Call us predictable, but really, what other colour could we choose for February’s ‘Colour of the Month’?! For the season of love, Fireland is our brightest and fieriest of shades, full of passion and drama, perfect if you’re looking to turn heads this Valentine’s Day…

What kind of colour is it really?

Well, depending on your base shade, it can be a rich, sumptuous red or a crowd-stopping pillar box red – as with any shade, how it turns out on dark hair will be very different from how it develops on light hair, so a colour strand test is a must with the 6.66 Fireland.

You might have noticed that the code – 6.66 – is different from most other codes in the Naturtint range. This is simply because the Fireland shade was launched with three other shades some years ago, that were all inspired by earthy tones and dramatic landscapes (7.46 Arizona Copper was another shade!) and their blend of tones is a little different from the rest of the range. The number at the start of the code means the same as always, where 1 is darkest and 10 is lightest, but the numbers after give you an idea of the primary and secondary tones blended;

• 1 = Ash/Blue
• 2 = Violet
• 3 = Golden
• 4 = Copper
• 5 = Mahogany
• 6 = Red
• 7 = Earth Brown
• 8 = Pearly Ash
• 9 = Sand/Soft Ash

So, the 6.66 is a mid-light colour packed full of red! Both primary and secondary tones are red so you can expect a lot of vibrancy, especially if you are applying it to a light base.

Anybody I might know that’s a fan of this kind of colour?

Loads of celebrities have rocked a bright red over the years – Katy Perry, Kelis, Sharon Osbourne, but there’s some that just keep coming back to it. Rihanna is a fan of the fiery tones and looks stunning with a knock-out red, something she chose for the front cover of her album ‘Loud’ and many times since.

Strictly favourite Dianne Buswell is as known for her incredible hair as she is for her skills on the dancefloor, colouring her naturally brown hair shades like the Fireland for many years. And who could forget ABBA’s Anna-Frid’s red hair in the early 80’s, something fans are getting to enjoy all over again as part of the ‘Voyage’ concert.

Can anybody wear this colour?

We’re not fans of rules when it comes to what colour your hair should be – you do you! But if you’re going for this colour, we say wear it with pride and go bold with your makeup too – think statement eyeliner and a matching bold lip. And if you’re still not sure, consider your skin tone – darker complexions make true red shades pop, whereas paler complexions might benefit from more coppery reds, to soften the skin tone.

How do I care for it?

Here’s the bad news – red colours are one of the most difficult to look after and sadly, are prone to fading, however careful you are. That’s because the molecules that form the red pigment are much bigger than in other pigments, so they can’t penetrate as deeply into the cortex of the hair, meaning they leach out more readily when it’s washed. Try to wash your hair a little less frequently if you can (hello Naturtint Dry Shampoo!) and invest in cleansing products that are designed specifically for coloured hair. Lessen your use of heated styling tools too, if you can and when you do wash your hair, try to keep the water as cool as you can bear – the heat will lift the hair’s cuticles and let more of those pesky molecules out!