If you’re tired of basic brunette vibes and want something that turns heads without screaming for attention, chocolate burgundy might just be your soulmate shade. Whether you’re naturally dark-haired or ready for a dramatic switch-up, this color works across seasons, skin tones, and vibes.
Plus, it photographs like a dream (hello, Instagram-worthy hair days). Let me walk you through ten gorgeous ways to rock this trend, because trust me, your hair is about to enter its main character era.
GORGEOUS Chocolate Burgundy Hair Color Ideas
The beauty of chocolate burgundy lies in its versatility. You can go full-on vampy with deep wine tones or keep things subtle with just hints of burgundy running through rich chocolate brown.
Here’s the thing though—each variation creates a completely different vibe, so choosing the right one depends on your maintenance commitment, natural base color, and personal style. Let’s dive into these gorgeous options that’ll have you booking a salon appointment faster than you can say “new hair, who dis?”
Deep Chocolate Cherry
This is the OG chocolate burgundy situation, and it’s absolutely stunning. We’re talking a rich, dark chocolate base with vibrant cherry-red tones woven throughout. The color shifts depending on lighting—indoors it reads as a sophisticated deep brown, but catch the sunlight? Chef’s kiss. Those burgundy undertones come alive and it’s absolutely mesmerizing.
Best for: Oval and heart-shaped faces, as the richness adds softness without overwhelming features. If you’ve got a round face, ask your stylist to add some face-framing layers to create length.
Styling tip: This color pairs beautifully with gold jewelry and warm-toned outfits. Think burnt orange, mustard yellow, or classic black. For special occasions, curl it loosely to catch maximum light reflection. The dimension in this color really pops with movement.
Maintenance level: Medium to high. You’ll want to use color-depositing shampoos weekly to keep those cherry tones vibrant, and purple shampoo can help prevent any unwanted warm brassiness.
Burgundy Balayage Bliss
If commitment issues are your thing (no judgment, same), burgundy balayage is your best friend. This technique keeps your roots darker while painting burgundy tones through the mid-lengths and ends. The result? A lived-in, effortlessly cool look that grows out beautifully.
Face shape compatibility: Literally everyone. The hand-painted technique allows your colorist to customize placement based on your features. They can concentrate color where it flatters you most.
Outfit pairing: This works with everything from casual denim to cocktail dresses. The gradual color transition means you’re not locked into one specific aesthetic.
- Grows out naturally with minimal awkward stages
- Lower maintenance than all-over color
- Perfect for testing the burgundy waters before going full send
- Adds dimension without harsh lines
Pro tip: Ask your stylist to concentrate the burgundy around your face if you want a more dramatic effect, or keep it toward the ends for something subtle.
Cherry Cola Balayage
Remember those cherry cola lip glosses from the 2000s? This is that energy, but make it hair. Cherry cola balayage combines deep brown roots with glossy, cola-inspired burgundy tones. It’s slightly cooler than the cherry chocolate version, giving off major “expensive hair” vibes.
Ideal occasions: This is your corporate-friendly burgundy option. Professional enough for the office but interesting enough for after-work drinks. It’s that sweet spot between conservative and creative.
Styling suggestions: Sleek straight styles show off the color beautifully, but beach waves add incredible dimension. Use a shine serum religiously—this color thrives on glossiness.
| Hair Length | Best Styling Approach |
|---|---|
| Short | Textured pixie or sleek bob with side part |
| Medium | Loose waves or messy bun to show dimension |
| Long | Mermaid waves or high ponytail for color showcase |
Chocolate Brown Red Fusion
This is for my bold brunettes who want to make a statement without going full red. Chocolate brown red fusion keeps a solid dark chocolate base but incorporates visible red panels throughout. It’s more graphic than balayage, creating distinct (but blended) sections of color.
Best suited for: Square and rectangular face shapes benefit from this because the color placement can soften strong jawlines. Your colorist can strategically place red sections to frame and flatter.
Maintenance reality check: This one requires touch-ups every 6-8 weeks to keep the red vibrant. Red fades faster than any other color family, so invest in sulfate-free products and cold water rinses.
Occasion versatility: Music festivals? Check. Date night? Absolutely. Corporate presentation? Maybe ask your manager first, depending on your industry. This one definitely leans edgier.
Dark Chocolate Cherry Brown
If “subtle but make it interesting” is your motto, dark chocolate cherry brown delivers. This keeps things predominantly dark chocolate with just whispers of cherry burgundy that only reveal themselves in certain lighting. It’s mysterious, sophisticated, and incredibly low-maintenance.
Face shape freedom: Works universally because it doesn’t dramatically change your overall appearance. The subtle burgundy just adds interest without overwhelming your features.
Perfect for: Anyone with brown skin tones—seriously, this color looks absolutely phenomenal against deeper complexions. The burgundy undertones complement warm and cool skin tones beautifully.
Winter styling hack: This color looks incredible with winter whites and creams. The contrast makes the burgundy tones pop without needing bright sunlight.
Ombre Chocolate Burgundy
Taking things vertical with an ombre means darker chocolate roots transitioning to burgundy ends. It’s the most dramatic of the gradients, creating a clear “before and after” effect on your head.
Height considerations: If you’re petite, keep the transition higher up to avoid looking bottom-heavy. Taller individuals can rock the transition starting at ear-level for maximum drama.
Styling for success: This looks incredible on long hair where there’s real estate to show the full transition. On short hair, you’ll only catch the ends, which can still be cute but less impactful.
- No root touch-ups needed (seriously, none)
- Grows out gracefully for literal months
- Easy to refresh just the ends if color fades
- Can be trimmed without losing the effect entirely
Burgundy Highlights on Dark Brown
Conservative but still interesting? Burgundy highlights woven through dark brown hair give you “I did something different” vibes without shocking your grandmother at Sunday dinner. These are thinner, more strategic placements of burgundy rather than all-over color.
Short hair compatibility: YES. Highlights actually work beautifully on short styles like pixie cuts and bobs, adding dimension that longer hair gets naturally from length.
Face framing strategy: Ask your stylist to place highlights around your face for a brightening effect. This works particularly well if you have a round or square face shape, as the lighter tones create the illusion of length.
Formula consideration: Your colorist will likely use foils for this technique, creating more deliberate, ribbon-like strands of burgundy throughout your chocolate base.
Blonde Highlights with Burgundy Accents
Okay, hear me out. Blonde highlights with burgundy accents sounds chaotic, but when done right? Incredible. We’re talking dimensional chocolate brown with strategic blonde pieces AND burgundy accents. It’s a lot, but it’s also stunning and totally unique.
Who can pull this off: Adventurous souls with medium to long hair. You need length to distribute three colors without looking like a tie-dye experiment gone wrong.
Skin tone considerations: This works particularly well on olive and tan skin tones. The mix of warm and cool tones creates balance against medium complexions.
Maintenance warning: This is high-maintenance territory. You’re managing blonde (which can brass), burgundy (which fades), and brown (which can oxidize). Budget for salon visits every 5-6 weeks and top-tier hair products.
Cherry Chocolate Balayage Perfection
Cherry chocolate balayage leans heavier on the cherry than traditional chocolate burgundy. Think bright, glossy cherry tones melted into a chocolate brown base. It’s fruit-forward, if hair color can be fruit-forward.
Seasonal consideration: This is the fall and winter color. Those cherry tones look incredible against cozy sweaters and autumn landscapes. Come spring, you might feel a little heavy, so consider refreshing toward something lighter.
Outfit coordination: Jewel tones are your best friends here—emerald green, sapphire blue, and amethyst purple all complement the cherry beautifully. Avoid orange and coral, which can clash.
Formula expectation: Your colorist will likely use a violet-based red to achieve those cherry tones, which means you’ll need violet-depositing products to maintain vibrancy.
Subtle Burgundy Color Melt
The color melt technique creates the smoothest, most seamless transition from chocolate to burgundy. There are no visible lines—just a gradual shift that looks like your hair naturally grows burgundy (if only). This is probably the most modern and editorial of all the options.
Professional appeal: If you work in a creative field or somewhere with flexible dress codes, this is sophisticated enough to feel polished while being interesting enough to show personality.
Best hair length: Medium to long. Color melts need space to, well, melt. On very short hair, you won’t see the full transition effect.
Application process: This takes longer in the salon (think 3-4 hours minimum) because it requires precision blending. But the results last longer and grow out more gracefully than traditional highlights or ombre.
| Technique | Maintenance Level | Grow-Out Grace | Best Hair Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-over color | High | Low | Any |
| Balayage | Medium | High | Medium-Long |
| Ombre | Low | Very High | Long |
| Highlights | Medium-High | Medium | Any |
| Color Melt | Medium | Very High | Medium-Long |
What Skin Tone Is Best for Chocolate Burgundy Hair?
Here’s the tea: chocolate burgundy is actually one of the most universally flattering color families out there, which is partly why it’s having such a moment. But let me break down the specifics because some variations will absolutely chef’s kiss on certain skin tones more than others.
For Brown Skin and Deep Complexions: You’ve basically won the chocolate burgundy lottery. This color looks absolutely phenomenal on deeper skin tones because the richness of the burgundy and chocolate creates this gorgeous, cohesive look without washing you out. The wine-toned undertones complement melanin-rich skin beautifully, creating contrast without being harsh. If you have brown skin, consider going for the deeper, more saturated versions like dark chocolate cherry brown or deep chocolate cherry. These richer tones create stunning dimension against your complexion. Avoid anything too light or ashy, as it can look disconnected. The warmth in chocolate burgundy harmonizes with the golden and red undertones often present in brown skin.
For Olive and Tan Skin Tones: Lucky you—you’re in the sweet spot where pretty much any version of chocolate burgundy will work. The neutral-to-warm undertones in olive skin pair beautifully with the wine-red tones in burgundy. You can go bold with cherry cola balayage or keep it subtle with dark chocolate cherry brown. If you lean more olive, consider cooler burgundy tones (think more wine, less cherry). If you’re more golden-tan, warmer burgundy shades (more cherry, less wine) will complement your skin’s warmth. Pro tip: if you have olive skin with cool undertones, the burgundy balayage or cherry cola options will look especially stunning because they incorporate both warm and cool tones.
For Fair and Light Skin: Chocolate burgundy can absolutely work on fair skin, but you’ll want to be strategic. Go for versions that incorporate lighter elements or aren’t so dark they create too much contrast. Burgundy highlights on dark brown or blonde highlights with burgundy accents can look incredibly chic on fair skin without being overwhelming. The key is ensuring there’s some lightness to prevent the color from looking too heavy or harsh against your complexion. If you have pink undertones, lean toward cooler burgundy shades. If you have yellow or golden undertones, warmer cherry-based versions will be more flattering. Fair-skinned folks should generally avoid going too dark all over, as it can age you—instead, incorporate dimension through balayage or highlights.
Cool vs. Warm Undertones—The Real Game Changer: Regardless of your skin’s depth, your undertones matter more than you might think. If you have cool undertones (your veins look blue/purple, silver jewelry flatters you), opt for burgundy shades that lean more wine/plum. If you have warm undertones (green-looking veins, gold jewelry is your thing), choose cherry-forward burgundy tones with more red. Neutral undertones? You’re basically playing on easy mode—everything works.
The Blonde Connection: If you’re currently blonde or have blonde highlights in your hair, transitioning to chocolate burgundy is totally doable, but it’ll require some toning finesse. Your colorist will likely need to fill your hair first to avoid the burgundy looking muddy or washing out too quickly. Blonde highlights with burgundy accents (mentioned earlier) can be a great transitional option that lets you ease into deeper color without going all-in immediately.
FAQs
Can I achieve chocolate burgundy hair at home or should I go to a salon?
Honestly? Unless you’re already experienced with at-home color, I’d recommend going to a professional for this one. Chocolate burgundy requires specific color mixing to get that perfect balance between brown and burgundy—too much red and you’ll look Ronald McDonald, too much brown and the burgundy won’t show. Plus, techniques like balayage and color melting require skill that’s hard to replicate in your bathroom mirror. If budget is a concern, look for beauty schools or junior stylists who charge less. A mediocre professional job beats a botched home dye situation every time.
What’s the best shampoo and conditioner for maintaining chocolate burgundy hair?
You’ll want sulfate-free formulas specifically designed for color-treated hair. Sulfates strip color faster than anything else. Look for shampoos with color-depositing properties in red or burgundy tones—brands like Overtone, Keracolor, and Viral make excellent color-depositing conditioners. Use purple shampoo occasionally (maybe once every 2-3 weeks) if you notice any brassiness developing, but don’t overdo it or you’ll neutralize the warmth you actually want. Invest in a good leave-in conditioner and heat protectant spray too, because dryness makes color look dull and lifeless.
Does chocolate burgundy hair look professional enough for corporate environments?
This really depends on your specific workplace culture and industry. In creative fields, tech companies, and modern startups, chocolate burgundy is totally fine and might even be considered pretty conservative. In more traditional corporate environments like finance, law, or conservative healthcare settings, you might get some side-eye. The subtle versions (dark chocolate cherry brown, burgundy highlights) are more workplace-friendly than bold cherry chocolate balayage. When in doubt, check your employee handbook for grooming policies or look around at what others in your office are doing. You could also start with something subtle and gauge reactions before going bolder.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not saying chocolate burgundy hair will solve all your problems, but it might solve your “I need a change but don’t know what” problem, and honestly, that’s significant. Whether you’re going full vampy with deep chocolate cherry or keeping things low-key with subtle burgundy accents, this color family brings something special to the table that basic brown just can’t match.
The best part? You don’t have to commit to one specific shade forever. Hair grows, color fades, and trends evolve—that’s the beauty of it. Start with burgundy highlights if you’re nervous, or go full send with an all-over color melt if you’re feeling bold. There’s no wrong answer here, just different levels of drama.
Before you book that appointment though, do yourself a favor: screenshot your favorite ideas from this list, save some inspiration pics (Pinterest is your friend), and have an actual conversation with your colorist about maintenance expectations. Nothing ruins a beautiful color faster than unrealistic upkeep expectations and drugstore shampoo (seriously, invest in the good stuff).
And remember—hair is just hair. It grows, it changes, and sometimes it turns out differently than you expected. But that’s kind of the fun of it, right? So go ahead, book that appointment, and step into your chocolate burgundy era. Your basic brown hair has had its moment; it’s time for something richer.
