Issa Rae Had the Hottest Hair Color at Paris Fashion Week

She’s the latest star to turn red.

Issa Rae red hair
(Image credit: Getty)

Is a “this Barbie is red hot” joke déclassé at this point? No matter, because Issa Rae is red hot. For Chloé’s Spring/Summer 24 runway show on the banks of the Seine, Rae debuted a marvelous dark red hair color, which was complemented by a black and white clothing ensemble and a rich, red lip.

Issa Rae red hair

(Image credit: Getty)

Worn on the tippity top of her crown, the taut hairstyle featured cascading waves that fell down the Insecure creator’s back. While her roots remained her natural brown hue, the color shifted to a deep auburn at the ponytail’s base, which was wrapped with hair to really tie the look together. 

While Rae’s deep copper hair is nothing new (we’ve seen and loved it many times before), this iteration was something special. While the curls made their impact, the styling is what got me. Placed against a belted, flowy ,black and white maxi-dress from Chloé’s Fall/Winter 23 collection, the red hair popped. Texturally, the dress’s wool and gauze made it all the better. Princess-like is the best description.

Paired with pearl chain earrings, a simple cat eye, and the lengthiest lashes, Rae wore matte, neutral-toned makeup (and a touch of highlighter) to show off her flawless complexion. The best part? Her lips were painted an almost-hair-matching deep burgundy with a glossy as patent leather finish—the perfect look to ring in the first week of fall.

Issa Rae first shot into the spotlight in 2016, when her much-loved YouTube series Awkward Black Girl was picked up by HBO and turned into Insecure. Since then, the actress/writer/creator has remained a Hollywood standby, starring in movies like The Lovebirds, The Photograph, and (of course!) Summer 2023 favorite Barbie.

Sophia Vilensky
Freelance Writer

Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.