Experts share essential hair colour tips tips for red hair

The soaring popularity of The Queen's Gambit has led to red being one of 2021's hottest hair colours. Experts share how you can ace this trend

The hit Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit is winning fans over not just for its inspiring story of Beth Harmon, a formidable chess prodigy, but also her evocative hair and beauty looks that play an integral role in narrating her journey. Interestingly, the character was described as having brown hair in the 1983 novel the series is based on. Depicting her as a redhead was a creative decision that has since inspired men and women across the world to revisit fiery hair colours with renewed interest.

Drishya Bhagyanath wears a red balayage look

Prepping your hair
“Red hair works well with a variety of Indian skin tones. It’s also easier to dye our hair red, because our undertones [the colours that appear when you use bleach to strip away the black and brown pigments] are red and orange. This means we don’t have to lighten our hair too much for the red to be noticed,” shares Drishya Bhagyanath, hair stylist and owner of Trendy Hair and Beauty salon. When applied directly to hair that has never been coloured before, many red hair dyes will still work. Bleaching is only necessary if you are opting for very vivid reds, she adds. Subtler shades such as burgundy, copper, plum, and mahogany work well in highlights or balayage. You could dip-dye only the ends of your hair in a vivid red or opt for panelling, which entails inserting chunky streaks of colour.

Natasha Nyss pairs her vivid red hair with simple makeup

Image consultant Greeshma Thampi recommends an ombre style with a deeper burgundy colour near the face; the colour can become progressively brighter through the lengths. “For formal occasions, I can tie my hair away from my face so that it is not distracting,” she says.

Greeshma Thampi sports an ombre look

Maintenance and care
Depending on how often you wash your hair, the shade of red will fade within two or three months into a softer reddish-brown, says Bhagyanath. “You can either visit the salon for a colour wash, where the colour is refreshed with a diluted version of the dye, or use colour-depositing shampoos and masks at home, every 10 days,” she says. Use a colour protecting shampoo and conditioner, and wear protective headgear while swimming or going out in the sun. Colouring your hair tends to dry it out, says Thampi, who regularly seeks salon treatments to keep her hair in good shape.

On the styling front, keeping your clothes and makeup simple ensures that they do not compete or clash with your hair, Thampi signs off.

Ready for the show
Makeup artist Natasha Nyss shares the following pointers:
>> Just like with colour cosmetics, choose a red hair colour that corresponds with your skin tone (warm or cool)
>> Use a sulphate-free shampoo, followed by a serum. Apply a hair mask once a week
>> Avoid using too much heat on your hair and trim your hair regularly to remove dead ends
>> For vivid reds, visit a salon as this involves bleaching

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