Debra Messing, Kate Walsh and Nicole Kidman know how to work the red carpet - and red hair. The key: knowing which red works best for you.

Look 1 - Copper: If you have fair to mid-brown hair and a naturally golden skintone, copper is a gorgeous way to warm up your complexion and generally spice up your look. Test it out with a demi-permanent colour (either at the salon or DIY - depending on your confidence levels). If you eventually decide to stick with the style, consider switching over to a permanent dye, which will give you a stronger look for longer. !

Look 2 - Garnet: Cherry and berry shades of red are beautiful options for girls with paler, pinker-toned skins - you get a striking, dramatic effect, without the severity you risk with a dark brunette or black shade. If you have naturally fair to mid-brown hair, a demi will suffice; if you’re any darker, you’ll need to opt for a permanent dye in order to see real results.

Look 3 - Strawberry: If you’re pale-skinned and fair-haired, you can also choose to go for this lighter shade of red. Most salon haircolour brands offer a range of tints in the strawberry category - think apricot, rose and coral. If you want to baby-step it into the look, start out with a quarter-head of foils.

Natural Redhead? You can still try any of the above reds for a new spin on your usual look. If you want to lighten up a little, ask your colourist to weave blonde highlights throughout the hair, a gorgeous way to achieve a strawberries-and-cream effect. Prefer to try a richer copper or garnet look? Go for a demi-permanent in order to test out the various reds against your skintone. You may find, after all, that the red you were born with is the shade that best complements your skintone. In this case, consider washing with redhead-enhancing haircare once a week, to amp up natural-look colour and shine. Try: the John Frieda Radiant Red range, from $15.95.

Makeup Note: Play up the warmth of copper red hair with makeup in spicy shades, like cinnamon and ginger … For deeper, richer shades of redhead, keep makeup on the cool side - eyes smouldering in slate or forest-green is an especially gorgeous look …. Strawberry-red hair? A pale, porcelain look works gorgeously (just think Nicole Kidman) but make sure to define lashes and brows so your eyes stay in focus … Finally, any shade of redhead can bring out any ruddy tendencies in the skin, so brush up on your foundation application skills.

PS: Red pigment is more volatile than any other. This means it fades fast. So make sure to use colour-locking hair care and UV-shielding spritzes and serums. And, of course, avoid the sun as much as possible.

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