Cherry cola hair: why this shade of red-brown color is still among the most sought-after trends of 2025.

Cherry cola hair is back at the top of hairdressing trends in 2025 – and not just on TikTok, but also on red carpets and in everyday salons. It is a shade that combines a deep brown base with warm red, cherry, and burgundy reflections, inspired by the carbonated drink of the same name. In the shade it looks almost chocolatey, and only in natural or artificial light do red reflections emerge, giving the hair the impression of “syrup in motion”.

Unlike classic red colors, the cherry cola trend is designed for those who want a dramatic but wearable shift – it is intense enough to be noticed, but dark enough to be easily matched with a wardrobe and everyday make-up. Hairdressers describe it as a “moody” red-brown tone: sexy, but subtle, especially attractive in the autumn-winter months, when it warms up the complexion and emphasizes the eyes.

Cherry cola as a continuation of the great era of red shades

In recent seasons, red shades have ruled the beauty scene. After copper blonde tones and orange “apricot” shades, the focus is increasingly shifting towards darker, saturated red colors – from “black cherry” to precisely cherry cola hair. Experts point out that 2024 was the year in which brunettes massively decided on warm red tones with lots of shine, and the same momentum continues in 2025, with the strong influence of social networks and celebrity aesthetics.

Google's annual reports on beauty searches for 2025 confirm that shades inspired by coffee and beverages – espresso, mocha mousse, honey brown, and cherry cola – are among the most searched terms when it comes to hair coloring. Thereby, cherry cola positions itself alongside the most desirable warm brown shades, but with a dose of drama provided by the red pigment.

Celebrity effect: from Dua Lipa to Millie Bobby Brown

The popularity of cherry cola hair is strongly influenced by the fact that we regularly see it on celebrities. Pop star Dua Lipa refreshed her image back in 2023 and 2024 with deep red-brown shades, and it was precisely her interpretations of red tones, including cherry cola variants, that were marked in numerous media as the beginning of the modern return of that trend.

In 2025, the direction is further confirmed by new celebrity transformations. Millie Bobby Brown appeared at the premiere of the final season of the series “Stranger Things” in late November 2025 with a rich cherry cola red shade, styled into a glamorous bun. Under the spotlights, the color changed the impression from cherry red to mahogany-brown, showing how dynamic this tone is depending on the light and styling method. A similar story is carried by the looks of Megan Thee Stallion, Dove Cameron, or Ashley Park, who in previous seasons chose dark red shades with a high level of shine.

All this further reinforces the impression that cherry cola is not a fleeting TikTok hit, but a shade that is maintained through multiple seasons and adapts to different styles – from pop and Y2K aesthetics to a minimalist, “clean girl” look.

What actually is cherry cola hair?

Although there is no single universal formula, hairdressers describe cherry cola hair as a combination of a dark brown base (often natural brunettes) and warm red, burgundy, or ruby reflections. The key is in the balance: the color must not go too much into pure red nor into completely chocolate brown. When described in words, it is most accurate to say that it looks like a mixture of red cherry and dark, almost caramelized cola syrup.

Most experts emphasize that this is an ideal shade for naturally darker hair, because on such a base red pigment can be built up without aggressive lightening. With lighter bases (e.g. natural blondes or very light brown), it is often necessary to first lower the base to medium or dark brown, and only then apply red tones to obtain the depth characteristic of the cherry cola effect.

Who does cherry cola suit best?

One of the reasons why cherry cola is so popular is its adaptability to different skin tones. On a fair complexion with a neutral or cool undertone, it emphasizes blush and gives the impression of a “porcelain” complexion, while on olive or warm skin it enhances warmth and creates the impression of a sunny, “holiday” glow effect even in winter.

The general rule is that people with a cooler skin undertone look better in cherry cola shades with more burgundy and purple reflections, while those with a warm complexion can reach for variants that lean more towards mahogany or warm red wine. Hairdressers advise that before a drastic change, a consultation is made with a professional, who will also take into account the eye color: green and hazel eyes especially come to the fore with such tones, while brown eyes gain additional depth.

Cherry cola on different textures and hairstyles

Another advantage of this shade is that it functions well on almost all textures – from straight to extremely curly hair. On straight hair, red reflections give a mirror effect, especially if gloss treatments and shine products are used. On wavy and curly hair, cherry cola looks softer and more playful, because each curl acts as a small reflector that catches the light.

As for hairstyles, trendy interpretations of cherry cola color include:

– long, shiny waves with soft layers that emphasize the dimension of the color
– layered “shag” or “wolf cut” hairstyles, where red pigment additionally highlights the texture
– bob and lob hairstyles with full, blunt bangs or curtain-bangs, which in this color act dramatic, but also very chic
– high ponytails, buns, and sleek styles in which red reflections are seen only on certain parts, which creates an effect of “hidden” color.

Cherry cola as a return of Y2K aesthetics

Although today it is perceived as a new trend, cherry cola hair is strongly connected also with the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s. At that time, dark red shades, often with thin highlights and high ponytails, were a trademark of pop and R&B stars. Today's return of Y2K aesthetics – from low waists and glossy lips to thin eyebrows – naturally opened space for the return of cherry cola hair as well, but in a more modern, sophisticated variant.

Instead of high-contrast highlights, techniques like balayage, “money piece” highlights around the face, soft transitions, and zonal coloring are used today, which gives the impression that the color comes from within, rather than being “drawn” on the surface. The result is a shade that looks more expensive, luxurious, and less aggressive compared to the early 2000s.

Professional coloring or home experiment?

A large part of the popularity of the cherry cola trend comes from social networks, where numerous users share experiences of home coloring with color combinations like deep burgundy, chocolate cherry, or black cherry. Although with careful selection of shades a very good result can indeed be achieved at home, experts warn that with larger transformations – especially if you are starting from a very light or previously bleached base – it is safer to leave it to a hairdresser.

A professional colorist can more accurately estimate how much red pigment needs to be added so that the color does not turn into orange or brick-like, and how to adapt the tone to your skin and eyes. In salons, permanent colors, demi-permanent formulas, and gloss treatments are often combined, to obtain maximum shine with minimal damage to the hair.

How to maintain cherry cola hair?

Red pigment is known for fading faster than many other shades, so cherry cola requires a somewhat more careful routine. It is generally recommended to:

– use shampoos and conditioners without sulfates, intended for colored hair
– wash hair with lukewarm, not hot water, so the cuticle does not open too much
– limit heat styling (straighteners, curling irons, hairdryers at high temperature) or strictly use thermal protection
– introduce masks and gloss treatments with pigment into the routine which occasionally “refresh” the color between visits to the hairdresser
– in summer additionally protect hair with a hat, scarf, or UV sprays, because the sun accelerates the fading of red tones.

Most brands that follow trends also offer semi-permanent masks with red-brown pigments that can be applied at home so the color remains shiny and saturated. In addition, experts advise that roots and lengths are not colored with the same frequency: roots can be refreshed every four to six weeks, while lengths are enough to be occasionally “glossed” so as not to overload them with chemicals.

Cherry cola in salons in 2025: what to ask from the hairdresser?

If you plan to use 2025 for a big cherry cola makeover, it is good to bring a few reference photos with you to the consultation – preferably in different lightings. On social networks and in the media, you can find examples of the color on stars, but it is important to emphasize to the hairdresser what exactly you like: do you want a deeper, almost black-red variant, or a softer, wine shade that goes more towards chocolate?

It is good to previously think about the following as well:

– how often you are ready to come to the salon for color refreshing
– how important the possibility of returning to a lighter shade in the future is to you
– are you ready to adapt make-up (lipstick, blush, eyebrow color) to the new hair color as well
– what kind of hairstyle and texture you most often wear, so the hairdresser could plan where the color reflection will “sit”.

An experienced colorist will also explain realistic expectations regarding maintenance: darker cherry cola shades on naturally dark hair will be simpler to care for, while intensely red variants on previously bleached hair will require more attention and more frequent corrections.

Cherry cola and everyday style

Unlike very light or pastel tones, cherry cola surprisingly easily fits into everyday style. It looks good with a neutral wardrobe (black, gray, beige), but also with bright colors like cobalt, green, or pink. In make-up, it is most often combined with warm nude lipsticks, beige and copper eyeshadows, and blushes in tones of plum, brick, or cherry.

For evening occasions cherry cola hair is worn with a stronger lipstick – from classic red to dark wine – while in daytime occasions it can be softened with shiny balms and natural tones. Since it is visually strong in itself, often simple styling is enough: a low sleek bun, a high ponytail, or soft waves will emphasize the color without the need for excessive additional details.

A trend that continues to grow

According to data from the beauty industry, interest in cherry cola shades is not waning even at the end of 2025. Brands are launching new color tones inspired by this trend, and views of content related to red-brown hair with a cherry reflection continue to grow on social networks. At the same time, experts emphasize that this tone is increasingly viewed not just as a seasonal hit, but as a serious alternative to classic brown shades for everyone who wants a change, but does not see themselves in platinum or pastel colors.

Cherry cola thus enters the category of “new classics” – colors that simultaneously follow trends and are adaptable enough that you can wear them for years, with occasional small corrections of intensity. If you are looking for a way to add depth, shine, and a dose of red drama to your hair without a complete change of identity, this shade is one of the most convincing choices in the current season.