Blonding season? Nope. We’re going dark and delicious.
Blondes, brace yourselves—because summer’s not yours this year. The glossy, sultry, rich-as-hell cherry cola hair trend is making an unapologetic comeback, and it’s steamier than a dashboard peak summer.
ICYMI, this deep red-brown moment first sizzled its way onto our feeds in 2024 (thanks, Dua Lipa). It was giving throwback fantasy: Y2K icons, Lana Del Rey vinyls, moody sunsets, and cherry lip gloss. And now? She’s back—with extra depth, extra shine, and zero patience for beach-blonde supremacy.
From Kendall Jenner’s cherry-tinted bob to TikTok’s obsession with red-infused brunettes, the cherry cola hair colorwave is officially taking over...again. It's bold but wearable, warm but mysterious, and somehow looks even better with humidity-glazed summer skin.
You’ve seen the viral color. You’ve bookmarked the inspo. But what is cherry cola hair exactly? Who can pull it off? And how do you make it last longer than your last situationship?
Let’s get into the shade everyone’s sipping on this season.
The rise of cherry cola hair (and why we’re all thirsty for it again)
If you spent the last year secretly scrolling past every “blonde for summer?” post while mentally screaming “but what about us brunettes?”—welcome home. Because cherry cola hair just hit Ctrl+Z on boring hair color norms.
If we rewind, though, this isn’t cherry cola’s first rodeo. Back in the ‘90s and early Y2K era, the shade was everywhere—from grunge girls to alt-pop icons. Think deep brown bases, laced with ruby red and hints of violet, catching the light like a glass of actual Cherry Coke. It was bold. It was different. It said, “I write poetry and steal your boyfriend.”
Fast-forward to 2024, and the trend bubbled up again (pun fully intended). Thanks to TikTok’s obsession with red revival shades and celeb switch-ups (Dua Lipa, Dove Cameron, Shay Mitchell), cherry cola hair color made its glossy reappearance—only this time, with more depth, more dimension, and a totally grown-up vibe.
And now? It’s *everywhere*. But unlike fleeting pastel phases or platinum panic decisions, cherry cola isn’t here for a quick rinse-and-repeat. It’s sultry, low-maintenance, and way more wearable than it looks at first glance. Plus, it works with your texture, not against it—no matter if your hair is pin-straight, bouncy, and curly, or somewhere in the soft wave zone.
Next, we’re breaking down what this color is, because NO, girlie, it’s not just dark red.
What is cherry cola hair?
Here’s the most *important* thing to remember, cherry cola hair is not your standard box dye burgundy. It’s richer. Cooler. And WAY more dimensional.
The name says it all—imagine the color of a glass of cherry cola under sunlight. Deep brunette base? Check. Ruby-red shimmer? Definitely. A hit of plum or violet undertone, depending on the light? Absolutely.
It’s that shade that looks espresso in the shade and lights up with red or wine tones in the sun. Not too red, not too purple, not too brown. Just… juicy. It’s mahogany meets black cherry meets “Are you wearing lip gloss in your hair?” energy.
Depending on how bold you go, cherry cola hair dye can swing darker (hello, dark cherry cola hair moment) or brighter (hello, sangria glow). Some gals lean into a more neutral cherry brown, while others go full vampy vixen.
What makes it even better? It works across tones. You can customize it warmer (cherry with a cinnamon twist) or cooler (deep violet-red, almost goth-chic), and it still slaps.
It’s the kind of color that makes your hair feel expensive, even when it’s air-dried and in a claw clip. And no, it doesn’t require 16 hours in a bleach bowl to get there. Hallelujah.
Who should try cherry cola hair?
Let’s clear this up real quick—you do not need porcelain skin, green eyes, or a TikTok following to pull off cherry cola hair. This shade works harder than you post-4pm on a Friday.
Why? Because it’s customizable as hell.
If you’ve got a warm undertone, your colorist can dial up the red cherry side—imagine richer, spicier, almost cinnamon vibes. If you’re more cool-toned, they’ll lean into the violet hues for that glossy, wine-drenched finish. And if you’re not sure? No stress, most versions land somewhere beautifully in between.
Brunettes? This is your moment. Cherry cola hair is *literally* made for you. It layers beautifully over dark hair without needing bleach, making it one of the lowest-maintenance color switches you can make for the biggest glow-up.
Blondes? Don’t scroll past. Going darker for summer is the cool-girl twist no one expects, and it brings out your features in all the right ways. Just know, if you’ve lifted your hair light (especially icy or platinum), going back to blonde after cherry cola might be a journey. Totally doable, but it’s a multi-step process—so only commit if you’re ready to stay dark for a bit.
Short, long, curly, coily, straight—it flatters all hair textures. And it plays nice with everything from lobs to waist-length waves to natural curls.
So yes, girl. If you’ve been stuck in a hair rut or just want your brunette to feel sexier, this is the move.
Cherry cola hair inspo: the celeb moments, the shades, the vibes
Cherry cola hair didn’t just reappear. She arrived with a whole line-up. And her celeb endorsers? Iconic.
Dua Lipa practically broke the internet with her rich, burgundy transformation. Paired with glassy skin and slick styling, she turned cherry cola into the ultimate cool-girl color. No blonde streaks, no bleachy aura, just deep, dimensional glamour.
Kendall Jenner gave us the quiet-luxury version with a subtle cherry tint that made everyone do a double-take. Minimalist, but still moody.
Then there’s Zendaya, who dropped her deep cherry shade and reminded us why she never misses. Her glossy, red-toned bob? A cultural reset.
And finally, Megan Fox. Full vamp. Zero subtlety. Her dark cherry transformation was the definition of bad B era, and we’re still not over it.
Want to steal the look? (Don’t we all!) Here’s your cheat sheet to finding your cherry cola look:
– Classic Cherry Cola: Deep brunette base with balanced red and plum undertones. Think—Dua's exact shade.
– Dark Cherry Cola: Almost black with a hint of merlot in the sun. Moody, sexy, mysterious.
– Brown Cherry Cola: Warmer, softer, and perfect for brunettes easing in. Less violet, more cherry chocolate.
– Cherry Cola Balayage: Subtle ribbons of red over a natural brown base—low commitment, high payoff.
– Cherry Pop Gloss: A semi-permanent shine-over that fades naturally, ideal for commitment-phobes or first-timers.
Between rich aubergine, glowy wine, or barely-there red shimmer, there’s a cola shade to match every energy level all summer long.
Ready to turn your Pinterest board into an *actual* appointment? We’ve got you—next, we’re talking exactly what to ask for at the salon.
What to ask for at the salon (and what not to do)
So you've got your inspo folder loaded and you're officially obsessed. But how do you actually get that perfect cherry cola hair shade without walking out with flat red or—worse—accidental purple?
Here’s what to say (and bring!) to your colorist.
🖤 Use the words: “mahogany,” “deep red-brown,” “cherry brunette,” or “violet-toned burgundy.” Bonus points if you specify that you want multidimensional color, not a flat, one-note red.
📸 Show the receipts: Pull up Dua, Zendaya, Megan Fox, Kendall... even screenshots from TikTok. Hair color is visual. Don’t rely on vague descriptors—bring visuals that match your vision.
💡 Be honest about your hair history. If you’re a natural brunette, amazing—you’re halfway there. If you’ve got previous color, bleach, or highlights? Your stylist needs to know. It’ll change how they layer the cherry tones in.
🎯 Ask about tone & depth. Your stylist should adjust the color based on your undertone (warm or cool) and your maintenance goals. Want something bolder? Go for a brighter cherry or aubergine hue. Want something subtle? A gloss or tint might be enough.
🧴 Not ready to commit? Ask for a semi-permanent glaze or toner. It’s a softer intro into cherry cola life—and it fades out more gracefully if you decide to switch it up again later. Plus, you can then just add one of our Hair Toppers to really bring out the color you want.
One thing to skip? Box dye. Seriously. We’re not being dramatic when we say this shade is not a DIY moment. Cherry cola hair might seem like a straightforward red-brown, but it lives and dies by tone, dimension, and undertones that shift in the light. You know what doesn’t deliver any of that? One flat squeeze of mystery dye from aisle seven.
And if you’re blonde reading this? Stop RIGHT now. Put the box down. Walk away slowly.
Box-dye red on blonde hair is practically irreversible without major damage. Stylists everywhere get cold sweats thinking about ex-blondes who rocked up to the salon with box-dyed cherry hair and said, “Can I go back to icy blonde?”
It’s not just a no. It’s a felony-level hair crime.
You’ll be dealing with weeks (if not months) of color correction, potential banding, fading disasters, and your bank account crying in the corner. Not to mention, your hair will be begging for mercy. Even professionals struggle with fully removing box-dye reds, especially when they’ve been layered over lightened strands. It stains. It clings. It haunts.
If you’re tempted to try cherry cola at home, go for a color-depositing conditioner or semi-permanent gloss to play with the tone. But the full transformation? That deserves a pro. One who can mix the cherry, the cola, the depth, and that subtle shimmer—all without frying your strands or ruining your blonde safety net.
So, unless you want to be a salon horror story… keep the cola out of the box, and in the chair.
The final sip
So, cherry cola hair looks like it’s back for GOOD. It’s proof that you don’t need to go blonde to feel summery, and you don’t need to bleach your soul out for a glow-up. This shade is bold, rich, sexy, and, dare we say, criminally underrated. Until now.
It flatters every skin tone, works across all hair textures, and lets brunettes have their main character summer without fighting against the bleach. It’s sultry but wearable, moody but warm, nostalgic yet totally now. And best of all? You can dial it up or down, depending on how cherry-spiked you’re feeling.
Just promise us one thing, girlie: don’t do it alone. This color deserves more than a box and a prayer. Call your stylist. Bring your inspo. Ask the questions. Protect your blonde, if you’ve got it, and if you’re ready to go deep? Go full-gloss goddess.
Summer’s not just for blondes anymore—it’s for the brunettes with bite.
See you in the salon chair. 🍒
