Plum to Wine: Finding Your Perfect Burgundy Hair Shade

A burgundy hair shade has always carried a certain charm — deep, rich, and undeniably eye-catching. It’s that perfect blend of red and purple that manages to feel bold and elegant at the same time. Whether you’re after a dramatic change or just want to spice up your current color, burgundy offers a wide world of options, each with its own distinct personality.

From the cool richness of plum to the sun-kissed fullness of red wine, burgundy tones exist in every variation imaginable, with a shade to flatter every skin tone and personal style. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck between auburn and violet, craving a color that grabs attention without being too loud, burgundy might just be your ideal match. Below, we break down fifteen of the most beautiful burgundy shades — from soft berry to velvety merlot — so you can figure out exactly which one suits you best.

How to Choose the Right Burgundy for Your Skin Tone

Burgundy is famously versatile, but a few simple guidelines make it easier to land on the most flattering version for you. If you have cool undertones (pink or rosy skin), the purple-leaning shades — plum, aubergine, violet wine — will harmonize beautifully with your complexion. If your skin is warm (golden or olive), lean toward burgundies with copper, brown, or golden warmth, like warm burgundy, mahogany, or mulled-wine tones, which echo your natural glow. Neutral skin can pull off almost anything, from balanced wine red to rich ruby.

Depth matters too: deeper burgundies flatter dark hair and give a rich, dramatic result with minimal lifting, while lighter, pinker shades like rose burgundy show up best on lighter bases. When in doubt, bring reference photos to your colorist, since everyone pictures a slightly different color when they hear the word “burgundy.”

Burgundy Hair Shade Ideas to Inspire You

1. Deep Burgundy

The classic that started it all. Deep burgundy is rich and dark with unmistakable red undertones, and it brings incredible depth and shine to darker hair especially. It’s the ideal choice if you want a noticeable transformation without straying too far into daring territory — dramatic, polished, and endlessly wearable.

2. Plum Burgundy

This shade blends burgundy with a hint of plum, tipping the balance more toward purple than red. It looks especially striking on cooler complexions, delivering that traditional burgundy richness with a unique, unexpected twist. If you want a burgundy that stands apart from the usual red-based tones, plum is the one to ask for.

3. Wine Red

Vibrant and sultry, just like a glass of your favorite red, wine red strikes a beautiful balance between boldness and elegance. Its deep reddish-purple tone flatters most complexions, which makes it one of the most versatile options on this list. It’s rich enough to feel luxurious but wearable enough for everyday.

4. Black Cherry

Close to black but shot through with a glossy cherry-red sheen, black cherry is deep, dramatic, and endlessly chic. It’s the shade for anyone who loves dark hair but wants a hint of red to catch the light and add dimension. Subtle in low light, striking in the sun — it’s a fashion-lover’s favorite.

5. Berry Burgundy

This playful combination pairs a burgundy base with bright berry pink for a fresh, youthful result. It’s fun, flirtatious, and absolutely gorgeous worked into balayage or highlights, where the berry pink pops against the deeper burgundy. If you want your burgundy a little flirtier and more vibrant, this is your shade.

6. Aubergine

Aubergine is a deep, rich burgundy-pink with pronounced purple undertones. It’s fantastic on cool skin tones, where those violet notes create a naturally flattering, complexion-brightening effect. Trendy and a touch adventurous, it’s perfect for anyone wanting to play with something a little bolder than a standard burgundy.

7. Mahogany Burgundy

Combining warm brown with deep burgundy, mahogany offers a more natural-looking result that still delivers a rich burst of red. The brown grounds the color and adds warmth and depth, while the burgundy keeps those luxurious red undertones alive. It’s ideal if you want dimension and richness without anything too vivid.

8. Merlot

Think smooth, dark, and sensual — merlot is a true wine-inspired shade with an almost velvety quality. It’s a luxe, high-end color that feels especially cozy through the cooler months, rich and intense yet still classy and warm. For anyone who loves a deep, sophisticated red, merlot is pure indulgence.

9. Rose Burgundy

Rose burgundy blends soft rosy pink with burgundy undertones for a gentle, feminine finish. It’s delicate and romantic, and it shows up most beautifully on lighter hair bases where the rosy quality can really shine. If you want a soft, pretty take on burgundy that still carries a red infusion, this is the one.

10. Ruby Burgundy

With bright ruby-red tones layered over a burgundy base, this shade genuinely shimmers in the light. It’s bold and youthful without ever feeling over the top — thrilling but still refined. Ruby burgundy is versatile enough for everyday wear yet special enough for occasions, making it a wonderful all-rounder.

11. Violet Wine

This one’s for the cool-toned crowd. Violet and burgundy blend into a chic, slightly sharp shade that looks fantastic on fair and olive skin. If you love cooler colors and want something a step removed from traditional red-based burgundy, violet wine offers that modern, elevated edge.

12. Warm Burgundy

Warm burgundy’s golden and copper undertones give it a sun-kissed, glowing appeal. It’s especially flattering on warm skin tones, where those golden notes amplify your natural warmth for a radiant finish. Anyone hoping to add glow and warmth to their look will find this shade beautifully complementary.

13. Magenta Burgundy

Bright and lively, magenta burgundy creates a gorgeous pinkish-purple splash that practically radiates confidence. It’s a bold, attention-grabbing color made for anyone who loves standing out and turning heads. If you want your burgundy loud, vibrant, and unapologetic, this is the shade to reach for.

14. Burnt Burgundy

This smoky red carries a burnt, brownish underpinning that makes it feel dramatic and sophisticated all at once. It’s perfect for anyone wanting something bold and a little edgy without going too bright — earthy, deep, and rich. Burnt burgundy suits lovers of moody, grounded color beautifully.

15. Electric Burgundy

The boldest shade on the list, electric burgundy is bright, glossy, and downright showy — a color that demands to be noticed. If you thrive in the spotlight and love being the center of attention, this vivid, high-shine take on burgundy will absolutely put you there. It’s a statement, and it wears like one.

How to Keep Burgundy Hair Vibrant

Red and burgundy tones are notorious for fading faster than other colors, so a little care goes a long way toward keeping yours rich. Wash less often and always with a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo, since sulfates strip red pigment quickly. Cooler water in the shower helps too, keeping the cuticle closed so the color stays locked in.

Refresh your tone with a color-depositing conditioner or gloss in a matching red or burgundy shade every week or two — this tops up the pigment between salon visits and keeps the shade from going dull or brassy. Finally, protect your hair from heat with a good protectant before styling, and limit sun exposure where you can, as UV rays fade red tones especially fast. Healthy, well-cared-for hair holds burgundy far longer and reflects far more shine.

Final Thoughts

Burgundy is one of the most rewarding colors you can choose, precisely because it isn’t just one shade — it’s a whole spectrum. From the cozy depth of merlot to the playful brightness of berry, the earthy edge of burnt burgundy to the cool sophistication of violet wine, there’s a version to suit every skin tone, personality, and mood.

The key is matching the undertone to your complexion and finding a colorist who can customize the shade to flatter you. Get that right, and burgundy delivers exactly what it promises: a color that’s bold, elegant, and completely your own.