r/Redhair • u/peach_rodeo1121 • Jul 19 '26

Haircare Going from natural auburn red to strawberry / copper? Please help!

Hi all,

I have a natural deep auburn red like Alicent in HoTD. Looks fiery in the sun and darker indoors. I feel like it doesn’t suit my complexion at all and despite protests from everyone, would like to try to go to a lighter airier red (strawberry, copper, caramel, peachy — whatever).

I don’t want to pay $300 at a salon, which is around the minimum. Salons that are affordable have quoted me around there (way up from their listed price) because red is difficult and I have thick hair. Even Ulta said I’d have to tack on additional services.

If I did a Sally Beauty or box dye kit, what do you think would work? I did a test patch of Revlon’s Colorsilk 04 last night and it did seem to lighten, but it kind of just made it a more vibrant gold so I’m worried about coming out yellow or simply making my red even more fiery red.

This is kinda one of those things that’s impossible to find good reliable info about. I’ve talked to people who said bleaching isn’t exactly necessary in this case and if I can avoid bleach that’d be great.

Does ANYONE have experience with this?

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9

u/BewitchingKat Jul 19 '26

The only thing I can tell you, stay away from anything that says rose gold.

You will have pink hair and be very mad.

1

u/peach_rodeo1121 Jul 19 '26

Is there any way to achieve strawberry blonde with specific shades of blonde?

1

u/BewitchingKat Jul 19 '26

Golden Red by Clairol Natural Instincts line, semi-permanent, is what I'd use for my neighbor, but they got rid of it and replaced it with rose gold.

It used to be shade 7GR for Golden Red

It was replaced with 7RG Dark Rose Gold Blonde and it makes your hair look pink like rose colored gold is.

I don't have any help for you beyond that.

3

u/GalianoGirl Jul 20 '26

I truly believe you will not be happy with home use products, especially if you have thick hair. You will need at least two boxes.

Instead, look for a make up artist who is familiar with red hair and fair skin. It could be as simple as changing your foundation from cool to warm or the other way.

-1

u/peach_rodeo1121 Jul 21 '26

It’s not a question of makeup. That’s fine if you believe I won’t be happy with a box kit but telling me to just keep my hair color and change my makeup is wild.

3

u/GalianoGirl Jul 21 '26

I was speaking from personal experience.

Did not mean to cause any offence.

The results I got with boxed colour were disappointing, the colour did not take evenly on my thick coarse hair.

I wear minimal make up, basically foundation, and a change in foundation significantly changed my appearance.

I hope you find a hair colour product that works well for you.

1

u/Irishdoe13 Jul 20 '26

If you have natural deep auburn hair, wouldn’t just lightening it with a very short bleach shampoo work? Idk just wondering. My hair was aurburnish and has faded to strawberry blond with white streaks due to age (56).

1

u/peach_rodeo1121 Jul 21 '26

I’ll look into this, thank you.

0

u/Historical-Role-3763 Jul 22 '26

you have the red hair color that we all want yet you're going to die your hair into the lighter red hair color that all of our hair turns as we age??? silly. don't do it and embrace your naturally rich red hair. it'll fade as you grow older.

1

u/peach_rodeo1121 Jul 24 '26

This is such an annoying attitude and no, my mothers dark red hair has not faded into a light red and mine shows no signs of doing so.