Far too many people don’t know that Black women with red hair even exist. It’s unbelievable that such a thing could be true in 2022, but it is, and we’re of a mind to bring reality to the forefront. Black people can absolutely be born with red hair, in every shade on the spectrum, practically. We’ll wager that you’ve never seen anything so gorgeous.
Can Black People Be Born with Red Hair?
When you look around at the individuals in your community, you might notice that most Black people have black hair. However, there is such a thing as a Black redhead. It is entirely possible for Black people to be born with red hair without being biracial, too.
It all depends on the person’s genes, which explains why only a small fraction of Black people in the world are born with red hair. Ginger-haired people only make up about 1-2% of the world’s population. Just like how Black people can have eye colors other than brown or hazel, the same applies to hair color.
Beautiful Black Women with Red Hair
Yes, to put it simply, there are Black people with red hair. They come from everywhere with a variety of skin tones. There’s no cookie-cutter here, no pattern to follow—but don’t just take our word for it.
Below, we’ve picked out seven stunning examples proving that Black women and men can also be gingers. We fell in love 25 times while looking at these photos and are sure you will too!
1. Black Woman with Natural Red Hair
Red hair stuns on dark skin as a large afro teased to perfection and accented with a cute little bow. Make sure you give your locks plenty of moisture.
2. Long Curly Red Hair
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A small side part is just noticeable on long curly red hair. Wear it loose and over your shoulders to show off your thick locks or use a hair clip to pin back one side.
3. Black Woman with Dark Red Hair
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This dark red hairstyle has a few twists woven into natural locks. The rest is worn loose and short above the nape of the neck.
4. Ginger Red Hair for Black Women
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For the girl-next-door hairstyle, straighten your ginger locks and wear hair loose. An off center part helps keep this style from being high maintenance, perfect for when you’re short on time!
5. Ginger Red and Brown Hair
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Another way to show off your naturally curly hair is by combining red with dark brown. On a short hairstyle, the look is casual yet feminine with a rose hair clip.
6. Light Red Curly Hair
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We recall Macy Gray wearing this exact light red afro and it’s easy to see why. Keep the length to at least five to six inches in length so you have locks to shape and wear across your forehead.
7. Shaggy Red Hair
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Make your gorgeous red locks into a shaggy hairdo but asking your stylist for layers, adding in a soft bang as well. Curly hair will stand out even more when it’s at different lengths.
8. Dark Red Hair Updo
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Keep your hair out of your face with this cute updo for red curly hair. You can either use a headband to slick the hair back or a bit of hair gel on fingers.
9. Luminous Ginger
Black people with red hair aren’t a myth, but the combination of fine features and red locks is almost mythical in its beauty. One way to show off the rare mix is to let your natural coiled curls shine brightly.
Beautiful Black Women Flaunting Blonde Hairstyles
10. Cropped and Curled
The color is vibrant and the texture seems pleasing to the touch even through a photograph. We love the contrast this hair creates against her skin.
11. Short Hair with Blunt Bangs
Instagram/ruivasonfire
This woman’s light red hair makes a shoulder-length hairstyle super chic. Her long straightened hair features bluntly-cut bangs that stop just above eyebrows, perfect for accentuating her beautiful eyes and dark skin tone.
12. Long, Thick, and Curly
Instagram/alternativeredheadideas
Some Black women have red hair with darker roots. This amazingly glamorous long red mane boasts ultra thick curls. To help your own red hair stand out, consider rocking a gold eyeshadow.
13. Coiled Bantu Knots
Instagram/ruivasonfire
Bantu knots are a popular hairstyle for Black women and it’s easy to see why. Not only are they a beautiful protective hairstyle, but they can be superbly chic when tightly wrapped with long braided tendrils to hang down near the face.
14. Light Red Curly Hair
Instagram/gingernoirbrp
Dark red isn’t the only shade that Black women flaunt naturally. This light red is rich in its ginger and makes thick curls shine. The only thing that makes the mane more gorgeous are the woman’s freckles.
15. High Ponytail
Instagram/_falamana
When women of color have a lighter skin tone, you’ll often see them with an equally light or medium shade of red hair. This super high ponytail beautifully displays tight curls.
16. Curly Red Pixie
Instagram/alternativeredheadideas
Even a short hairstyle can help Black women brag about their beautiful red hair. Short pixies may crop the hair, but curls spring back to life in an edgy way. A light pink blush is just the shade to complement red hair too.
17. Long Wavy Red Hair
Instagram/ruivasonfire
Some Black women may choose to highlight their red hair by adding darker or lighter highlights in red or brown. These long waves are soft, smooth, and stand out with a simple center part.
18. Cinnamon Red Afro Pixie
Instagram/stephaniebcolor
A dusting of cinnamon hair color is a popular way to enhance red hair if you’re a Black woman. This short afro pixie is one of the best hairstyles to let your natural hair breathe in a trendy way.
19. Curly Red Bob
Instagram/daziahscurry
A dark red bob makes springy curls the center of anyone’s eye. Get your curls cut in layers to give them dimension, shape, and to flatter any face shape.
20. Red Dreads
Instagram/empressreddread
Dreads are often seen on Black people and women love to rock long dread hairstyles. A partial fade makes this long mane slightly edgy, perfect for the lady with a little badness in her personality.
21. Richly Red
Shades of red come in every imaginable variation. Rich auburn isn’t a common hue among black people who have natural red hair, but neither is it unheard-of. It throws off so many highlights and lowlights that you have to admit it’s breathtaking.
22. Fire Orange
Many Black people with red hair boast a shade similar to this one. It’s warm, coppery, and brilliant as a sunset. What might come off as a brash orange on pale skin is a masterpiece here. Vivid hues were made for Black women.
23. Radiant Russet
Russet red, which has orange undertones, is another glorious shade. It’s vibrant and autumn-toned, with flecks of darker red and deep gold. You can’t even hope to get this color out of a box.
24. Carroty Curls
Here, carrot-top is no longer an insult. It’s a compliment. Look at this lovely black woman with short curly hair. She’s brighter than the sun she’s smiling under, don’t you think?
25. Softly Shorn
It’s important to reiterate that there are all types of Black people with red hair—women and men.
Red Highlights for Different Colored Hair
Were you aware that there were Black people with red hair? It seems like such a silly question, doesn’t it? Just as Black people encompass a variety of melanin-rich skin tones, they can also be born with red hair, blue eyes, and yes, even freckles. And they’re beautiful.