Burgundy hair--do I dare?

It sometimes takes me a while to find the time to schedule a cut and color as it usually takes at least 2.5-3 hours. Pic 12 is just after my last cut/color (which was in February, can't believe it's been 4 months already, yikes!). Pic 13 is one of the more recent ones showing how my hair has grown out a bit. I finally booked another cut/color appointment on Friday. So far when I've colored it no one can tell it's any different except the grays look more golden colored, and it's a semi permanent single color so it just gradually fades away. I've been tempted to do something a little more daring with my hair color and am attracted to doing something with more burgundy or black cherry highlights. Kinda letting my UWP persona come out a bit, but I still need to look professional. These are some of the pics I sent to my hairstylist. She warned me that if I change hair color it would involve bleaching and more frequent upkeep. What do you think--am I being crazy? Also, any thoughts on cut? She wants to get rid of my bangs but I'm kind of partial to them. Although they do get in the way when they get long. I'm thinking something like 14 for cut? I think I prefer the current longer length of 13 to 12 so probably not going to cut too much length off.

Thanks for your advice!

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

33 Comments

  • replied 7 years ago

    Yes, I say you should dare. Maybe a side swept bang. I like some of the asymmetrical cuts, but you may want to go color or cut to change up the look, not necessarily both. Also, you would need to make sure you don't mind the more frequent upkeep before committing. Cut in 14 is current, and not too out there. And there are a lot of hues you could go that are not all super dramatic (unless you want to). I personally prefer some of the deeper colors over the lighter ones.

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    I had my hair colored a version of this shade. It did require bleaching which is very hard on our hair type. I loved it but the upkeep was just too much. Consider how much you want to add more maintenance to your busy life and damage your glorious hair. That said, is it a gorgeous color? Yes! Here's a pic of me stuffing a beignet into my mouth, the only good photo I could find of the color.

    I think Diana also does this color.

  • goldenpig replied 7 years ago

    Yes delurked, I'm worried about doing something too drastic. I'd rather go darker than too light. My mom bleaches her hair and I already told my stylist that I don't want to go that light. DH would FREAK if I came home looking like my mom!

    Una, maybe I should just ask for a few highlights then? I don't want to damage my hair!

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    I love the shade of the last pic I posted. You could start with a wash of color without bleach - more subtle and you can ease into the change.

  • goldenpig replied 7 years ago

    Yeah maybe I should just ask for no bleach! Scared now!

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    You can also bleach a streak to start. Look at Rachy's pics of going to green. The texture and color of bleached Asian hair is not for the faint of heart. Don't be afraid - be sure to ask lots of questions!

  • replied 7 years ago

    Ooh, I love the idea of burgundy for you! I think Una's wise suggestion of a wash of colour and perhaps a few bleach and coloured streaks would be a fabulous way to try it.

  • replied 7 years ago

    It would be stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!  

  • Maneera replied 7 years ago

    Yes! It would look stunning on you, Natalie. I have colored my hair burgundy in the past, without the bleach, of course. The result on our darker Asian hair is less dramatic....but the burgundy looks amazing in natural sunlight.

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    I love the look of burgundy hair.  The upkeep sounds like something for high maintenance hair people.  Great if you are one.   I suspect the condition of your hair would be different.
    I prefer your hair longer.  I think it suits your face.  Long layers are very current.  Of course I tend to favour hair that is shoulder length or longer.  Though not always.
    I am also an extremely low maintenance hair person.  I have never coloured my hair (except for some highlights 15 to 20 years ago which I regretted) and I get my hair cut about every 3 months.  Blow drying is something I do for a special event.  I have figured out how to trim my own bangs.  I do it every 2 weeks. 

  • Runs With Scissors replied 7 years ago

    Have you thought about just dyeing the under-layers of your hair?  This makes maintenance a lot easier.  I have the same problem with getting to the salon, so I've just been doing some streaks in the under-layers.   Thinking about doing more of the under-layer soon.

    I have done a burgundy semi-permanent color without bleach in the past, and it was virtually invisible on my dark hair -- just a few burgundy highlights in the sun.  Color washed out in a week or so too.  

  • bella replied 7 years ago

    Yes, I am going to suggest no bleach, overall permanent color to start with. It is more subtle, but if you have some grays, that will give you some natural highlights as well. If you like it, you can bleach some streaks, or just go back to a darker color. 
    For length, I actually like your current length the best even more than when it was first cut in February. I would only get a trim if I were you. 

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    I like Unu's suggestion of a some streaks at first.  You can decide if you like it enough to commit to the upkeep.  I think the upkeep with more frequent salon visits might be the biggest problem for you with the color.  4 months would be way too long between appointments.  My hair isn't colored right now (although I'm considering some highlights for the summer) and I go in for a trim every 6 weeks.  It takes an hour and I like having someone pamper me by washing and cutting my hair.

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    It is beautiful but I agree with the many upkeep and time and lifestyle.  For me bleaching destroyed my hair.  So I shaved it and went Cue Ball Clean.  I wanted that pic 12.  Next time I'm gonna wig it or weave it up

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    The colour would be gorgeous on you, Natalie, but I think it's good to take Una's wisdom to heart. Try something that involves lower maintenance for this phase of life. 

  • BrieN replied 7 years ago

    I agree wholeheartedly about avoiding the bleach. The minute the color starts to fade you start seeing the bleached out sections, and they can be wildly brassy. 

  • Mochi replied 7 years ago

    You know we're generally enablers here when it comes to hair color. I think that this color would look great on you! I also had a subtle purplish temporary dye job last month and I liked it a lot. 

  • deb replied 7 years ago

    Oh Natalie, YES.

  • jill58 replied 7 years ago

    Natalie, I'll cast my vote for a very dark burgundy. I think it would look terrific, but I like to keep maintenance low too so do whatever seems to make sense--a wash of color as Una said. I love your bangs and current length.

  • kkards replied 7 years ago

    love...love...love the color! but agreeing with comments above......if you are not willing to commit to regular maintenance every 5-6 weeks then, try something less dramatic.

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    I think every girl should dye her hair at least once in her lifetime! :) I used to get pieces dyed with red, no bleach. It showed. Mind you, it was $300 a pop, and the stylist was a master. I want to say I got highlights, but I think the term denotes a particular type of process. No idea what products she used. Also, remember, the exact colour you'll get will probably be a surprise.

    Also, you don't have to bleach to white. You can take it easier, which is what I did.

    I like the idea of the cut too :) The two lengths...like a bob over long hair.

  • RobinF replied 7 years ago

    I think a burgundy color would be really pretty on you. And I love that cut in #14.

  • Momo replied 7 years ago

    Yes!

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    I wouldn't bleach if I were you. You're very busy. This would require a lot of maintenance compared to color and cut every four months. Didn't you want to simplify?

  • Jane replied 7 years ago

    Gorgeous but I would consider carefully. I really like the idea of some highlights, you can always go back for more if it works. I think the colour is great and I think your matchy-matchy style could lead to some great and fun colour matching.

    I've a job which is serious and straight. I didn't / don't want my hair to be a distraction. I had some very bright red highlights just before a 10 day break. It worked well, as I got used to the colour and it calmed down by the time I returned. It was grat fun to do!

  • Aida replied 7 years ago

    Hopefully Diana chimes in, she does do a burgundy but overtop her hair color without any bleach. It's definitely subtler than some of your inspiration photos but certainly noticeable in person.

  • Diana replied 7 years ago

    Yes! Mine is actually purple over my natural black. I find it fades less badly than red (which I used to do and it would end up cognac after a couple of months). It's subtler than if you bleached first bit I'm not willing to let bleach touch my hair. Most obvious in sunlight.

    And um I get my hair cut and colored like once every 6 months. It's fine. Over black the roots are not very obvious and looks more like highlights anyway.

  • Nebraskim replied 7 years ago

    I have done burgundy/eggplant over my hair (which is hapa hair, so not as dark as yours) and I LOVED it. It was not bleached first. The product is more like a stain and it does wash out but if you are careful, you can keep it going for several weeks before needing to re-apply. I think you will love it. I also have put a cobalt color over my hair and it was spectacular, too. My hair is super short right now, and I really want to put in some brash color, like green, purple or blue.

    Be prepared, BTW,  for people to say really stupid things, though, if you do go this route. I was at church on Christmas eve a few years ago and happened to sit in a spotlight that particularly highlighted my burgundy hair. Afterwards, a young woman came up to me and was all gushy and said, "OMG OMG Did you know your hair is like purple? Did you want it that way? Do you like it? Like how long have you had purple hair?" I wanted to say to her: "OMG OMG WHAT? My hair is PURPLE? Are you kidding me? What am I going to do about purple hair!" But instead I just said "Oh, um, thanks for noticing."

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    I make it a point to text my husband whenever three people gush over my hair in a day. :D Something about the grey, blue and green really gets a lot of comments. I tell people it's all natural.

  • goldenpig replied 7 years ago

    Great! Thank you all for your advice! Diana, I LOVE the pic of your hair! I think that's what I'm going for! I'll show her your pic too! Nebraskim, too funny, I bet your purple hair was lovely!  Una, I texted that last photo in your group (love the cut and color) to my stylist as well. She said she is on the same page as me that we don't want to do bleach but she'll try to find something with more of a burgundy tint. Yes I am very low maintenance with my hair so I think anything with bleach is going to be too much. It sounds like the color will be much more subtle than the pics above, but I think I don't want anything too bold. Don't want to suddenly show up with purple hair and have DH and everyone at work freak out! Also, weirdly, my grandma used to do purple/bluish hair so I want to avoid light orange like my mom and bluish purple like my grandma. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but I like to have my own style!

    RunsWithScissors, I totally want this oil slick rainbow secret underlayer hair. Maybe someday!
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/fem.....-internet-

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    Love the hidden color! See below...

  • goldenpig replied 7 years ago

    Love it Una! If I ever got the courage to do that, I would have to spring for a pair of Arabian Nights Tieks and do the matchy matchy oil slick bookending!

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    OMG!

You need to be logged in to comment