Becoming a Redhead? Streicher Sisters Share their Beauty Tips

The Streicher sisters—hairstylist Ashley, brow artist Kristie, and makeup maven Jenn—offer their expert advice on how to become a Titian-haired beauty.

They say blondes have more fun, but redheads definitely have a lock on the “most fetishized hair color” nomination. They’re a little mischievous, a little subversive, and a lot sassy. While none of us Streichers was blessed with naturally fiery-hued hair, we have suddenly found ourselves having a red moment.

Kristie, the inspiration for this story, is a recently converted crimsonite, while Ashley happens to be enamored by a ginger. We have long been inspired by iconic Hollywood redheads such as Lucille Ball (who actually tried being a blonde early in her career—her feisty red side won out), Rita Hayworth, and Julianne Moore. Here, we celebrate rare rouge beauties, and offer tips (from our respective areas of expertise) on how to nail the Titian-haired look, from locks to brows to lips and everything in between. Who’s having more fun now?

Love,
The Streicher Sisters
Contributors to The Violet Files

THE MANE EVENT

ASHLEY STREICHER, HAIRSTYLIST

This really is the year of the redhead. They’re on the red carpet (no pun intended) and on the runways—there are even entire blogs (see: How to be a Redhead and House of Ginger) dedicated to their beauty. They are very much a type—naughty, feisty, fiery—and I can see how they could be someone’s fantasy. I’m dating a redhead right now! If you’re thinking of going red, I recommend the orange-copper shades over the more purplish ones, which aren’t really found in nature.There’s something about that warm, bronze-y tone that just exudes good vibes.

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MADE IN THE SHADE
Be warned: If you dye your hair red, you’re going to need serious color care. One of the reasons unnatural redheads are so rare is that red is the hardest color to keep looking vibrant. My favorite products to keep things bright and bold are from Davines. There are a few formulas for redheads, but the Alchemic Copper Shampoo and Conditioner are standouts, as they actually deposit some color while protecting it.

DAVINES ALCHEMIC COPPER SHAMPOO
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MANDATORY MAINTENANCE
In between touch-ups, it’s always a good idea to go to the salon and get a toner or a gloss. This locks in the color a little and keeps it from fading. I also recommend not shampooing every day in order to protect your color. Sachajuan’s Dark Volume Powder is not a dry shampoo, but it helps extend a wash, and the color works well with red hair tones.

SACHAJUAN DARK VOLUME POWDER
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IT’S THE STYLE
When I think of a redhead, I picture her with full, shiny, long, blown-out hair, like Julianne Moore. You could go with a shorter cut, too (Julianne has), but I just love beautiful, flowing, healthy hair. A really good mousse, Goldwell Color Glow, makes a special formula for redheads that seals in the color while it volumizes. Work it into your locks and give them a sleek blow-dry (a Parluxis great for this) for maximum rouge appeal.

PARLUX 385 POWERLIGHT IONIC AND CERAMIC HAIR DRYER BLACK
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THE BROWS HAVE IT

KRISTIE STREICHER, BROW ARTIST

During my twenty years in the beauty industry, I’ve done it all: shaved head, green mohawk, short black hair. As I’ve gotten older, I find it harder to pull off an extreme look, so for my most recent change-up I decided to dye my hair a natural-looking red. The challenge when going red is finding the right shade and the right colorist—like redheads themselves, artists who specialize in the hue are few and far between. But it just so happens that I work next to one—Nancy Braun, who tends to Amy Adams’ tresses. There are no coincidences. A warm, orangey shade that’s not shockingly bright feels like the right color for the season, and I love the warmth it brings to my complexion.

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THE NATURAL BROW
The first question after going red is usually, What do I do with my brows? No one grows red hair in their eyebrows, so it’s strange when I see brow products in that color. Natural redheads usually have light blond lashes and brow hair, so if you’re fair with naturally darker hair, taking the edge off your brow can add softness and realness to the look. I recommend using a high lift tint (never bleach, which can get brassy). For those with already light brows, adding a shade darker blond can be really beautiful. Surratt’s retractable pencil in Brunette or Raven looks great on almost anyone. Above all, don’t attempt to match your brows to your new red bangs—no one should have orange brows!

SURRATT EXPRESSIONISTE BROW PENCIL
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THE SHAPE OF THINGS
As for eyebrow shape, nothing changes—switching up the hair color is enough! I stick with the Feathered Brow philosophy, using my standby tools like Rubis’ slant tweezers and cuticle scissors to trim, and my Aforé oil and calming cream to make the tweezing smooth and painless. I use Mary Kay Brow Gel to keep brows perfectly feathered—it doesn’t flake or harden—and Cle de Peau concealer to cover up any outgrowth. If you have already made a tactical error like bleaching or overplucking, try the m2 Beauté growth serum to speed up brow recovery.

RUBIS CLASSIC NAIL/CUTICLE SCISSORS
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NEW ACCENTS
A fresh hair color is the perfect opportunity to explore different makeup looks. I was never sure if I could pull off a deep green eye, but Jenn suggested this rich forest hue from Tom Ford. I think it looks especially impactful for the holidays against my warm hair and dark brow. Maybe with a red glossy lip as well…

TOM FORD EYE COLOR QUAD EYESHADOW PALETTE SAHARA HAZE
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ABOUT FACE

JENN STREICHER, MAKEUP ARTIST

Redheads are rare, which is part of why people are so fascinated by them. They’re kind of magical. Everything in fashion and beauty is cyclical, and I think we’re at a moment where people are starting to get bored with blond. Red feels more exotic and sassy, like Rita Hayworth—she always had a bit of sass, and she wore great red lipsticks.

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HELLO, HOLLYWOOD
Red hair almost begs for a vintage Hollywood glam kind of beauty look—it just always takes you there. I would start with dramatic black liquid liner and a red lip, like Nars Dragon Girl (which is kind of a bluish red), or MAC Lady Danger, which has more of an orange note. I have nothing against matching your hair color to your lips!

NARS VELVET MATTE LIP PENCIL DRAGON GIRL
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EYE CONTACT
No matter what color your eyes are, I think a copper-bronze hue really makes them stand out, and it looks great with all shades of red hair. I love the Colour Chameleon shadow sticks from Charlotte Tilbury in Amber Haze and Bronzed Garnet for fair, coppery redheads. Amethyst Aphrodisiac is a bit darker and looks better on tanner skin tones. Even if you’ve lightened your hair quite a bit, stick with black mascara (Diorshow’s waterproof version is my favorite), although brown can also be really pretty, especially if you’re the fair-with-freckles type.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY COLOUR CHAMELEON IN AMBER HAZE
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THINK: NOT PINK
The one color I think redheads should stay away from is pink, in all its forms—eyeshadow, lipstick, and especially blush. Do not use a pink blush! Warm apricot colors, on the other hand, add that perfect healthy glow to the cheeks.

KEVYN AUCOIN PURE POWDER GLOW BLUSH
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MORE VIP LIP SERVICE
A bronze-y lip is another great option for an Amy Adams-type redhead (Armani’s Milano shade is a fave). You can also work a nude lip with a hint of brown, like Hourglass’ chubby stick Lip Stylos. But if you have a very pale complexion, avoid blush-toned nudes, as they’ll likely wash you out—the opposite of what a redhead wants!

GIORGIO ARMANI ROUGE ECSTASY LIPSTICK 202 MILANO
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