Red-hair hues are well and truly the colour du jour this season. In recent months, we’ve seen the takeover of ‘cowboy copper’ and ‘pumpkin spice’ hues, but the biggest hair-colour trend by far would have to be ‘cherry cola’. Unlike its lighter contemporaries, cherry cola hair is characterised by a rich mahogany red with moody chocolate undertones.
You’ve likely clocked the red-brunette hue on a number of your favourite celebs, including Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Kylie Jenner. So what’s behind the sudden resurgence? According to Lauren Mackellar, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Robe Haircare, “It can add a bit more interest to someone’s look and dimension compared with a standard brunette tone.”
The allure of a cherry-cola hair colour lies in its ability to make a statement. As Lauren explains, “A lot of celebrities have been leaning into that edginess by tying the colour into their red carpet looks—so it makes sense that it’s [garnered] a lot of attention and has become such a huge trend.”
It’s also a great colour option if you’ve been finding your current hair colour to be a little on the dull side. “I think what makes it so popular is that the richness of the tone allows for so much radiance and vibrancy in the hair, making the hair shimmer and shine so beautifully under lights on the red carpet or in the sun,” says Lauren.
Another trend currently circulating on social media is ultra-glossy locks, which adds to the appeal of a luminous, multi-dimensional hair colour such as cherry cola. It’s also extremely versatile, notes Lauren. “The beauty of this trend is that there is a shade that would suit all skin tones. It would look incredible on someone with a deeper skin tone or darker features, but it’s also flattering and dramatic on someone with fair skin and light eyes.”
Whether you’re going to DIY your hair colour at home or schedule in some time at the salon, there’s a few things to consider—if you’re thinking this one might be fun for a very temporary transformation, cherry-cola hair might not be the best hue for you. “It can be super hard to remove once you decide to change it back to a neutral tone,” Lauren says. “It’s a high-maintenance hair-colour trend, so I would consider sleeping on it if you’re someone who is not fully committed to the colour change.”
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As with any hair colour, it’s important to consider the maintenance involved and whether you’re up for the upkeep. “Red tones are notoriously hard to keep in the hair and require regular toners and at-home treatments to maintain,” warns Lauren. She suggests investing in nourishing haircare products that can boost shine and curb rapid colour loss. “The Robe Clean + Finish is a nonlathering product, to help protect the tone in your hair and hydrate your hair to protect it from fading.”
