Burgundy hair color is the rich middle ground between red and brown — deep, wine-toned and flattering on fair skin, and it works on dark hair without the drama of a full bleach. These 13 burgundy hair color ideas for women cover the shades trending right now, from very dark burgundy hair that reads almost black indoors to a bright burgundy wine hair color that glows in sunlight, plus burgundy balayage, dark burgundy ombre hair and burgundy hair color with highlights for dimension without an all-over dye.
You will also find black burgundy hair, dark burgundy brown hair and a dark red hair color burgundy, with honest notes on who each shade suits, what it asks of your wash routine, and how often it needs a refresh. Bring a photo of the exact shade you want to your stylist, because burgundy means something slightly different in every salon chair — and a strand test first saves you from a shade brighter or darker than you pictured.
Quick Picks
Best for first-timers: Dark Burgundy Brown Hair — the most natural burgundy, easiest to grow out.
Easiest to maintain: Burgundy Balayage on Long Hair — dark roots mean no touch-ups for months.
Most striking colour: Cherry Burgundy — the brightest red-burgundy in the list.
Best for dark hair: Black Burgundy Hair — burgundy lowlights on a near-black base, no bleach needed.
Best short style: Short Burgundy Bob — a blunt bob that shows the colour off.
How to Choose the Right Burgundy Hair Color
Before you book, match the burgundy to your hair and your routine, not just to a photo. The shade, the technique and the upkeep all change how the colour behaves day to day — and burgundy fades faster than brown, so maintenance matters as much as shade. Weigh these points first, and your burgundy will still look rich six weeks later.
Shade: very dark burgundy hair and black burgundy hair suit dark hair and low-maintenance routines; burgundy wine hair color and cherry burgundy suit fair skin and women who want the red to show. If unsure, start with dark burgundy brown hair — the easiest shade to deepen later.
Base colour: dark hair takes burgundy without bleach, because the wine tone shows on a dark base. Lighter hair needs a filler first, or the burgundy can turn patchy — tell your stylist your starting colour first.
Technique: all-over colour is the boldest and needs the most upkeep; burgundy balayage and dark burgundy ombre hair keep the roots dark and grow out gracefully; burgundy hair color with highlights gives dimension without dyeing everything. For a cooler burgundy, search Plum Highlights Hair — violet-toned highlights on a dark base suit cool skin best.
Maintenance: burgundy is a red, and reds fade fastest. Cool water, colour-safe shampoo and a weekly colour mask are not optional — a gloss every four to six weeks keeps the wine tone from turning flat brown.
At home vs salon: an all-over dark burgundy hair dye is the easiest route at home, but balayage, ombre and blonde money pieces are salon-only. Strand-test first, whatever you choose.
1. Classic All-Over Deep Burgundy
This is burgundy at its most classic: one even, all-over shade of deep wine-burgundy through long, softly waved hair, with no highlights or ombre to break it up. The colour sits in the middle of the burgundy range — dark enough to look rich indoors, red enough to catch the light outdoors.
A dark burgundy hair dye is the simplest route to this look, and it works on naturally dark hair without bleach, since the wine tone shows best on a dark base. Ask your stylist for a level 4 or 5 burgundy with a cool violet undertone.
Best for: First burgundy, dark hair
Shade & placement: All-over level 4–5 burgundy, cool violet undertone
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, cool water
Ask your stylist for: Even all-over burgundy
Upkeep: Gloss refresh every 6 weeks
Tip: Wash in cool water — hot water strips burgundy faster than any other red tone.
Image credit: via Pinterest
2. Very Dark Burgundy Hair
Very dark burgundy hair is burgundy for women who want the colour to whisper, not shout: long, wavy hair that reads almost black indoors, then reveals a deep wine tint wherever the light catches it. It is the most subtle shade here, and the most forgiving to grow out.
This version suits dark hair best, because the burgundy sits just one or two levels above a natural dark brown. Ask for a level 3 or 4 burgundy with a violet-red reflect, and keep the waves soft — movement is what lets the wine tone show.
Best for: Dark hair, subtle colour
Shade & placement: All-over level 3–4 burgundy, violet-red reflect
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, gloss every 6–8 weeks
Ask your stylist for: Near-black burgundy, no visible roots
Upkeep: Root touch-up every 6 weeks
Tip: Judge the shade in sunlight — very dark burgundy hides indoors and shows outdoors.
Image credit: via Pinterest
3. Black Burgundy Hair
Black burgundy hair keeps a near-black base and lets the burgundy live in the lowlights: medium-length dark hair with subtle wine-red ribbons through the lengths, visible most when the hair moves. It is the lowest-commitment burgundy here, and the easiest to wear at work.
This is the shade to pick if your hair is naturally black or very dark brown and you do not want to lighten it. The burgundy lowlights are painted on, so there is no harsh regrowth line, and the dark base keeps the look polished.
Best for: Naturally black or very dark hair
Shade & placement: Burgundy lowlights on a black base
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, shine spray
Ask your stylist for: Painted burgundy lowlights
Upkeep: Refresh lowlights every 8 weeks
Tip: A shine spray makes black burgundy hair look expensive — the burgundy shows only when the hair shines.
Image credit: via Pinterest
4. Burgundy Wine Hair Color
Burgundy wine hair color looks like a glass of red wine held up to the light: medium-length wavy hair in a rich, warm wine-red, brighter than a dark burgundy but deeper than a cherry red. The waves give the colour movement, and the warm tone flatters fair skin beautifully.
This version needs a little more lift than the darker burgundies, so it suits medium brown hair best. Ask for a level 5 wine burgundy with a warm red reflect, and pair it with a burgundy lip — the photo shows how the tones echo each other.
Best for: Fair skin, medium brown hair
Shade & placement: All-over level 5 wine burgundy, warm red reflect
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, weekly colour mask
Ask your stylist for: Warm wine burgundy, soft waves
Upkeep: Gloss every 4–6 weeks
Tip: A weekly colour-depositing mask keeps wine burgundy from fading to a flat brown-red.
Image credit: via Pinterest
5. Dark Burgundy Brown Hair
Dark burgundy brown hair is burgundy with a brown safety net: medium-length wavy hair in a deep wine-brown that reads brown indoors and burgundy in sunlight. It is the most natural-looking shade here, and the best first step if you are nervous about going red.
The brown base makes this the easiest burgundy to maintain, because regrowth blends in instead of showing a line. Ask for a level 4 burgundy-brown with a cool undertone, and keep the waves soft so the colour looks expensive, not flat.
Best for: First red, brown hair
Shade & placement: All-over level 4 burgundy-brown, cool undertone
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, cool water
Ask your stylist for: Burgundy-brown blend
Upkeep: Gloss every 6–8 weeks
Tip: If unsure about burgundy, start here — dark burgundy brown hair is the easiest to grow out or deepen.
Image credit: via Pinterest
6. Burgundy Balayage on Long Hair
Burgundy balayage is the hand-painted version of the trend: long, straight hair with dark roots melting into wine-burgundy ends, the colour swept on by hand so no line shows where one shade stops and the next starts. The straight lengths show the blend best, and the ends catch the light in a way all-over colour never does.
This is the burgundy to pick for low maintenance, because the dark roots mean nothing to touch up for months. Ask for a balayage that starts at the mid-lengths and deepens toward the ends, and keep the hair straight or lightly waved so the blend stays visible.
Best for: Low maintenance, long hair
Shade & placement: Balayage from mid-lengths to wine ends
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, leave-in conditioner
Ask your stylist for: Hand-painted balayage, dark roots kept
Upkeep: Rebalance every 10–12 weeks
Tip: A straight blow-dry shows a burgundy balayage best — curls hide the blend.
Image credit: via Pinterest
7. Dark Burgundy Ombre Hair
Dark burgundy ombre hair is the bolder cousin of the balayage: medium-length wavy hair with a dark crown that melts into burgundy-red ends, the contrast clear enough to see from across the room. The ombre keeps the roots dark, so the grow-out is graceful, while the ends carry all the drama.
Ask for the burgundy to start around the cheekbone and deepen toward the ends, with the very tips brightest. A soft wave through the lengths keeps the two tones blended instead of striped, and a gloss seals the ends so the red stays bright.
Best for: Statement ends, dark hair
Shade & placement: Ombre from dark crown to burgundy ends
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, weekly mask on ends
Ask your stylist for: Ombre starting at the cheekbone
Upkeep: Rebalance every 8–10 weeks
Tip: Keep the ends trimmed — split ends make an ombre look faded before the colour fades.
Image credit: via Pinterest
8. Burgundy Highlights on Dark Hair
Burgundy hair color with highlights is the way to wear burgundy without dyeing all of it: medium-length wavy dark hair with bold burgundy-red streaks woven through the layers, brightest around the face and crown. The dark base makes the burgundy pop, and the highlights move with the hair.
For a cooler twist, ask for plum highlights instead of classic red ones — the violet tone reads more burgundy and less cherry, and it suits cool skin tones beautifully. Either way, keep the highlights fine and scattered rather than chunky, so the effect stays expensive.
Best for: Dimension without all-over colour
Shade & placement: Fine burgundy highlights on a dark base
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, gloss every 6 weeks
Ask your stylist for: Fine scattered highlights, plum or red tone
Upkeep: Refresh highlights every 6–8 weeks
Tip: Highlights around the face do the most work — ask for extra face-framing pieces.
Make it your own: try Plum Highlights Hair for a cooler, violet-toned burgundy.
Image credit: via Pinterest
9. Burgundy Money Piece
The burgundy money piece is the smallest commitment with the biggest payoff: long, wavy dark hair with vivid burgundy-red pieces framing the face, while the rest stays dark. The bright front pieces lighten the face and make the whole style look intentional, even when the rest is simple.
This is the version to try if you love burgundy but are not ready for an all-over dye. The face-framing pieces grow out softly, and you can refresh just the front sections in half the time. Ask for the pieces to start at the parting and fall to the cheekbone or jaw.
Best for: First burgundy, face-framing colour
Shade & placement: Burgundy pieces at the front hairline
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, gloss on front pieces
Ask your stylist for: Face-framing burgundy, dark base kept
Upkeep: Refresh front pieces every 6 weeks
Tip: Keep the money piece brighter than the rest — the contrast is the whole point.
Image credit: via Pinterest
10. Cherry Burgundy
Cherry burgundy is the brightest shade in this list: medium-length wavy hair in a vivid dark red hair color burgundy, red enough to read cherry in sunlight and deep enough to stay burgundy indoors. It is the most eye-catching version here, and the one that photographs best.
This shade needs the most upkeep, because bright reds fade fastest — wash in cool water, use a colour mask weekly, and book a gloss every four weeks. It suits fair and medium skin best, and it pairs beautifully with a matching red lip.
Best for: Bright colour lovers, fair skin
Shade & placement: All-over level 5–6 cherry burgundy
Maintenance: Cool water, weekly colour mask
Ask your stylist for: Bright cherry burgundy, even coverage
Upkeep: Gloss every 4 weeks
Tip: Cherry burgundy fades fastest — a weekly colour mask is not optional.
Image credit: via Pinterest
11. Burgundy Hair with a Blonde Money Piece
Burgundy with a blonde money piece is the two-tone version of the trend: long, wavy burgundy hair with white-blonde pieces framing the face, the pale strands standing out against the deep wine base. It is the most striking contrast in this list, and it works because the burgundy is deep enough to hold its own.
The blonde pieces need lightening, so this is a salon-only look — do not lift the front sections at home. Ask for the blonde right at the hairline, starting at the parting, and keep the rest a deep, even burgundy.
Best for: High contrast, statement looks
Shade & placement: Blonde face-framing pieces on burgundy base
Maintenance: Purple shampoo on blonde, colour-safe on burgundy
Ask your stylist for: Blonde money piece, deep burgundy base
Upkeep: Tone blonde every 4–6 weeks
Tip: Purple shampoo on the blonde pieces only — it dulls the burgundy if it runs through the lengths.
Image credit: via Pinterest
12. Short Burgundy Bob
A short burgundy bob proves the colour works at any length: a smooth, chin-length bob in a deep, even burgundy, the blunt shape showing the colour off. It is the most polished version here, and the easiest to style — a quick blow-dry and the colour does the talking.
Short hair shows colour more evenly than long hair, so a dark burgundy hair dye gives a rich, consistent result here. Ask for a blunt bob with the ends cut straight, and keep the burgundy deep rather than bright so the shape stays chic instead of loud.
Best for: Short hair, polished looks
Shade & placement: All-over deep burgundy on a blunt bob
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, shine serum
Ask your stylist for: Blunt bob, deep even burgundy
Upkeep: Trim every 6 weeks, gloss with each trim
Tip: A shine serum makes a short burgundy bob look salon-fresh every day.
Image credit: via Pinterest
13. Burgundy Pixie Cut
A burgundy pixie cut is the boldest shape in this list: short, textured layers in a vivid burgundy-red, with long face-framing pieces softening the front. The pixie shows the colour from every angle, and the dark red hair color burgundy shade keeps it rich rather than loud.
Short hair means the colour grows out fast, so this version needs the most frequent refreshes — plan a root touch-up every four weeks. Ask for textured layers through the crown and longer pieces at the front, styled with a pea-sized amount of texture paste.
Best for: Bold short cuts, low styling time
Shade & placement: All-over vivid burgundy on a textured pixie
Maintenance: Colour-safe shampoo, texture paste
Ask your stylist for: Textured pixie, long front pieces
Upkeep: Root touch-up every 4 weeks
Tip: A pea-sized amount of texture paste is enough — more weighs short layers down.
Image credit: via Pinterest
Quick Comparison
| Item | Difficulty | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic All-Over Deep Burgundy | Easy | 15 min | First burgundy |
| Very Dark Burgundy Hair | Easy | 10 min | Subtle colour |
| Black Burgundy Hair | Easy | 10 min | Dark hair, no bleach |
| Burgundy Wine Hair Color | Medium | 15 min | Fair skin |
| Dark Burgundy Brown Hair | Easy | 10 min | First red |
| Burgundy Balayage on Long Hair | Medium | 20 min | Low maintenance |
| Dark Burgundy Ombre Hair | Medium | 20 min | Statement ends |
| Burgundy Highlights on Dark Hair | Medium | 15 min | Dimension |
| Burgundy Money Piece | Easy | 15 min | Face-framing colour |
| Cherry Burgundy | Medium | 15 min | Bright colour |
| Burgundy Hair with a Blonde Money Piece | Hard | 25 min | High contrast |
| Short Burgundy Bob | Easy | 10 min | Polished short style |
| Burgundy Pixie Cut | Easy | 10 min | Bold short cut |
Mistakes to Avoid
Picking a burgundy that is too bright for your skin: A bright cherry burgundy on warm skin can look orange, and a cool plum burgundy can look grey. Hold the shade against your face in daylight before you commit — the right burgundy should make your skin look brighter, not washed out.
Skipping the strand test: Burgundy looks different on every base colour, and a strand test is the only way to know what it will do on yours. Test a hidden section first, especially if your hair has old colour underneath.
Washing with hot water: Hot water opens the hair cuticle and lets red pigment escape — burgundy fades twice as fast in hot water. Wash in cool or lukewarm water, and rinse cool at the end.
Using a sulfate shampoo: Sulfates strip colour, and burgundy is the first shade to show it. Switch to a colour-safe, sulfate-free shampoo the day you colour, and keep it in your routine.
Letting the roots grow without a plan: All-over burgundy shows regrowth in about four weeks, and the line is obvious on dark hair. Book your next appointment before you leave the salon, or pick a balayage or ombre for a graceful grow-out.
Final Tips for Burgundy Hair Color
Bring a photo of the exact shade you want — burgundy means something slightly different in every salon chair, and a photo removes the guesswork.
Ask where the burgundy will sit before the colour goes on: all-over, balayage, ombre or highlights changes the upkeep completely.
Wash in cool water with a colour-safe shampoo, and add a weekly colour-depositing mask — burgundy fades faster than any brown.
Book a gloss treatment with every trim — it seals the wine tone and makes the colour catch the light again.
Sleep with the hair loosely braided or in a low, loose ponytail to keep the lengths from rubbing against cotton and fading at the ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does burgundy hair color suit fair skin?
Yes — burgundy suits fair skin beautifully, because the wine-red tone adds warmth without the harshness of a true red. Pick a burgundy wine hair color or a cherry burgundy, and keep the shade deep rather than bright if your skin is very pale, so the contrast stays soft.
Does burgundy hair need bleaching?
Not usually. Burgundy shows best on dark hair, so most dark-haired women can get it without bleach — the wine tone sits on top of the natural colour. You only need bleach for very bright cherry burgundy, for blonde money pieces, or if your hair is already coloured dark.
How long does burgundy hair color last?
About four to six weeks before it visibly fades, because red pigment washes out faster than brown. Cool water, colour-safe shampoo and a weekly colour mask stretch it to eight weeks, and a gloss every four to six weeks keeps the wine tone rich between appointments.
Can I get burgundy hair color on dark hair without bleach?
Yes — dark hair is the best base for burgundy, and most shades in this list need no bleach at all. Very dark burgundy hair, black burgundy hair and dark burgundy brown hair all work on unbleached dark hair; only the brightest cherry shades and blonde pieces need lightening.
How do I stop burgundy hair color from fading?
Wash less often and always in cool water, use a colour-safe sulfate-free shampoo, and add a weekly colour-depositing mask in a burgundy shade. Avoid hot tools without heat protectant, and book a gloss every four to six weeks — the single best thing for a fading burgundy.
Your Next Colour, Your Way
Burgundy earns its place as a classic because it is rich without being loud: it gives dark hair depth, fair skin warmth, and every length a shade that looks expensive in any light. Pick the version that matches your base colour and routine, bring a photo to your stylist, and enjoy the colour.
If one of these 13 burgundy hair color ideas caught your eye, save this post for your next appointment — your future self, standing in front of the mirror with fresh burgundy hair, will thank you.
