Cheryl Cole kick started the red revolution for autumn ushering in a landscape of more daring hues. From plum to burgundy, chilli to chocolate cherry, whichever shade you crave, complexion is key to making the right colour choice so don't be totally influenced by the trends. If you have ivory or creamy toned skin, the general rule is that you can be as adventurous as you like. The poster girls of pale and interesting, Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson are able to switch shades with impunity.

However, with a rosy complexion it's best to avoid red tones and choose neutrals such as ash blonde, ash brown or dark brown instead. Staying true to your natural hues doesn't have to be boring. The celebrity brownie pack including Rachel Weisz, Penelope Cruz, Dita Von Teese and Dannii Minogue will be majoring on the film noir femme fatale vibe, while among the stellar A-list honeys will be Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Diane Kruger and Kylie. If you've black skin ruby and violet will rock your look Rihanna style, as will Kelis inspired electric blue flashes.

There are options for every pocket to help you achieve shade perfection. Mahogany salons in London, Oxford and Manchester, mahoganyhair.co.uk have debuted their Surreal Red services, with Cheryl inspired multiple shade applications from £148. L'Oréal Professionnel's Riviera Highlights range of express, sun-kissed effects for blondes and brunettes are ultra-speedy and affordable, at around £35. Schwarzkopf Professional Duality, £8.95, schwarzkopfsalonfinder.co.uk is a two-phase salon only semi-permanent for home purchase producing superior colour results and unlike the consumer brands is designed for several applications, making it good value. We like Mahogany Moods and Hazelnut Spark. TONI&GUY Colour, from £4.88 Boots.com, is new to the high street and comprises 16 hair care products in four tone-alluring shades featuring a level one dye complex penetrating just beneath the hair cuticle.

 

Read on to discover the hottest hair colours for autumn/winter as predicted by the experts.