How To Get The Perfect Burgundy Hair Color at Home

Burgundy hair combines the richness of a classic brunette color with vivid red and jammy plum tones for a multidimensional hue that feels both bold and wearable. Depending on the blend, burgundy can range from subtle and chocolatey to rich and warm, making it an easy way to refresh a brunette base across a range of skin tones and undertones.

Ready to make the shade yours? Ahead, we’ll break down how to find the right burgundy hair color for your skin tone, explain how to DIY your transformation at home, and share tips on maintaining your vibrant new hue between touch-ups.

What Is a Burgundy Hair Color?

Burgundy hair is a rich, multidimensional shade that blends a brown or red base with violet, plum, cherry, or mahogany tones. It’s deeper and more muted than bright red and typically cooler than auburn, which tends to lean warmer and more coppery. Named after a French wine region known for its red wine, burgundy comes in a range of tonal “flavors.” A few of the most common include:

• Deep violet burgundy: A cool-toned burgundy with distinct violet and plum undertones.
• Burgundy brown: Also known as chocolate cherry, this rich hue blends a chocolatey brown base with rich cherry red tones. It can be warm or neutral, but more commonly leans warm.
• Intense red burgundy: A more vibrant burgundy with prominent red and auburn tones for a high-impact look with plenty of warmth and dimension.
• Dark mahogany burgundy: This deep red-brown blend features earthy mahogany tones and balanced warmth for a rich, sophisticated finish.

How To Choose the Right Burgundy Hair Dye for Your Hair and Skin

As always, you should feel free to wear whatever burgundy hair color makes you feel most confident. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your starting hair color and skin tone can affect how your color turns out. Below, we’re sharing five of our most popular burgundy hair dyes, plus recommendations on which hair colors and skin tones they’re best suited to.

Finding Your Shade: The Burgundy Hair Color Spectrum

If you’re ready to commit to a permanent burgundy hair color, this breakdown will help you identify the best option for you.

For dimensional, prismatic shimmer: L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Burgundy Blush

If you’re looking for a classic burgundy hue, try this hair dye. It blends rich brown with jammy plum and violet tones for a luminous, dimensional finish. Plus, the custom-blended formula delivers up to 3X highlights, while the included Bonding Care Complex conditioner helps reinforce weak hair bonds after coloring for stronger, healthier-looking strands.

For bold red intensity: L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Red Velvet

Want to experiment with a bolder red without going full fire-engine? Try this in-between hue. It features a medium brown base with prominent auburn-red overtones, delivering vibrancy without the obvious intensity of a classic crimson hue. The easy-to-use at-home dye is suitable for all hair types and delivers long-lasting, luminous results in a single application.

For 100% gray coverage: L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Triple Care Permanent Hair Color in Dark Mahogany Brown

Burgundy brown hair is the perfect choice for those who want to go warmer without making a dramatic change. The earthy hue reads brown in low lighting, but displays its warm red and violet undertones when under direct light. This at-home burgundy hair dye is perfect for achieving the hue, and the triple protection system—infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid—helps strengthen and nourish your hair before, during, and after coloring. Another perk? It delivers 100% gray coverage, even for the most stubborn grays.

For a subtle burgundy twist: L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry

You don’t necessarily need to bleach your hair to achieve a rich burgundy hair color. This burgundy hair dye for dark hair delivers bold, vibrant results on a range of base colors, from light brown to black. Apply the vegan formula, let it process as directed, and you’ll be left with a dimensional, luminous plummy brown hue that stays shiny and resists fading.

For cool, dramatic depth: L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Black Cherry

For a dark, vampy take on burgundy, try this deep purple-leaning shade. Espresso-black depth blends with cool cherry and violet tones for a sultry finish that delivers drama without veering too bright or warm. This is another pick that’s ideal for those starting with darker hair, as you can achieve the rich tone without the need to pre-lighten your mane.

How To Dye Your Hair Burgundy at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dyeing your hair burgundy at home is straightforward once you’ve chosen your ideal hair dye. Keep in mind that the exact process can vary depending on the formula you’re using, your starting color, and the condition of your hair, so always follow the instructions included with your specific kit. The steps below offer a general overview of what to expect.

1. Perform the allergy and strand tests: It’s always a good idea to do an allergy test about 48 hours before you plan to dye your hair to make sure you don’t have a reaction. You’ll find instructions for performing an allergy test included with your coloring kit. You can also do a strand test by applying a small amount of dye to a hidden section of hair to preview how the color will look on your hair.
2. Prep your hair and workspace: Prepare your workspace and drape an old towel, preferably one you don’t mind staining, around your shoulders to protect your clothes from accidental drips. Then, put on the gloves included with your coloring kit and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly around your hairline and ears to help prevent color from staining your skin.
3. Section and mix: Divide your dry, unwashed hair into four sections, or more if your hair is thicker. Mix the color cream or gel, developer, and any included serum according to the product’s instructions.
4. Apply the color: Starting at the roots, work the color evenly through each section, making sure every strand is thoroughly saturated from root to tip.
5. Process and rinse: Let the color develop for the amount of time specified in the product instructions. Then, hop in the shower and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear, and follow with the included post-coloring conditioner to help replenish your hair.

Color Care Routine: How To Maintain Burgundy Hair

Like all red hair colors, burgundy hair can be prone to fading. The right color care routine can help preserve your shade, extend color vibrancy, and keep your hair looking glossy between touch-ups. Here are three simple ways to maintain your burgundy color at home.

1. Use a system for color-treated hair

Red and burgundy hair color can fade faster than some other shades, especially with frequent washing, heat styling, and UV exposure. To help extend the life of your color, swap your regular shampoo and conditioner for a system formulated specifically for color-treated hair. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Conditioner. The shampoo gently cleanses without stripping, while the conditioner helps nourish and hydrate the hair. Together, the antioxidant-infused duo helps lock in color vibrancy for up to 60 days.*

*Based on 4 washings per week using the system of shampoo and conditioner.

2. Limit heat styling

Frequent heat styling can contribute to dryness and damage, which can make your burgundy shade appear less vibrant. Whenever possible, let your hair air-dry or use heatless styling methods to protect your strands. When you do reach for hot tools, use the lowest temperature to achieve your desired result and apply a heat protectant first to help shield against damage. We’re fond of the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner, which hydrates, tames frizz, detangles, and protects against temperatures up to 450^oF.

3. Add shine-enhancing products

Chemical coloring can lift the hair cuticle, leaving strands looking rougher and less reflective. Adding shine-enhancing products to your routine can help smooth the hair’s surface and restore that glossy finish. For silky-looking strands, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic + Gloss System. The glycolic acid-powered trio— which features the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic + Gloss Shine-Boosting Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic + Gloss Shine-Boosting Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic + Gloss High Shine Leave-In Serum—laminates the hair cuticle for 14x smoother strands that reflect light beautifully. You can use the system daily if your hair tends to look dull, or swap it in as needed to give your burgundy hair a glossy, lustrous boost.

Next Up: 11 Flattering Ways To Rock Dark Red Hair

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris