By: Carmina Alvarez
A redhead’s attractiveness in vibrant colors can not be denied; from jumpsuits and dresses to blouses and accessories, bright colors will make you and your red hair pop.
This spring season, all redheads must embrace bold hues and make the most out of this wildly vibrant trend:
Photo Credit: Kara Kochalko, © How to be a Redhead
Updated: September 12, 2023
It may seem absurd and a little unnecessary to have more than one redhead friendly mascara (let alone six!) in your makeup bag, but I swear by each of the following because they all work great for unique redheaded features.
READ: The Best Hypoallergenic Mascaras for Redheads
Here are the six best mascaras that a redhead can rock:
1. Finally Have Lashes: The Red-y for Lashes Perfectly Auburn Redhead Mascara, Brown With a Splash of Red: Perfectly Brown Mascara, and A Full 180: Perfectly Black Mascara are all clean formulas with an optimized hourglass brush to glide through lashes, separating and coating them with gorgeous shades. Formulated with sensitive redheads in mind. Made without alcohol, gluten, GMO’s, oil, paragons, phthalates, silicones or talc.
Finally Have Lashes is new & improved! With a new brush, updated formula + new H2BAR Extension Technology®, curl, lift & lengthen your lashes with a sensitive-friendly formula. Two new shades are introduced to the line so you can expand your selection of redhead mascara. Shop the Finally Have Lashes line now
2. Lancôme Hypnose Doll Lashes in So Black: This is my go-to date night mascara. No matter what I do, it never clumps and gives me a doe-eyed appearance and it works great with a sleek liquid line swept across your top lid. For a night out, I trust So Black for a more dramatic look. It is never too much next to my freckled, fair skin.
3. Covergirl Outlast LashBlast Volume Blast Waterproof in Black: Summer is the time to rock the natural look, but as the freckles start to pop up (a sign that summer is creeping into full gear), my eyelashes start to fade more and more into my face. Before a day of relaxing at the pool or beach, a flick of some LashBlast Volume Blast Waterproof mascara is as essential to me as my SPF45 and sun hat.
4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: If you’re looking for extreme volume, then this is your go-to product. One application of this collagen-fueled formula will leave you begging for more. One coat and lashes are full, defined and stretched to unbelievable lengths. Two coats and they’re reaching unbelievable heights of drama. Three coats and you’ll believe in magic.
5. Clinique Lash Building Primer: A lash primer is a must-have in every coppertop’s makeup bag. The same way we care for our porcelain skin with a daily SPF (or so we should!), our lashes need a little boost too. Their fair nature makes most want to cake on layers of dark mascara, but a quick brush of Clinique’s Lash Building Primer sets you up for lash success. It creates the perfect palette to sweep on minimal layers of your favorite mascara and still get the same dramatic effect.
6. Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils: This is a luxurious mascara that is a true investment. Exaggerate your lashes with shocking volume because of the amplified helix brush with a twisted cut that provides instant excess volume on the lashes, with effortless application. It is a beautifully creamy formula to cover each lash evenly, for a thick and lustrous fringe. The effect will not only enhance your red hair and complexion but give you a newfound feeling of empowerment and confidence.
What is your favorite mascara? Share below & Rock it like a Redhead!
You already know it, we are advocates of redheads rockin’ a bold eyeliner. Some ask, “Should I choose liquid or pencil?” The answer is actually, both! This makeup tip is a signature look for both Adrienne and Stephanie. Here are the secrets on how redheads should apply the perfect eyeliner:
1. Prep Your Eye. Apply a shade of concealer that complements your skin around your eye and eyelid to cover up dark circles and imperfections.
READ MORE: How to Cure Redheaded Under Eye Circles
2. Apply an Eyeshadow. Apply an eyeshadow like Elf Studio‘s Beige Matte Eyeshadow, but make sure to choose a shade that expresses your personality! Other recommendations are shades of purple and grey. The eyeshadow is meant to not only compliment your eyes, but to also help make your eyeliner pop.
3. Use a Pencil before Liquid. It is brilliant! Using a black eyeliner pencil, start from the inside of your eye and draw a line across the eyelid. If you prefer, go a little farther outside the corner of the eye to achieve a “cat eye” look. Do not worry about it being perfect because next, you’ll be taking your black liquid eyeliner and going over the penciled line. The liquid will add a spark to your liner and will give you the ultimate, signature look.
4. The Finish. Apply some black/brown mascara and you are good to go. We were always taught to only apply mascara on the top lid, but this fall, we’ve been experimenting with mascara on the bottom lid and we think it looks great too.
READ MORE: How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger
Your makeup should express your redheaded-ness, so go for it! Rock it like a Redhead!
Photo Credit: Kara Kochalko, © How to be a Redhead
Eco-friendly products are not only safe for the environment, but they also help keep your body (most importantly, your skin) exposed to any toxic chemicals. Most standard-quality products nowadays contain the use of harmful substances to a certain degree, which may potentially lead to dry skin, dry hair and breakouts.
In the spirit of April being Earth Month, here are the best eco-friendly and “redhead friendly” products for your red hair and light skin:
Christina Hendricks once said in an interview with Redbook Mag, “I’m a natural blonde. I’ve been dyeing it red for more than 20 years. I’ve always felt like I was a natural redhead — like I was an imposter as a blonde.” Although she isn’t natural, her timeless beauty is a true inspiration to redheads everywhere.
Christina became famous on the hit TV show, Mad Men where she plays Joan, the saucy secretary. Joan’s look is pure, classic beauty, and Christina’s everyday makeup look isn’t much different from hers: coral lips, neutral eyeshadow, liquid black eyeliner. It’s a perfect, go-to look for all redheads.
Here are the 3 steps to getting Christina Hendricks’ look whether you are saving or splurging:
1. Coral Lips: This shade of pink is a great color for most women, especially redheads, because it is chic and classic. It can be worn during the day or at night and it will always complete your look. SPLURGE with Yves Saint Laurent “Rouge Pur Couture”- 23: Pink Coral, $34 or SAVE with Maybelline “ColorSensational Vivids” Lipcolor, Shocking Coral, $6.
READ: LIP PALETTES CREATED FOR REDHEADS
2. Neutral Eyeshadow: A simple, light eyeshadow always looks best when paired with eyeliner and mascara because it completes the eye. SPLURGE with theBalm “Nude’tude” Eyeshadow Palette, $36 or SAVE with Revlon Beyond Natural Cream to Powder Eye Shadow, $5.
READ: FAKE AWAKE: LOOK BRIGHT EYED WHEN COFFEE ISN’T ENOUGH
3. Liquid Black Eyeliner: We talk about it time and time again, nothing looks more classic on a redhead than a swipe of black eyeliner on the top of the eyelid. Not only does it open up the eye, but adds a dramatic flash! SPLURGE with Stila “Stay All Day” Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, Black, $20 or SAVE with Sephora “Long Lasting Eyeliner” High Precision Brush, $12.
READ: DON’T PICK SIDES: SHOULD YOU WEAR LIQUID OR PENCIL EYELINER?
Rock it like a Redhead!
By: Guest Writer, Doris Hobbs from the blog, RichinLoveFashion.com
I am a redhead and my personal fashion style is a blend of sophisticated and casual motifs. My ideal ensemble is one that promotes a classic, feminine profile and silhouette, but creating these with fabrics, textures, and accessories that are as practical and wearable as they are lovely.
I’ve been drawn to women like Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, and Judy Garland because, like me, they each had red hair and presented themselves to their adoring public with ageless and breathtaking sophistication together with an air of casual grace. At their best, they seemed to wear their fabulous looks with studied indifference, as though they were aware of the effect that their charms were having, but were concerned about other things.
Fashion is all about finding your personal style. Here are 5 to express your individuality through fashion:
1. Do The Best With What You Have: The basic goal of any fashion is to do your best with what you have by accenting strengths and dominant features. I am not perfectly beautiful but like every woman, parts of me are excellent. I strive to create an air of elegance by choosing clothes and accessories that enhance my long legs, fair complexion, and natural red hair. People observing me on a runway or at a photo shoot might imagine me to be a fashionista. However, two minutes of conversation would reveal the fact that I’m a working girl who shops for bargains!
2. Be Bold: Excellence in fashion requires boldness. I love my red hair, for example, and regard it to be a constituent part of a redhead lifestyle. My hair is a personal feature that I embrace and deliberately use as part of my chic, attention grabbing presentation. I believe in exposing myself in sometimes-risky ways by embracing and experimenting with styles that have the potential of fulfilling my personal esthetic. I sometimes paint my nails red and will, at times, wear above-the-knee skirts to emphasize my long legs and stiletto heels to raise my 5’11” to even greater heights, plus necklaces, chains, and pendants to draw attention to my long neck.
3. Experiment & Have Fun: Achieving greatness in personal fashion does not come easy; there are real dangers involved: the goal when entering a room is to create appreciative smiles and not mocking grins. The distinction between bold and gaudy can sometimes be narrow; sensual can be perilously close to slutty; chic can be close to showy; exotic can become erotic. Failures obviously happen even on the Red Carpet at the Oscars. But that’s what makes this stuff fun. Bold wouldn’t be exciting if not for the danger. When I get it perfectly right, the result can be the greatest thing in the world!
4. Go Simple: It is always a good idea to go down the simple road if “bold” isn’t your look. Opt for silk blouses, black pencil skirts, and easy-to-mix-and-match wardrobe staples. But, if you are feeling daring one day, add in something fun to your outfit; like a black leather skirt, chic costume jewelry, knee-high boots, or a flashy gold Rachel Roy party tank.
I have learned that you must follow your heart and allow your fashion choices to express your personality. My hair is really red; the designs, fabrics, colors, and styles are all sincere expressions of my personal tastes and my fashion opinions. When you are able to love and embrace the person looking back at you, then other people will join in loving you, as well.
Rock it like a Redhead!
For the best results with dry shampoo, spray (or rub) some on your roots before you head to bed because your scalp produces oil overnight. Using a dry shampoo at night will prevent you from waking up with any extra grease. And you can always give yourself a little extra spritz in the morning before you walk out the door to make sure your gorgeous red tresses are looking extra fresh and clean.
Try one of these “redhead friendly” approved dry shampoos to help you get through those unwashed days.
This silicone-free dry shampoo will soak up extra grease, add volume and leave your red hair smelling great.
Batiste Dry Shampoo is a favorite among many. What makes it a great option is that it comes in different variations, so you can easily pick one that suits you. You can choose from the original formula or maybe you’ll like Cherry, Wild, or Paisley best!
This dry shampoo dramatically transforms limp red locks from dull and dirty to shiny and clean. It is made with their patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA) to help remove the powders easily from your hair, resulting in actually clean hair.
Do you use dry shampoo on your red hair? If so, which brand is your favorite?
Rock it like a Redhead!
It’s a fact that red is the most bold hair color on the planet. Christina Hendricks’ fiery locks are a statement on the hit TV series, Mad Men, and many women want to know how to get her characters look- hair and all. You must choose the perfect shade (if you aren’t a natural redhead!), the makeup to complement it all and the fashion pieces to tie it all together.
Here are the five steps to getting Joan on Mad Men’s look:
Step 1: If you haven’t been born with red hair and Christina Hendricks has inspired you to to go red, you must find the right color for you. Cool tones are best for those with more red in their skin and warm hues will keep olive- or yellow-based complexions looking their best. If you’re nervous about making a radical change, start with red highlights or a strawberry blonde.
Step 2: Eyebrows are really important for natural redheads and ‘by choice.’ Opt for a great eyebrow pencil in brown or light red. Never search for an eyebrow pencil that is the exact same color of your red hair because it will look too harsh and unnatural. Try: Billion Dollar Brows Brow Powder in Light Brown.
Step 3: Since red is a statement (beautiful) color, don’t overdo your makeup. Aim for a pop of color on one feature—be it eyes or lips. For eyes, think peacock tones like emerald and deep purple. If lips are your favorite focal point, make sure you choose a color that complements—not matches—your hair. How to be a Redhead teamed up with Whip Hand Cosmetics to design two lip palettes for redheads, one for day, EmpoweRED and one for night, GlamouRED. They are a must have for all redheads because they have been created for redheads with fair skin.
Step 4: Choose a blush in a warm tone, like a golden peachy-pink. Try: Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin.
Step 5: Christina’s Mad Men fashion looks are all about pops of bright, “redhead friendly” colors. Choose deep purples, greens, deep reds, rusty oranges and blues.
Just like Christina Hendricks (and Joan) keep beautifully red and Rock it like a Redhead!
By: Guest Writer, Janine Ripper
As redheads, we hear it all. But no matter where you are in the world, there is one thing that seems to be ‘common’ to all, and that is the ‘infamous redhead temper’. Even in the book Anne of Green Gables, the redheaded heroine is depicted as temperamental, “the temper matches her hair”.
Of course, this can’t be true about every redhead, but use the following techniques to keep yourself relaxed and stress-free:
1. Exercise. Sometimes it’s the last thing you want to do, but once you get out there and start doing it and the endorphins kick in, you will feel positive!
2. Let your red-hair down and do something fun…even if it’s something as simple as turning the music up loud while driving and singing at the top of your lungs.
3. Burn incense or natural oils around the house. Fragrances such as sandalwood, musk and lavender are great for relaxation and creating that sense of peace.
4. Listen to music. Jazz and meditation music can help take the edge off (and jazz can make you feel a tad bit sexy!).
5. Write lists. This helps to get stuff out of your head and onto paper – write down what you are grateful for today, what you enjoy doing, what makes you happy, what you like about yourself, etc.
6. Get out and socialize. Sometimes it takes a lot to get out there, but when you do it’s worth it.
7. Read. There is a wealth of literature on anxiety, stress, and of course red heads sharing their experiences!
Rock It Like A Redhead!
By: Carmina Alvarez
Adele, the “ginger biscuit”, is back on the cover of Elle and is looking as pretty as ever. The new mom can be seen with a huge beehive hairstyle, smokey eyes and a black lace Alberta Ferretti gown.
The beehive is her signature look and although it looks intimidating to do the hairstyle yourself, it is actually pretty simple if you have the right supplies. Here’s what you’ll need: comb, hair spray and bobby pins.
The trick to creating a beehive hairdo is a technique known as backcombing, or teasing. Instead of combing hair from root to tip, backcombing involves combing hair towards the roots. Teasing the hair makes it bunch up, which creates a base for an elevated style. Beehives work best on hair that’s at least shoulder-length, and hair should be completely dry. Curly hair should be straightened before attempting a beehive. These precautions are necessary because backcombing can be somewhat stressful and damaging to hair.
Here are four quick tips to get the ‘do’:
1. To build a beehive, take a small section of hair, about 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters), and tease it by making short strokes toward the scalp. You can use a fine-toothed comb or a bristle brush for this task and backcomb the hair until it reaches whatever height you’d like.
2. Apply hairspray to this small section of hair, and then take up another section of hair and repeat the process. It’s important to use the same type of short strokes each time in order to create the same height. Once all the sections are teased, take the comb or your hands and gently smooth the top of the hair without crushing the height, and then twist the excess hair into a side chignon, ponytail, or circled and pinned up into the hair.
3. Apply hairspray liberally to keep all that hair in place!
4. Redhead bobby pins will be your best friend with this hairstyle. Place them into the hair to secure the do. A beehive may last a few days if you’re careful, but when it’s time to change your style, carefully comb and detangle the teased hair.
Rock it like a Redhead!
It has been medically proven that redheads have thinner skin and it can result in issues like under eye dark circles. This discoloration can make women (and men!) look aged and tired. There are several reasons that give rise to this pigmentation around the eyes – lack of sleep, genetic factor, aging, illness, fatigue and many more. Many redheads who have fair skin also experience reddish-purple veins showing through on the eyelids and under-eye area. This is caused by superficial blood vessels.
Here are six ways to brighten those under-eye dark circles at home:
1. Concealer: The shade of the concealer should always be one shade lighter than the shade of your skin. After applying your sunscreen and foundation, draw a triangle underneath your eye with your concealer and blend with either a beauty blender, brush or your finger. Once blended, dab a little loose setting powder to the area. This will help lock in the concealer.
Try these ‘redhead friendly’ options: Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer, Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Industrial-Strength Full Coverage Concealer & It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer
2. Eye Creams: There are a few ‘redhead friendly’ eye creams out on the market that help with hyperpigmentation and reduce irritation. Some creams contain retinol, a vitamin A derivative, helps rebuild collagen and helps firm up the skin. However, be careful when using retinol products as some can cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. We love applying eye creams after toning and before serums and oils.
READ: Korean Skincare 101 for Redheads: Your Guide to Flawless Skin
Try these ‘redhead friendly’ options: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream & Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye
3. Sunscreen: Right after cleansing (make sure to wash with warm water, and rinse with cool!), apply a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to the under-eye area. This eye area can be very sensitive, so it’s important to protect it from the beast: the sun.
4. Vitamin K: Dark circles can also be reduced with some natural methods, but you have to make sure to do it daily as the results can be achieved gradually. Vitamin K is a great pick because it helps strengthen capillaries and reduce circles. Many times, due to reasons like heredity, pregnancy or sun damage, our capillaries become weak and lead to the development of dark circles. Apply creams containing Vitamin K to the eye area and eat foods containing Vitamin K (found in green leafy vegetables, meats, fish and fruits) two times a day for the best results.
5. Caffeinated Tea: Tea contains natural tannins, which are known to help with reducing eye puffiness. Soak two tea bags in warm water, chill in the freezer for a few minutes and place one bag on each eye for 5-15 minutes, depending on the puffiness of your eyes. This will help the under-eye area look refreshed. Cucumber slices and gel eye masks are two great choices as well.
6. Almond Oil: Apply a few drops of almond oil around the eyes before going to bed. Repeat daily to clear up the dark circles.
Don’t forget to be gentle when working around your eye area, stay hydrated and sleep as much as your body demands.
Rock it like a Redhead!
