Mulled wine hair color ideas for winter start with the colour of the season’s favourite drink: deep, warm, spiced red, made for candlelight and cold evenings. Mulled wine hair is a rich, wine-red brunette, deeper than cherry, warmer than burgundy, and glossier than both. It looks almost brown in low light, then catches the light and reveals ribbons of deep red, plum and warm spice. It is the colour of winter parties, of festive dinners and of long evenings by the fire, and it suits brunettes and redheads alike.
If you have been tempted by red hair but worried it would be too bright, mulled wine is your shade. It gives you the drama of red with the depth of brown, and it flatters warm, cool and neutral skin tones alike, because the wine tones are deep rather than vivid. It works on long waves, on sharp bobs and on curls, and it pairs perfectly with winter wardrobes full of black, cream, camel and burgundy. In this guide you will find 13 mulled wine hair color ideas for winter, plus honest advice on who it suits, how it works on dark and light bases, how to style it for parties, how to keep it from fading, and exactly what to ask your colourist so you leave the salon with the deep, festive red you pictured.
What Is Mulled Wine Hair?
Mulled wine hair is a deep, spiced red-brown, like the drink it is named after: dark, warm and full of hidden depth. Your colourist starts with a dark brown or deep red base, then adds wine-red tones in the form of balayage, lowlights or an all-over gloss, depending on how bold you want the red to be. The red is never bright or orange; it is a deep, wine-like red with plum and spice undertones that sits inside the brown and appears when the light hits it. The result is a colour with real depth. Indoors it reads as a glossy dark brunette with a warm glow, outdoors it shows wine red, and under party lights it glows burgundy. That chameleon quality is what makes it so flattering and so fun to wear. It is also a very forgiving colour. Because the base is dark, regrowth is soft, the red fades gradually rather than suddenly, and the shade looks healthy even between appointments. A gloss is the finishing touch that makes mulled wine hair shine, and it is what separates a good mulled wine from a flat dark brown.
Who Does Mulled Wine Hair Suit Best?
Mulled wine hair suits a wide range of people, because it is a blend of brown and red rather than a single note. If your natural hair is dark brown or black-brown, your colourist can add the wine tones with minimal lifting, which keeps your hair healthy. If your hair is lighter, the wine tones will show more vividly, which can be beautiful too, as long as the colourist keeps the base deep. It suits warm skin with golden undertones, because the spice notes pick up the warmth, and cool skin with pink undertones, because the plum notes are very flattering. Neutral skin tones can wear any version, from the subtlest wine gloss to the boldest wine balayage. It is particularly striking on brown, hazel and green eyes, and it makes blue eyes look vivid by contrast. Hair type matters less than the cut. Long waves show off the wine ribbons best, bobs look sharp and modern in mulled wine, and curls catch the red in every curl. If you have very fair skin, ask for a softer, more burgundy version rather than a bright wine, so the colour frames your face without overwhelming it.
13 Mulled Wine Hair Color Ideas for Winter
These 13 mulled wine hair color ideas for winter cover every level of boldness, from a whisper of wine in a dark gloss to full, glowing wine balayage. Save the ones you love and show your colourist the exact shades that catch your eye.
1. Classic Mulled Wine
Classic mulled wine hair is the shade that defines the trend: an even, deep wine-red brown with a gloss on top, worn all over with no obvious highlights. It is dark, rich and incredibly warm, and the beauty is in how the red appears and disappears as you move. Ask for a full-head colour in a dark brown base with a wine-red gloss on top, and keep the tone deep rather than bright. This is the best choice if you want a colour that looks rich and festive without looking obviously red, and it works beautifully on medium to long hair with a soft blow-dry. Style it with loose waves to show off the wine, or wear it straight for a sleek, glossy finish. A colour-safe shampoo and a gloss every six weeks will keep it rich. If you are new to red tones, this is the safest and most flattering place to begin.
2. Mulled Wine Balayage
Balayage is the most natural way to wear mulled wine, because the wine tones are painted on by hand exactly where the light would hit them. The result is a dark brunette that is brighter and redder through the mid-lengths and ends, with no obvious regrowth line. It is perfect if you want red without the commitment of a full-head colour, and it is the easiest version to maintain. Ask for a soft, diffused balayage rather than bold ribbons, and for the lightest wine pieces to sit around your face. This works on every length, but it is especially beautiful on long layers, where the painted pieces create depth as your hair moves. Style it with loose waves to show off the dimension, and refresh the gloss every eight to ten weeks. If you have never tried balayage, mulled wine is the ideal colour to try it with.
3. Deep Mulled Wine
Deep mulled wine is the darkest version of the shade, and it is the one to choose if you love near-black hair with a warm, wine secret. The base is a very dark brown, almost black, and the wine is so deep it only shows in bright light, like a hidden jewel. It is striking, sophisticated and very low maintenance, because the dark base means regrowth is barely visible. Ask your colourist for a dark brown base with a deep wine gloss, and mention that you want the red to be subtle rather than obvious. This shade looks particularly lovely on straight, sleek hair, where the gloss can really shine, and on long hair, where the depth shows. Style it straight with a shine spray for a glassy finish, or add a gentle wave for softness. It pairs beautifully with black and burgundy winter outfits, and it is the most elegant version of mulled wine.
4. Mulled Wine With a Wine Gloss
A wine gloss is the quickest way to try mulled wine without a full colour appointment. Your colourist applies a semi-permanent wine-red gloss over your existing brunette, which adds shine and a wash of wine that fades gradually over four to six weeks. It is perfect if you want to test the shade before committing, or if you want to refresh a mulled wine you already have. Ask for a gloss that is deep wine rather than bright red, and for it to be applied all over for an even result. This is a wonderful option for anyone with healthy dark hair who wants a change that feels fresh without any lifting or damage. Style it as you normally would, and enjoy the extra shine the gloss gives. A gloss is also a lovely treatment between full colour appointments, keeping your mulled wine looking freshly done.
5. Mulled Wine Bob
A mulled wine bob is winter’s most polished combination: a sharp, swinging cut in the richest possible colour. The wine makes the cut look more dramatic, and the cut makes the colour look intentional and chic. Ask for a bob that sits at the jaw or just below it, with a soft, textured edge rather than a hard line, and have the colour applied all over with a wine gloss. This is a wonderful choice for fine hair, because the blunt ends and the dimensional colour together create the illusion of thickness. Style it with a round brush for a bouncy, salon finish, or tuck one side behind your ear for a softer look. A bob grows out quickly, so plan a trim every six weeks to keep the shape. If you have been thinking about a winter chop, this is the colour to pair it with.
6. Mulled Wine on Long Waves
Long waves and mulled wine were made for each other. The waves create movement, and the wine tones create light, so the two together make hair look fuller, shinier and more alive. Ask for long, soft layers that start below the chin, with the wine balayage pieces running through the ends and around the face. The colour should be applied so each wave catches a slightly different tone, from deep brown to bright wine. This is a wonderful choice if you love your length and want a change that feels fresh without losing it. Style it with a large-barrel curling iron for loose, bouncy waves, or let it air-dry with a little wave cream for a softer finish. A regular trim will keep the layers healthy, and a gloss will keep the wine luminous. It is the most romantic version of mulled wine, and it suits winter evenings especially well.
7. Subtle Mulled Wine
Subtle mulled wine is for anyone who wants the richness of the shade without an obvious red. The wine is kept very deep and very soft, so the hair reads as a glossy dark brunette with just a hint of warmth. It is the most wearable version, and it is perfect for work, for anyone who prefers understated colour, or for a first step into red tones. Ask your colourist for a brown base with a low-level wine toner, and mention that you want it subtle rather than bold. This shade looks beautiful on every length, and it is particularly lovely on a long bob, where the clean line shows off the even, glossy tone. Style it straight for a polished finish, and add a shine spray for extra gloss. It pairs with everything in a winter wardrobe, and it is the version to choose if you want people to notice your hair looks beautiful without quite knowing why.
8. Bold Mulled Wine Balayage
Bold mulled wine balayage is the statement version of the shade, with brighter wine pieces painted through the lengths and around the face. The contrast between the dark brown base and the vivid wine is striking, and it is the version that gets the most compliments. Ask for more visible balayage pieces, kept soft at the root so the grow-out stays gentle. This is a wonderful choice for thick hair, which can carry the contrast, and for anyone who loves a dramatic colour. Style it with waves to show off the wine ribbons, and use a colour-safe shampoo to keep the red vivid. A gloss every six weeks will keep the wine bright. It is the most fun version of mulled wine, and it is perfect for the party season, when a bold colour feels exactly right.
9. Mulled Wine With Face-Framing Highlights
Face-framing wine highlights are the quickest way to brighten your whole face without colouring all of your hair. Two soft wine pieces are placed around your face, lightening the front and making your eyes and cheekbones stand out. It is a lovely option if your hair is naturally dark and you want to try mulled wine gently, or if you already have a mulled wine base and want a little extra light. Ask for the pieces to be soft and blended, not chunky, and for the tone to be a deep wine that matches the rest of your colour. This looks beautiful with hair worn down and with hair pulled back, because the bright pieces stay visible either way. It also grows out well, since the pieces sit at the front and blend into the rest of your hair. Pair it with a few balayage pieces through the lengths for a complete look.
10. Mulled Wine Curls
Mulled wine on curls is pure magic, because every curl catches a different tone, from deep brown to bright wine. The result is a rich, multi-dimensional colour that looks different from every angle. Ask your colourist for a balayage or lowlight technique that places the wine through the curls, rather than a flat all-over colour, so the curls can show off the blend. This is a wonderful choice for naturally curly hair, and for anyone who styles their hair with a curling iron. Use a curl cream and a diffuser to define the curls, and a light oil on the ends for shine. A deep conditioning mask once a week will keep the curls soft and the colour rich. Mulled wine curls are the most joyful version of the shade, and they look incredible at winter parties.
11. Mulled Wine With Low Lights
Low lights are the quiet hero of a good mulled wine. A few deeper, plum-brown pieces are woven through the colour to add shadow and contrast, which makes the wine itself look brighter by comparison. This is ideal if your mulled wine has started to look flat, or if you want a colour that still has some of your natural depth. Ask for lowlights that are only one or two levels deeper than your base, placed underneath and through the mid-lengths, so the effect is subtle. It is a wonderful option for winter, when a touch of depth makes hair look richer and healthier. Style it with waves to show the contrast, and enjoy a colour that looks natural and expensive at the same time. Low lights also help the colour grow out more gracefully, because the root area keeps some depth.
12. Spiced Mulled Wine
Spiced mulled wine leans into the warmth, with cinnamon and a touch of copper woven through the wine-red base. It is the warmest, most glowing version of the shade, and it is wonderful if you find cooler reds wash you out in winter. The warmth brings life to pale winter skin and makes a dark coat and a cream scarf look even better. Ask for a warm wine base with spiced balayage pieces, and for a gloss that adds shine rather than ash. This shade looks beautiful on wavy and curly hair, where the warm tones catch the light in every wave. Use a colour-safe shampoo and a weekly mask to keep the warmth rich rather than brassy, and avoid overusing clarifying shampoos, which can strip the red. Pair it with gold jewellery and warm makeup tones for a complete winter look. It is the shade that feels like a warm glow for your hair.
13. Glossy Mulled Wine
Glossy mulled wine is all about the finish. The colour itself is a deep, even wine-red brown, but the star is the shine: a high-gloss top coat that makes the hair look like polished glass. Ask your colourist for a clear or wine gloss on top of your colour, and for a blow-dry with a shine spray to finish. This is the version to choose for a special occasion, a party or a photo, because it looks incredible in pictures. It is also a wonderful way to refresh a mulled wine that has lost its shine. Use a shine spray and a light oil at home to keep the gloss going, and avoid too much heat, which can dull the finish. Style it sleek and straight for maximum impact, or with soft waves for a gentler finish. It is the most glamorous of the 13 shades, and the one that will get the most compliments.
Party Styling for Mulled Wine Hair
Mulled wine hair was made for parties, and the styling should show it off. Loose, bouncy waves are the most flattering party style, because they catch the light and show the wine ribbons. Use a large-barrel curling iron, curl away from your face, and brush the curls out gently for a soft, glamorous finish. For a more polished look, a sleek, straight blow-dry with a shine spray will make the colour look like glass. An updo is also beautiful with mulled wine, because the wine tones around the face frame your features, and a few loose pieces will glow in candlelight. Add a touch of gold jewellery and a deep red lip to complete the festive look, and use a light hair oil on the ends for extra shine. For outfit ideas to pair with your party hair, see our 23 cherry red outfit ideas for a bold and classy style.
For more red inspiration, see our cherry chocolate hair color ideas for brunettes and our cherry cola brunette hair color ideas for winter, which show how the red family works on brunettes.
Maintenance and Fading: Keeping Mulled Wine Rich
Red tones fade faster than any other colour, so mulled wine needs a little care to stay rich. Wash your hair less often if you can, ideally two or three times a week, and always use a colour-safe, sulphate-free shampoo in cool water, because hot water strips red faster. A colour-depositing conditioner in a wine or burgundy shade once a week will top up the red between appointments. A deep conditioning mask once a week is essential in winter, when central heating and cold air dry hair out. A wine gloss at the salon every six weeks will refresh the tone and add shine without changing the colour. Between appointments, a leave-in conditioner and a light hair oil will keep the ends soft. Protect your hair from the sun, even in winter, because UV fades red, and from chlorine if you swim. With this routine, your mulled wine will stay rich and festive for weeks, and the fade will be gradual and graceful.
What to Ask Your Colourist
Walk into your appointment with a clear request and you will walk out with the colour you pictured. Ask for mulled wine hair by name, then describe it in your own words: a deep, spiced wine-red brown, deeper than cherry and warmer than burgundy. Show photos of the shades you love, including the ones in this guide, and point out what you like about each one. Tell your colourist about your skin tone, your natural colour and how often you are happy to visit the salon, because those details change the formula. Ask whether balayage or an all-over colour would suit you, and ask what gloss they will use and how long the wine will last. Ask how to care for the colour at home, which shampoo to use and when to book your gloss. A good colourist will welcome these questions, and the answers will help you keep the colour looking beautiful between visits. Bring this article on your phone, save the shades you love, and enjoy the appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mulled Wine Hair
Is mulled wine high maintenance? It needs a little more care than a plain brown, because red fades, but a gloss every six weeks and a colour-safe shampoo will keep it rich. Most people find it very manageable.
Will mulled wine suit dark hair? Yes, it is made for dark hair, and it usually needs very little lifting. On lighter hair the wine will show more vividly, which can also be beautiful.
How do I stop mulled wine going brassy? Use cool water, a colour-safe shampoo and a wine gloss, and avoid clarifying shampoos. A colour-depositing wine conditioner once a week will keep the red rich rather than orange.
Is mulled wine warm or cool? It is a warm-neutral blend with plum undertones, leaning warm. Your colourist can adjust the wine toward burgundy for cooler skin, or toward spice for warmer skin.
Save this look for the holidays. Mulled wine hair is the winter colour that feels like a luxury and behaves like an easy, everyday shade. It is deep, warm, multi-tonal and flattering, and it grows out gracefully, which makes it the perfect choice if you want a festive red you can actually live with. Choose your favourite shade from the 13 above, save this article, and show it to your colourist at your next appointment. Your hair will thank you for it all winter long.
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Follow Nova Fashion on Pinterest for more winter hair color ideas, and save this article for your next colour appointment. Your deepest, most festive red is waiting.
