Red hair is the rarest hair color in the world as only 1 to 2% of the world population have this special hue. No wonder why red hair dye never goes out of style.
It can portray various personality traits, from girl-next-door to sensual, or sassy to mysterious. So, we can’t blame you if you want to take the leap and go red or enhance your natural red.
But maintaining and achieving the right shade of red for your skin tone can be tricky. The color itself can be more expensive than other hair dyes since red pigments do not penetrate the strands easily.
You may also choose semi-permanent or permanent hair dye. Temporary or semi-permanent is easier to use but also fades quickly. Permanent red hair, on the other hand, can last for about six to eight weeks.
To avoid damaging your hair by frequently reapplying the color red hair dye, we suggest that you opt for permanent color.
To help you find your fiery and flattering red hue, we listed some of the best permanent Red Hair Dye below.
Top 5 Best Permanent Red Hair Dye Hair Color
1. L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying
Product Description
The permanent red hair dye from L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference can last up to 8 weeks and will dye your hair a red or warm brown shade.
L’Oreal Paris’ is formulated in the gold standard for a beautiful red color that shines from every hair strand. It also contains UV filters, Vitamin E, Shine Serum, and Care Supreme Conditioner that give softness and vibrancy to your hair on the first day of application.
It is easy to apply. Simply open the box and pull out its contents and instruction is already provided inside. If the permanent hair color gets on your skin during application, just wipe it off with a towel.
Moreover, this best red hair dye from L’Oreal Paris already contains tint/color, a developer with an applicator, instructions, gloves, and conditioner.
Why We Love It
- 8 weeks of fade-defying color
- Liquid gel
- Permanency
- Blends away gray
- Flawless roots
- Two times more moisture than other red hair dye
- Comes with tint/color and gloves
Con/s
- No brush included
Interested? Click this link to purchase!
2. Ruby Red Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream
Product Description
You don’t have to go to the salon to color your hair red. One of the best long-lasting red hair dyes you can apply on your own is the Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream.
This hair color cream is fade-resistant and has a premium formula for long-lasting hair vibrancy.
The box of this Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream already contains the application bottle, tube conditioning treatment, developer lotion, an instruction leaflet, and a pair of gloves.
After preparation and mixing, apply the mixture to dry hair (not pre-washed hair). And for high shine and a more natural-looking red, massage the conditioning treatment into dry hair and wait for two to three minutes before rinsing it.
Why We Love It
- Can be used on normal, dry, and oily hair type
- Long-lasting effect (up to 10 weeks)
- For dry, oily, and normal hair type
Con/s
- Some don’t like its scent
- May dry hair without using a color pigment conditioner
- Availability issues
Interested? Click this link to purchase!
3. Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye Classic
Product Description
Want to achieve deep blood red hair? Then, go for Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye Classic. This one of the best red hair dyes out there that creates a burgundy tone to unbleached hair.
This semi-permanent Manic Panic Vampire Red lasts for up to four to six weeks but contains vegan ingredients. It has not been tested on animals, but celebrities.
The Manic Panic is also easy to use and is safe to mix to custom shades, which means your possibility of achieving the desired red look is endless!
For best results, lighten hair to level eight blonde before applying the Manic Panic. While pre-lightening your hair before coloring is not required, it will give the most intense red hair results.
Why We Love It
- Vegan formula and cruelty-free
- Vibrant red color
- Mixable tone and hair color
- Ready to use
- Cream form
- Can be applied to dried or freshly washed hair
- PPD & Ammonia-Free
Con/s
- Lasts only four to six weeks
Interested? Click this link to purchase!
4. Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye
Product Description
The Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (Poison) is one of the best red hair dyes that display the truest and most vibrant red to give you that fiery look.
It has no harmful chemicals and will not damage your hair like other chemical-based red hair dyes out there. However, we still advise you to do a strand and patch test before coloring
Furthermore, the Arctic Fox Poison is a semi-permanent hair dye that is gentle on the hair and scalp even for frequent use. You can literally leave this hair dye for hours before rinsing and it won’t damage your hair.
After you wash out the dye, you’ll observe your hair feel silky and soft. It can also achieve that subtle tint, dark red tone if you have a pre-lighted hair color of around level 8.
Why We Love It
- DIY Formula
- Vibrant red color
- Gentle even for frequent use
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Easy to use
- Smells good
- Long-lasting
Con/s
- You may not blend or overlay colors with Arctic Fox
Interested? Click this link to purchase!
5. Sparks Long Lasting Bright Hair Color
Product Description
Last, but definitely not least, is the best red hair dye we recommend is the Sparks Long Lasting Bright Hair Color, Red Velvet.
This professional hair color system uses Crystal Clear as its topcoat, which helps add shine or as a mixer to any Sparks permanent shades.
The Red Velvet direct hair dye is the most vibrant shade of red around and lasts longer while still preserving your hair’s integrity. Before applying the Red Velvet Sparks, your hair must be freshly shampooed and dried.
If you want to see the best red hair dye result, your hair must be pre-lightened. To properly pre-lighten hair, begin in the darkest area, which should be at least half an inch away from your scalp.
Scalps also offer a pre-lightening guide for each color to help you get ready for your final color application.
Why We Love It
- The red color does not bleed
- Vegan friendly
- Direct dye
- Easy DIY instructions
- Leaves hair healthy-looking
- Pleasant fragrance
Con/s
- Expensive than other red hair dyes/brand
Interested? Click here to see more!
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Permanent Red Hair Dye
Temporary/Semi-Permanent/ or Permanent Hair Dye
If you’re going to dye your hair, remember that temporary or semi-permanent hair color is easier to use, but tends to progressively fade with exposure to air and shampooing. It may only last for about six weeks.
On the other hand, permanent hair color or oxidation does not need to be applied as often as the temporary color. But its chemicals may be stronger so they can last for a longer time.
So, look if the product is semi-permanent or permanent hair dye before buying.
Skin Tone
There are various shades of red hair dye. The best red hair dye will always be the one that complements your skin tone and lasts long.
If you have a fair skin tone, choose the vibrant shades of red hair dye. If you have a medium skin tone, then shades like copper or metallic red are the right choices.
If you have a dark skin tone, then pick burgundy or the dark shades of red.
No Harsh Chemicals
There are toxic chemicals in some red hair dyes that you should avoid. These include p-Phenylenediamine (often found in darker shades), ammonia (leaves tresses brittle and dry), and lead acetate.
Bottom line: Which One Should You Buy?
We know that coloring your hair is a real process. It may take multiple sessions or experiments before you find the hue that matches your skin tone.
So, we want to make things easier for you by providing you the most popular red hair dyes in the market today. Our top pick from above is the Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye Classic.
We especially like the Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye Classic from among the list because of its radiant shade, it does not dry out hair, is easy to use, and requires very little amount per use.
