Red Wine Hair Color Ideas – From Burgundy to Sangria

A heady merlot, a decadent burgundy, a silky pinot noir. No, we're not listing off the wine menu – we're talking about wine red hair colors. Shades inspired by a vineyard dalliance are making a splash in the salon right now, and you don’t need to be Bordeaux-bound to try them. Here's your guide to the wine red shades to wear – and how to make them last...

Wine Red Hair Color Ideas & Who They Suit

1. Dark Burgundy Hair Color

Image Credit: @timahairart | @violaparrucchieri_viacecati_

Shade profile: Deep red with rich violet undertones.

This is the classic red wine hair color; a violet-cherry hue with a jewel-like richness, worn best in a root-to-tip wash for a maximum impact. For this level of intensity, permanent Koleston Perfect is the ideal color formula, with a range of rich, healthy-looking reds, brimming with depth and shine.

Best suited to:

• Cool and neutral skin tones.
• Olive skin because the violet balances green undertones.
• Deeper skin tones where it appears especially dimensional.

2. Cabernet Red Hair Color

Image Credit: @danielmbeauty | @jem.hair

Shade profile: Dark brown hair color with rich red reflects.

If you prefer brown tinges over purple hues, order a cabernet. It's a dark brunette that reveals hints of crimson which dance under the light. Illumina Color is a beautiful choice for this glossy look, as it's packed with Microlight Technology, which allows light to enter the hair shaft and illuminate it from within.

Best suited to:

• All skin tones – the hues can be tailored to lean cool or warm.
• Olive skin.
• Anyone who wants a subtle red that steers more brunette.

3. Merlot Hair Color

Image Credit: @lailapettersenhair | @e_medz

Shade profile: Deep crimson red with blue undertones.

A color crush of deep crimson and juicy berry hues, merlot hair is as smooth and silky as the wine it's inspired by. Embrace it with Color Touch. The demi-permanent color gives you true-to-tone vibrancy and shine for a glossy merlot, and it fades beautifully over 28 washes, so your wine reflects stay low-maintenance.

Best suited to:

• Neutral undertones.
• Cool or olive skin tones.
• Tan or golden complexions for contrast.

4. Sangria Red Hair Color

Image Credit: @luca_brusini | @hairstylingelisa

Shade profile: Bright, bold, berry red that's fizzing with dimension.

Want a bright wine red hair color? Don't leave sangria on ice; it's your boldest choice, with punchy berry and magenta tones turning every head. Vibrant shades like this can be worn in a long-lasting color drench with Koleston Perfect, or you can enjoy a quick seasonal fling by asking for semi-permanent Color Fresh CREATE. The latter fades true to tone over up to 20 washes, so if you're just trying the trend for summer, it's the ideal pick from your colorist.

Best suited to:

• Cool undertones.
• Neutral skin.
• Olive skin if you want high contrast.

5. Mulled Wine Hair Color

Image Credit: @jeremy.colorist | @calumtierney

Shade profile: Dark chocolate brown with spiced cinnamon red ribbons.

Fall and winter call for some spice, so embrace hints of cinnamon and chocolate with mulled highlights. This ultra-dimensional take on wine red shades is perfect if you favor coppery or ginger hues to suit a warmer skin tone. Supernatural Color offers a range of reds to recreate this trend, in a one-of-a-kind formula that colors, strengthens¹ and repairs hair in a single step.

Best suited to:

• Warm undertones.
• Neutral skin tones.
• Golden or tan complexions.

6. Pinot Noir Hair Color

Image Credit: @creapassionsalon | @artetcoiffuremontussan

Shade profile: A softer, lighter, wine-inspired auburn brown.

This is one of the softest red wine hair colors; a shade that leans more medium brown than red, with a muted auburn sheen that radiates warmth and richness. Cherry and chocolate undertones intertwine in one glowy mane; a lustrous look that calls for SHINEFINITY's translucent veil of color to get that glass-like sheen.

Best suited to:

• Warm undertones.
• Neutral skin tones.
• Golden or peachy complexions.

7. Plum Wine Hair Color

Image Credit: @jhonyveiga | @chezgaby05

Shade profile: Deep shade packed with purple, plummy hues and just a hint of red.

If burgundy is the classic red wine shade, plum wine is its cooler, darker and moodier sister; a true purple-brown with just the merest whisper of red. Colorists are likely to reach for Koleston Perfect to recreate this shade, as its delectable intensity is the ideal match for such a vibrant yet vampy hue.

Best suited to:

• Cool undertones.
• Neutral skin tones.
• Olive complexions.

Red Wine Hair Color Maintenance: 5 Tips to Make it Last

1. Wash with a Color-Safe Shampoo

You don't want to strip your red wine shade away, so wash with gentle, color-safe formulas only. A sulfate-free shampoo is a great option, as it cleanses using mild surfactants that protect your shade. Our favorite? ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo, which also harnesses anti-metal technology, so it removes shade-distorting metals for up to 10 weeks of color vibrancy².

2. Reduce Your Rinsing Steps

The more your hair is exposed to water, the faster your shade will fade. So, reduce your rinsing steps by swapping traditional conditioners and hair masks for a nourishing leave-in. ULTIMATE COLOR Miracle Leave-In Mask was formulated with this in mind, giving you moisture, shine, breakage defense and UV protection in one creamy treatment.

3. Protect Against Heat and Sun Exposure

Hot tools and UV rays can cause the hair cuticle to lift, allowing red hair pigments to easily escape. Cue brassiness and faded color. This is why it's crucial to apply a protective serum daily. ULTIMATE REPAIR 5-in-1 Protective Leave-In is your multi-tasking choice; a delicate cream that sinks in fast to shield against heat styling, sun exposure, breakage, frizz and mechanical damage.

Red Wine Hair Color FAQ</h2>

What is Red Wine Hair Color?

Wine red hair is actually a family of shades – not a single hue – with dark, velvety tones reminiscent of something you'd sip at the world's most illustrious vineyards. These deep red hair colors can reflect purple tinges or richer hints of brown, meaning you can wear the look warm or cool, depending on what's best suited to your skin tone.

Is Red Wine Hair the Same as Burgundy?

Burgundy is one of many red wine hair colors you can wear. It sits on the bolder, brighter end of the shade spectrum, with hints of purple grape making it pop in the most eye-catching way.

Does Red Wine Work on Dark Hair?

Yes, red wine colors work on dark hair. Because these reds are inherently deep and velvety, a dark brunette base is the perfect canvas for a burgundy balayage or monochromatic merlot. Show your

What Skin Tone Suits Red Wine Hair?

You can find a red wine shade to suit all skin tones. Red-brown cabernet is your pick for a rich, radiant color that works for everyone. If your complexion is warm, try velvety merlots, spicy mulled wines, auburn-tined pinot noirs, or create contrast with a plum wine. If your skin is cool-toned or olive, indulge in bright sangria, a bluer-tinged merlot, or burgundy hair colors. Neutral complexions can wear any wine shade they please.

Does Red Wine Hair Require Bleach?

Depending on how dark your base is, and how bold you want your red wine hair color to be, your hair may need lightening before your color is applied. However, wine shades can often be applied to dark hair without the need for bleaching first. Your Wella hair colorist will be able to advise on your individual needs during your consultation.

What is the Difference Between Merlot and Burgundy Hair Color?

These vivid shades differ in their undertones. Merlot red leans red-brown, with velvety crimson tones that create a softer, more natural finish. Burgundy hair color contains more violet pigments, giving it a cooler, brighter, jewel-toned appearance.

Is Red Wine Hair Low-Maintenance?

The darker your red wine hair color is, the lower maintenance it will be, as the tones will usually fade gently into your dark brown base. A warmer and lighter wine shade tends to need a little more upkeep to prevent it turning brassy. No matter what shade you're wearing, make sure you visit the salon every 6-8 weeks to keep it looking fresh and vibrant.

Which Shampoo is Best for Red Wine Hair?

Use a color-safe shampoo that promises protection. ULTIMATE COLOR Shampoo is the go-to for our professionals, with a sulfate-free, gentle lather that removes shade-distorting metals for up to 10 weeks of color vibrancy². Focus on massaging it into the roots, then let it run through the lengths for the most color-conscious cleanse.

Ready For Your Red Wine Transformation?

Save these looks, and take them to your nearest Wella salon to recreate your own wine red hair color. Use the Salon Finder to discover your closest location.

¹ Strengthens chemically treated hair.

² With regular use of Ultimate Color regimen from salon to home.