Our Top Tips & Products for Natural & Coloured Red Hair

A natural red head is rare to find with only about 2% of the population born with this beautiful hair colour. However, with the help from hairdressers, anyone can now have the privilege and opportunity to rock this hair colour and style too.

Over the years, red has become one of the most requested hair colours in the salon, with many shades on offer from deep mahogany red to bright cherry red. Nevertheless, one thing all reds have in common is that it needs to be well maintained and cared for to ensure the colour stays vibrant and healthy. To help you out, we have complied our top tips and products every red head should know about below.

1. Use A Colour Protection Shampoo & Conditioner

Using a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed to increase the longevity of your hair colour should be on the top of your list. Ranges such as RPR Extend My Colour Shampoo and Conditioner will gently clean, strengthen and help extend the vibrancy of your colour. They also both contain UV filters to reduce colour fade and carob to help smooth and reduce hair breakage.

As red hair styles tend to have the tendency to fade quickly, try to extend the time between washes and ensure you use plenty of conditioner to keep the hair hydrated, shiny and bright.

2. Use Heat Protecting Products When Styling

Using heat styling products such as a hair straightener or blow-dryer everyday will significantly impact on the vibrancy of your red hair colour. To ensure your hair and colour is protected, you should always use a heat protection spray before straightening, blow-drying, or curling such as RPR Protect My Hair or SO Hot to safeguard your hair against thermal damage and colour fade. Both heat protectant sprays work by providing your hair with a light weightless coating that will shield the hair cuticle up to 220 degrees. Additionally, they can also be used as a hair fragrance mist, with SO Hot also providing the add bonus of hold while styling.

3. Use Leave-In Hair Treatments

Leave-in hair treatments are fantastic for coloured hair, especially red hair. Leave-in hair treatments such as RPR My Vitaliser or SO Magic Styling Treatment will pump moisture, strength, and vitality back into your hair as well as providing you with UV protection to minimise colour fade. They will also assist in making your hair more manageable and deducing unwanted frizz.

If your hair is needing a quick burst of shine, you can also spritz or rub a small amount of RPR Make Me Shine, RPR Frizz My Frizz or RPR My Smart Argan Oil into the ends of your hair. This instant hair pick-me-up can turn drab hair into fab hair in a second.

4. Use Lukewarm Water When Washing

As coloured red hair tends to fade quickly, it is recommended that you wash your hair with cool or lukewarm water. As hot water tends to open up the hair cuticle, turning the shower temperature down will ensure the hair cuticle stays closed not allowing any of your beautiful red hair colour to slip out.

5. Apply A Semi-Permanent Colour Between Salon Visits

If your red hair is looking a bit dull between hairdresser visits, you can always use a professional semi-permanent hair colour such as VIVIDMASK Red (just make sure you ask your hairdresser beforehand). In just a few minutes, this will provide your hair with an added pop of colour, hydration, and shine. It also contains extracts from lotus flowers to increase colour duration, reduce water absorption and speed up hair drying time.

So next time you are up for a change, why not give red ago. With these tips and tricks up your sleeve, it will ensure your hair is bright, bold, and fabulous all day through!