Burgundy hair
Burgundy hair is a deep red with purple and violet in it, named after the red wines of Burgundy. It is cooler than copper or auburn, and it ranges from a dark burgundy that can go onto brown or black hair without lightening to a bright red-violet that needs a lightened base and fades fastest.
What is burgundy hair?
Colorists build burgundy from red with a touch of blue, which turns it violet, and deepen it with brown; many salons also use ready-mixed burgundy shades. That purple side is what separates it from its neighbors: maroon, made from red and brown, leans warm, and copper sits further toward orange.
There are three main versions. Dark burgundy mixes deep red with violet, goes onto dark brown or black hair without lightening and is the most forgiving as it fades. Burgundy brown is brown-led and blends into natural brunette bases with only a gentle lift. Bright red-violet is the boldest, needs a light base and fades the most quickly.
How much shows depends on your starting color: on lighter hair burgundy comes out bright, while on dark hair it reads more as an accent unless the hair is lightened first. The example here is an even, all-over burgundy with a deep wine-red tone.
Who it suits
A cool, deep shade. Usually sits well with winter palettes. See the deep winter, true winter or bright winter palette.
The deep, purple-leaning burgundy shown here is usually matched to cool undertones. For warm or olive skin, colorists tend to suggest a browner burgundy, and some point out that its violet sits well against olive skin; neutral undertones can wear any version.
Burgundy hair vs auburn hair
Burgundy hair
Auburn hair
| Burgundy hair | Auburn hair | |
|---|---|---|
| The red | Red with purple and violet | Red with brown and copper |
| Temperature | Cool | Warm |
| Often suggested for | Cool undertones; a browner version for warm skin | Most skin tones, tuned warmer or cooler |
| On dark hair | Dark burgundy usually needs no lightening | From brown, usually no bleach |
| As it fades | Toward a dull brownish red or pink | Like any red, but the loss shows less |
Pick burgundy if you want a red that leans toward wine and berry; pick auburn if you want a red that leans toward brown and copper.
Burgundy hair variations
Cherry cola redA dark red with more brown under it and a little more warmth than burgundy.
PurpleThe violet taken all the way, from red-violet to an outright purple.
Chocolate brownThe brown end: a burgundy brown sits between this and full burgundy.
Jet blackOver black or very dark hair, a dark burgundy shows mostly as a red accent unless the hair is lightened.
Upkeep
Red and violet color molecules are larger than most, so burgundy fades faster than many shades, and the brighter the version, the faster it goes. Salon guides suggest a gloss or refresh every four to eight weeks, depending on how bright your burgundy is. Dark burgundy is the easiest to live with: because it often needs no bleach, it fades gently, without a drastic change, and the faded shade can still look good.
How to ask your colorist
- Bring at least two reference photos and say whether it should lean purple or red, and dark or bright; burgundy covers a wide range.
- Tell your colorist your natural color and color history, including box dye; both change how evenly burgundy takes.
- Ask whether your shade needs lightening. A dark burgundy usually goes straight onto brown or black hair; a bright red-violet needs a lighter base and more processing.
- If you're not ready for full red, ask for a burgundy brown, all over or as lowlights.
- Ask how often they'd book a gloss to keep it rich, and which color-depositing products for cool reds to use at home.
Keeping the color
Wait about two days before the first wash so the color can settle, then wash two or three times a week with a color-protecting shampoo and rinse in cool water. Once a week, swap in a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner made for cool reds to put pigment back. Keep heat styling low, use a heat protectant, and keep the color out of strong sun and chlorine, which all speed fading.
Questions
How can I see what I'd look like with burgundy hair?
Upload one clear photo to Styloom and pick Burgundy hair. You get an AI preview of your own photo in that color in about 20–30 seconds. It shows the shade against your skin; how it takes on your hair depends on your starting color.
What's the difference between burgundy and maroon hair?
Burgundy is a cool-leaning red made from red, purple and violet. Maroon leans warm, made from red and brown.
Can you dye dark hair burgundy without bleach?
Yes, for the darker versions. A deposit-only color or gloss can shift dark hair toward burgundy without lightening, though on very dark hair it shows as a rich tint rather than a bright red. A vivid red-violet needs the hair lightened first.
How long does burgundy hair dye last?
Semi- and demi-permanent burgundy usually stays vivid for two to six weeks, and permanent burgundy for about four to twelve before it needs refreshing, depending on how often you wash and how you care for it.
What color does burgundy fade to?
Usually a dull brownish red or pink, as the red and violet pigments wash out.
Sources
Written in our own words from common salon and barber advice. The example photos are AI-generated and show the style from the front. Updated November 6, 2026.