Hair Color
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06.03.2025
7 Chocolate Cherry Hair Ideas & Formulas
By: Zara Kenyon & Edward Sweeney
Meet the shade that’s stealing the spotlight — chocolate cherry hair color. This dark reddish brown is as tempting as it appears, melting rich radiant brunettes into violet tinted crimsons. It's giving us a cherry crush like never before. Get ready because this one's going big this season. That means now is the perfect time to start brushing up on the chocolate cherry trend. Clients are already asking for it and it’s easy to see why. The glossy dimension, the sultry depth — it’s the total package. It flatters a wide range of skin tones and adds a bold twist to classic brunette. Whether they want subtle hints or full-on cherry saturation, there’s a version for every vibe. Below we’re revealing seven formulas to help you perfect your client's color from root to tip.
THE CHOCOLATE CHERRY HAIR COLOR TREND
Chocolate cherry is one of the most versatile shades of red, allowing you to take it brighter, deeper, warmer, or cooler to complement your client's skin tone. For example, if they have warm undertones and want a flattering contrast, opt for reds with a touch of violet to create a cherry mahogany hair color. On the other hand, if their skin has cool undertones that would glow with added warmth, enhance the rich brown hues in their formula by blending in a hint of neutral red. Creating the perfect shade comes down to how you customize your client’s color service — not to mention the coloring technique you choose. From all-over tints to berry-toned babylights, the artistry is up to you.
7 CHOCOLATE CHERRY FORMULAS
BLACK CHERRY
Image Credit: @jadahairandbalayage
One way to create chocolate cherry hair is to add red highlights to a dark brown base. You could even go for a balayage technique, sweeping those lustrous ribbons through the mid-lengths and ends of a natural brunette base. That’s what Jada has done here, using our most pigmented, demi-permanent hair color, Color Touch, in 4/0 + 5/4 as a root shadow mixed with Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume). Follow with 5/66 + 6/45 + 0/56 + Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume) on pre-lightened mid-lengths and ends, for a flawless finish. If you want to enhance the color, achieve brighter blonde highlights as a base first, before applying your Color Touch formulas.
MAHOGANY GLOW
Artist: @karissaheadingtonhair
This gorgeous look was created using two industry favorites: Wella Professionals Blondor and Koleston Perfect — the perfect duo for stunning results. Mix Blondor Multi Blonde with Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume) to pre-lighten the hair and enhance the intensity of your chocolate cherry color. Next, apply Koleston Perfect 55/66 and 77/46 with 1.9% (6 volume) developer for a rich, saturated finish and a beautiful mahogany glow.
CHERRY COLA
Image Credit: @lindsey.wella
Starting with a brunette base color on a level five and seven, this mane was transformed with Wella Professionals Color Touch. It's the perfect product when vibrancy and shine are your client's top priority. Apply 5/75 + 5/66 + 0/45 + 1.9% (6 volume) as an all-over color to create the look. #PROTIP: Looking to step up the color vibrancy? Mix Color Touch Emulsion 4% (13 volume) with your Color Touch formula.
RUBY MOCHA
Image Credit: @meganehairstylist
When hair looks this rich, you just know it's got to be Koleston Perfect. It's our go-to permanent product for vibrant color with reliable results from roots to ends. If you want to recreate the look, try applying a mahogany blend of 33/55 through the root section, followed by a combo of 44/44 + 66/55 on the mid-lengths and ends. Even though there's a little violet in that root formula, the richness of the chocolate brown delivers warmth to this combination of gorgeous cherry tones.
BERRY TRUFFLE
Image Credit: @dereqc
There's an extra dose of burgundy red in this shade of chocolate cherry hair color – perfect for anyone with a warm skin tone who loves the fresh contrast of cool-toned locks. Try recreating the look with Koleston Perfect in the shades 44/65 + 66/46 + 55/66, applied from root to tip through dark hair to truly pack a statement. Bonus: Koleston Perfect features our unique Metal Purifier in each tube of color, which prevents any metals within the hair (usually copper) from causing damage during the coloring process. So, not only are you achieving your client's dream shade, but you're helping them maintain healthy hair too. Plus, it gives you up to 100% gray coverage.
CHERRY GLAZE
Artist: @dangdanghair
If there were a perfect formula, this might be it! Get inspired to create your next salon look with this gorgeous chocolate cherry color. Pre-lighten using Wella Professionals Blondor + Welloxon 6% (20 volume). Then gloss with Color Touch 66/45 and 4% Emulsion (13 volume) for added vibrancy and saturation. Finish the look with an after-care recommendation for your salon guest: Color Fresh Mask Red—the perfect at-home color-depositing conditioner to keep their color vibrant between visits.
VELVET SANGRIA
Artist: @hollyydoeshair
Create this seamless look with a little help from Wella Professionals. Pre-lighten with BlondorPlex + Welloxon Perfect Developer 3% (10 volume). Follow with a Color Touch 3/0 + 1.9% (6 volume) shadow root, and apply Color Touch 66/45 + 77/45 + 1.9% (6 volume) through the mid-lengths and ends. #WELLATIP: Enhance hair quality and boost color vibrancy by recommending the INVIGO Color Brilliance Vibrant Color Mask as an at-home treatment.
HOW TO MAINTAIN CHOCOLATE CHERRY HAIR
Reds are notoriously tricky to maintain, as they tend to fade faster than other shades. Make sure your client leaves the salon with all the tips they need to get more longevity out of their new look. Here's how they can keep their cherry chocolate hair looking rich and healthy from one appointment to the next:
1. SHAMPOO FOR COLOR-TREATED HAIR
How your client washes their hair can have a big impact on the longevity of their shade. If they’re not using the right shampoo, those chocolate cherry tones may fade much faster. Suggest adding a color-safe formula to their haircare routine, like INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo. It gently cleanses without stripping color and boosts shine for the glossiest chocolate mane. If their hair is damaged, recommend the Ultimate Repair Shampoo, infused with skincare-inspired ingredients (AHA and Omega-9) to help restore dry, brittle strands back to their hydrated best.
2. DEEP CONDITIONER DUO
When hair is healthy and moisturized, it reflects light better, giving cherry chocolate an extra boost of shine from root to tip. Show your clients how to nourish their locks with this expert-approved conditioner duo: Ultimate Repair Conditioner and Miracle Hair Rescue. Apply the conditioner to clean, damp hair and leave it on for 30 seconds to three minutes. The coarser the hair type, the longer it can absorb the nourishing goodness. Its rich, creamy texture pampers even dry strands back to their best, yet it leaves hair feeling ultra-clean—never weighed down—after rinsing. Follow with a mist of Miracle Hair Rescue to repair damaged hair in just 90 seconds. Together with the shampoo and conditioner, this revolutionary treatment delivers 12x smoother hair*, 99% less breakage*, and legendary shine that lasts up to four washes**.
3. SHIELD HAIR FROM HEAT, SUN AND CHOLORINE
Heat, UV rays and chlorine can accelerate brassy tones through chocolate cherry hair strands, so suggest your client adds this protective duo to their at home kit:
EIMI Thermal Image: A weightless heat protectant spray that shields locks while blow-drying and straightening. Black cherry tones will stay brighter for longer with this shine-enhancing mist.
EIMI Glam Mist: Not only does this finishing spray give strands a glow, but it also protects hair from damage caused by UV rays. Mist over dried and styled locks for an invisible barrier.
Then, if they go swimming, remind them to drench hair with clean water before they get in the pool. Hair is like a sponge; it can only soak up so much liquid before it stops absorbing, which means the clean water will reduce the amount of chlorine it takes in.
*Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo
**When using Ultimate Repair Steps 1, 2 and 3
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