How to achieve cherry cola hair - Garnier How to achieve cherry cola hair - Garnier

The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Stunning Cherry Cola Hair at Home

Long before Coca-Cola released Cherry Coke in 1985, soda fountains and diners all over the US were sweetening up brown cola with a splash of red cherry syrup. This sparked the cherry cola hair craze that became an American classic. Here is your step-by-step guide on how to obtain and maintain cherry cola hair color at home, no matter your current color.

What is Cherry Cola Hair Color?

Cherry red hair famously features a chocolatey brown base with deep red undertones. Picture a tall cool glass of brown cola that’s just shy of black accented with swirls of rich red hues. And just like the drink, you can create this delicious combination in the comfort of your own home.

What Skin Tone Suits Cherry Cola Hair?

Cherry cola hair flatters just about any skin tone because it has full-spectrum undertones from cool to warm. It adds depth to fair and medium skin, and really pops against darker complexions.
 
The best way to see if cherry cola hair color will suit your complexion is with our personalized tools. Check out the Virtual Try-On Tool for instant views or take the Shade Selector Quiz to explore your menu of options.

Best Cherry Cola Hair Color Kits by Starting Shade

Like with any DIY hair dye, your current color affects your new color. While there is no specific kit for creating cherry cola hair, you can achieve this shade with a little intel on how certain pigments react on your original color. Here are the best pro tips for getting the ideal cherry cola hair on light brown, medium brown, and dark brown or black hair. If your hair is lighter, keep in mind that the brighter the brown or red shade, the brighter the results. It may show up as much paler than deep-toned cherry cola hair.

The Best Cherry Cola Hair Color for Light Brown Hair
The Best Cherry Cola Hair Color for Medium Brown Hair
The Best Cherry Cola Hair Color for Dark Brown and Black Hair
01
The Best Cherry Cola Hair Color for Light Brown Hair
A recommended starting point for getting cherry cola hair on light brown hair is the more subdued reddish-browns like Nutrisse Ultra Crème 415 Soft Mahogany Dark Brown.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
415 - Soft Mahogany Dark Brown
415 - Soft Mahogany Dark Brown
02
The Best Cherry Cola Hair Color for Medium Brown Hair
Medium brown hair can take medium or darker reddish-browns like Nutrisse Ultra Crème 362 Darkest Berry Burgundy or Nutrisse Ultra Color R2 Medium Intense Auburn.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
362 - Darkest Berry Burgundy
362 - Darkest Berry Burgundy
03
The Best Cherry Cola Hair Color for Dark Brown and Black Hair
If starting with a dark brown or black hair color, try a deep red-brown like Olia 4.60 Dark Intense Auburn, Olia 4.62 Dark Garnet Red, or Olia 6.65 Intense Red.
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OLIA
4.60 - Dark Intense Auburn
4.60 - Dark Intense Auburn
Step-by-Step Cherry Cola Hair Application
Prep Hair Before Applying
Apply Cherry Cola Hair Color
Rinse and Condition
01
Prep Hair Before Applying
For the smoothest all-over application of your cherry cola hair color, be sure to start with healthy evenly toned strands that are fully detangled. It should also be dry and not freshly washed. Always perform a skin allergy test and protect your hairline/ears with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to avoid staining.
02
Apply Cherry Cola Hair Color
The best way to ensure the dye is evenly distributed is to divide your hair into sections with clips, and then work on each one separately. Follow the instructions in the box insert on mixing and applying. Let the color set for a longer time to achieve a richer red, or rinse out sooner to create more subtle undertones. Start at the lengths if refreshing color, and start at the roots if covering grays or changing your base.
03
Rinse and Condition
To make your cherry cola hair the belle of the ball, seal in the color by doing a final rinse with cool water. Always use a color-safe conditioner that is free of drying sulfates and alcohol to retain long-lasting shine. Avoid vigorous rubbing, and instead, gently squeeze out excess water before applying conditioner.

Hair Color Virtual Try-On

Virtually try on Garnier hair colors to discover your perfect shade of cherry cola hair color.

Hair Color Virtual Try-On

Hair Color Virtual Try-On

Virtually try on Garnier hair colors to discover your perfect shade.

TRY ON SHADES

Hair Shade Selector Quiz

Take our 1-minute hair color quiz to find and virtually try on your personalized cherry cola hair color.

Shade Selector Quiz

Shade Selector Quiz

Take our quiz to discover the perfect Garnier hair shades for you!

FIND MY SHADE

How to Maintain Cherry Cola Hair

  • Wash with color-safe shampoo and conditioner and use cool water to reduce fade.
  • Limit heat styling; when you do use hot tools, apply a heat protectant.
  • Minimize UV exposure with hats or UV-protectant hair products.
  • Refresh tone between dye sessions with a red-enhancing gloss or color-depositing conditioner.

Is cherry cola hair hard to maintain - Garnier

Best Hairstyles for Cherry Cola Hair

Your new cherry red hair will look amazing no matter how you wear it! For inspiration, check out 15 fabulous looks in our article on red hairstyle ideas or start with our favorites below:

Bodacious Waves
Braids
Sleek Glass Hair
High Ponytail
01
Bodacious Waves
Cherry cola hair looks especially sensational when reflecting light, and voluminous waves really show off this shade’s multidimensional tones.
02
Braids
No matter which style of braids you choose, weaving your cherry cola red hair into 3D patterns kicks the depth up a few notches. A braided crown is also a stunning look for any occasion.
03
Sleek Glass Hair
Polishing any surface enhances shine, and glass hair really brings out all the facets of cherry cola hair.
04
High Ponytail
A lifted ponytail creates volume and draws the eye to the beautiful color variations at the crown and tips.

CHERRY COLA HAIR FAQS

Is cherry cola hair easy to achieve for brunettes?
Cherry cola hair is easy to achieve for brunettes because they already have the brown base color. This hair trend works really well on locks that are light brown to black. More good news: Most brunettes can achieve the look without bleaching.

How long does cherry cola hair last?
Like any permanent hair dye, cherry cola hair will typically stay vibrant for six to eight weeks. But since red hues tend to fade faster than other shades, you’ll need to learn some basics on how to maintain red hair dye, and which products and routines work best.

How much maintenance does cherry cola hair color require?
Cherry cola hair color is relatively low-maintenance if you follow the pro tips in this article and take a little extra care when washing and styling. It’s also recommended to avoid extreme heat like hot water and extended periods in the sun.

How often do I need to touch up cherry cola color?
The frequency of touchups to cherry cola hair depends on how quickly it fades as well as your base color. If you are diligent about shampooing less often and avoiding hot tools, you'll probably need fewer touchups between dye sessions. If the color of your roots create a stark contrast with the cherry cola color, you'll also want a touchup to help them blend in better.

Can I get cherry cola hair without bleaching?
You can get cherry cola hair without bleaching if you have a “true-to-brown base.” This refers to naturally brown hair that is not dyed. True-to-brown bases take cherry cola hair color well on their own and do not require lightening before dyeing. Darker base colors may require pre-bleaching, depending on the cherry cola color you choose.

Does cherry cola hair work with highlights?
Cherry cola hair does work with highlights! You can add beautiful dimension with selective highlights by dyeing thinner strands in a lighter shade. This works better than using thick highlights or lowlights, plus it adds more contrast and depth.

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