20 Stunning Red Hair With Highlights Ideas to Try This Season

Red hair is stunning on its own, but adding highlights takes it to a whole new level. Highlights create dimension, movement and depth, keeping red hair from looking flat while making it glow in every light. Whether you prefer soft caramel ribbons or bold blonde streaks, there is a combination that suits your style.

Below are 20 gorgeous red hair with highlights ideas, plus tips on choosing the right highlight shade and keeping your color vibrant.

Why Add Highlights to Red Hair?

• Dimension: Highlights add depth and movement so red hair looks richer.
• Brightness: Lighter strands frame the face and brighten your complexion.
• Easier grow-out: Blended highlights soften the line between roots and color.
• Personalization: You can tailor highlight shades to your skin tone and style.

20 Red Hair With Highlights Ideas

1. Copper Red With Golden Blonde Highlights

Golden blonde highlights woven through copper red create a sunny, multidimensional look. The lighter strands catch the light and make the red appear even brighter. This combination flatters warm and neutral skin tones. Ask for fine, face-framing highlights for the most natural effect.

2. Auburn With Caramel Highlights

Soft caramel highlights add warmth and depth to rich auburn hair. The blend looks natural and expensive, perfect for fall and winter. Caramel tones help soften the transition as roots grow in. It is an ideal choice for brunettes moving into red.

3. Strawberry Blonde Highlights on Red Hair

Light strawberry blonde pieces brighten red hair without washing it out. The pink-gold tones create a romantic, soft finish. This look is especially pretty on fair skin. Keep it fresh with a pink or rose-gold toning gloss.

4. Burgundy Red With Cherry Highlights

Deep burgundy paired with bright cherry highlights makes a bold, high-shine statement. The contrast adds movement and intensity to the color. It looks amazing on long, straight or softly waved hair. A red color-depositing conditioner keeps both shades vibrant.

5. Dark Red With Copper Balayage

Hand-painted copper balayage on a dark red base adds a sunlit glow. The balayage technique creates soft, blended transitions with no harsh lines. Grow-out is easy and gradual. It is perfect for anyone who wants low-maintenance dimension.

6. Ginger Hair With Honey Highlights

Honey highlights add a warm, glowing finish to bright ginger hair. The golden tones blend beautifully and keep the color from looking flat. This look is fun, youthful and great for summer. Use a color-safe shampoo to prevent brassiness.

7. Red Hair With Face-Framing Money Piece

A bright money piece around the face draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones. Try copper, strawberry or blonde pieces against a deeper red base. It is a low-commitment way to refresh your color. The rest of your hair can stay natural or lightly glossed.

8. Mahogany Red With Chocolate Lowlights

Not all dimension comes from lighter strands. Chocolate lowlights add depth and richness to mahogany red hair. The darker pieces make the red look more luxurious. This combination is great for thick hair that needs more definition.

9. Fiery Red With Orange Highlights

For a bold look, pair fiery red with bright orange highlights. The warm tones create a flame-like effect that turns heads. This style works best on pre-lightened hair. Expect to refresh it often, as bright shades fade quickly.

10. Rose Gold Highlights on Strawberry Red

Rose gold highlights give strawberry red hair a soft metallic shimmer. The look is dreamy, feminine and very photo-friendly. It suits fair to light skin with cool or neutral undertones. A weekly toning mask keeps the rose gold tones fresh.

11. Cowboy Copper With Blonde Babylights

Delicate blonde babylights brighten earthy cowboy copper hair. The fine highlights look like natural sun-lightening. It is a fresh way to wear the trend through spring and summer. Ask for very fine, subtle pieces.

12. Red Ombre With Light Copper Ends

Fade from a deep red root into lighter copper ends for a seamless ombre. The gradient keeps maintenance low at the roots. It looks beautiful with loose curls that show off each shade. Trim regularly to keep the ends healthy.

13. Curly Red Hair With Copper Highlights

Copper highlights add definition and bounce to curly red hair. Each curl catches the light differently, creating natural dimension. Hand-painted highlights work especially well on curls. Use a color-safe curl cream to keep curls hydrated.

14. Red Bob With Peekaboo Highlights

Hidden peekaboo highlights underneath a red bob add a fun surprise when you move. Try copper, strawberry or even a contrasting blonde underneath. The top layer stays polished and professional. It is a playful way to experiment with color.

15. Cinnamon Red With Caramel Ribbons

Cinnamon red paired with caramel ribbons creates a cozy, spiced color. The warm tones look especially flattering in autumn. It works on medium to long hair with layers. Add a gloss for extra shine.

16. Wine Red With Plum Highlights

Plum highlights add a cool, purple twist to wine red hair. The result is moody, rich and perfect for cooler months. It flatters olive and cool skin tones. Use a purple or red toning conditioner to keep it from fading brassy.

17. Light Red With Platinum Streaks

For a bold contrast, add platinum streaks to light red hair. The icy pieces stand out beautifully against warm red. It is an edgy, fashion-forward look. Professional lightening is recommended to protect hair health.

18. Natural Red With Sun-Kissed Highlights

Enhance natural red hair with soft, sun-kissed highlights. The subtle lighter pieces add brightness without changing your base color. It looks effortless and fresh. This is a great option for natural redheads who want a little lift.

19. Red Shag With Chunky Copper Highlights

Chunky copper highlights give a red shag haircut a retro, 2000s-inspired vibe. The bold stripes add texture and movement. Tousled styling makes the look feel modern. Finish with texture spray.

20. Deep Red With Subtle Auburn Highlights

Subtle auburn highlights soften a deep red base for a polished, grown-up look. The blend is rich but understated. It works well for the office and everyday wear. This combination also fades gracefully over time.

How to Choose the Best Highlights for Red Hair

• Warm skin tones: Golden blonde, honey, caramel and copper highlights.
• Cool skin tones: Strawberry, rose gold, plum and cherry highlights.
• Neutral skin tones: Most shades work, so choose based on your style.
• For subtle results: Ask for babylights or balayage close to your base color.
• For bold contrast: Try platinum streaks, chunky highlights or a bright money piece.

Tips to Keep Red Hair With Highlights Vibrant

• Use sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner.
• Rinse with cool or lukewarm water.
• Wash two to three times a week and use dry shampoo in between.
• Refresh tones with a color-depositing conditioner or gloss.
• Always use heat protectant before styling.
• Book a salon gloss every 4 to 6 weeks.

Best Products for Red Hair With Highlights

dpHUE Gloss+ Copper

An at-home gloss that boosts copper and red tones and adds high shine between salon visits.

Keracolor Color + Clenditioner

A color-depositing cleansing conditioner that refreshes red tones every time you wash.

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo & Conditioner Set

A color-protecting duo that keeps red and highlighted hair vibrant and soft.

Pantene Miracle Rescue 10-in-1 Heat Protection Spray

Protects colored and highlighted hair from heat styling damage and fading.

Bedsure Satin Pillowcases, Set of 2

Smooth satin reduces friction and frizz, helping colored hair stay shiny and healthy.

Final Thoughts

Highlights are one of the easiest ways to make red hair look richer, brighter and more personal. Whether you choose caramel ribbons on auburn, honey on ginger or bold platinum streaks on light red, the right combination can completely transform your look. Talk to your colorist about your skin tone and maintenance goals, then enjoy your dimensional new color.