If you have red hair and want to take it to a darker, richer burgundy shade, making some adjustments to your regular hair dye routine can help you achieve that perfect wine-colored hue. Going gradually darker while using color-depositing products keeps hair healthy and shiny.
What is burgundy hair color?
Burgundy hair is a deep reddish-purple tone that falls somewhere between red and brown on the color spectrum. It’s darker than traditional red hair but not as dark as true brown. Burgundy hair has a richness and warmth that sets it apart from other dark shades.
This trendy hue is flattering on most skin tones. The red undertones in burgundy hair complement fair and medium complexions. Burgundy also suits olive and darker complexions well, as it adds vibrancy and dimension.
How to dye red hair burgundy
If your natural hair color is light to medium red, going burgundy is within reach. Here are some tips for dyeing red hair a beautiful burgundy shade:
- Use a demi-permanent dye – Demi-permanent dyes last 4-12 shampoos and don’t require developer, making them gentler on hair than permanent color. They gradually fade rather than leaving obvious regrowth.
- Choose a dye one shade darker – Going a single shade darker allows you to build up to your ideal burgundy result over multiple dye jobs. This minimizes damage from drastic color change.
- Focus on red tones – Look for dye shades with words like “maroon,” “garnet,” and “wine” to enhance your hair’s redness as it goes darker.
- Use a color-depositing conditioner – In between dye jobs, use a color-depositing conditioner to intensify your red tones and speed up the darkening process.
- Go for a gloss – A semi-permanent gloss treatment adds shine while depositing more red pigment to get your color closer to burgundy.
Best dye choices for burgundy hair
Here are some excellent demi-permanent and semi-permanent dye options for gradually taking red hair to a rich burgundy tone:
| Brand | Shade Name | Color Tones |
|---|---|---|
| Clairol Natural Instincts | Spiced Garnet | Deep red |
| Schwarzkopf Keracolor | 4RC Burgundy | Intense red-violet |
| Arctic Fox | Wrath | Red-burgundy |
| Manic Panic | Rock ‘N’ Roll Red | Dark crimson |
| Splat | Ruby Red | Bold red |
Using color-depositing products
In addition to demi-permanent dye, using color-depositing shampoos, conditioners, and glosses helps intensify and maintain a burgundy color:
- Color-depositing shampoo – Use 1-2 times a week to boost red tones and prevent brassiness. Overtones and Overtone make great options.
- Color-depositing conditioner – After shampooing, apply a conditioner like Overtone or Moroccanoil Color Deposit Conditioner and leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
- Semi-permanent gloss – A gloss adds shine and rich color. Apply to towel-dried hair after shampooing and rinse after 5-20 minutes. Try Clairol Natural Instincts Gloss treatments.
Step-by-step guide
Follow these steps for successfully transitioning from red to burgundy hair:
- Prep your hair – Shampoo with a clarifying or chelating shampoo to remove product buildup. Follow with a deep conditioner.
- Dye your hair – Apply demi-permanent dye 1 shade darker than your current red. Process according to directions.
- Maintain color – Use color-depositing shampoo and conditioner to enhance red tones for 2-4 weeks.
- Gloss at 2 weeks – Boost color with a semi-permanent gloss applied to clean, towel-dried hair.
- Re-dye at 4 weeks – Dye hair again with demi-permanent color for another subtle darkening step.
- Final gloss at 6 weeks – Apply a final gloss if needed to perfect your custom burgundy shade.
How long does it last?
When transitioning from red to burgundy hair, you can expect the color to last:
- Demi-permanent dye: 4-6 weeks
- Color-depositing shampoo: 4-6 washes
- Color-depositing conditioner: 2-3 washes
- Semi-permanent gloss: 4-6 weeks
To maintain the richness of your custom burgundy color, be prepared to re-dye your roots every 4-6 weeks. Use color-depositing products in between full dye jobs.
Expert tips for burgundy hair
Follow these pro tips for achieving and maintaining flawless burgundy hair color:
- Wash hair in cool water to preserve color vibrancy
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo and gentle conditioner
- Apply a weekly hair mask to boost shine
- Use a leave-in conditioner to prevent dryness
- Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to keep ends healthy
- Avoid heat styling to minimize fading
- Shampoo less often and use dry shampoo to make color last longer
How to remove burgundy hair dye
If you decide to switch up your hair color from burgundy, here are some techniques to help remove the dye:
- Clarifying shampoo – Lather and let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing. Repeat as needed.
- Baking soda scrub – Make a paste with baking soda and clarifying shampoo. Gently scrub and let sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing.
- Vitamin C treatment – Crush vitamin C tablets into powder and mix with shampoo. Apply to damp hair for 15-30 minutes.
- Color remover – Products like ColorOops work to strip artificial pigment from hair.
- Bleach – As a last resort, bleach can remove stubborn color, but damages hair severely.
For best results, consult a professional hair colorist for proper hair dye removal.
Burgundy hair color ideas and inspiration
Before committing to a dramatic color change, browse these stunning examples of burgundy hair for inspiration:
- Dark burgundy – A striking near-black shade.
- Light burgundy – A softer wine-inspired hue.
- Burgundy balayage – Subtle dark red blended into brown hair.
- Ombre burgundy – Dark roots that graduate into vivid burgundy ends.
- Burgundy with bangs – Flattering on oval and heart-shaped faces.
- Burgundy bob – A chic short cut with rich color.
- Burgundy braids – Small braids show off multidimensional color.
Look for burgundy hair ideas that complement your complexion and style. Bring photos to your colorist for the best results.
How to maintain burgundy hair
Burgundy hair requires some maintenance to keep its bold color looking fresh and vibrant. Here are some tips:
- Use color-depositing shampoo and conditioner to refresh color between dye jobs.
- Have a gloss or toner applied every 4-6 weeks to prevent brassiness.
- Use heat protectant when heat styling to minimize fading.
- Rinse with cold water and limit shampooing to preserve color.
- Avoid swimming and sun exposure to prevent discoloration.
- Get a trim every 6-8 weeks to keep ends from getting porous.
With the right products and hair care regimen, your custom burgundy shade can look fabulous for weeks!
Common problems and solutions
Here are some common issues that can arise with burgundy hair and how to fix them:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Too light and brassy | Use a toning or coloring conditioner to deposit more red pigment. |
| Too dark and flat | Do a clarifying wash then use a semi-permanent gloss for shine. |
| Fading at ends | Get a trim and use an intensive conditioning mask on ends. |
| Dull color | Use color-depositing shampoo more often and deep condition weekly. |
| Roots growing in | Re-dye your regrowth the same burgundy shade every 4-6 weeks. |
Schedule occasional salon gloss treatments to keep your color vibrant between dye jobs.
Conclusion
Transforming your red locks into rich, dimensional burgundy hair is totally achievable with the right products and techniques. By gradually enhancing your natural color with demi-permanent dyes and color-depositing conditioners, you can customize a burgundy shade that matches your complexion and style.
With a commitment to consistent coloring every 4-6 weeks and the use of color-safe products, you can maintain this trendy hue for months. Flaunt those burgundy locks with confidence!