Red hot Rihanna looks good from all angles as she relaxes poolside in Barbados

Rihanna dazzled in Barbados last week in a teeny gold bikini as she cooled off in the pool.

The R&B singer was enjoying some much needed R&R before heading off for the North American leg of her world tour.

Rihanna was also sporting a radical new bright red and black hairdo, cropped short at the sides with a cockatoo-looking quiff smoothed over to the side and some huge 80s door knocker-style hoop earrings.

Perfect from all sides: Rihanna shows off her fine form as she cools off in the pool

She had a whirlwind couple of days, landing in her hometown last Wednesday  before jetting out just two days later to catch her boyfriend, Los Angeles Dodgers star, Matt Kemp, play at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.

Sean Garrett, the producer of Rihanna's new album, told the press last week that the singer is getting back to more 'happy' and 'upbeat' music.

He said things got serious for a while on Rated R as she told the story of her beating and subsequent break-up from ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, but that she's now making a return to her Pon de Replay and Umbrella roots.

Rihanna and Brown went through a painful public split back in February last year after Brown assaulted her in his car following a row between the couple.

Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, suffered a split lip, bloody nose and scratching to her face.

Bikini beauty: Rihanna shows off her curves in a teeny gold bikini during a break in Barbados last week

Brown, who pleaded guilty to assault, avoided jail time but was sentenced to six months' community service, five years' probation, ordered to attend domestic violence classes and banned from going within 50 yards of the singer.

Rihanna has since gone on to find happiness with baseball star Kemp, who she credits with bringing some calm to her often crazy life.

'I feel so comfortable and it's so easy,' the 22-year-old told the July issue of Elle Magazine. 'I have such a chaotic life, but at the end of the day that is just my peace.

Number one fan: Rihanna seen in the stands during boyfriend Matt Kemp's baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers

Moving on: Matt pictured here last Friday in a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts

'It keeps me sane really, talking to him and talking to my family.'

She went on to explain that it was crucial for her to move on from Brown. 

'I just wanted to wake up one day and not have that pain anymore,' she said. 

'I wanted to be with him again or just get over him - it was either or, I just didn't want to feel the pain, the confusion.'