Everything You Need To Know About Recreating Dua Lipa's 'Black Cherry' Hair

black cherry hair
Why 'Black Cherry' Hair Is Trendingcourtesy of Dua Lipa via Instagram

If you're tiring of the homogenous cycle of hair colour trends infiltrating your feed, Dua Lipa has been making a strong case for an emerging hue - 'black cherry' hair - sharing a series of snaps from a recent holiday on Instagram.

The singer, who has been the poster girl for oxblood red this year, is tapping into a growing hair colour trend showcasing her glass-like mermaid waves and a deeper aubergine tone – one that hairstylists are predicting to come into its own this autumn.

a person with long, wavy hair styled in a ponytail is having makeup applied the individual is wearing a dark colored leather jacket, and the makeup artist's hand is holding a brush near the subject's face
courtesy of Dua Lipa via Instagram

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What is 'black cherry' hair?

A quick colour recap: 'Black cherry' hair fuses burgundy, magenta and black to create a subtle yet statement finish. As demonstrated by Lipa, it appears as a brighter-toned red when it catches the sun and a deeper maroon, near black, away from natural light.

It's likely that the 'black cherry' hair colour trend speaks to the current sartorial fascination with all things burgundy and, much like our wardrobes, provides the perfect middle ground for anyone wanting to shake up their aesthetic without veering into too-bold territory.

dua lipa black cherry hair
Dua Lipa / Instagram

'I’ve been talking about the importance of the progression from copper
into red for months now and we continue to add to the body of celebrity references
to pull from with these deeply vibrant, cherry red tones,' says hair expert and trend forecaster Tom Smith of the black cherry hair trend.

dua lipa bob
Getty Images

Why is 'black cherry' hair trending right now?

'Black cherry' hair is trending because it’s a rich, glossy statement colour that perfectly represents autumn and winter,' adds Hannah Gayle, a hairstylist at Hersheson's Fitzrovia.

'As a non-naturally occurring shade, the best thing about these intense red tones is that they are incredibly shiny which makes them a great option for those who wish to show off the health and vibrancy of their locks or who prefer polished or high-shine finishes,' adds Smith.'

How to get 'black cherry' hair

'You create 'black cherry' hair by employing a full head tint and glossing for the perfect shine finish at the hair salon,' explains Gayle.

Though you can in theory opt for a box dye, reds can be a tricky colour to master at home – and even harder to maintain in untrained hands. 'I would advise against using box dye for any red toned colours; red is very tricky to get out of your hair, especially with box dye and permanent colours,' warns Gayle.

What you can do at home after your colour treatment is ensure regular upkeep and maintenance. Gayle recommends regular gloss and toners, as well as ensuring ultimate hair health via a consistent haircare routine and focus on scalp health. 'It’s a high fade colour so it's very important that the colour is maintained,' she adds.

And it's now creeping into blonde territory too - 'cherry blonde' has also been gaining momentum with searches for the blonde-copper hue up by 6,300%. 'Cherry blonde is the ultimate blend of bold and understated. It takes the deep reds we're seeing everywhere and lightens them, making the colour more accessible while still embracing autumnal warmth,' notes celebrity hairstylist, Jason Collier.


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