Redhead Hair Color with Highlights: Your Ultimate Style Guide

Last updated October 09, 2025

It may seem like blondes have all the fun when it comes to highlighted hair, but the truth is that redheads can turn heads too with the addition of warm, dimensional highlights. Redhead hair color with highlights, from burgundy to chocolate cherry, is a red-hot trend right now for giving red hair a fuller and more luxurious look. The best part? You can keep your beloved base color and just add highlights, taking your hair to the next level while still keeping everything you love about your hair color. Ahead, we explain how natural redheads can enhance their hair with highlights, plus how to add red and auburn highlights in brown hair. Get ready for the hair color compliments to start rolling in!

Why Highlights Are Perfect for Red Hair

If your red locks have been looking a little limp lately, highlights can add much-needed dimension by creating a contrast with the natural red tones. By adding lighter shades, the hair’s shape and movement is enhanced, giving the illusion of more volume and texture, whether you're looking for a "born with it" look or a full hair upheaval.

Popular Highlight Options for Red Hair

Red hair is naturally striking, and the right highlights can enhance its radiant beauty. Whether you're looking for something trendy or timeless, here are some popular highlighted styles that beautifully complement red tones.

Red Hair with Blonde Highlights: A Radiant Combination

Blonde highlights on red hair create a beautiful contrast that makes the hair pop. The warm, golden tones of blonde bring out the fiery richness of red, giving the hair more depth and dimension. The lightness of the blonde highlights contrasts with the deeper reds, creating a radiant yet natural effect. It's a classic choice because it's both striking and flattering, offering a vibrant look that will give you a fresh and lively hair update while staying true to your red.

Strawberry Blonde: The Subtle Blend

Strawberry blonde highlights offer a subtle, natural transition for redheads by blending warm, pinkish-gold tones with their red base. The light, sun-kissed effect enhances the hair’s depth without a dramatic change, adding dimension while maintaining the warmth and richness of the red. It's a soft way to brighten the look and create a more refreshed, but still natural, appearance.

Bold Blonde Highlights for a Dramatic Look

Bold blonde streaks on red hair create a striking look that really makes a statement. The sharp contrast between the bright blonde and the rich red amplifies both colors, so that each one stands out even more. This bold pairing adds dimension and drama, giving your hair an edgy, vibrant feel. Ideal for those who want a more daring, attention-grabbing style, bold blonde streaks bring a dynamic twist to red locks.

Dark Red Hair Highlights: Elegant and Mysterious

Darker highlights, like deep auburn or brown tones, complement dark red hair by adding elegance and richness to the overall look. These deeper shades create a subtle contrast that enhances the depth of the red without overpowering it. The result is a sophisticated, multi-dimensional effect that feels both refined and natural. It's a perfect choice for those who want to add dimension and a bit of depth without straying too far from their natural color.

Deep Burgundy Highlights

Burgundy highlights can significantly intensify the depth and richness of dark red hair by adding a darker, cooler undertone that enhances the overall color. The deep, wine-like hue of burgundy blends seamlessly with dark red hair, creating a multi-dimensional effect that makes the color appear more vibrant and full of depth.

Auburn Tones for Natural Redheads

Auburn highlights are a versatile option for natural redheads seeking a more refined style. The warm, rich tones of auburn blend seamlessly with red hair, enhancing its natural depth while adding subtle warmth and dimension. These highlights create a sophisticated, polished look without straying too far from the hair's natural color.

Red Hair Color with Black Highlights: Edgy and Unique

Black highlights in red hair create a bold, edgy contrast that adds instant drama and depth. The stark difference between the intense black and fiery red creates a striking, high-impact look that demands attention. This bold pairing not only intensifies the vibrancy of the red but also adds an element of mystery and sophistication.

Highlight Techniques for Red Hair

Natural redheads can opt for highlights just as easily as faux redheads. According to Patricia Slattery, Assistant Vice President of Hair Color Education, Training & Testing at L'Oreal, for natural redheads seeking highlights, “a bleach is your best bet to lighten your hair, and the key is to leave some warmth.” Slattery recommends choosing a highlight color with the end result "warm" or "golden" to create some harmony with your base color and add deliberate hair dimension. You can check for these end results by reading the product name or description on the box.

Wondering which type of highlights are right for you? Slattery recommends “bigger, chunkier highlights if you have thick, coarse hair.” Since thicker hair tends to have more movement, wave, and even curl, thicker highlights create a more successful, full-bodied look. Keep in mind that, as Slattery points out, “if highlights are too small, they’ll just disappear.”

Opt for small to medium highlights if your hair is fine. Smaller highlights will also appear more successful on anyone with naturally straight hair—or people who don’t have much hair to work with.

Whether you’re applying thick or thin highlights, the dye should be applied on dried hair. Slattery suggests “making sure that any area of hair where you want highlights is completely saturated.” For thick hair types, she even recommends buying two boxes of dye to cover all those luxurious hair strands. (For fine hair, this can also help so you have an extra box on hand when you’re ready for a touch up!) For best result, Slattery advises to “leave on for the maximum amount of time.”

Ombre Highlights for a Gradual Fade

Ombre highlights offer a soft, gradual transition that’s perfect for redheads seeking a low-maintenance look. The technique blends darker red tones at the roots into lighter shades—often golden or strawberry blonde—toward the tips, creating a natural, sun-kissed effect. This seamless fade requires less upkeep compared to traditional highlights since the roots grow out without creating harsh lines—perfect for those who want a stylish, yet easy-to-maintain hairstyle.

Maintenance Tips for Red Hair Highlights

To keep red hair with highlights vibrant and healthy, here are some practical tips:

Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner

Opt for formulas designed for color-treated hair. These help preserve your red hues for longer.

Deep condition

Red hair tends to be more porous, which can lead to dryness. Use a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week to nourish and hydrate your hair, keeping it soft and shiny.

Protect from heat

Heat styling tools can cause color to fade faster, so always use a heat protectant spray or serum before styling to minimize damage and preserve vibrancy.

Recommended Hair Care Products for Redheads

Look no further for the best products for red or color-treated hair, featuring shampoos, conditioners, and treatments designed to maintain vibrancy and health: