After countless hours of review and trials of a wide range of products, the Best Red Hair Dye in 2022 is the Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair Dye. This is because it is suitable for all hair types, does not contain harmful chemical substances, and has a long-lasting effect.
Red hair are uncommon hair types that gives and portray a bold, confident and independent lady. Since it is not something we are born with naturally, we are left with no other choice than to dye our hair red, if we want to achieve that look.
Are you that fashionista searching for the best red hair dye to change your looks or to maintain your natural red hair? You are surely in the right place, as we have carried out a thorough research and come up with the best red hair dyes in the market!
So, if you do not have any time to waste, below is an overview and list of the top best red hair dyes you can buy in 2022. go girl…
Top Rated Red Hair Dyes in 2023
These are the top best red hair dyes to buy in 2023
Best red hair dye overall: Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair dye.
Best permanent: L’Oréal Paris Superior Red Hair Color.
Best natural: Surya Nature Henna Red Cream.
Best for gray cover: Garnier Nutrisse Red Hair Color.
Most professional: Sparks Long Lasting Bright Red Hair Color.
Budget friendly: Adore Semi-Permanent Red Hair color.
Best for thick hair: Clairol Natural Instincts Red Hair Color.
A hair dye that matches your skin tone and eye color is one that can enhance your overall appearance. You can change from a blonde to a brunette, a brunette to a redhead, and even try other unique colors that most people wouldn’t dare to. Now that’s one more way to can match your style to your personality.
Best Red Hair Dyes for a Bright Red Hair Color
After testing different red hair dyes to find and compare the best red hair dyes in 2022 that will give you a vibrant and healthy-looking red hair that’s also great value for your money, we’ve taken time to also show you the important factors you need to consider in the purchase of red hair dye. This top list has been carefully researched and reviewed so you will find it well researched and in accordance with the latest trends.
Here then is a reviewed list of the best red hair dyes to buy in 2023:
Best red hair dye overall: Manic Panic Vampire Red Hair dye
Vampire Red Hair dye is made by the brand, Manic Panic. This dye is one of the best and most popular for beauty enthusiasts for a lot of reasons. First off, this is a semi-permanent hair dye that is less damaging to your hair compared to a demi-permanent or permanent dye. In addition, if you wish to restore your hair to its natural color in future, you can do so easily after 4 to 5 washes with shampoo.
Manic Panic’s Vampire red dye consists of natural and organic ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Citric Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Propylene Glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Basic Red 51, and Basic Orange 31. A closer inspection of its ingredients shows that it does not contain toxic chemicals such as Parabens and Sulfate.
Available in different shades of red, you can choose the tone that meets your eye more. There is also a conditioner in this dye to moisturize and soften your hair, and as such, you may not need to apply a conditioner after coloring your hair. It might also be exciting to know that celebrities like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga have flaunted this same shade of red.
Best for permanent red hair color: L’Oréal Paris Superior Hair Color
L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference permanent hair color should be your first choice if you’re looking for the best permanent red hair dye that will neither wash off nor fade with time. This is because asides having a reputation online and offline for being one of the best dye makers, their red hair dye has a lot to offer.
Superior Preference permanent hair color is available in over 50 shades, giving you a wide range of colors to choose from. Also, it has gray coverage meaning that it is suitable for dyeing gray hairs that may be difficult to color with other dyes. Now, if your purpose for dyeing is to change your gray colored hair to a more beautiful shade of red, you may want to give this product a try.
This translucent gel formula for dyeing all red hair types contains natural, organic, and non-toxic chemical ingredients which makes it safe for use. It also comes with a bleaching ingredient to make it easy for you to dye a previously colored hair. Other ingredients that are part of the makeup of this product are Propylene glycol, Hexylene, and Fragrance.
Best natural red hair dye: Surya Nature Henna Red Cream
Surya Nature Henna Red Cream is one of the best organic red hair dyes because it contains natural and organic ingredients with little traces of chemical constituents. Several chemicals you’ll find in most hair dyes are not present in this dye. So, if you want to dye your hair red, without worrying about the possible chemical constituents that may be harmful, you can try this product. It has been Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.
Chemicals like ammonia, PPD, parabens, peroxide, resorcinol, heavy metals, artificial fragrance, mineral oils, and gluten are not part of this dye’s composition. This makes it safe for use with the additional benefits of giving your hair that touch of red you desire. It can be comforting to know that you won’t have a lot of chemicals to deal with especially if you have an allergy.
On a brighter side, this hair dye is 100% vegan, and it is cruelty-free. Natural ingredients you should be on the watch out for their beneficial purposes are jasmine, chamomilla, brazil nut, aloe vera, rose, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, cetrimonium chloride, hydroxyethylcellulose, glycerin, and Achillea millefolium extract.
Best red hair dye to Cover gray roots: Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Red Hair Color
Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme is one of the best red hair dyes with 100 percent gray coverage. You can dye the whole hair or only the roots of your hair with this product, and the red color will last. If you’re wondering why, it is because this is a permanent dye that penetrates the hair shaft and as such, will not easily wash off.
Instead of applying and frequently reapplying as is the case of temporary hair dyes, you will mostly need to reapply Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme when your gray roots grow again. While this saves your time and takes away the need to dye frequently, it also gives your hair a rich and radiant color thanks to its color conditioner that moisturizes the hair.
Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme is available in 45 nourishing shades that include a true red color (Pomegranate). It contains three essential fruit oils which are avocado, olive, and shea butter. These oils will nourish your hair and promote its growth thus you don’t have to worry about hair thinning or even getting oily.
Most professional red hair dye: Sparks Long Lasting Bright Red Hair Color
Sparks Long Lasting Bright Hair Color is a permanent dye for coloring your hair in different shades including red velvet color. As a permanent dye, you have to put into full consideration if you want your hair to remain in a brighter shade of red because a few washes and shampooing won’t be enough to wash it off. But if that’s what you want, then you’ve found one of the best out there.
This hair dye comes with a conditioner to moisturize your hair, keeping it soft and hydrated. For the best results to show how effective it can be in changing your hair color, this professional red hair dye will require the expertise of a hairdresser to apply it on your hair. What to expect in the end is a vibrant color that stands the test of time.
According to Sparks, this hair dye is vegan-friendly and it does not contain paraphenylenediamine which is a toxic chemical that has an adverse effect on the body. Consequently, it has been recommended to apply this dye to a freshly shampooed hair that has been dried thoroughly. This is to give your hair that spark of red that shines after dyeing.
It is also necessary to warn you that there are plenty fakes out there.
Budget friendly: Adore Semi-Permanent Red Hair color
Are you on a budget? Then you can still get the best red hair dye which is Adore Semi-Permanent Hair color at a lesser price. Judging by its name, this is not a permanent dye since it can be washed off after a couple of washes with shampoo. But then, there are other perks to using this shampoo, and some have been outlined below.
If you’re choosing this hair dye because of its price, you can also choose it because it is ammonia free and does not contain Peroxide as well. Most dermatologists would recommend a hair dye that is free from these chemicals because they do not tend to have a negative impact on the hair after continuous and prolonged use.
Each piece of this dye is 4 ounces with ingredients that can make its content last in your hair. On the other hand, if you use a shampoo containing sulfate to wash your hair; after applying this dye, one wash is enough to remove the colorants from your hair. That being so, it is advisable to use a sulfate free shampoo and wash only when need be.
Best red hair dye for thick hair: Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color
Clairol Natural Instincts Crema Keratina red hair color can help you maintain your thick hair and even make it healthier before it was colored. It is a demi-permanent hair dye whose chemical composition is lesser than that of a permanent dye. On application, it can protect the hair strands from damaging thereby preventing gradual hair loss.
Ammonia as the main ingredient in permanent dyes is absent in this dye, but the colorants can still blend into the hair and be retained for up to 20 to 28 washes with a shampoo. So, if you want a dye that loses its color over time but not any time soon, then the Clairol Natural Instincts Crema Keratina hair color would be a good pick.
There is also a conditioning ingredient in this red hair dye which is combined with coconut oil to nourish the hair. This gives the hair a smooth and soft feel as well as a shiny look. Within 20 minutes, you can have a hair with a radiant color and brilliant shine. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and many more are part of its composition.
Taking a step to dye your hair red isn’t anything for anybody. If you want to do it, then do it properly and with the best products there is, to get a vibrant and healthy-looking color.
How to choose the best hair dye for your hair and skin type
Dyeing of hair is currently in trend and that is why there are several manufacturers out there with different products to meet this trend. As a result, it can be difficult choosing the best dye that will make you look good and stand out from the crowd (if that’s what you want). Here are some guidelines that will help you choose the best dye from the lot.
Choose a color based on your skin tone
You can maintain your natural look even after dyeing your hair, or you can draw a lot of attention because of the significant change in style. This means you should have an aim in mind and be set to achieve it. This can be made possible by selecting a color that matches your skin tone (either warm or cool) or one that makes you the center of everyone’s attention.
Colors like pink, blue, or purple are something most people won’t think of trying out and as such if you want to be very unique, these are the kind of colors you should have in mind. On the other hand, if all you want is a slight change that still gives your hair that attractive look, you might as well settle for a product that matches your skin tone or current hair color.
Know your budget
Before you go scouting for the best hair dye out there, you should be able to determine how much you’re willing to spend so that you can narrow down to certain brands. Same rule applies with choosing to buy any product, smart watches wigs, makeup kits or anything else. Keep in mind that a hair dye with a higher or lesser price does not entirely determine its value, so your budget should not be influenced by it.
Additionally, certain colors are more expensive than others, and these are usually considered to be premium colors. With this in mind, your budget should be in line with the color you’ve selected and the type of dye (Permanent or Temporary) to be used. It will also help you decide if you’ll be dyeing your hair by yourself or you’ll be visiting a salon to have a professional do a better job.
Settle on a temporary or permanent dye
One more thing you have to consider that will aid you in choosing the best dye for your hair is to know if you want to dye your hair permanently or temporarily. This can help you curtail the price and avoid making a decision you might regret in the future. Temporary dyes are usually cheaper than permanent ones; hence if you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider one of these.
In the same vein, if you’re choosing a unique color such as violet, red, or blue to dye your hair, you will most likely want to change it back to a more common color such as blond, brown, or black in the near future. If that is the case, then a temporary dye that fades after a few weeks is what you need. On the other hand, settling for a permanent dye will also save you the cost of dyeing and redyeing.
Experiment with a wig
Here’s all you have to do: use a wig that is in the same color or close to the color shade you are about to change your hair to. If it fits your style and skin tone, then it might just be the best color out there for you. Alternatively, if the look is not something you find appealing, you would’ve just saved yourself the time, energy, and cost of buying a dye in the same color.
Moreover, a wig can help you get people’s opinion on which color looks better on you. They can help you in your experimenting process and even recommend more colors that may even be more suitable for you. If you’re having a hard time choosing between several dyes, this option may just come in handy.
Seek professional advice
The best way to choose the right hair dye for your exact hair and skin type is to seek professional advice because you will not have to experiment with several products before finding the color and shade that is right for you. Your hairdresser can help in suggesting the appropriate dye for your hair, and also give you tips on how to maintain the hair for a long-lasting color effect.
Equally, if you have sensitive skin, then certain hair dyes may cause skin irritation due to the presence of certain chemicals such as Resourcinol. In this aspect, you can get a recommendation from a doctor or dermatologist that will highlight certain ingredients you should look out for in your potential dye and which you should stay away from.
How to Use Red Hair Dyes
Unlike hair blow dryers, it is not enough to choose the best red hair dye but to also know how to use it to achieve the best results. How to apply it following the manufacturer’s instructions, keep it safe for future use, and reapply if need be are all important tips you should have at your fingertips.
Things you will need to get started:
- A red hair dye.
- A plastic mixing bowl.
- A measuring cup.
- Non-metal hair clips.
- A toothed comb.
- Vaseline to protect the skin.
- Latex gloves to protect your hands.
- Conditioner to keep the hair soft and maintain a vibrant color.
- A brush to easily apply the dye to your hair.
- A bottle of about 10 to 20 Volume developer.
Method
- Brush your unwashed hair while it is dry and divide it into different sections, then begin by applying the Vaseline around your hairline.
- Protect your hands by putting on the gloves before you proceed. You can also cover yourself with a cape or switch into old clothes which you won’t mind if it gets ruined.
- Mix your hair dye and volume developer in a bowl. Note that the amount of developer you add to form the mixture will be determined by the manufacturer’s instruction on the dye’s manual.
- Start applying the mixture to your hair, starting from the lower section of your head. Also, ensure that you run the dye starting from the hair tips to the root until you have covered the entire hair.
- Dye the corners of your hair so that it matches your hair and then wash off any dye stains on your skin immediately.
- Set an alarm to wash off the dye with warm water (do not use shampoo) after about 30 minutes. After washing, apply a conditioner and leave it for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Finally, wash and dry off your hair, then sit back and admire its new look.
Types of Hair Dyes
Hair dyes are classified based on their active ingredients and how long they can last in the hair. This classification includes Permanent, Demi-permanent, Semi-permanent, Gradual, and Temporary hair dyes.
1. Permanent hair dyes
A permanent hair dye contains ammonia combined with an oxidizing agent that locks the colorants into the hair cuticle; as a result, the dye is retained permanently and does not wash off or fade. Unlike other types of hair dyes that lose their shine and color when shampoos and conditioners with inorganic chemicals are applied, a permanent dye does not except the hair is cut off and regrown.
2. Semi-permanent hair dyes
Demi-permanent hair dye contains an alkaline agent such as sodium carbonate, combined with a developer which contains Hydrogen peroxide. Compared to a permanent dye, this dye has a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide in its developer and is less effective in removing the natural pigment of the hair. Thus, it does not retain colorants permanently but lasts for about 20 to 28 washes with shampoo.
3. Semi-permanent hair dyes
Semi-permanent hair dye may contain small or no quantities of the developer, hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. This makes their effect less pronounced than that of permanent and demi-permanent dyes. Consequently, they penetrate the hair shaft partially and can easily fade from subsequent washes. After applying this dye, 4 to 5 washes with shampoo can return the hair to its natural color.
4. Gradual hair dyes
Gradual hair dye is a metallic dye in the form of an aqueous solution. When applied to the hair, it results in the same dark color of metal oxides or sulfides. By its name, its colorants modify the color of the hair gradually; hence, they have to be used continuously over a period of time. A darker shade of the hair can be noted with each successive application which can still be washed off by shampooing.
5. Temporary hair dyes
Temporary hair dye can be found in other health care products such as shampoos, gels, sprays, and foams. It matches the hair color and serves to enhance its color for a brighter and more vibrant shade. This dye cannot penetrate the hair shaft to influence its PH balance, but can only be absorbed on the surface of the hair. It can easily be washed away with just one wash; hence it is less effective than the rest.
Conclusion
There are several red hair dyes you’ll find on the market, and as expected, some will be better and more beneficial than others. Whether your red hair is natural or dyed, keeping the color vibrant is important because it doesn’t only change the way you look, it also changes the way you feel.
