Embrace the fiery charm of red hair with makeup that highlights rather than hides! Discover tips tailored for redheads that promise to accentuate your natural beauty.

Despite only making up about 4% of UK residents, redheads are definitely one of the more unique hair colours that you can have naturally, and the same can be said for their skincare. In this article, we will look at the best makeup tips for redheads for the stage, from selecting the perfect foundation that celebrates your freckles to choosing eye makeup that complements your vibrant hair. We’ll guide you through the nuances of eyeliner colour, the right blush to aid your complexion, and how to apply mascara without overpowering your features. 

Get ready to amplify your unique redhead allure with confidence.

Key Points:

 

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1. Embrace Your Unique Features with Freckles

Freckles are not just a trait; they’re a testament to the unique beauty of redheads. 

Embrace this signature feature with confidence! Rather than covering them up, opt for a light dusting of powder or a mineral foundation. 

Another common oversight among redheads is the attempt to cover up freckles with heavy foundations or powders. This approach often leads to a less natural, cakey appearance. Instead, celebrate your freckles by using a tinted moisturiser or a light-coverage foundation. 

Letting your freckles show through not only embraces your natural beauty but also contributes to a more authentic and confident presentation of yourself. 

These products improve rather than mask your natural skin, letting your freckles shine through. Remember, makeup for redheads should help, not hide, your natural beauty.

2. Use Mineral as The Best Foundation for Redheads

When it comes to choosing the right foundation, mineral makeup is ideal for redheads. 

Its natural minerals, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, provide gentle coverage that doesn’t overwhelm your freckles. 

It’s perfect for sensitive or oily skin types, absorbing excess oils and offering a matte finish that lasts all day. Plus, its reflective properties bring out the vibrant tones in your red hair, making it a staple in the makeup for ginger hair.

3. Choosing the Right Eyeliner: Brown vs. Black

The debate between black and brown eyeliner is significant for those with red hair. 

Brown eyeliner, especially in softer shades, complements red hair beautifully, providing a flattering contrast without overpowering your features. 

Whether your red hair is natural or dyed, a light brown eyeliner enhances your look more naturally, adhering to the principles of makeup for red heads.

4. Peaches and Browns as Complimentary Eyeshadow Colours

For eyeshadow, peaches and browns are your go-to colours. 

These shades not only complement the red hues of your hair but also highlight your freckles and skin tone. These natural makeup for redheads choices help create a cohesive and soft appearance. 

Whether opting for a subtle daytime look with light peach or a bolder evening style with rich brown tones, these colours are versatile and flattering.

5. Accentuating with Plum Shades

Plum shades are another excellent option for redheads, particularly worthwhile for those with green eyes. 

As eyeshadow, eyeliner, or even lipstick, plum can make green eyes pop and add depth to your makeup for ginger hair. 

When applying plum eyeshadow, start with a neutral base across the lid, then add a touch of plum on the outer corners to elevate your look subtly.

6. Keeping It Natural and Light

The key to natural makeup for redheads is subtlety. 

Start with a light foundation to even out your skin tone without covering your freckles. Add a blush or bronzer to bring warmth to your face, and choose light lip colours like pinks or nudes to keep everything balanced and beautiful. 

This approach ensures that your makeup enriches rather than overshadows your natural redhead beauty.

7. Gently Does It on the Mascara

For redheads, the secret to beautiful lashes lies in the subtlety of the application. 

Overdoing mascara can overwhelm your delicate features, so it’s best to keep it light. A single coat can define and extend your lashes without making them look heavy. 

Opt for a light brown mascara—it blends seamlessly with your natural colouring, enhancing your eyes without dominating your makeup for ginger hair.

8. Embracing Bold Blush

Redheads should not shy away from using a bold blush. 

Contrary to popular belief, deep brick and crimson shades can be incredibly flattering, providing a vibrant pop of colour that complements your fiery locks. 

The key is moderation; a small amount applied correctly can give you a radiant, healthy glow without looking overdone. This tip is essential in makeup for redheads, ensuring that your face looks lively and not washed out.

9. Contour Techniques for a Sculpted Look

Contouring can significantly elevate your features, especially when you use makeup for red hair. 

Choose a contour shade two tones darker than your natural skin tone to achieve a subtle, defining shadow. 

Apply it along your forehead’s edges, nose sides, cheek hollows, and under your lips. These applications help sculpt your face, making your natural bone structure stand out beautifully, complementing your makeup for ginger hair.

10. Lip Care for Redheads

When it comes to lips, less is more for redheads. 

Steer clear of bold, overpowering shades and opt for subtle lip glosses or a hint of soft, sheen lipstick. Choose colours with pink or peach undertones to harmonise with your red hair, improving rather than clashing with your vibrant hair colour. 

This approach maintains a natural, cohesive look, crucial for natural makeup for redheads.

11. Flushed Cheeks in a Flash

For those days when you’re short on time but still want to look polished, a quick swipe of blush can work wonders. 

Apply your blush from the apples of your cheeks towards your temples, a technique known as draping. This method doubles as a soft contour, enhancing your natural cheekbones and giving you a fresh, vibrant look within minutes—ideal for makeup for red heads wanting a quick, effective beauty routine.

12. Choosing the Right Brow Colour

Finding the right eyebrow colour can be challenging for redheads, as many products don’t cater to red or auburn shades. 

If your hair is lighter, a blonde eyebrow pencil can subtly help your brows without overpowering them. 

For darker red hair, a brunette pencil slightly darker than your hair colour can define your brows effectively. This technique ensures that your eyebrows complement your overall makeup for red hair, balancing your features perfectly.

13. Embracing Coral in Makeup for Redheads

Contrary to common misconceptions, coral can be a striking choice for redheads looking to brighten their look. 

The key to rocking coral makeup for red hair lies in choosing the right shade to complement your skin tone and the specific red of your hair. 

For a subtle, daytime glow, opt for a softer, lighter coral, applied sparingly on the lips or cheeks. For a bolder, more dramatic effect, a vibrant coral can make a stunning impact, especially when paired with a minimalist eye makeup.

14. The Golden Touch: Incorporating Gold into Your Palette

Gold is another excellent choice with makeup for redheads. Its warm undertones harmonise beautifully with red hair, adding elegance and a touch of glamour to your look. 

Use gold eyeshadow to create a shimmering effect on your lids or apply it as an eyeliner for a subtle sparkle. This versatile colour works well for both day and night looks, adding richness and depth to your makeup.

15. Warm Tones, Highlighters, and Shimmers

In addition to gold, other warm tones like peach and bronze also greatly flatter redheads. These shades play up the natural vibrancy of red hair and help achieve a cohesive and appealing makeup ensemble. 

Applying these colours in blush can add life and warmth to your cheeks, helping your overall complexion.

16. Eye Makeup Considerations

When selecting eyeshadow, redheads should steer clear of cool tones like blues and greens, as they can counteract the warmth of red hair, leading to a washed-out appearance. 

Instead, as mentioned above, you should gravitate towards earthy shades like browns, taupes, and greys—these hues complement the fiery colours of red hair and emphasise your eyes without overpowering them.

17. Highlighting for Radiance

To complete your makeup for redheads, don’t forget the highlighter. A well-placed highlighter can enhance your facial features by adding a luminous glow to areas like the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid’s bow. 

This subtle glow not only brightens the face but also brings out the best in your red hair, ensuring a natural, radiant finish.

Choose Reliable Makeup For Redheads

In conclusion, redheads have a unique palette of makeup options that can help their natural beauty. Embracing light coverage to showcase freckles, choosing warm eyeshadow colours like gold, and experimenting with coral for a vibrant pop all help highlight red hair. Avoid heavy makeup that masks natural features, and opt for shades that complement the warm tones of your hair. As a lead supplier of theatrical makeup made from cruelty-free, vegan products, we understand the needs and priorities that redheads need to keep their skin and hair safe. By following our tips, redheads can enhance their look while staying true to their natural beauty.

Further reading:

Want to expand your makeup knowledge further? Try these guides:

• Heading to a festival? Stand out with our bold and beautiful festival makeup ideas. 
• Curious about how your makeup affects your tan? Discover how can you tan through makeup.

FAQs

What are the most flattering eye shadow colours for redheads?

Earthy tones such as browns, greens, and golds embrace the natural vibrancy of red hair. Warm shades like burnt orange or copper can also complement red hair beautifully. For a more daring look, plum and deep green can make a striking contrast.

How can redheads improve their freckles with makeup?

Embracing freckles is a wonderful way to showcase natural beauty. Use a light hand with foundation or try a tinted moisturiser to let freckles show through. A light dusting of powder can set the makeup without masking your freckles. Bronzer applied where the sun naturally hits the face can also highlight freckles beautifully.

Are there specific makeup products redheads should avoid?

Redheads may want to avoid products with too much of a grey or ashy undertone, especially in eyebrow and contour products, as these can create a muddy look against the warm tones of the hair. Similarly, overly frosty or silvery highlights might not complement their natural colouring as well as golden or peachy highlights.

Sources

World Population Review. (2024) Percentage of Redheads by Country 2024. [online] Available at: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/percentage-of-redheads-by-country [accessed 06/12/2024]

Turner, E., (2022) Blush draping is the prettiest shortcut to gorgeous summer skin. Glamour. [online] Available at: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/draping-makeup-trend [accessed 06/12/2024]