'Black Cherry' Hair Is Trending, Thanks To Dua Lipa

If you're tiring of the homogenous cycle of hair colour trends infiltrating your feed, Dua Lipa has been making a strong case for an emerging hue - 'black cherry' hair - sharing a series of snaps from a recent holiday on Instagram.

The singer, who has been the poster girl for oxblood red this year, is tapping into a growing hair colour trend showcasing her glass-like mermaid waves and a deeper aubergine tone – one that hairstylists are predicting to come into its own this autumn.

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What is 'black cherry' hair?

A quick colour recap: 'Black cherry' hair fuses burgundy, magenta and black to create a subtle yet statement finish. As demonstrated by Lipa, it appears as a brighter-toned red when it catches the sun and a deeper maroon, near black, away from natural light.

It's likely that the 'black cherry' hair colour trend speaks to the current sartorial fascination with all things burgundy and, much like our wardrobes, provides the perfect middle ground for anyone wanting to shake up their aesthetic without veering into too-bold territory.

'I’ve been talking about the importance of the progression from copper
into red for months now and we continue to add to the body of celebrity references
to pull from with these deeply vibrant, cherry red tones,' says hair expert and trend forecaster Tom Smith of the black cherry hair trend.

Why is 'black cherry' hair trending right now?

'Black cherry' hair is trending because it’s a rich, glossy statement colour that perfectly represents autumn and winter,' adds Hannah Gayle, a hairstylist at Hersheson's Fitzrovia.

'As a non-naturally occurring shade, the best thing about these intense red tones is that they are incredibly shiny which makes them a great option for those who wish to show off the health and vibrancy of their locks or who prefer polished or high-shine finishes,' adds Smith.'

How to get 'black cherry' hair

'You create 'black cherry' hair by employing a full head tint and glossing for the perfect shine finish at the hair salon,' explains Gayle.

Though you can in theory opt for a box dye, reds can be a tricky colour to master at home – and even harder to maintain in untrained hands. 'I would advise against using box dye for any red toned colours; red is very tricky to get out of your hair, especially with box dye and permanent colours,' warns Gayle.

Ouai Hair Gloss

£30 at LookFantastic

With hyaluronic acid and strengthening rice water, this wash-out finishing treatment smoothes frizz and adds shine while making hair more resilient over time. It's especially good for thicker hair types.

Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask

£26 at Space NK

Amika's sweetly scented shine enhance is more treatment-focused, so works on making thick and frizzy hair feel softer and more manageable. The shine is a (very welcome) bonus.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss Lamination Treatment

£17 at Boots

L'Oreal's phenomenally effective new launch looks like Pepto Bismol, smells like strawberry shortcake, ad leaves hair so shiny you genuinely won't be able to stop staring at yourself.

What you can do at home after your colour treatment is ensure regular upkeep and maintenance. Gayle recommends regular gloss and toners, as well as ensuring ultimate hair health via a consistent haircare routine and focus on scalp health. 'It’s a high fade colour so it's very important that the colour is maintained,' she adds.

And it's now creeping into blonde territory too - 'cherry blonde' has also been gaining momentum with searches for the blonde-copper hue up by 6,300%. 'Cherry blonde is the ultimate blend of bold and understated. It takes the deep reds we're seeing everywhere and lightens them, making the colour more accessible while still embracing autumnal warmth,' notes celebrity hairstylist, Jason Collier.

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Amelia Bell

Multiplatform Beauty Director

Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.