Burgundy is stepping firmly into the spotlight as one of the year’s defining color choices. Where copper and blonde have their own dedicated moments, burgundy hair color ideas offer something a little different — a rich, wine-toned depth that reads as sophisticated, moody, and undeniably striking all at once. Trend forecasters have named burgundy a foundational color for the year, meaning it’s less of a fleeting seasonal trend and more of a color family people are building entire looks around.

What makes burgundy so appealing is its range. This isn’t a single, one-size-fits-all shade — burgundy hair shades span everything from barely-there, near-black wine tones to bold, unmistakably red-violet statement colors. That range means there’s a version of burgundy for almost anyone, whether you want a subtle depth boost to your existing brunette or a full, dramatic color transformation.

Below, we’re breaking down 15 burgundy shades to consider, along with tips on maintenance, how to choose the right depth for you, and how burgundy pairs with the season’s other color trends.

Why Burgundy Is a Foundational Color

A few reasons burgundy has moved beyond a seasonal trend into a longer-term color staple:

• It bridges brunette and red. For anyone who loves the richness of red but wants something slightly more muted and wearable day-to-day, burgundy offers a middle ground that’s easier to maintain and blend into everyday life.
• It pairs beautifully with fall and winter tones, which is part of why it complements the broader fall hair color movement — burgundy tends to look especially rich against cooler-weather wardrobes and lighting.
• It photographs dramatically. Burgundy catches depth and dimension in a way flat black or brown often can’t, which has made it a favorite for Pinterest-worthy hair transformations.
• It works on a wide range of depths. Because burgundy exists on a spectrum from subtle to bold, it’s approachable for people who are hesitant about dramatic color changes as well as those who want a full statement look.

How to Choose Your Burgundy Depth

Before diving into specific shades, it helps to think about how bold you want to go:

• Subtle burgundy shades are closer to your natural brunette or black base, with just a hint of red-violet visible in certain lighting — a great entry point if you’re new to color.
• Medium burgundy shades show clearly as burgundy in most lighting without reading as a dramatic departure from a natural brunette.
• Bold burgundy shades are unmistakably red-violet and often require lightening first to achieve the full vibrancy, especially on darker natural hair.

15 Burgundy Hair Color Shades to Try

1. Black Cherry Burgundy

A near-black base with deep red-violet undertones that only become fully visible in direct light. This is one of the most subtle burgundy options, ideal for anyone wanting depth and dimension without a dramatic color shift.

2. Deep Wine Burgundy

A rich, dark red-purple shade reminiscent of red wine. This classic burgundy tone works well as an all-over color or a gloss applied over dark brown hair for added richness.

3. Mahogany Burgundy

A warmer take on burgundy with brown undertones mixed into the red-violet base. This shade tends to look especially natural on those transitioning from a traditional brunette color.

4. Plum Burgundy

A cooler, more purple-leaning burgundy shade that skews away from red and toward violet. This is a popular choice for anyone wanting a burgundy look with a slightly edgier, more fashion-forward feel.

5. Merlot Burgundy

A medium-depth burgundy with balanced red and purple tones, named for its resemblance to the wine. This versatile shade works well across a range of skin tones and natural hair colors.

6. Burgundy Balayage on Brunette

Rather than an all-over color, this technique hand-paints burgundy tones throughout a brunette base for a more dimensional, lower-maintenance approach to the trend.

7. Bright Burgundy

A bolder, more saturated version of the classic shade, leaning closer to a true red-violet. This high-impact option usually requires some lightening first, especially on darker natural hair, to achieve full vibrancy.

8. Chocolate Cherry

A blend of warm chocolate brown and cherry-red tones, offering a burgundy effect that reads more brown in some lighting and more red in others. This dual-tone quality makes it a versatile, everyday-wearable option.

9. Oxblood Burgundy

A deep, near-maroon shade with heavy red undertones and minimal purple. This intense, dramatic option tends to suit those who want maximum depth and richness.

10. Burgundy Ombre

A gradual transition from a darker natural or burgundy root into a brighter, more vivid burgundy toward the ends. This creates a dimensional effect and allows for easier regrowth maintenance compared to an all-over color.

11. Rose Burgundy

A softer, slightly pink-leaning take on burgundy that trades some of the deep wine intensity for a more romantic, rosy finish. This shade works especially well for those wanting a lighter, more everyday-wearable version of the trend.

12. Espresso Burgundy

A near-black base with just a whisper of burgundy visible in bright light, similar to black cherry but with even less red-violet showing through. This is an ideal option for workplaces or settings where a dramatic color change isn’t practical.

13. Sangria Burgundy

A vivid, saturated shade with strong red-purple pigment throughout, named for its resemblance to the wine-based drink. This bold, all-over color choice makes the strongest statement on this list.

14. Burgundy with Copper Highlights

Combining two trending color families, this technique weaves warm copper highlights through a burgundy base for added dimension and a unique, multi-tonal effect. If you’re torn between burgundy and copper, this lets you incorporate both.

15. Ashy Burgundy

A cooler, slightly muted burgundy that tones down the warmth typically found in red-violet shades. This works particularly well for those with cool undertones who want the depth of burgundy without any brassy or overly warm cast.

How to Maintain Burgundy Hair Color

Like most red-family colors, burgundy requires some extra care to stay vibrant:

• Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo to slow down fading, since sulfates strip color-treated hair faster than gentler formulas.
• Rinse with cool water whenever possible — hot water opens the hair cuticle and accelerates color loss.
• Use a color-depositing conditioner or gloss between full color appointments to refresh vibrancy and extend time between salon visits.
• Limit wash frequency. Burgundy, like other red and violet-based tones, tends to fade with every wash, so stretching time between hair washes helps preserve depth and richness.
• Avoid excessive heat styling, or use a heat protectant every time, since heat can cause color to fade and dull faster than it otherwise would.

Choosing Burgundy for Your Skin Tone

While burgundy is a fairly versatile color family, a few general pairings tend to work especially well:

• Warm undertones often look most flattering in mahogany, merlot, or chocolate cherry burgundy, since these shades incorporate enough warmth to complement golden or peachy skin.
• Cool undertones tend to suit plum, ashy burgundy, or rose burgundy best, since these versions lean more purple or pink rather than warm and red.
• Deep skin tones frequently look striking in bold, saturated shades like sangria or bright burgundy, which show up vividly and add dramatic contrast.
• Fair skin tones often pair well with subtler options like black cherry or espresso burgundy, which add richness without overwhelming lighter features.

As always, skin tone is just one factor — personal preference and how bold you want the overall look to read matter just as much as any general guideline.

Burgundy and the Fall Color Palette

Burgundy’s rise as a foundational color is closely tied to the broader fall and winter color movement. Deep, rich tones like burgundy tend to pair especially well with the warm, cozy aesthetic that dominates the colder months — both in terms of hair color trends and the overall mood people gravitate toward as the seasons shift. If you’re drawn to burgundy, it’s worth exploring how it fits into the wider palette of seasonal color trends, since many of the same warm, wine-toned, and rich jewel colors tend to complement each other throughout fall and winter styling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burgundy Hair Color

Does burgundy hair color fade quickly? Like most red and red-violet shades, burgundy does tend to fade faster than cooler, more neutral colors. Using color-safe products and a color-depositing conditioner between appointments can help extend vibrancy.

Can I go burgundy without bleaching my hair first? It depends on the shade and your natural base. Subtler burgundy tones like black cherry or espresso burgundy can often be achieved as a gloss or semi-permanent color directly over dark brown or black hair, while brighter, bolder shades typically require some lightening first.

What’s the difference between burgundy and maroon hair color? Burgundy tends to have more visible purple or violet undertones, while maroon leans more toward a straightforward, brownish-red. Both fall within the same general deep-red color family, but burgundy typically reads as slightly cooler and more dimensional.

Is burgundy a good color for cool skin tones? Yes — many burgundy shades, especially plum or ashy burgundy, tend to complement cool undertones particularly well, since the purple-leaning base avoids the golden warmth that can sometimes clash with cooler complexions.

How often do I need to touch up burgundy hair color? Most people need a root touch-up every 4-6 weeks, with an optional gloss refresh in between to maintain vibrancy, similar to the maintenance schedule required for other red-family colors like copper.

Can burgundy hair color work on gray hair? Yes, though gray hair typically needs to be pre-pigmented or “filled” before applying burgundy color, since gray hair has little to no natural pigment to grab onto. A colorist can advise on the right approach based on the percentage of gray and desired depth of the final burgundy shade.

Final Thoughts

Burgundy hair color proves that a bold, statement shade doesn’t have to mean choosing between subtlety and impact — with 15 different depths and undertones to choose from, there’s a version of this trend for nearly every comfort level. Whether you’re after a barely-there black cherry tint or a full, vivid sangria transformation, burgundy is proving to be one of the year’s most versatile and long-lasting color trends.

Loved these ideas? Save your favorite burgundy hair color shades to Pinterest so you have them ready for your next salon visit.

Looking for more seasonal color inspiration? Check out our guides on Fall Hair Color and Style Trends and Copper Hair Color Ideas: Shades for Every Skin Tone for more shades to consider.