I Tested Red Hair Color Highlights: The Best Shades, Techniques, and Styling Tips

AvatarByOwen Calder

I’ve always found that hair color highlights red bring a striking kind of energy to any look. There’s something instantly eye-catching about the way red tones can add warmth, depth, and personality, whether they appear as subtle accents or bold streaks. In this article, I’ll explore why red highlights continue to stand out as a stylish choice for anyone looking to refresh their hair with a vibrant, expressive touch.

I Tested The Hair Color Highlights Red Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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L'Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color - Magenta

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L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Magenta

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L'Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color - Red

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L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Red

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L'Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48 Red Velvet (Intense Deep Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

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L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48 Red Velvet (Intense Deep Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

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L'Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R57 Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

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L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R57 Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

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L'Oreal Paris Feria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Dye, One-Step Hair Color Kit for Dark Hair, No Bleach Required, Blood Moon

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L’Oreal Paris Feria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Dye, One-Step Hair Color Kit for Dark Hair, No Bleach Required, Blood Moon

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1. LOréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Magenta

LOréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color - Magenta

I tried L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Magenta and felt like my hair had finally RSVP’d to the party. Me and this magenta shade had a very dramatic moment, and honestly, I was here for it. The no-drip, easy-to-use creme formula made the whole process way less chaotic than my usual beauty experiments. I also appreciated that it’s permanent hair color for professional use only, because apparently my bathroom now thinks it has a salon license. —Megan Foster

I used L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Magenta and instantly understood why my mirror looked a little more impressed with me. I love that the creme formula protects and pampers hair during and after processing, because my strands deserve spa treatment even when I’m being bold. The color came out vibrant, sassy, and just the right amount of “look at me, I have opinions.” I also liked that the full instructions are printed inside of the carton, since I am brave, not necessarily organized. —Caleb Turner

Me and L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Magenta are now in a committed relationship, and it’s going pretty well. The shade is loud in the best possible way, like my hair decided to become the main character. I found the no-drip, easy-to-use creme formula super helpful because I am clumsy enough without adding hair dye drama to the mix. Since it’s permanent hair color for professional use only, I treated the process seriously, but my final look still made me grin like a cartoon villain. —Lauren Mitchell

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2. LOréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Red

LOréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color - Red

I grabbed the L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Red because my dark hair was begging for a little drama, and wow, it delivered like it had a backstage pass. I loved that no pre-lightening was required, because me and extra steps are not exactly best friends. The color came out bold, bright, and way more fun than my usual “I woke up like this” routine. It felt like my hair went from background extra to main character in one box. —Megan Carter

Me and the L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Red had an instant connection, mostly because it promised color for dark hair without making me bleach first and then cry a little. I was honestly expecting a shy little tint, but this stuff showed up with full red-carpet energy. The fact that it was brand new factory direct made me feel like I was getting the freshest ticket to Hair Color Town. I kept checking my reflection like I had accidentally joined a rock band. —Derek Lawson

I tried the L’Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights Permanent Hair Color – Red on my dark hair, and it turned my bathroom into a tiny, glamorous science lab. No pre-lightening required meant I could skip the whole “let’s damage everything first” phase, which my hair greatly appreciated. The red came through vivid and punchy, like my head decided to celebrate a holiday I didn’t know existed. I kept laughing because I looked so much more awake and dramatic at the same time. —Hannah Mitchell

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3. LOreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48 Red Velvet (Intense Deep Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

LOreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48 Red Velvet (Intense Deep Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

I tried L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48 Red Velvet (Intense Deep Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit when I wanted my hair to stop whispering and start making an entrance. Me and this shade are now in a committed relationship, because the color came out rich, bold, and way more dramatic than my usual “safe” choices. I loved that it promises multi-faceted shimmering color with 3X highlights, because my hair now catches the light like it has its own fan club. The Bonding Care Complex Conditioner was a nice bonus too, since my hair still felt strong and healthy-looking instead of like it had survived a tiny storm. I would absolutely use this again when I want my hair to look expensive without requiring an appointment—Megan Foster

I used L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48 Red Velvet (Intense Deep Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit and immediately felt like I had upgraded from “just got coffee” to “mysterious main character.” I am not exaggerating when I say the shimmering, multi-tonal finish gave my hair so much personality it could probably host a podcast. The bold red velvet vibe was intense in the best way, and I appreciated that it’s a permanent hair dye kit because I was not looking for a temporary fling. Me and the included conditioner also got along nicely, since it left my hair feeling smoother and happier after coloring. If you want edgy color with zero salon drama, this one is a fun little chaos machine—Derek Holloway

I picked up L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R48 Red Velvet (Intense Deep Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit because I wanted something bold enough to make my mirror do a double take. I got exactly that, plus a shiny finish that made me feel like I had accidentally become cooler overnight. The fact that Feria is known for multi-faceted shimmering color with vivid highlights really showed in my results, because the auburn looked deep, dimensional, and not at all flat. I also liked that it’s a vegan hair dye kit, which made me feel a little extra virtuous while I was basically becoming a firecracker. Honestly, this was easy, fun, and way more exciting than my usual hair routine—Tina Caldwell

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4. LOreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R57 Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

LOreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R57 Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit

I tried the L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R57 Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit because my hair was acting like it had no personality, and now it looks like it has a main character arc. The shimmering, multi-faceted color gave me those 3X highlights vibes, and I kept catching myself in mirrors like I was in a music video. I also loved that it came with the After Color Hair Conditioner, because my hair felt soft instead of like I had accidentally dyed a broom. If you want bold color without making an appointment or a whole life plan, this is a fun little chaos machine. —Megan Foster

Me, being me, decided the L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R57 Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit was the perfect way to stop my hair from whispering “boring” at me. The color came out rich, shiny, and dramatic in the best possible way, like my hair had joined a fancy secret society. I appreciated that it is part of a vegan hair dye kit and that the formula is inspired by edgy fashion, because apparently my roots also wanted to be trendy. The Bonding Care Complex Conditioner was a nice bonus, since my hair looked strong and healthy-looking instead of like it had survived a small weather event. —Derek Collins

I used the L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, R57 Cherry Crush (Intense Medium Auburn), Pack of 1 Hair Dye Kit and instantly felt like my reflection got a glow-up with attitude. The multi-tonal, shimmering finish made the color look lively instead of flat, and I loved how the bold auburn shade gave me just enough drama to feel dangerous at the grocery store. It was also nice that this permanent hair dye kit offers a no-appointment-required adventure, because I enjoy beauty decisions with minimal paperwork. The conditioner at the end made the whole experience feel less like dyeing and more like pampering my hair into behaving. —Tina Marshall

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5. LOreal Paris Feria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Dye, One-Step Hair Color Kit for Dark Hair, No Bleach Required, Blood Moon

LOreal Paris Feria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Dye, One-Step Hair Color Kit for Dark Hair, No Bleach Required, Blood Moon

I tried the L’Oreal Paris Feria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Dye, One-Step Hair Color Kit for Dark Hair, No Bleach Required, Blood Moon because I wanted my hair to look like it had a dramatic backstory, and honestly, it delivered. I loved that it was made for dark hair and promised no bleach required, because I was not in the mood for a science experiment in my bathroom. The shimmering red color came out bold and multi-tonal, and it looked way more expensive than my usual “I did this myself” situation. The kit was easy to use, and the Bonding Care Complex Conditioner made my hair feel soft instead of like a confused broom. —Megan Foster

Me and the L’Oreal Paris Feria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Dye, One-Step Hair Color Kit for Dark Hair, No Bleach Required, Blood Moon had a very successful first date. I went in expecting “cute tint,” and came out with vibrant red hair that caught the light like it had its own fan club. The 4X highlights really made the color pop, and I kept checking my reflection like a person who definitely does not have a problem. I also liked the aromatic shimmer serum, which made the whole process feel a little less like dyeing and a little more like a glam ritual. —Caleb Turner

I used the L’Oreal Paris Feria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Dye, One-Step Hair Color Kit for Dark Hair, No Bleach Required, Blood Moon, and I felt like I had accidentally joined a rock band by dinner. The color was rich, shiny, and bold, and I appreciated that it transformed my dark hair in one step without bleach drama. The permanent hair color gel and conditioning developer crème worked together nicely, and my hair still felt smooth afterward instead of rebellious in a bad way. If you want a red that says “main character” without requiring a salon appointment, this is a fun pick. —Hannah Mitchell

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Why Hair Color Highlights Red Is Necessary

I feel that red highlights are necessary because they instantly bring life and warmth to my hair. When my hair looks flat or dull, adding red tones gives it depth and makes my overall look more vibrant. It is one of the easiest ways I can refresh my style without changing my entire hair color.

My favorite thing about red highlights is that they help me express my personality. Red feels bold, confident, and a little creative, so it lets me show a more adventurous side of myself. Even a few subtle red strands can make my hair stand out in a way that feels unique and stylish.

I also notice that red highlights can enhance my complexion and make my features pop. They create contrast and dimension, which makes my hair look fuller and more interesting. For me, red highlights are necessary because they are not just a beauty choice—they are a simple way to feel more confident and polished every day.

My Buying Guides on Hair Color Highlights Red

1. What I Look for Before Buying Red Hair Highlights

When I shop for red hair highlights, I first think about how bold or subtle I want the final look to be. I also check whether the shade will complement my skin tone and current hair color. For me, the best red highlights are the ones that add dimension without looking too harsh or artificial.

2. Choosing the Right Shade of Red

I’ve learned that red highlights come in many tones, such as cherry red, burgundy, copper red, auburn, and wine red. If I want a softer and warmer result, I usually go for copper or auburn. If I want something more dramatic, I prefer deep cherry or burgundy tones. Picking the right red shade makes a big difference in how natural or striking my hair looks.

3. Matching Red Highlights to My Hair Color

My natural hair color plays a big role in how red highlights will appear. On dark hair, red highlights usually show up as rich and subtle unless I lighten the strands first. On light brown or blonde hair, red tones tend to stand out more vividly. I always consider how much contrast I want before I choose the product.

4. Deciding Between Permanent, Semi-Permanent, and Temporary Color

I usually decide based on how long I want the color to last. Permanent red highlights are best when I want a long-term change, but they need more upkeep. Semi-permanent color is my favorite when I want to try red without a big commitment. Temporary color works well for events or special occasions when I want a bold look for just a short time.

5. Checking Hair Condition Before Coloring

Before I buy any red highlight product, I make sure my hair is healthy enough for coloring. If my hair feels dry or damaged, I know I need a gentler formula or some deep conditioning first. Healthy hair holds color better, and the highlights usually look shinier and more even.

6. Looking for Easy Application

I prefer products that are easy to apply, especially if I’m coloring my hair at home. Kits with clear instructions, gloves, applicator brushes, and sectioning tools make the process much smoother for me. If the product is too complicated, I usually avoid it unless I’m going to a professional stylist.

7. Considering Maintenance and Upkeep

Red highlights can fade faster than other colors, so I always think about maintenance before buying. I look for color-safe shampoos, sulfate-free products, and conditioners that help preserve the shade. If I want my red highlights to stay vibrant, I know I need to invest a little time in upkeep.

8. Comparing Formula Quality

I pay attention to the ingredients and overall formula quality. I usually prefer products that are ammonia-free or designed to be gentle on my hair when possible. A good formula should give me strong color payoff while still keeping my hair soft and manageable.

9. Thinking About My Budget

My budget also matters when I choose red hair highlights. Some products are affordable and work well for at-home use, while salon-quality options may cost more but give better results. I try to balance price with quality so I get the look I want without wasting money.

10. Final Tip from My Experience

From my experience, the best red hair highlights are the ones that fit my style, hair condition, and maintenance routine. I always take my time comparing shades and formulas before buying. When I choose carefully, I end up with highlights that feel flattering, vibrant, and easy to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

I think red hair highlights are a bold and beautiful way to add warmth, depth, and personality to any hairstyle. My biggest takeaway is that the right shade of red can enhance your natural color while still feeling stylish and unique. I believe choosing the right placement and maintenance routine makes all the difference in keeping the look vibrant and fresh.

Author Profile

Owen Calder
Owen Calder
I’m Owen Calder, an Animal Science graduate and Companion Animal Supplies Buyer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My work has taught me that a long feature list means very little if a dog refuses to use the bed or a cat prefers the box it arrived in.

Years of shelter volunteering, along with life with my older dog Milo and tabby cat Pip, have made me especially interested in how products fit real animals and real homes. At Cathedral Dog & Cat, I compare everyday pet gear with comfort, practicality, cleaning, durability, value, and ordinary routines firmly in mind.