red color and lasts around ten full weeks!

This is also infused with the UV filters and its Diamond Brilliance Serum, which works well on all types of hair so that you can achieve a vivid ruby-like shade of red!

There is no need to bleach your hair with this product, but you can achieve the exact ruby red shade. This is also suitable for the hair types of light, medium, and dark brown.

Is Red Hair Dye Damaging?

This is one of the most common questions among red color lovers today. The red dyes are also similar to the other highlight colors, particularly in their damaging properties.

However, one feature that differentiates red dye from other dyes is its larger dye molecule. This would mean that frequent shampooing on the red-colored hair might wash red shades faster.

This is why it is more difficult to maintain the red shades than others.

The highlight coloring like red can generally damage the hair alongside the bleaching as they contain ammonia, which is a common ingredient in permanent dye!

However, there are a lot of brands that offer different colors without ammonia. Here we have listed red dyes that are ammonia-free. They will also protect the hair from damages with their moisturizing formula.

Ammonia is not a destructive element that helps the dye to stick to your hair, so the color lasts for a more extended period. But you can also give your red shades a last longer effect by conditioning hair with a daily hair routine.

If you want to play it safe, you can go for the ammonia-free options available on our lists. So that you no need to worry about the hair damages anymore!

8 Best Red Hair Dyes

Now, you might have to look for the best hair dye red for different skin tones. Here we have listed the best red hair dyes for different situations. Whether your skin complexion is light, pale, dark, or brown, there are options on this list for them.

1. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme, 66 True Red (Pomegranate)

Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme Shade 66 is the first premium pick for red hair color. The Garnier alone has over 40 different shades, and shade 66 is one among them. It is vital to choose a suitable hair dye for better results.

For instance, if you apply this color to black hair, then the result would be darker than the standard shade.

Many reasons will stand for this. One of them would be its fruit oil ampoule that stands out alongside the cream. The grape oil in the cream deeply nourishes the hair roots during the coloring process, making the red color dye stick around the roots and hair for an extended period and offer a more vibrant finish!

They also come with an after-color conditioner with several essential oils such as avocado oil, shea oil, olive oil to lock the moisture inside and deeply nourish hair. So, your hair will be softer, healthier, silkier, and bouncy! They are also great at dealing with itchy scalps and dandruff!

So, there is no need to worry about your grad strands with this red dye, as this infused formula gives you 100% gray coverage! With the boost technology formula, you can get the vibrant red hue that you are looking for!

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Infused fruit oil
  • Comes with an after-color conditioner
  • 100% gray coverage
  • Affordable

Cons

  • It requires more than 1 product for longer and thicker hair.

Bestseller (lists)

Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme, True Red [66] 1 ea Chemical Hair Dyes Beauty & Personal Care

2. L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Permanent Hair Color, 6AB Chic Auburn Brown

L'Oreal Paris is a more popular brand worldwide, especially for its beauty products. This also comes with different color shades.

Also, L'Oreal Paris is the perfect choice for someone who wants to enjoy the coloring for a more extended period. So, this is a well-known brand for permanent hair coloring with its fade-defying formula!

However, the coloring results would depend on your natural hair color texture and color.

For instance, if your hair color is darker, expect a darker auburn hue, while lighter hair will give you a darker auburn hue. Either way, this coloring dye will give your hair a more vibrant natural color for a long time!

What makes this coloring product so special is its key ingredients: antioxidants, camelina oil, and vitamin E coupled with the aftercare shine system. This leaves your hair smooth, silky, shiny, and vibrant for almost eight weeks!

The added benefit of the color dye is its UV filter formula that protects the hair from sun damages. So, this is perfect for those who find themselves under the sun a lot!

The dye looks like gel comes with a Care Supreme Conditioner to minimize the frizziness and vibrancy that locks the nourishment and leaves your hair smooth and nourished!

This red dye offers a brownish-red hair color wherever you apply the color. So, this is one of the best solutions to cover grey hair. This is considered as runner-up on this list!

Pros

  • Long-lasting effects
  • Smooths and shines your hair
  • It comes with UV filters to prevent hair from sun damages
  • 100% grey coverage
  • Affordable

Cons

  • The user manual could have been better for beginners.

Bestseller (lists)

L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6AB Chic Auburn Brown, Pack of 2, Hair Dye Beauty

  • Superior Preference Permanent Hair Dye Kit: For gorgeous, fade-defying hair color with dimension, look no further; We pair our gel hair dye formula with Care Supreme Conditioner with Shine Serum to help maintain color vibrancy and provide silk and shine
  • Fade-Defying Hair Color: Superior Preference hair color kits have been our gold standard in hair dyes since 1973; There are over 50 shades to choose from, so you can find the perfect shade for you, from luminous red to cool ash blond, ... Read More

3. Arctic Fox Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Are you looking for a vegan red dye? Try out the Arctic Fox, which provides the result that exactly what you are looking for. As its name implies, it also comes in red hair dye with only vegan ingredients! They are not harmful chemicals or animal by-products.

This also prevents hair from any other damages as it doesn't include ammonia, peroxide, and ethyl alcohol. Without any PPD (paraphenylenediamine), they still give you a long-lasting effect along with bright and fiery hair due!

However, the hair coloring's longevity will be based on the hair texture, a color that you have before application, and maintenance of the hair coloring!

The added benefit of the Arctic Fox red dye is its scent, which is a pleasant and uncommon one among hair dyes. This is an excellent choice for someone who wants to dye their hair without a strong and unpleasant smell, especially for vegan options.

Besides, the company donates 15% shares of each purchase to the charity to stop animal abuse!

By purchasing this color, you'll not only have vegan red dye but also somewhat you are helping out a good cause!

Pros

  • Harmful chemicals free
  • 100% vegan
  • Lasts around 4 to 8 weeks
  • Pleasant smell
  • You are helping for a good cause

Cons

  • The red hue will not be a catch for darker skin tones.

Bestseller (lists)

ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (8 Fl Oz, PURPLE RAIN) Beauty

  • Shh... don't tell any of our other shades, but Purple Rain is one of our faves. This deep, true purple is a versatile color that works well on a variety of base colors from platinum to light brown, giving deep tints of color to darker hair and showing vibrantly on lightened hair. It even works well to cover up other faded colors effectively!
  • #AFProTip: Purple Rain pairs well with tons of other AF shades; try mixing it with some Wrath for a burgundy, or Poseidon for... Read More

4. Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye

Do you have dark hair? Are you confused about choosing the brand? Then, go for the Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye. Obviously! Achieving the accurate hair color that you look for in the dark hair might be tricky!

However, it is possible with this red hair dye, but you'll need to apply the color after bleaching hair for the best results!

But applying this hair dye without bleaching hair gives you a luxurious burgundy!

Either way, you'll get the red color, but bleaching is crucial for the natural red!

This semi-permanent dye comes with a conditioning formula that helps moisturize the hair during the process.

This also perfectly fits the bleached hair as they require nourishment for achieving shine and vibrant hair.

They are formulated with 100% vegan ingredients, so there are no harmful chemicals, ammonia-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, phthalate-free, and PPD free.

Unlike others, you can leave the red dye on your hair overnight, and there is no need to worry about hair damages.

One of the Manic Panic's best aspects is that it allows you to mix the red dye with any other 49+ shades.

This is an excellent pic if you want to achieve a vibrant red hue by combining it with different shades!

Pros

  • Excellent for dark hair
  • Semi-permanent cream
  • Harmless chemicals
  • Nourishes well
  • Allows you mix with other Manic Panic dyes
  • 100% vegan

Cons

  • The outcome of the burgundy color might not be suitable for lighter and pale skin tones, so bleaching is a must for such tones.
  • Some experienced difficulties while applying cream

Bestseller (lists)

MANIC PANIC Vampire Red Hair Dye Classic Chemical Hair Dyes Beauty

  • Vampire Red Hair Dye Color; A Deep Blood Red Hair Dye That Can Give Burgundy Tones To Virgin Unbleached Hair; For Best Results We Recommend Lightening Hair To Light Level Eight Blonde Or Lighter
  • Mixable Colors And Tones; MANIC PANIC Hair Colors Are Safe To Mix To Create Custom Shades Making The Possibilities Of Shades Endless; Combine Any Formula With The Pastelizer To Create Soft Trendy Pastel Hues; Ready To Use No Developer Required
  • Semi Permanent Hair Dye; Formula Gradual... Read More

5. Adore Semi-Permanent Hair color 064 Ruby Red

The best about Adore Semi-Permanent Hair color is its chemical-free formula, so, there is no ammonia, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide. So, you do need to worry about your hair damages.

This is great for covering grey hair along, giving a hair a natural look and protein. You can also avail long-lasting effects from this red hue. If you want a bright and fiery side of red color, then this color would be the best choice.

As mentioned, this is associated with vegan ingredients, which will keep your hair safe until the next hair color. As they are infused with natural ingredients, they effectively treat your hair damages, lock moisture, and strengthen your hair.

Pros

  • 100% organic ingredients
  • Shines and strengthens strands
  • Affordable
  • Gives you a bright and fiery red
  • Nourishes your hair
  • Treats hair damages

Cons

  • Available in a small tube
  • It might be hard for the beginners to apply with its liquid consistency
  • It will not be suitable for darker skin tones

Bestseller (lists)

Adore Semi-Permanent Haircolor #064 Ruby Red, 4 Ounce (118ml) Hair Color Primers Beauty

  • Gives Hair A Beautiful, Sensual Feel
  • No Alcohol, Peroxide Or Ammonia
  • Semi-Permanent Hair Color
  • Country Of Origin: Andorra ... Read More

 

6. Clairol Balsam Permanent Hair Color, 612RB Medium Reddish Brown

Clairol is excellent for someone who is looking for the natural finish of the red hue. This is permanent hair dye, making you feel you've been born with red dye. Are you looking for a natural-looking effect? Then, choosing this product is a wise decision.

The company swears to provide a healthy red shade without damaging hair that will last around eight weeks. You'll have 100% grey coverage with this red hue, so there is no need to worry about the pesky grey strands anymore. This coloring dye works well on any hair type.

For instance, the lighter shade will give you a subtly brighter tone than dark hair, but there is no significant difference, just a slight variance!

This product comes with plastic gloves and an application tear-tip bottle, making it the best for those who look for an easy and convenient application.

Pros

  • Natural Red hue look
  • Makes hair healthier and shiner
  • Easy and convenient to apply
  • Long-lasting effect
  • Comes with a tear tip bottle and gloves

Cons

  • It might not be suitable for sensitive scalps

Bestseller (lists)

Clairol Balsam Permanent Hair Dye, 612RB Medium Reddish Brown Hair Color, 1 Count Beauty

  • Permanent color
  • Lasts up to 8 weeks
  • 100% gray coverage, even on the most resistant grays ... Read More

7. Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream, 5.22 Ruby Red

The red dye from Schwarzkopf is the best choice for a luxurious, shiny, and vibrant look. The permanent hair dye available in different shades, particularly for red hues, allowing you to choose the different red shades depends on your preferences.

If you want to grab a rich red hue, then, the shade of 5.22 Ruby Red would be the best choice.

As this is a permanent hair dye, it lasts around ten weeks, so perfect for someone who needs a long-lasting effect!

You can have the complete kit on every bulk purchase, such as color tubes with different shades, conditioner, developer, precision applicator, and gloves. All these will be locked at an affordable price!

The added benefit of the Schwarzkopf product is its premium formula that includes its patented Diamond Brilliance Serum and UV filters.

This product works well on all hair types, such as curly, straight, wavy, even coarse hair.

Another notable feature of the product is there is no need for pre bleaching, but still, it will offer a red shade that you look for!

However, this is perfectly suitable for hair with light, medium, and dark brown.

Pros

  • Gives luxurious and vivid shine
  • Ideal for all hair types
  • Long-lasting effect
  • Affordable
  • premium formula and ingredients

Cons

  • Skilled can only apply this product well
  • Not suitable for week hair
  • You should wear gloves during the process
  • Rich dark red might be too dark for few

Bestseller (lists)

Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream, 5.22 Ruby Red (Packaging May Vary) Beauty & Personal Care

  • INTENSE COLOR: The breakthrough formula of Color Ultime hair colorations provide vivid color intensity and premium performance for noticeably brilliant color results.
  • FADE RESISTANT: The advanced, premium formula of Color Ultime hair dye defies fading for lasting vibrancy for up to 10 weeks.
  • SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND: Color Ultime hair colorations provide lasting, incredible shine that is sure to stop the show.
  • IN THE BOX: 1 tube color cream, 1 application bottle with d... Read More

8. Vidal Sassoon Pro Series, 6RR Runway Red

The best fact about the Vida is they can be applied directly on the scalp and will last up to 40 washes. This is excellent for a semi-permanent solution!

Vidal gives you a vibrant bright red and comes with a hydra block color conditioner to prevent damages sourced from water.

Obviously! Water is one of the reasons behind the fading dyes. With this conditioner, you can get rid of such issues. So, your hair dye will last up to 8 weeks. This is a great choice for someone who wants to switch their hair color to a scarlet red hue!

This semi-permanent color dye will not disappoint you in any case. To extend the red shade's durability, it is better to apply the hair toner every day after coloring hair.

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Special conditioner for lasting color
  • Easy to apply
  • Vibrant red shade
  • Lasts up to 8 weeks

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not suitable for over 50% of hair coverages

Bestseller (lists)

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series, 6RR Runway Red, 1 Count Chemical Hair Dyes Beauty

  • Like salon color, each shade of our Vidal Sassoon Pro Series permanent hair color is mixed to calibrate the right blend of pigments, incorporating salon color expertise into every box
  • Rich, vibrant shades are easy to apply, giving you the look you want, without a visit to the salon
  • Easy, at-home system provides up to 8 weeks of salon-quality deep black for your best sophisticated look
  • Kit includes Vidal Sassoon VS Hydra Block Color Preserving Conditioner, designed ... Read More

Conclusion 

These are everything about the best hair dyes. The features of listed products varied from one another. You are advised to follow the buying guidance to select the red hair dye that opts for your hair types and shades.

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