Sadie Sink Red Hair

Autumn colour has gone red. Searches for Sadie Sink's hair have climbed sharply this year, colourists' TikToks about it have passed a million views, and our consultation chairs have started to hear the same request: "Can I have her red?" Here is how we approach it at Gusto Hair.

Why everyone is asking for red

For years the default colour request was blonde. This autumn it is red and copper, partly because the shade stands out in a feed full of beige and partly because it is kinder to your hair. Red does not have to be lifted through heavy bleach, so the hair often stays in better condition and the upkeep can be simpler than a high-maintenance blonde.

Finding your shade

Red is not one colour. The right version depends on your skin tone and your natural base.

Fair, rosy skin suits a pure red or a red with a hint of orange. Olive or deeper skin tones tend to glow with a violet-red, which has a cooler, richer undertone. If you want to ease in, baby copper sits between a Venetian blonde and a full copper and is the softest step. Your colourist will also look at your eyes, your wardrobe and how much maintenance you will realistically do.

What it takes to get there

Starting from dark hair usually means a little lightening first so the red reads clearly, then a custom blend applied and glossed for shine. Starting from blonde is often quicker because there is already a lighter canvas. Either way, book a consultation so we can map the shade, the timing and the cost before anything is mixed.

Red versus bleached blonde

Blonde needs regular toning and root work, and the hair has to cope with repeated lightening. Red needs its own care, mostly because red pigment is the first to fade, but it asks less of the hair structure. Expect a gloss every six to eight weeks to keep it vivid.

Keeping red bright

Wash with cool water, use a colour-safe shampoo, and sleep on silk if you can. Heat dulls red quickly, so a protectant matters. For more colour inspiration, see our guides to copper hair colour ideas, low maintenance red hair and red hair on dark skin.

Ready to try it? Book at Oxford Street | Book at Covent Garden.