TikTok’s Viral “Cherry Coke Hair” Is the Latest Y2K Revival Arc
TikTok has seen many beauty trends come and go — from cloud skin to crying makeup to the anti-mascara look, it can be difficult to keep up with all of them. And now a new TikTok viral beauty trend has hit the rotation – type: “Cherry Coke Hair.”
Cherry Coke Hair, also known as Black Cherry Hair, is a black shade with red, burgundy, and even purple undertones—a bit similar to a refreshing glass of bubbly Cherry Coke. “When someone asks about a cherry red hair color, I think of a dark reddish auburn color that’s brunette but also belongs to the red family,” says New York City-based hair colorist Cherin Choi Teen Vogue.
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If Cherry Coke hair looks familiar to you, that’s probably because it is. TikTok creators Hayley Bui and Erika Titus recently dyed their tresses cherry red, inspiring other TikTokers to create the look themselves. Megan Thee Stallion rocked the vibrant look over the summer, and so did Keke Palmer a few years ago. But the stunning hair color was there long before that, even being spotted as early as the late 1990s and into the late 2000s.
With coppery red hair dominating both the red carpet and our TikTok For You pages for the past year, it makes sense that Cherry Coke hair would be the latest shade of red to become popular. Combine that with a recent surge in the ’90s and Y2K nostalgia and you’ve got the perfect new viral hair trend. “I love this trend and it’s fun to see more people experimenting with red hair color,” says Cara Craig, hair colorist at Beauty Supply Salon in New York City.
If you want to jump on the Cherry Coke hair train yourself, you might not reach for the dye box — Choi insists that it’s always best to see a professional, “I never really recommend it [an] adventurous hair color at home.”
Depending on your natural hair color, your hair colorist can try one of three things, according to Craig: a base break (which essentially lightens your natural hair color), a one-time application, or bleaching and toning. While anyone can rock Cherry Coke hair, Craig explains that the shade is “best for medium brown or light hair” because it’s easier to dye and probably doesn’t need to be bleached. On the other hand, if you have darker hair, you may need to bleach and tone your hair to achieve that cherry red hue.
The only caveat with Cherry Coke hair is that the shade can be a little “high maintenance,” according to Choi, as it fades easily. To ensure your soda-inspired curls last as long as possible, Craig recommends washing your hair less and using a color-safe shampoo. Color enhancing conditioners can also be used. Choi suggests the Davines Alchemic Conditioner, specially formulated for warm red hair.
Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo
Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo
Davines Alchemic Conditioner, Color Safe Nutrition
Davines Alchemic Conditioner, Color Safe Nutrition
If you’re not ready to jump on the Cherry Cola bandwagon, don’t worry — after all, like most viral TikTok beauty trends, this one will likely come and go. Who knows? Maybe Mountain Dew Hair will be the next big thing.