Christmas Hair Color Ideas: Cherry Red, Burgundy and More
You want a festive color for December, but you’re afraid of walking out with orange hair, or a shade that looks wrong by New Year. Picking from a hundred photos doesn’t help, because lighting and base color change everything.
These Christmas hair color ideas are the ten shades I suggest most often, from cherry red to icy platinum. For each one, you’ll get the words to use at the salon, who it suits, how much upkeep it needs, and where it can go wrong.
Quick-pick box
- Brunettes and dark hair: burgundy (#2), chocolate cherry (#4) or red face-framing highlights (#9).
- Blondes and light hair: champagne money piece (#5), strawberry blonde (#7) or icy platinum (#8).
- Want a low-commitment change: glossy espresso (#10) or burgundy over a dark base (#2).
10 Christmas Hair Color Ideas
1. Cherry Red Hair Color: A Bold Christmas Hair Color Idea for Cool Undertones
Picture a bright, true red with a slight blue base, like a polished cherry. It looks saturated, glossy and hard to miss under fairy lights.
It suits cool and neutral undertones, and works on fair to deep skin. Medium to long hair shows the color best, especially with a blunt cut. Dark hair needs pre-lightening first.
Tell your colorist: “a cherry red, all-over color with a gloss to seal it.” Upkeep is high. Wash with cool water, use color-safe shampoo, and book a gloss every four to five weeks. The drawback is fading, and red dye can stain pillowcases and towels, so skip it if you want something low-effort.
2. Burgundy Hair Color: Deep Wine Red for a Rich Holiday Look
Burgundy is a dark wine red with a hint of purple. Indoors it can pass for deep brown, then glows red in daylight or near candles.
Cool and neutral undertones suit it best. It works well over natural dark brown or black hair, often with little or no lightening. Straight, wavy and curly textures all show it nicely.
At the salon, ask for “a burgundy demi-permanent color with a gloss on top.” It fades gradually rather than suddenly, so plan a refresh about every six weeks. One honest point: very light hair grabs the color unevenly, so blondes need a pre-tone step and a larger bill.
3. Cinnamon Copper Balayage: Warm Winter Hair Color Ideas for Golden Undertones
Think of the color of cinnamon sticks: warm, spicy and slightly glowing. A copper balayage hand-paints those tones through the mid-lengths and ends, with a softer root.
Warm and golden undertones look best with it, as do hazel and brown eyes. It suits light brown to dark blonde hair, in any length past the chin.
Ask for: “a copper balayage with a lived-in root and a warm gloss.” The grown-out look lasts eight to ten weeks, though the gloss needs a refresh every four to six. The catch is brassiness. Copper can drift orange if you wash with hot water, so skip it if you won’t change your routine.
4. Chocolate Cherry Brunette: Festive Hair Color for Brunettes Who Like Subtle
A deep chocolate brown with a cherry-red glaze over the top. In low light it’s just a rich brunette, and in the sun the red shows up.
It flatters almost every skin tone, especially cool and neutral ones, and works on medium to dark brown hair. Short bobs, lobs and long layers all carry it well.
Tell your colorist: “a chocolate brown base with a cherry glaze, no lightening.” That means a gentle process, with a color refresh about every six weeks. The drawback is subtlety. If you want a dramatic change people notice across the room, this one is too quiet.
5. Champagne Blonde with a Money Piece: Soft Christmas Hair Color Ideas for Blondes
A pale, golden-beige blonde, brightest around the face in a money piece. A shadow root keeps the top softer, so regrowth looks planned.
It suits light brown to blonde hair and most face shapes. Cool undertones should choose an ash champagne, while warm ones look better in golden. Mid-length to long hair shows the blend best.
Ask for: “champagne blonde highlights, a money piece, a shadow root, and a toner.” Plan a toner refresh every six to eight weeks. Bleach can leave hair dry, so skip this if your strands are already fragile, or ask your colorist for a bond-building add-on.
6. Emerald Green Peekaboo: Playful Red-and-Green Christmas Hair Color Ideas
A hidden panel of emerald under the top layer. When you tie your hair up or tuck it behind an ear, the green flashes out.
It works on almost any face shape and skin tone, and suits medium to long hair best. Dark hair must be lightened first, so expect a longer appointment.
Tell your stylist: “a peekaboo panel, lightened and colored in emerald.” Vivid greens fade in a few weeks, so use color-depositing conditioner. The honest drawback is commitment. Faded green can turn a dull teal, and some workplaces frown on bright shades, so think about that before booking.
7. Strawberry Blonde: Soft Red Hair Color for Christmas on Fair Skin
Strawberry blonde mixes pale gold with a whisper of peach. It’s a gentler way to try red hair color for Christmas, without the intensity of cherry.
Warm and neutral undertones suit it best, along with fair and light-olive skin. It works on natural blonde and light brown hair, in lobs, long layers or beachy waves.
Ask for: “strawberry blonde babylights with a rose-gold gloss.” Babylights are fine, delicate highlights that blend smoothly. Refresh the gloss every six weeks. It can fade toward yellow, so skip it if you won’t use purple-free, color-safe products.
8. Icy Platinum Blonde: Snowy Winter Hair Color Ideas
A cool, pale white-blonde with no yellow in it, a little like fresh snow. Under Christmas lights, it picks up soft silvery reflections.
It suits cool undertones and fair skin best, and it looks striking on sleek bobs and long straight hair. Natural dark blondes get there quickest, while dark brown hair needs several sessions.
Tell your colorist: “a full lightening to a pale level 10, with a violet toner.” Upkeep is high, with toner every four to six weeks. The drawback is real. Platinum takes time, money and strong hair, so skip it if your strands are already compromised.
9. Red Face-Framing Highlights on Black Hair: Low-Risk Christmas Hair Color Ideas
Two slim ribbons of red around the face, with the rest left black. It’s a bold accent that doesn’t touch the rest of your hair.
Dark hair of any texture works, and so does any face shape. Warm skin looks lovely with copper-red, while cool skin prefers a deep ruby. Chin-length hair and longer shows the effect best.
Ask for: “a red money piece, lightened to a level 6 or 7, then glazed.” Retouching takes about every eight to twelve weeks. One honest catch: dark hair passes through an orange stage when lightened, so you need a skilled colorist who will tone it correctly.
10. Glossy Espresso Brown: A No-Commitment Christmas Hair Color Idea
A deep, cool espresso brown with mirror-like shine. You keep your base color, and the gloss gives it that expensive, just-done look for photos.
It suits brunettes of every undertone, and works on any length or texture. If your hair is dull or slightly faded, you’ll notice the difference right away.
Book “a gloss treatment in espresso brown, with a touch of cherry if you want warmth.” It lasts about four to six weeks, so a December appointment carries you through the holidays. The drawback: it isn’t a dramatic change, and it’s temporary, so skip it if you want a real color shift.
How to Choose Your Christmas Hair Color
Start with your undertone. Gold jewelry flatters you? You’re probably warm, so copper, strawberry blonde and golden champagne will look best. Silver looks better? You’re probably cool, so choose cherry red, burgundy or icy platinum.
Next, look at your starting point. Dark hair can go deeper and redder with little damage, while lightening it takes time. Blonde hair can go rosy, but dark red on bleached hair needs a pre-tone step.
Then decide how much upkeep you’ll accept. A gloss lasts about a month. A balayage can last months, while platinum and vivid red need regular visits.
Finally, think about timing. Book your appointment two weeks before Christmas, so you have time to fix the tone. Bring photos in different lighting, and ask your colorist what’s realistic for your hair.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing from photos alone. Lighting and filters change everything, so ask your colorist what your base can really do.
- Ignoring undertone. The wrong red can wash you out, so match the shade to your skin and eyes.
- Booking too late. December fills fast, so reserve your appointment four to six weeks ahead.
- Using box dye over bleached hair. Results can turn patchy, so see a colorist, and always do a patch test before any home color.
- Washing with hot water. Red and copper fade quickly, so use cool water and a color-safe shampoo.
FAQ
What is the best hair color for Christmas?
Burgundy and cherry red are the most popular choices, because they feel festive without looking costume-like. Champagne blonde and copper also work well. The best shade is the one that suits your undertone and the upkeep you can manage.
Is cherry red hair hard to maintain?
Yes, it needs more care than most colors. Red molecules are large and fade quickly, so use cool water, color-safe shampoo and a gloss every four to five weeks. Expect to wash less often to keep the shine.
Can I get Christmas hair color without bleach?
Often, yes. Dark hair can take burgundy, chocolate cherry or a red gloss without lightening. A glossy espresso treatment needs no bleach at all. Bright or pastel shades on dark hair do need bleach, so ask your colorist what your base allows.
How far ahead should I dye my hair before Christmas?
Aim for one to two weeks before. That gives you time to fix the tone, and the color settles after a few washes. Book the appointment four to six weeks ahead, because December slots fill quickly.
What Christmas hair color suits my skin tone?
Warm skin looks lovely with copper, strawberry blonde and golden champagne. Cool skin suits cherry red, burgundy and icy platinum. Neutral skin can wear most shades. Check your veins and jewelry preference, or ask your colorist to confirm.
Conclusion
The best Christmas hair color is the one that works with your base, your undertone and the time you want to spend on upkeep. Pick two or three shades, take the salon phrases to your colorist, and ask what’s realistic.
If one of these ideas caught your eye, save this article to your Pinterest board, so it’s ready when you book your appointment.
