Let’s be real for a second: I didn’t wake up one day thinking, “I’m going to become a cherry cola goddess today.” I was just a woman standing in the fluorescent aisle of a drugstore, mentally flipping a table over my dull, grown-out balayage and craving something different. Something juicy. Something rebellious enough to scream I’ve got my sht together*, even when I don’t.
Cherry cola hair isn’t just a hair color. It’s an energy. And the good news? You can absolutely get it at home, without begging your stylist for a last-minute appointment or emptying your wallet for three hours of small talk and foils.
Here’s how I did it — mistakes, mood swings, and magic moments included.
🍒 Step 1: Find Your Cherry Cola Vibe — Not Instagram’s
First of all, let’s bust a myth: cherry cola hair is not one-size-fits-all. On Instagram, it looks like a deep burgundy dream on someone with waist-length, perfectly curled hair and flawless lighting. IRL? It’s about what makes you feel hot and dangerous in the mirror.
For me, that meant:
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A base of warm reddish-brown (think Dr. Pepper with sunlight hitting it).
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Subtle cherry tones that didn’t scream “box dye disaster.”
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Low effort. High payoff.
If you’re unsure, try this cheat: hold up a red lipstick next to your face. If your skin glows instead of disappearing, cherry cola might be your destiny.
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🧪 Step 2: The Real-World Hair Dye Combo That Worked for Me
Let’s talk dye. I’m not here to pitch salon-only brands or $30 color kits that smell like sadness. I went full DIY, and it worked.
Here’s what I used:
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L’Oréal Paris Feria in 36 Deep Burgundy Brown (aka Chocolate Cherry) — $11
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Mixed with one-third of a bottle of Adore Semi-Permanent Dye in Crimson — $7
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I added a teaspoon of cheap conditioner to keep my ends from hating me.
✨ Why it worked: Feria gave me that rich base, and the Adore added a punchy cherry undertone without making me look like a cartoon villain.
Pro tip: do a strand test. I didn’t. I paid the price (my first try turned a weird maroon that gave “undead Victorian ghost”). Second try? Nailed it.
⏳ Step 3: Application Secrets You Won’t Hear on YouTube
Most tutorials lie to you. They use gloves and clean sections and act like it’s easy. Here’s what actually worked:
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Apply on dirty, dry hair. Like, second or third day greasy. It helps the color stick and saves you from over-stripping your scalp.
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Start at the ends, not roots. Your roots develop faster and can turn neon if you’re not careful.
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Use a wide-tooth comb to drag the dye down like you’re painting passion into your hair.
And wear an old hoodie. Not a towel. Not a cape. A hoodie. Trust me.
🔥 Step 4: That First Look (and What Nobody Tells You)
The moment I rinsed, I half-expected disaster. But when the water finally ran clear and I towel-dried… y’all. I gasped.
It was dark, sultry, multidimensional. Like if cherry cola and soft grunge had a baby. My skin tone popped. My eyes looked brighter. And for the first time in months, I actually wanted to go out — even if it was just to the corner store.
What they don’t tell you is that changing your hair at home isn’t just about hair. It’s about taking back control, even if everything else feels like a mess.
💬 Final Thoughts from a Girl with Cherry-Stained Fingernails
Was it perfect? No. I got dye on my shower curtain, and my bathroom smelled like chemicals for two days.
But I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Because now, every time I catch myself in the mirror, I don’t just see cherry cola hair. I see a woman who took a risk on herself — and won.
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