Collection: Plum Burgundy Hair Color

Plum Burgundy Hair Color: Getting the Purple Balance Right

Plum burgundy hair color leans further into the purple end of the burgundy spectrum, offering a cooler, more dramatic alternative to the warmer red-burgundy tones most people picture first when they hear the word burgundy. It's a striking shade, but one that requires a bit more understanding of purple undertone behaviour to get right on the first try.

Where Plum Sits on the Burgundy Spectrum

Burgundy isn't one fixed colour, it spans from warm, red-leaning wine tones to cooler, purple-dominant shades. Plum burgundy sits firmly in the cooler, purple-forward category.

• More purple pigment relative to red compared to standard burgundy formulations
• Often described as resembling the deep purple skin of a ripe plum, which is where the name comes from
• Reads as more dramatic and less "red" than typical burgundy in most lighting conditions, indoors and outdoors alike

Why Purple-Based Tones Need Careful Handling

Purple pigment molecules behave somewhat differently from red or brown pigments during both application and fading, which means they deserve a bit more attention before you commit.

• Purple tones can appear more intense immediately after application, before settling slightly over the first 24 to 48 hours

• As plum burgundy fades, it often shifts toward a more muted, ashy tone rather than warming up the way red-based burgundy tends to fade

• Purple pigments can also be more prone to unexpected results on hair with certain prior chemical treatments, making a strand test especially important before full application

Who Plum Burgundy Tends to Suit

• Cooler skin undertones generally pair well with plum burgundy's purple-forward base
• Those wanting a more dramatic colour statement than a standard warm burgundy shade would offer
• Darker natural hair bases, since plum tones tend to show more richly against deep brown or black hair, compared to very light bases, where the purple can look almost artificial or harsh

How Plum Burgundy Interacts With Grey Hair

Grey and white hair lacks melanin, and purple-based tones in particular can develop unpredictably on strands with no underlying pigment.

• Grey sections may pick up plum tones more intensely than pigmented hair does
• Uneven grey distribution across the head can result in a patchy purple effect if the application isn't thorough and even throughout
• A strand test specifically including grey sections is strongly recommended before full application with this particular shade family

Testing Plum Burgundy Before Full Commitment

1. Strand test on a section including both pigmented and grey hair, if applicable to your situation
2. Wait the full 24 to 48 hours before judging the result, since purple tones can shift noticeably as they settle into their final tone
3. View the tested result in both natural and indoor light, since plum burgundy's purple base can look quite different under each type of lighting
4. Compare the settled result against your skin tone directly before proceeding to full head application

Formulation Considerations Specific to Purple-Based Tones

Purple pigments require careful formulation balance to avoid looking either too flat or unpredictably intense once applied. Understanding a brand's approach to pigment stability for more complex tonal shades, like the reasoning explained on Natrique Naturals' Science In Us page, is worth reviewing before trying a shade in this cooler, purple-forward family for the first time.

Maintaining Plum Burgundy Over Time

• Use a colour-safe shampoo, ideally one formulated specifically for cool or purple-toned hair colour
• Wash with cool water to slow the shift toward a muted, ashy fade that purple tones tend toward over time
• Limit sun exposure where possible, since UV exposure can accelerate the fading of purple pigments in particular, compared to warmer tones
• Expect touch-ups every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain the depth of the purple tone as it naturally fades between applications

Common Mistakes With Plum Burgundy

• Judging the colour too soon after application, before it has had time to settle, over 24 to 48 hours
• Skipping a strand test on grey sections, specifically, which can lead to unexpected patchiness across the head
• Assuming plum burgundy behaves identically to warmer, red-based burgundy shades in terms of both fading pattern and overall maintenance needs
• Applying colour unevenly due to rushing, which shows up more visibly with a dramatic tone like plum than with subtler shades

A Few Styling Considerations Worth Noting

• Plum burgundy tends to photograph differently under flash versus natural light, so keep this in mind if you're coordinating the shade with an upcoming event

• The purple undertone can interact with certain hair accessories or clothing colours differently than a standard brown or warm burgundy would

• Since this is a more dramatic shade, planning your first application with some flexibility in timing, rather than right before an important occasion, gives you room to adjust if needed

Where to Explore This Deeper Tonal Range

For those interested in exploring plum or other deep, cool-toned shades, the gel hair color collection includes options within this richer tonal family, formulated for controlled, even development at home.

Final Thoughts

Plum burgundy rewards a bit of patience and careful testing more than most standard brown or warm burgundy shades. Understanding how its purple base behaves differently, both during application and as it fades, helps you commit to this dramatic shade with realistic expectations rather than surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is plum burgundy different from regular burgundy? Plum burgundy leans more purple, while standard burgundy tends to carry a warmer, more red-based tone overall.

Why does plum burgundy look different right after application versus a day later? Purple pigments often appear more intense immediately after application and settle slightly over 24 to 48 hours.

Does plum burgundy suit lighter natural hair bases? It tends to look richer and more natural against darker bases, since very light hair can make the purple appear overly artificial.

How does plum burgundy fade over time? It typically shifts toward a more muted, ashy tone rather than warming up like red-based burgundy shades tend to.

Is a strand test more important for plum burgundy than other shades? Yes, since purple-based tones can behave unpredictably, especially on grey hair or previously treated strands.

How often do I need to touch up plum burgundy? Generally, every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain the depth of the purple tone as it naturally fades.