With so many gorgeous gals taking their tresses to the next level with colors, cuts, and styles, it’s only natural to have a major case of hair envy. The Mane Attraction will help you sort through which looks are worth trying with a biweekly dive into the latest hair trends taking over the red carpet and Instagram.
Blonde and brunette hair colors might be the first idea to pop into your mind when thinking about a transformation in the new year, but what about red shades? As we finish 2018, we’ve seen some of Hollywood’s most notable A-listers, including Rita Ora, trade in their signature hair colors for a punchier orange-red hue. And, while we never thought we could pull off such a vibrant shade, celebs are making a case for copper. (Photo via Angela Weiss/ Getty)
“When making the leap into red and orange families, I always say that it is the hardest to get, the hardest to keep, and the hardest to get rid of, but when it’s done right, people will stop you on the street and stare from afar,” NYC-based colorist Chelsey Pickthorn says. Ahead, you’ll find out how to achieve the head-turning hair color yourself.
WHO DOES ORANGE-RED HAIR LOOK BEST ON?
If you’re feeling a tad intimidated by the fiery trend, simmer down and listen up. Just as Katherine McNamara achieved it for her debut at 2018’s Oz Comic-Con, with a well-versed colorist by your side, you’ll be able to find a hue that flatters your skin tone. “Orange-red hair [AKA burnt orange hair] looks best on people with neutral skin tones that are not too red or too olive,”says Stephanie Brown, master hair colorist at the Eddie Arthur Salon in NYC. But that doesn’t mean you can’t rock it if you have a warmer or olive complexion — just look below at Cardi B. For warm tones, Brown says to opt for an orange-red with a cool undertone; for olive, go with a warmer orange. (Photo via Scott Barbour/ Getty)
If you’re worried orange on its own will overwhelm your coloring and features, there’s always the option to mix in different levels of those tones (or even blonde and brunette shades) to create a more dimensional take on the color. “An alternative is to and add a few pieces or highlights of orange throughout the hair [as opposed to a full head of color],” Brown says. (Photo via Dave Kotinsky / Stringer/ Getty)
Also think about how your eye color will pair with your new mane too. As a rule of thumb, if you’re hoping to achieve an authentic-looking combo, remember that the lighter the eyes, the brighter the orange-red hair color you can get away with. So, if you have blue, pale green, light brown, or hazel eyes, consider trying a peachy copper, whereas chocolate brown or dark emerald eyes pair better with deeper, tangerine-tinted ginger shades.
HOW TO MAINTAIN AN ORANGE-RED HAIR COLOR
As beneficial as an at-home hair maintenance routine can be, a glossing treatment every four to six weeks can help extend the color to ensure you always look as red carpet-ready as Christina Hendricks. While you’re at the salon, ask your colorist to make a custom-tinted conditioner using the exact same pigment as what’s in your hair. “You can use this when you feel like your red hair color is feeling a little lackluster,” Toronto-based stylist Kelly Araujo says. “This will help you space out salon visits if you’re short on time and operating within a budget.” (Photo via Theo Wargo/ Getty)
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