Whether you want gingery red locks like Cheryl Blossom or a deep cherry red like The Little Mermaid, having naturally dark hair can be an inconvenience. This is because dark hair has high melanin and less porosity to absorb artificial colors. So to color those dark tresses, you will need the best red hair dye for dark hair. Naturally, dark hair looks really beautiful, but maintaining and coloring such hair is not easy. Nonetheless, using the best red hair dyes for dark hair will ensure that your hair not only is colored but also nourished.

The hair dye you choose should suit your skin tone, eye color, eyebrow color, and of course your natural hair color. Hence, is it extremely important to choose the right product and not take an impulsive risk. To help you with the same, we have curated a list of the best red hair dyes for dark hair. Keep reading to learn their pros, cons, and buying tips.

• 1
  Best Overall

  ARCTIC FOX Semi-permanent Hair Color - Poison

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If you are someone who likes to sport a vibrant, fire-engine red shade, then this semi-permanent hair color by ARCTIC FOX in the beautiful shade Poison is the perfect pick for you. The dye has a creamy texture that spreads evenly on the tresses. The product is highly pigmented and has a slightly orange undertone, suitable for people with warm skin tones. Unlike other DIY hair dyes, this product prevents smearing and does not stain your pillow, or other surfaces. This semi-permanent hair color is one of the best hair dyes for brown hair, but may have less impact on black hair. Hence, the best way to use it is by pre-bleaching your hair for long-lasting results.

Quick Tip

Apply Arctic Fox Vibrant Red Hair Dye to pre-lightened hair for intense color. Leave on for 30 minutes, rinse. Enjoy bold, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly red locks.

2

Best for Multiple Uses

KERACOLOR Color + Clenditioner - Red

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If you’re not a risk-taker and want to temporarily try a new hair color, then KERACOLOR Color+Clenditioner is perfect for you. The product is available in a unique blend of a cleanser and a conditioner that is very convenient to use. It is a non-lather color conditioner that takes only about 5 minutes to work on your hair before washing it off and can be applied several times for intense color. While this product is incredible for color touch-ups midst your salon sessions, the results are temporary as it does not contain ammonia or peroxide for permanent color.

3

Punky Semi-permanent Conditioning Hair Color - Poppy Red

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This semi-permanent conditioning hair color by Punky has an easy-to-apply glaze consistency. The shade poppy red has a fire-engine hue with a ginger undertone that looks great on people with cool skin tones. Even with no ammonia, it has a strong saturation formula that works better than other semi-permanent red hair dyes and fades up to 35 shampoo washes. You can apply the product with a brush or mix it in your hair conditioner for maximum nourishment. It is highly pigmented and one of the best red hair dyes for dark hair.

4

Adore Shining Semi-permanent Hair Color - 64 Ruby Red

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Adore Shining Semi-permanent Hair Color has a liquid glaze-like consistency, and a little goes a long way for stunning red hair. The product is fortified with hydrolyzed collagen, glycerin, and aloe vera that nourishes hydrates, and soothes the hair during the coloring process. The shade Ruby Red is a classic deep red without any orange or pink undertones, which makes it incredible for all skin undertones. Nonetheless, it gives a vibrant red color that is not the right pick if you’re looking for natural-looking red.

Quick Tip

To achieve stunning ruby red locks, apply Adore Hair Color on clean, dry hair. Leave for 20-30 mins and rinse it off for vibrant hair!

5

Schwarzkopf Keratin Color - Ruby Noir

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Schwarzkopf is one of the best permanent hair dye brands for dark hair. Its keratin color cream is available in the shade Ruby Noir which has a deep crimson color, perfect for warm, neutral, and cool undertones. The product comes with a priming serum, color cream, and K-Bond Plex conditioner that provide intense color, prevent damage, and deeply nourish the hair. Whether you want to color your hair permanently or do some root touch-ups, the product is ideal for both needs. The hydrolyzed collagen in the dye helps increase hair elasticity and health.

6

Pocket-friendly Choice

MANIC PANIC Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream - Rock ‘N’ Roll Red

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If you’re looking for a seasonal hair color change like a K-Pop member, then MANIC PANIC Semi-permanent Hair Color Cream is a good choice. The shade Rock ‘N’ Roll gives a beautiful cherry red hair color that looks incredible on warm skin tones. What gives this product an edge over others is that you can mix any two colors to make the best hair dye for dark hair. Adding to the convenience, the semi-permanent red dye does not require any developer and the pomade can be used straight from the jar.

7

Best for Afro Hair

Soft-Sheen Carson Dark & Lovely - Vivacious Red

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Has having coily, melanin-rich Afro hair kept you from trying new colors and styles? Then Soft-Sheen Carson Dark & Lovely is the best red dye for your dark hair. The product not only caters to your coloring needs but also works like a makeshift hair moisturizer. It contains shea, olive, avocado, and argan oil that deeply nourishes and conditions dry hair while the highly pigmented semi-permanent dye penetrates thick tresses for long-lasting results. The product adequately colors melanin-rich hair without damaging it, and works incredibly on 2A to 3C curl types.

8

Color X-Change Semi-permanent Hair Color - Renegade Red

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Red hair dyes look rusty if the color is not bright and deep-hued. Color X-Change Semi-permanent Hair Color in the shade Renegade Red has a vibrant fire-engine red color that does not fade away quickly. It is fortified with fruit oils and glycerin that promote hair health and seal natural shine for beautiful, lustrous tresses. At the same time, it does not have gluten, PPD, peroxide, ammonia, parabens, or sulfates. The product has a liquid consistency, so a little goes a long way. It is easy to apply and does its magic in just 10-20 minutes. You can also mix a small portion of the dye with your conditioner for quick color fixes.

9

EFLY MOFAJANG Hair Coloring Material - Red

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EFLY Natural Red Hair Wax is a unique hair dye in the form of an indulgent, glaze-like clay. It is perfect for people skeptical of irritation and hair damage caused by hair colors, as it is made with natural ingredients that are gentle on the hair and cuticles. It is an easy-to-use product and one of the best at-home hair dyes for dark hair. The product contains minimal ingredients to prevent allergies or chemical overuse on your tresses.

After going through our product recommendations for the best red hair dyes for dark hair, it is time to understand which product works best for you.

Here are some factors to look for in the best red hair dye for dark hair:

Nourishing Ingredients: Shea butter, fruit oils, essential oils, glycerin, panthenol, and hydrolyzed collagen are some ingredients that help prevent hair damage.

Harsh Chemicals: Ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, sulfates, parabens, and mineral oil are some damaging chemicals to stay away from. Hydrogen peroxide, however, is inevitable when it comes to permanent hair dyes. 

Animal Testing: It is ethical and environment-friendly to go for products that are vegan and cruelty-free.

Long-lasting: Semi-permanent dyes that last long should be prioritized.

Allergens: Hair dyes often cause allergies, so it is important to check the product list before purchasing. Even after purchasing, always do a patch test before using.

Undertone: If your skin has a cool undertone, go for ginger, auburn, cool copper, and burgundy shades of red. 

For warm undertones, bolder colors like fire-engine red, plum red, crimson, coral, and rich copper look great. 

Pro Tip

The best way to achieve vibrant red hues? Pre-lightening is key for vivid results. Consult a pro-colorist for the right shade & proper aftercare. Flaunt your fiery look.

Color Results: Of course, the result should be glossy, vibrant, richly pigmented red hair. 

The usage of red hair dyes depends on the type of product. Here are some common ways of using red hair dye.

1. For crème-based permanent or semi-permanent dyes, start by priming your hair with a serum (if it comes with the pack). Then mix the crème with the developer using a flat dying brush and apply the color from the roots to the lengths. Ensure you apply some petroleum jelly on your hairline before this. Once you’ve applied the product, cover your hair with a shower cap and let it sit for the instructed duration. Wash it off with a shampoo and follow with a conditioner.

2. For a semi-permanent coloring glaze or pomade, simply apply the product using a dying brush and wash it off at the instructed time.

3. For liquid hair dyes, you either shake the product with a developer in the single-use bottle or mix the dye with a conditioner, depending on your product.

Conclusion:

Coloring your hair red can be exciting but intimidating. Hence, it is pivotal to only go for the best red hair dye for dark hair. Ensure you make an informed buying decision by understanding your requirements, hair type, product details, and buying tips. Stay stylish.