Burgundy · Level 3
Oxblood.
Somber, dramatic, expensive — the deepest burgundy, set on a black-brown velvet base.
By the Hair Color editorsReviewed by the Hair Color editorial teamTested in the virtual studio
- Bleach
- Not needed
- Gray coverage
- full
- Upkeep
- medium
- Fade
- Stays deep 6 weeks
Who oxblood flatters.
Oxblood sharpens cool undertones — pink, rosy, or porcelain skin, especially if silver jewelry flatters you; is forgiving on neutral undertones — skin that sits between warm and cool. If you wear burgundy tones already, this shade sits naturally inside the family — rich wine tones with edge.
Commitment check.
Medium upkeep. Plan a gloss or tone refresh every 4–6 weeks, color-safe shampoo, and cooler washes to hold the reflect.
Full gray coverage — formulated pigment fills resistant white strands completely.
Fade timeline: Stays deep 6 weeks; crimson reflect fades first.
What to ask your stylist.
Ask for a level 3 oxblood with cool and neutral reflect, and confirm whether your current base needs any lift with a strand test. Bring a daylight photo of your goal — salon lighting makes every shade look perfect, and you want the street version.
Try it before you dye it.
Swatch cards lie and packaging lighting lies. Preview oxblood on your own photo with the before/after slider, drag the intensity from a whisper at 10% to full saturation at 100%, and compare it against cherry cola side by side. Then take the two-minute quiz to see where it ranks for your undertone.
Oxblood FAQs.
Does oxblood hair color require bleach?
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Usually not — Oxblood (level 3) can be reached on most bases without lift. Very dark or previously colored hair may still need a clarifying or color-removal step, so confirm with a strand test.
What skin tone suits oxblood?
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Oxblood leans cool and neutral and sharpens cool undertones — pink, rosy, or porcelain skin, especially if silver jewelry flatters you; is forgiving on neutral undertones — skin that sits between warm and cool. Still unsure? The two-minute shade quiz reads your undertone from vein, jewelry, and sun-response checks and ranks this shade against all 51.
How much upkeep does oxblood need?
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Medium upkeep. Plan a gloss or tone refresh every 4–6 weeks, color-safe shampoo, and cooler washes to hold the reflect. Stays deep 6 weeks; crimson reflect fades first. Cold-water washes and color-safe shampoo stretch every shade further.
Does oxblood cover gray hair?
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Full gray coverage — formulated pigment fills resistant white strands completely.
How long does oxblood last before it fades?
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Stays deep 6 weeks; crimson reflect fades first. Because the base sits close to natural depths, grow-out stays soft rather than stripey.
What's the difference between oxblood and cherry cola?
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They share the burgundy family, but Cherry Cola leans warm and cool while Oxblood leans cool and neutral. The fastest way to choose is to preview both on your own photo and see which one lights up your skin.
Will oxblood work on dark hair without bleach?
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Yes — at level 3 with no bleach required, Oxblood deposits directly onto most dark bases, which is exactly why the burgundy family is the lowest-risk entry point. The caveat is history: box-dye buildup or henna can block even deposit-only color, so do a strand test if your ends carry old pigment.
Similar shades.
All burgundyCherry Cola
Level 3 · burgundy
Burgundy Wine
Level 4 · burgundy
More burgundy reading.
Autumn/Winter 2026
Burgundy Wine, the Merlot That Loves Everyone
Full-bodied cool-violet red with full gray coverage — the most forgiving statement shade in the catalog.
Autumn/Winter 2026
Cherry Cola Is the Color of the Season
Dark chocolate roots melted into black-cherry ends — the low-lift hybrid dominating salons this year.