The Best Red Hair Dyes

Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye

Vivid and vampy

This semi-permanent dye will give you deep, vibrant color and shiny locks.

Best Overall

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This red hair dye will give you a deep, dramatic red color with ease. It’s ready to use and requires no developer, making it a convenient choice for quick coloring. Each jar gives you about four fluid ounces of this vegan, cruelty-free formula. The dye is semi-permanent, meaning the color sits on the surface level of the hair shaft, so it’ll gradually fade in roughly four to six weeks.

Pros:

• Available in multi-packs
• Vegan and cruelty-free formula
• Fortified with conditioners

Cons:

• It’s a bit on the pricey side

Adore Semi-Permanent Haircolor

Bold and nourishing

Get rich color while enhancing the look and feel of your hair with this red dye.

Most Moisturizing

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Some hair dyes can be too harsh on your locks and scalp, leading to dry and damaged hair. But this dye is formulated with a blend of natural ingredients to provide rich color while enhancing shine and texture. It leaves your hair feeling soft and looking healthy. The semi-permanent formula does not contain ammonia, peroxide, or alcohol. We also appreciate how inexpensive this option is, especially given the quality of the dye.

Pros:

• Free of ammonia, alcohol, and peroxide
• Great value for the price
• Resists fade

Cons:

• The formula is pretty liquidy rather than gel or cream-like

Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color

Color that stays

This permanent dye is formulated with fruit oils and color-boosting technology.

Best Permanent

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Looking for some color that’s here to stay? We say give this dye by Garnier a try. The color is a dark red that’s made with a color-boosting technology for beautiful permanent hair color, even on darker tresses. It’s also created with a blend of avocado, olive, and shea oils so that your hair can be nourished while the color sets. Plus, the non-drip formula means it spreads super evenly.

Pros:

• Fresh, fruity fragrance
• Includes a grapeseed fruit oil ampoule to pour into your mix
• Drip-free formula

Cons:

• The color is a deep red rather than bright red

The Henna Guys Natural Red Hair Color

The natural alternative

Need a natural way to color your hair? This red dye is made from chemical-free henna.

Best Natural Ingredients

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If you want to ensure that your dye doesn’t include any harsh chemicals, we suggest this henna hair color. It’s 100% natural, cruelty-free, vegan, and isn’t made using pesticides or peroxides. This plant-based dye comes in a zipped pouch to maintain its freshness and delivers a gorgeous red-orange color similar to a warm copper tone. It also conditions your hair while removing chemical buildup and is made from quality powder that won’t clump together while mixing.

Pros:

• 100% natural ingredients for healthier hair
• Offered in a pack of one, two, or three
• Rinses out well

Cons:

• It may have an earthy scent

Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color

Stay touch-up ready

If you're on the hunt for multiple packs of hair dye to achieve and maintain your deep, rich color, look no further.

Best Bulk

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Always be ready for touch-ups with this pack of three at-home hair color kits. Co-created with salon experts, this permanent red hair dye offers multidimensional color and long-lasting grey coverage. It’s infused with keratin and silk amino acids to leave your hair in a better state than it was before you began your coloring process. The formula is ammonia-free, which makes it much more gentle for your hair than other dyes. Plus, there are various shades of red for you to choose from.

Pros:

• Ammonia-free formula
• Enhanced with keratin and amino acids
• Comes in a pack of three

Cons:

• You may need to use more than one box for long or thick hair

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use an at-home hair dye?

At-home hair dyes are made to be simple to use. Most products will have you wash and dry your hair before beginning the coloring process. You would then apply the color and comb it through your hair evenly while thoroughly saturating it. Next, you’ll want to cover it with a plastic cap and leave it in for roughly 30 to 45 minutes. It also helps to sit under a dryer for a few minutes before rinsing. It’s best to follow up with a conditioner to bring some more moisture back to your strands, too. This is a generalized process of coloring your hair, so be sure to follow the exact instructions that come with your purchase.

How do I maintain my hair color?

There are some tips and tricks to help you better maintain and extend the life of your new hair color. The first is to wash your hair only when necessary — the more you wash, the quicker your color will fade. You could also try skipping the shampoo and go straight to the conditioner. Washing with conditioner alone can still cleanse your hair without stripping it of natural oils or your hair color. We also suggest you air dry your hair rather than blow-drying it. The heat from blow dryers, straightening irons, and curling irons may compromise your rich color and cause fading and moisture loss. And finally, be sure to avoid chlorine if you can, or prep your hair for your swim with a layer of conditioner and a swim cap.