The saying "what goes around comes around" rings true for hair trends [2]. If you wait long enough, many old styles will come back as new — and the perfect example is the "Cherry Coke" hair-colour trend. Named after the iconic drink, it doesn't just sound delicious; it also looks extra flattering on naturally dark brunette [3] and black hair.
This shade first got its start decades ago. "It's a throwback to the early 2000s," Sassy Medchill [4], a Covet & Mane [5] educator and the owner of Goldie & Co Salon, tells POPSUGAR. "I remember everyone was doing this colour." Like many hair trends that have come before it — the shag haircut [6], claw clips, money-piece highlights [7] — TikTok breathed new life into it.
Cherry Coke may just inspire your new look for the upcoming season [8], so to learn more about the trend — from what to request at the salon to tips on maintaining the shade at home — keep reading.
What Is the Cherry Coke Hair Colour?
Over the last few years, red hair has been a particularly popular choice at salons — not even Hollywood was immune to it — and the Cherry Coke colour is the latest iteration to trend everywhere. "It's a deep burgundy with a red tone, and it's really beautiful on a dark brunette," Medchill says. To get this shade, you'll want to pay a visit to a professional colourist at a salon. "I always suggest bringing in pictures of what looks you like, especially when you're colouring your hair in the red family."
The ease with which you'll achieve the Cherry Coke shade depends on your starting colour. "You typically have to lift the natural colour enough to deposit the cherry-cola red-burgundy tone," she says. Before committing to this shade, just keep in mind that red (of any shade) is a particularly high-maintenance colour. "It might take a couple of trips to the salon to get the colour you want," Medchill says. "Once the colour is in, it's also hard to get out."
How to Maintain Cherry Coke Hair Colour at Home
"The cherry-cola trend is definitely for someone who is willing to stick with it," Medchill says. No matter what shade you dye your hair, you'll want to invest in a good, colour-safe shampoo [9] and conditioner. You can also use at-home hair glosses [10] to help maintain the vibrancy and prevent your colour from fading prematurely. Medchill also cautions that excessive heat styling "will pull the colour out faster."