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Burgundy Hair Color: Shades, Who It Suits, and How to Keep It From Fading
Explore burgundy hair color shades from dark burgundy to red-violet, find your match by skin tone, and learn how to keep it from fading.
Updated on November 4, 2026 | 3 min read
Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer
Burgundy strands are popping up everywhere, and it's easy to see why. The latest red hair color trend for fall is bright, bold and oh so pretty. Scroll on for the coolest burgundy hair colors to try right now.
Key Takeaways
- Burgundy is a deep red with purple or violet undertones, cooler than copper and auburn.
- Main shades: dark burgundy, burgundy brown, and bright red-violet, each with different upkeep.
- Cool undertones suit most burgundy shades; warm and olive skin can lean toward burgundy brown.
- Salon color gives more control, especially on lightened or previously dyed hair.
- Red tones fade fast, so cool rinses, fewer washes, and color-depositing care matter.
In This Article
What Is Burgundy Hair Color?
Burgundy Hair Shades to Know
Who Does Burgundy Hair Suit? Matching Your Skin Tone and Undertone
Burgundy Hair Dye: Salon vs Box Dye
How to Keep Burgundy Hair Color From Fading
FAQs
What Is Burgundy Hair Color?
If it feels like burgundy hair is suddenly all over your social media feeds, that’s because it’s become a celebrity and influencer favorite. A grungy shade, reminiscent of the 90s, burgundy hair color is the moodiest take on the red hair trend. Made from red, purple and violet, it's more cool-toned than other hues like maroon, mahogany and copper. Resembling a deep red wine, think of burgundy as cherry cola’s cooler, more mature cousin. It’s wearable on most skin tones and hair colors, showing up quite bright on lighter strands, and as more of an accent on darker hair, unless it’s pre-lightened. Burgundy hair is an evergreen shade of red, that’s not only perfect for fall, but looks just as pretty year-round.
Burgundy Hair Shades to Know
While you may think of burgundy hair colors as only dark shades, there are not-so-deep, and even slightly warmer versions of the hue. This season’s best burgundies are tailored to your complexion with multidimensional tones based on your natural color. Some bases only require a gloss, while others may require a gentle lift. These are our favorite ways to wear burgundy for fall.
Dark Burgundy Hair Color
Dark burgundy hair color is the most versatile shade in our roundup, because its rich blend of deep red and violet-purple undertones are easily adjusted according to skin tone. And it’s achievable without lightening, so if you’re looking for a minimally invasive way to color your dark brown or black strands, this is it. Plus, dark burgundy is the most forgiving as it fades.
Burgundy Brown
If you’re not quite ready to lean fully into red strands, try going with a subtle, brown-led burgundy. Done as all-over color or through dimensional lowlights, this shade blends beautifully on natural brunettes and darker bases, and requires a gentler lift compared to lighter colors. A burgundy brown is the perfect version of this trend for warm or olive skin.
Bright Red-Violet Burgundy
To really make a statement, try a bright, red-violet burgundy. The boldest burgundy variation, this vivid hue requires a lighter base, so if you’re not already blonde, this look will require more processing. It also fades the most quickly so be prepared for arduous upkeep and frequent refreshes to keep your color true.
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Who Does Burgundy Hair Suit? Matching Your Skin Tone and Undertone
There’s a burgundy hair color to suit everyone, and finding yours comes down to matching the shade to your skin’s undertone. Classic and red-violet burgundy shades tend to be most flattering on cool undertones. Warm undertones match burgundy browns best. And neutral undertones can pull off all shades of burgundy.
Not sure whether your skin is cool or warm?
Check your undertone by looking at the veins on the inside of your wrist in the daylight. If your veins look blue or purple, you're cool. If they look green or olive, you’re warm. And if they look like a mix, you’re neutral. If you can’t determine the color of your veins, use your eye color as a cheat sheet. Blue eyes generally read cool; green, warm; and hazel, neutral. Now back to choosing your best burgundy.
Burgundy Hair Dye: Salon vs Box Dye
In many cases, burgundy hair color can be achieved without bleaching, so you may be tempted to DIY. But boxed burgundy hair dye doesn’t always result in the color represented on the packaging. It doesn't account for your existing shade, previous color treatments, or how your hair absorbs pigment. Box dyes often contain harsh, unpredictable chemicals that can cause severe hair damage, uneven color, and expensive salon corrections.
Professional colorists have an in-depth understanding of color theory and formulate the color, developer strength, and processing time based on your hair's texture, porosity, and color history. They also use protective bond-building treatments to minimize damage and keep your strands healthy in the process. Especially with a bold hue like burgundy, changing your hair color is always best done in-salon by an experienced colorist.
Bring at least two reference photos of your desired shade and be sure to discuss your natural color and hair history, since both influence how your burgundy will take and how evenly it will develop. For a safe, low-commitment way to try burgundy at-home, use a color-enhancing, demi-permanent gloss to shift the undertones and deposit hues directly into your hair.
Find a Professional Colorist
Now that you know the look you want, the next step is to book an appointment!
Use the color filter on our salon locator to find the right stylist.
How to Keep Burgundy Hair Color From Fading
Because red and violet color molecules are larger than other shades, red-based tones tend to fade faster than other shades. So especially with a vibrant shade like burgundy, it’s important to maintain a color-safe hair care routine to prevent your hair dye from fading. Extending the life of your burgundy hair color depends on a few non-negotiables, including color-safe washing, color-enhancing care for cool red tones, and heat protection.
Wash Less, Rinse Cool
Wondering how to keep red hair from fading to a dull, brown or pink tone? It starts with color-safe washing, 48 hours after your initial color appointment. This gives the color time to settle. Wash no more than two to three times a week, with a color-protecting shampoo and lightweight conditioner for colored hair, and always use cool water to rinse thoroughly after.
Add a Color-Depositing Step for Cool Red Tones
Being diligent about color-enhancing care for cool red tones is another must to keep your burgundy hair color bright. Once a week, swap in a color-enhancing shampoo for red hair and color-enhancing conditioner for cool red hair to deposit pigment and boost cool red reflections between salon visits. Results will look brighter on lighter red-violet, and subtler on very dark burgundy.
Protect From Heat, Sun and Chlorine
High temperatures speed fading so protecting your strands from heat helps to extend the life of your color. Limit yourheat styling, lowering your settings and using heat protection when you do use heat. Avoid exposure to direct sun and chlorine, and book a gloss or refresh every 4-8 weeks depending on shade brightness.
FAQs
What is the difference between burgundy and maroon hair?
Burgundy is a cool-leaning, red shade made from red, purple and violet, and maroon is a warm-leaning shade of red made from red and brown.
Does burgundy hair color suit all skin tones?
Burgundy hair color suits all skin tones when the shade is matched to the skin’s undertone, whether cool, warm, or neutral. Classic and red-violet burgundy shades tend to be most flattering on cool undertones. Warm undertones match burgundy browns best. And neutral undertones can pull off all shades of burgundy.
How long does burgundy hair dye last?
Because red and violet color molecules are larger than other shades, red-based tones like burgundy tend to fade faster than other shades. Depending on your lifestyle and hair care routine, semi- and demi-permanent dyes last 2 to 6 weeks, and permanent dyes last 4 to 12 weeks.
Can you dye dark hair burgundy without bleach?
Yes, you can dye dark hair burgundy without bleach using a deposit-only or high-lift color gloss to shift the undertones and deposit hues directly into the hair shaft.
What color does burgundy hair fade to?
Burgundy hair typically fades to a dull brownish-red or pink as the red and violet pigments wash out over time.
How do you keep burgundy hair from fading?
Prevent your burgundy hair from fading quickly by following a hair care routine that focuses on color safe washing, color-enhancing care for cool red tones, and heat protection to keep it vibrant longer.
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