Addison Rae’s Desert Rose Red Hair Is About to Be Everywhere

What Is Desert Rose Red?

“Desert rose red is a soft, dimensional take on the brighter cherry copper we took [Addison] to recently,” says Rez. “Lighter tones give it that more lived-in dimension.” The shade isn’t overly saturated or flat, he adds. Rather, it’s a warm copper layered with subtle hints of beige and rose gold, helping the color reflect and shift depending on the light—perfect for the desert sun. 

The shade isn’t just fit for the Coachella stage, though. Sunlit hair colors are on track to become one of summer’s biggest trends as hot honey blonde and caramelized brunette bring the heat. The dimension of these shades—desert rose red included—helps hair appear rich and naturally sun-kissed. Even Rez has noticed his clients moving away from flat, single-process color. 

Copper in particular is in demand for clients looking to try something new and play with tone, he says. “There’s a bigger focus now on dimension and color that feels lived-in at the root but still…makes a statement,” Rez adds. “Desert rose red really hits that sweet spot for reds and gives the flexibility to go lighter or darker as you experiment with color.”

Red hair colors can be high maintenance, so while creating the look on Addison, Rez wanted the shade to feel elevated yet effortless. “We stayed within her copper family but softened it to feel lighter, airier, and fresh for Coachella,” he says. “The result is a tone that catches light beautifully, both in natural settings and on camera, delivering warmth and impact without feeling overly ‘done.’” 

Ready to create your own desert mirage? At the salon, Rez recommends asking for a soft, warm copper with diffused dimension and a glossy finish. “The key is that it should feel blended and light-reflective, not opaque or overly vivid,” he says. “It’s all about tone placement and movement, not just depositing one solid shade.” To get that kind of finish, Rez used a permanent cream color for the base and refining everything with a demi-permanent and gloss. “Beyond tone, gloss enhances the overall look and feel of the hair, helping dimensional color reflect light beautifully and deliver that glass-like shine,” he adds.

10 Ways to Wear Desert Rose Red

1. Addison Rae’s Center-Stage Rose Red

Addison’s Coachella performance was show-stopping, to say the least, but her new hair color really made the star shine. Desert rose red really comes to life in the lights, says Rez, because you’ll see more of the gold and copper tones come forward—giving it that bright, almost glowing effect. Even if you’re not performing at a music festival, however, the hair color will still pop. “In softer or indoor lighting, [desert rose red] leans into a deeper rose, with a muted warmth that feels more subtle and romantic,” Rez says. Using a custom gloss will keep the color from reading flat. 

2. Madelaine Petsch’s Beachy Rose Red Waves

Red is Madelaine Petsch’s signature hair color, so it’s no surprise she’s tapped into the desert rose red shade. We love her soft beach waves, which are just as effortless to create as they look. For quick and easy waves, simply spritz a texturizing spray like the VOIR Rainforest Mist: Waves Texturizing Hairspray through your hair, scrunching your way up to your roots. For more polished waves, grab a beach waver or straightener and clamp it through your hair to give it defined texture. We personally love using the KARMA BEAUTY Supreme Ceramic Flat Iron as its cool tips and rounded barrel make beach waves super breezy.

3. Keke Palmer’s Rose Red Blowout

Keke Palmer is funny, fabulous, and fiery too, thanks to her hot new hair color. Her extra voluminous look brings the desert rose red shade to another level, and it’s easier to recreate than you might think. While blow-drying your hair, flip your head upside down to encourage your roots to lift up and away from your scalp. Throw in some bouncy curls and you’ve got a head-turning look. We like finishing off the style with the R+CO BACKBEND Workable Hold + Non-Aerosol Hairspray since it adds hold without feeling stiff or sticky.

4. Karen Gillan’s Statement-Making Rose Red

This striking shade is definitely not for the faint of heart. For more red and less rose, try out Karen Gillan’s bold color. The extra orange tones make her hair look lit from within, while face-framing curtain bangs add some softness to the look—cutting the intensity of the color. Need some help styling your fluffy bangs? Check out our tips on perfecting the look.

5. Storm Reid’s Rose Red Waves on Waves

No mirage here! Storm Reid’s endless waves feel as refreshing as a desert oasis. To get the look, hairstylist Ursula Stephen used a beach waver to add movement to the hair, which really pops under light. Consider the hot tool a life hack for when you’re running late but still want a polished ‘do.

6. Molly Gordon’s Subtle Rose Red Balayage 

If you’re into the desert rose red color but don’t want to take the full plunge into red, try subtly working the shade into your hair. Molly Gordon’s bold balayage still brings the heat while feeling super wearable, and we love how her layers feed into the dimension of the shade. Take a cue from the actress and concentrate the color around your face to really make it pop.

7. Sadie Sink’s Glossy Rose Red

Sadie Sink’s light-reflective hair is totally worthy of the red carpet (and salon-ready screenshots). Her straightened style really brings out the shininess of desert rose red, and adding a gloss can take that to the next level. “Gloss is key—it refines the tone and brings everything together,” says Rez. “Using a demi like Paul Mitchell The Demi allows you to customize and balance shades—gold, copper, and rose—so the result feels cohesive and tailored to each client.” A gloss is also great for refreshing tone between appointments, he adds, whether you’re depositing subtle pigment or using a clear coat to boost shine.

8. Joey King’s Color-Shifting Rose Red

What makes desert rose red so special is its ability to shift colors depending on the light. While sunlight brings out the shade’s beige and rose gold tones, darker light plays into the shadows of the hair color, allowing the copper tones to shine. We love how glam and glossy Joey King’s hair looks, especially when paired with her golden shimmer eyeshadow. A great straightener can definitely help you achieve that sleek ‘do, but the real secret behind the look is proper prep. Make sure to use a heat-protectant like the MALINA Protective Frizz Control Styling Spray to tame flyaways and boost shine.

9. Rita Hayworth’s Old-Hollywood Rose Red

The desert rose red color is a hot new shade, but you can still make the look feel timeless with some nostalgic styling. This old-Hollywood hair looks straight out of a Rita Hayworth movie, and we can’t help but rewind. Get the same look with a deep side part: Draw an invisible line from the arch of your eyebrow up to the hairline, which is where you’ll draw your part. After blow-drying your hair and creating those big-barrel curls, you’ll then want to gently brush out your hair to add volume and soften the look. Finish it all off with a pomade to smooth and add shine.

10. Natasha Lyonne’s Bold Rose Red Bangs

Bold and unapologetic, Natasha Lyonne’s look really taps into the brilliance of the desert rose red color. Her bangs do all the talking here, and while styling bangs can come with its own challenges, we have a few tips to ease the process. To keep bangs bouncy and glossy, dry them in a downward direction using a round brush and a blow-dryer—or grab the MERMADE HAIR Blow Dry Brush, which combines the two for less hassle. For maximum bluntness, use a straightener to straighten the bangs, then top off your look with an ultra-hold hairspray.