Some hair colours whisper, and some make an entrance. Deep burgundy hair does both at once: it is dark and sophisticated from a distance, then reveals its rich wine-red glow the moment the light catches it. This is the shade for anyone who wants a bold change without going bright, a colour that feels luxurious, feminine, and a little bit mysterious all at the same time.
The look in this photo pairs that deep burgundy colour with long, glossy waves and a sheer burgundy bow, and the combination is pure romance. The wine-red tones give the hair depth and movement, the waves keep it soft, and the bow adds a playful, elegant finishing touch. It is the kind of hairstyle that works for a dinner date, a wedding, or an ordinary autumn afternoon when you simply want to feel beautiful.
In this guide, we cover everything about luxurious burgundy hair colour: what makes the shade so special, how wine red differs from plum and dark burgundy, how to choose the right version for your skin tone, how to ask your stylist for it, how to style the waves and the bow, and how to keep the colour rich for as long as possible.
Table of Contents
- What Makes Burgundy So Luxurious?
- Wine Red vs Plum vs Dark Burgundy
- Is Burgundy Right for Your Skin Tone?
- How to Ask Your Stylist for Wine Red Waves
- Styling Burgundy Waves and a Sheer Bow
- Keeping Burgundy Vibrant Longer
- Burgundy Hair Mistakes to Avoid
- Burgundy Hair FAQs
What Makes Burgundy So Luxurious?
Burgundy hair gets its luxury from its depth. Unlike bright red, which shouts, burgundy is built on a dark base with wine-red and plum tones layered through it. In low light, it reads as a rich, dark brunette with a hint of red. In sunlight, the wine tones open up and the hair glows like a glass of good red wine. That shift, from subtle to striking depending on the light, is what makes the colour feel expensive.
The dimension in burgundy hair comes from layering more than one tone. A deep burgundy base gives the colour its darkness and sophistication, wine-red pieces through the mid-lengths add warmth and glow, and the faintest plum dimension near the ends keeps the shade from looking flat or one-note. When the hair is waved, each wave catches the light differently, so the colour seems to move as you move.
Burgundy also has a timeless quality. It has been a favourite of screen icons and fashion editors for decades, because it photographs beautifully and flatters almost everyone. It is bold enough to feel like a transformation, but dark enough to wear every day, at work, at formal events, and everywhere in between.
Wine Red vs Plum vs Dark Burgundy
These three names are often used interchangeably, but they describe different shades, and knowing the difference will help you get exactly the colour you want. Wine red is the warmest of the three: a deep red with brown and cherry undertones, like the colour of red wine in a glass. It is the shade in this look, and it is the most universally flattering version of burgundy.
Plum burgundy leans cooler and more purple. It has violet undertones that give it a mysterious, almost berry-like quality. Plum suits cool skin tones beautifully, but it can look slightly purple in bright light, so it is best for people who love that cool, fashion-forward edge. Dark burgundy, meanwhile, is the deepest and most subtle version: mostly dark brown-black with just a whisper of red that appears in sunlight. It is the safest entry point if you are trying burgundy for the first time.
When you talk to your stylist, name the version you want and show photos of it specifically. Saying just burgundy can lead to any of these three, and the difference between wine red and plum is large enough to matter. The look here is wine red: warm, deep, and glowing, with plum used only as the faintest background dimension.
Is Burgundy Right for Your Skin Tone?
Burgundy is one of the rare bold colours that suits nearly every skin tone, because it can be adjusted warmer or cooler. If you have warm undertones, a wine-red burgundy will harmonise with your skin and make it look healthy and glowing. If you have cool undertones, a plum-leaning burgundy will echo the coolness in your skin and look striking rather than clashing.
For fair skin, burgundy creates a beautiful contrast. The dark, rich colour frames the face and makes the complexion look luminous, especially when the colour is kept glossy. For medium skin tones, wine red burgundy blends gorgeously, adding warmth and depth without overpowering. On deeper skin tones, burgundy looks absolutely luxurious: the wine tones shine against rich skin, and the overall effect is elegant and dramatic.
Eye colour plays a part too. Burgundy makes green eyes pop, deepens brown eyes, and gives blue eyes a romantic contrast. If you wear a lot of red, berry, or black clothing, burgundy hair will tie your whole look together, because it sits in the same colour family as the clothes you already love.
How to Ask Your Stylist for Wine Red Waves
Clear language and good photos are your best tools at the salon. Ask for a deep burgundy base with wine-red dimension and subtle plum undertones, keeping the roots darker than the ends for a soft grow-out. Mention that you want the colour to look dark and sophisticated indoors and glowing in sunlight, which tells your stylist to build the colour in layers rather than applying one flat shade.
If your natural hair is dark brown or black, your stylist may need to lift it slightly before applying the burgundy, because wine red tones show best on hair that has been lightened a little. This does not mean bleaching to blonde: a gentle lift of one or two levels is usually enough. Ask for a bond-building treatment during the service to keep your hair strong and shiny.
For the cut, ask for long layers. Layers are essential for this look, because they let the waves move and give the colour somewhere to show its dimension. Without layers, long hair can hang flat and hide the wine-red tones. Bring this photo and at least two more, and point out the root depth, the wave pattern, and the exact red tone you love in each one.
Styling Burgundy Waves and a Sheer Bow
Soft, glossy waves are the perfect partner for burgundy colour, because the wave pattern shows off the dimension in the shade. Start with a heat protectant and blow-dry with a round brush for root volume. Then curl large sections away from your face with a wide-barrel iron, leaving the ends slightly straighter for a modern, relaxed wave. Let each curl cool before you touch it, then break the waves up with your fingers and finish with a shine spray.
The sheer burgundy bow is what makes this hairstyle unforgettable. To recreate the look, take the top section of your hair, from temple to temple, and pin it back loosely at the crown, leaving soft face-framing pieces free. Then tie a large sheer organza bow over the pinned section. The sheer fabric catches the light and echoes the wine-red tones in the hair, so the accessory and the colour work together.
A bow like this is surprisingly versatile. It dresses up a simple black sweater instantly, and it is perfect for parties, dates, and festive occasions. If you want a subtler version for everyday wear, use a smaller bow in the same sheer fabric, or swap the bow for a slim burgundy ribbon. The key is matching the accessory tone to your hair colour, so the whole look feels intentional and polished.
Keeping Burgundy Vibrant Longer
Red-based colours fade faster than any other, so burgundy hair needs a little extra care. The golden rule is cool water and fewer washes. Hot water opens the hair cuticle and lets the wine-red pigment escape, so wash with lukewarm water, rinse cool, and stretch washes to two or three times a week. Dry shampoo will carry you through the days in between.
Use a sulfate-free, colour-safe shampoo, and add a weekly deep conditioning mask, because burgundy hair that is dry looks dull no matter how good the colour is. Once every week or two, use a colour-depositing conditioner in a burgundy or red shade to top up the wine tones at home. This simple step can double the time between salon visits.
Protect your colour from sun and heat as well. UV light fades red pigment quickly, so wear a hat or use a UV-protectant spray in strong sun, and always use a heat protectant before curling or straightening. A clear or burgundy gloss at the salon every six to eight weeks will seal the cuticle, restore the shine, and refresh the tone, keeping your colour looking freshly done for months.
Burgundy Hair Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is going too dark and calling it burgundy. If the base is too close to black, the wine-red tones never show, and you end up with hair that looks plain dark brown. Ask your stylist to keep enough red in the formula that the colour glows in sunlight, even if it looks dark indoors. That glow is the whole point of burgundy.
The second mistake is skipping maintenance. Burgundy without a gloss or colour-depositing conditioner will fade into a muddy, brownish tone within a few weeks. Build the gloss appointment into your routine from the start, and keep a tinted conditioner in your shower. These two habits are the difference between burgundy that stays luxurious and burgundy that quietly disappears.
Finally, avoid over-washing and over-heating your hair. Every wash and every high-heat styling session costs you a little colour. Embrace second-day waves, use dry shampoo, and turn the iron down a notch. Your colour will last longer, and your hair will stay healthier, shinier, and more beautiful for it.
Burgundy Hair FAQs
Will burgundy suit me if I have never coloured my hair before? Almost certainly yes. Because it is dark and rich, burgundy is one of the gentlest bold colours to try first, and it grows out more softly than bright red or blonde. Start with a dark burgundy version if you are nervous, and go more wine-red at your next appointment if you love it.
How often will I need the salon? Plan on a root touch-up and gloss every six to eight weeks, with colour-depositing conditioner at home in between. That rhythm keeps the colour deep and glossy without constant appointments.
Can I wear burgundy hair with warm and cool wardrobes? Yes, because wine red sits between the two families. It pairs beautifully with black, cream, navy, olive, and berry tones, and it makes gold jewellery glow. If your wardrobe leans cool, ask your stylist for a touch more plum in the mix; if it leans warm, lean more wine red. Either way, burgundy hair is a colour that makes the rest of your look feel more polished, more romantic, and a little more luxurious every single day.
