When you’re looking for a beautiful but edgy way to freshen up black hair, don’t underestimate the power of red highlights!
There are many ways to add highlights to your hair. Balayage, ombre, peekaboo, babylights, and beyond – all of these styles in red will make your black mane a beauty in no time.
When thinking about how you’d like to add red to your black hair, consider your hairstyle first. You’ll find ideas below in our 35 favorite styles of black hair with red highlights!
Black Hair With Red Highlights
Take a look at these 35 refreshing ideas to rock black hair with red highlights.
1. Up in Flames
Hidden flaming red highlights on black hair is exactly what you are looking for when it comes to freshening up your image. You can dye just a few strands to make them appear suddenly when you shake your head.
2. Subtle Dark Red Highlights
If your hair is black, consider making very dark red highlights. They might not be visible at first glance but once you look close, the impression is truly stunning. Give them a chance.
3. Burgundy Sew-ins
Sew-ins are a terrific way to diversify your hair color in a single salon session. You can either create highlights or an ombre without damaging your locks with a hair dye. Give it a try!
4. Burgundy and Black
Burgundy and black look magnificent together. You can start by dyeing just one or two of your black strands burgundy and see how it looks. You might decide to add a few or try another shade of red.
5. Light Mahogany
Light mahogany brown is a perfect shade to use when it comes to creating red highlights on black hair. You can also use it to make a stunning ombre. The ends can be dyed a richer color.
6. Outrageous Flaming and Beautiful
Flaming red doesn’t look natural but it can make you appear absolutely gorgeous. This is especially true when it comes to making flaming red highlights on raven black tresses. You’ll conquer the world!
7. Light Cherry Red
Light cherry red highlights can make your black hair color look richer and more impressive. Don’t be afraid to experiment with all shades of red when it comes to highlights. Cherry is surprisingly natural.
8. Flaming Ombre
If you are not scared of flaming patterns, you should definitely try a black and flaming red ombre. The black hair is on top and flaming red strands start near your eye level. You can make just a few black strands as well.
9. Partial Highlights
Partial red highlights are a great choice for girls who are not yet ready to be making great statements with their hair but would like a small change. Black and red are perfect together regardless of the amount.
10. Hair Extensions
If you want to see the way red highlights look on your black locks, consider attaching hair extensions. They look great as highlights and even more amazing as part of a flaming ombre.
11. Top Highlights
Another smart way to go about the red highlights on black hair is to make them on top only. You can save time and money while not damaging too much of your locks.
12. Flaming Ends
Dark cherry or burgundy color can look very close to raven black. In order to outline the red in your burgundy shade, dye the ends a little lighter. You will get an amazing result.
13. Paprika Red Highlights
Paprika red is a color which is hard to achieve but it looks amazingly natural. Mixed with your natural or dyed black locks, paprika will make you stand out of the crowd and enjoy a unique image.
14. Black and Red Ombre
If red highlights on black hair are just not doing it for you, consider this color mix for an ombre. Leave the hair on top black and then go further to use at least two shades of dark red to complete the picture.
15. Blonde Bangs
Red highlights on black hair will look even more impressive if you add some blonde shades. Bright and light bangs will give your image the extra oomph you’ve been looking for.
16. Maroon Red on Black Hair
This is a classic take on black and red highlights. Of course, your natural dark color should show off and the highlights that are done in maroon red hair dye should only be visible right on the bottom of your hair.
Once that’s done, ask your hairdresser to blow dry your hair and, with a round brush, twist your hair around and pull it away from your face to give you the same waves you are seeing in the picture.
17. Red Highlights on Curly Hair
Who said you needed straight hair to get highlights? You can still show off your red color in your natural curls and it is very easy to do as well.
However, this time, make sure the red highlights are done across your hair in an almost random way so the color really pops out from your pitch-black hair.
18. Asymmetric Bob with Highlights
This is more of a bold take on the short hair with highlights style. This time, you will have to cut your hair in a short bob, with one side being longer than the other.
Then simply get a lot of red highlights across your black hair. Make sure the highlights blend extremely well with your natural hair.
19. Vibrant Full Highlights
If you are looking to go almost fully redhead, this is the black and red highlight style you need to try on.
For this one, make sure to ask your stylist to give you a very vibrant blood red hair color that is actually lighter as you reach the tips of your hair. Also, remember to curl it with a curling iron so the color can show off more.
20. Burgundy Highlights
This is a classic black hair with red highlights idea. To get it, ask your stylist for very subtle highlights all over your head that blend well with your black natural hair color. Then simply ask them to cut it a little bit below the shoulders and that’s it.
21. Long Hair with Highlights
This style is similar to the one above. However, this time your hairdresser should leave your hair at the length it is (don’t cut it!) and then curl it using a curling iron to let the red tones be seen across your dark hair.
22. Face-framing Highlights
If you are looking for a much more subtle style, then this one is the right one for you. To get it, your highlights should be done with a toned-down red dye instead of a vibrant one.
Also, don’t forget to ask your stylist to give you some front highlights right on the hair that is framing your face so the whole style can seem more put together. Once that’s done simply wave it with a flat iron and you’re done.
23. Half Up Half Down Ponytail
If you are looking for a natural red tone instead of a vibrant or cherry one, then this copper red hair color is for you. To get it, make sure you are using a hair dye that leans more towards a copper undertone.
Once you’ve dyed your hair, simply put it in a half up half down ponytail and add a little bow tie/scrunchie to keep it all together.
24. Wavy Balayage Highlights
This is another classic take on the red highlights on wavy black hair that’s also very low maintenance and easy to do.
Your highlights should start very high on your head and fall down naturally with the rest of the bottom part. Lastly, don’t forget to curl it using a curling iron and you’re done.
25. Burgundy Black Fun
Burgundy and black is a classic combination that you should take advantage of. Consider coloring the ends completely red in order to make even more impressive statement.
26. Medium Wavy Hair Highlights
Last, but not least, to get this highlighted hairstyle you will need to cut your black hair right down to your shoulders and curl it with a flat iron so the vibrant red colors can be seen.
Make sure your hairdresser uses a very deep and colorful red tone to achieve the same effect as in this hairstyle.
Mixing Black Red and Blonde Hairstyles
Mixing different colors together gives you the opportunity to express yourself. Because you are adding small sections of each color, you have a lot more control over the way that your hair will look. You can really let your personality shine through with your hair choices.
If you want to give your red and black hair more vibrance, add black, red, and blonde hair colors! These ideas are just for inspiration because you should try to choose your own unique mix.
Try out lots of different mixtures of black red and blonde hair until you get the perfect color palette for your style. This is a great way to express yourself and be seen.
27. Short Sleek Hair With Heavy Bangs in Black and Red
28. Highlights and Lowlights with Perfect Curls
29. Sleek Hair with Red Tips
30. Black Hair with a Purple Spectrum
31. Layered Hair in a Lightly Waved Style
32. Long Flame Effect Style
33. Chunky Highlights
34. Orange Ombre Hairstyle
35. Blonde Black and Red Hair
Black hair looks flattering with red highlights! Remember, while naturally dark hair is the perfect base for these looks, the brighter reds also need the highlighted strands pre-lightened first, since red dye alone will not lift black hair.
