Red hair always looks the most striking hair colors, but finding the right makeup for red hair is surprisingly difficult. Copper, auburn, strawberry blonde, burgundy and dark mahogany all fall under “red hair,” but each of them respond uniquely to foundation, lipstick, blush and eyeshadow colors.
That is why makeup for red hair is never one-size-fits-all. Your best bet is to know your hair undertone first, and then move on to selecting shades that complement that warmth beautifully. This guide outlines the best makeup ideas for gingers, from the right lipstick colors and eyeshadow palettes to blush options, as well as eyeliner and foundation shades based on skin tone.
Makeup Ideas for Gingers
The first step for selecting the right makeup starts with understanding the undertones. There are different shades for each redhead, so treating every tone of hair which are red the same way often leads to makeup that feels too harsh or simply unbalanced.
Red Hair Undertones
Most red hair falls into three undertone groups: warm, cool, and neutral. Once you know where your hair stands, makeup becomes much easier to choose.
Warm Red — Copper, Auburn, Titian
Generally warm red hair has strong orange, golden or copper undertones.
Here, warm-toned makeup such as bronze eyeshadow paired with peach blush and coral lips often looks fantastic because it doesn’t work against the natural warmth but accentuates it.
Cool Red Hair — Burgundy, Wine, Deep Mahogany
Cool red hair leans more toward violet-red, wine, burgundy, and deeper mahogany shades. These tones often look richer and more dramatic than bright copper shades.
Berry lipstick, plum blush, navy liner and deep violet eyeshadow are more likely to work in complete harmony.
Neutral or Strawberry Blonde Light Copper, Peach-Red
Middle shades around this strawberry blonde and soft peach-red tones usually sit. The best part about them is their warm and neutral qualities, which make them very versatile for makeup for red hair.
Depending on skin undertone, these tones can wear either warm or cool shades but tend to look particularly luminous in softer colors such as champagne, dusty rose and peach-nude.
Eyeshadow Colors for You
It is either the perfect match for collaborating with red hair, or goes far enough against it to make your eyes pop. Eyeshadow palettes offer a variety of options, so choosing the best shades depends on whether your red hair is warm, cool, or neutral—and vice versa.
Warm Palettes That Harmonise
Warm undertones can use copper, burnt sienna, terracotta, bronze and warm gold shades of eyeshadow for a more flattering look.
They play off of copper and auburn shades naturally as well as providing a soft, uniform appearance. They perform particularly well where daytime makeup is concerned, and they also create elegant nighttime glam without dominating the face.
Cool Palettes That Contrast
People with green or hazel eyes look particularly lovely in plum, deep violet, forest green and navy, as they are a pretty contrast against red hair.
Green in particular comes highly recommended because it is opposite of red on the color wheel and opens up your eyes immediately. Plum and navy keep the drama without weighing too heavily.
Neutral Everyday Shades
If you have a type of copper red hair color then taupe, warm brown, soft champagne and pale muted beige are good go-to choices for daily wear in almost all situations.
These hues are very user-friendly, flattering on pale skin, and however you wear your hair: copper, auburn or strawberry blond.
Careful use of bright orange-red eyeshadow is crucial in creating looks that will complement red hair and not clash. Neon yellow also hardly suits anyone, instead, it can weigh very badly on the complexion and make it appear tired.
Best Redhead Lipstick Shades
The safest and everyday lipstick shade choices are peachy nude, warm beige, and dusty rose.
These shades add a soft, natural look without worrying about the face looking washed out. In general, cool, ashy nude lipsticks are not very flattering on fair redheads because they typically look too gray or beigeish, depending on the skin tone.
If you’re looking for something bold, go for cherry red or cool-toned crimson, as these are the most flattering options.
Blush and Bronzer for Red Hair
Your blush and bronzer should feel warm and dimensional on your skin without making your face look overly red or orange.
Blush Shades
Peach and apricot blushes look lovely on fair skin tones, as they bring freshness and warmth without overpowering the face.
Lighter pink blushes, such as rose pink in winter, work better to balance cooler dark red hair shades like burgundy or mahogany.
Bronzer Tips
Warm matte bronzers usually work the best for gingers because they add definition without looking muddy.
Bronzers with soft gold shimmer can also complement copper hair beautifully, especially for evening makeup. Avoid bronzers with ashy or gray tones, which will wash the skin out.
Liquid Eyeliner and Mascara for Red Hair
Light lashes, eyeliner and mascara transforms the softness or intensity of a makeup look.
For fuller-looking lashes without the need for a dramatic black liner, espresso works well because it creates definition around your eyes while avoiding harsh contrast.
A plum eyeliner is the perfect option for green or hazel eyes, as it boosts natural eye color beautifully.
Foundation and Concealer Match for Red Hair
The foundation should always match the skin undertone but not your hair color. It exists across fair, medium, and dark skin tones, so there is no single “redhead foundation.”
Nowadays, girls with red hair often do best with yellow-to-peach undertoned foundations because strong pink-based foundations can enhance redness in the skin.
Green color-correcting primers or concealers are beneficial for minimizing the appearance of redness around the nose, cheeks and chin — especially in those with fair complexions.
For medium and darker skin tones, redheads do better with warm neutral or golden undertones than with overly cool foundation shades.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Some of the best eyeshadow colors to match red hair are bronze, copper, taupe, warm brown champagne, forest green plum and navy.
Redheads definitely can wear red lipstick. Blue reds, cherry reds, berry reds, and cool-toned crimson are generally the most flattering.
The least flattering choices are usually orange-red lipstick, harsh cool pinks and ashy neutral shades.
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