10 Plum & Wine-Toned Brunette Hair Color Ideas
Plum and wine-toned brunette shades are a rich way to switch up your dark hair without losing depth or looking too high maintenance. This list gives you soft, wearable color ideas that sit between brown and berry, from whisper-light plum ribbons to bold merlot melts. Most of these looks suit medium to long hair and can be tailored for straight, wavy, or curly textures. If your skin has cool or neutral tones, wine shades will pop; warmer undertones can balance them with chocolate or espresso. Before coloring, make sure hair is well-conditioned and trimmed. Keep a sulfate-free routine ready, plus heat protection, because rich red-violet tones fade fastest when exposed to hot tools and harsh shampoo, pool water, and direct sun. Bring photos to your colorist so they can customize the depth, placement, and shine for you.
Quick List
- Soft Plum Brown Balayage
- Deep Merlot Brunette All-Over
- Plum-Ribbon Chocolate Highlights
- Smoky Wine Brunette Ombre
- Mulled Plum Brunette with Money Piece
- Blackberry Plum Color Melt
- Rose-Wine Brunette Gloss
- Plum Espresso Lowlights
- Violet-Tinted Brunette Curls
- Subtle Plum Sheen for Dark Brunettes
Soft Plum Brown Balayage
Soft plum brown balayage is perfect if you want a gentle shift from solid brunette into something richer. Plum-toned pieces are painted through the mid-lengths and ends, keeping your root natural and low-maintenance. The result is a soft, blended berry glow that lights up when you move, especially in natural light. It’s great for anyone nervous about going “too red” but craving more interest than plain brown. This shade works beautifully in the cooler months but looks just as good year-round. Pro tip: ask for thin, feathered pieces around the face so the plum tones peek through without feeling blocky.
How To Style
Blow-dry with a round brush for smooth volume at the roots. Add a few loose waves with a curling wand, focusing on the mid-lengths. Finish with a light hair oil on the ends to show off the color.
Best For
Oval, heart, round faces; straight or wavy medium to long hair.
Tools & Products
- Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner for colored hair
- Heat protectant spray
- Medium round brush
- Curling wand
- Lightweight hair oil
Deep Merlot Brunette All-Over
Deep merlot brunette is a bold, all-over wine shade that still feels sophisticated. Think dark chocolate mixed with red wine, giving your hair a plush, velvety look from roots to ends. This works especially well if you already have dark hair and want a big change without going lighter. The tone looks striking in the evening for dinners and events, but still reads as dark and polished at work. It’s a strong choice if you love berry lipstick and cooler-toned makeup. Pro tip: ask for a glossy finish so your merlot looks more “expensive” than flat.
How To Style
Blow-dry hair smooth using a paddle brush, directing airflow downward for shine. If needed, pass a flat iron through mid-lengths and ends. Finish with a shine spray or serum, avoiding the roots.
Best For
Oval, long, heart faces; straight or slightly wavy medium to long hair.
Tools & Products
- Color-safe shampoo and conditioner
- Heat protectant
- Paddle brush
- Flat iron
- Shine serum or spray
Plum-Ribbon Chocolate Highlights
Plum-ribbon chocolate highlights add slim streaks of berry into a soft brown base. Instead of heavy panels, thin “ribbons” of plum are woven through the mid-lengths and ends, giving dimension when you move. The effect is subtle in the shade but more playful in sunlight, making it a great first step into fashion color. This style is particularly nice on layered cuts where the ribbons can peek through. It’s a good option if you wear your hair down most days and like soft waves. Pro tip: ask your colorist to keep the ribbons thinner near the part so regrowth looks very natural.
How To Style
Apply a light mousse to damp hair, blow-dry with a round brush, then add loose curls away from the face. Gently rake fingers through to break them up so the ribbons show.
Best For
Heart, oval faces; straight or wavy medium-length hair.
Tools & Products
- Volumizing mousse
- Round brush
- Blow dryer
- Curling iron
- Light flexible hairspray
Smoky Wine Brunette Ombre
Smoky wine brunette ombre blends a deep brown base into muted, smoke-tinged plum at the ends. Instead of a bright, clear red-violet, this shade leans dusty and cool, which can feel more wearable. The darker root keeps it low-maintenance, while the lighter ends give interest and movement. It’s especially pretty on long hair with waves or curls, where the gradient has room to show. This look reads relaxed and effortless, ideal for weekends or casual days but still polished enough for work. Pro tip: ask for a smudged root so your natural color blends seamlessly into the wine tones.
How To Style
Rough-dry hair until about 80% dry, then twist sections around a curling wand, leaving the ends slightly straighter. Shake out the curls for a loose, smoky texture.
Best For
Round, oval faces; wavy or curly medium to long hair.
Tools & Products
- Heat protectant
- Curling wand
- Wide-tooth comb
- Lightweight texturizing spray
Mulled Plum Brunette with Money Piece
Mulled plum brunette with a money piece gives you cozy, spiced wine tones with a bright pop around your face. The overall color is deep brown mixed with warm plum, while lighter wine-toned strands frame the front. This makes your features stand out and looks great in selfies or video calls. It’s a lovely option for medium to long hair, especially if you wear it down a lot. The money piece can be bold or soft depending on your comfort level. Pro tip: ask the colorist to blend the money piece back into the rest of your hair so it doesn’t look like a stripe.
How To Style
Blow-dry using a round brush to lift the roots around your face. Add soft bends around the front pieces so they curve toward your cheeks. Finish with a light shine spray.
Best For
Oval, heart faces; straight or wavy hair, medium to long.
Tools & Products
- Color-safe shampoo and conditioner
- Round brush
- Blow dryer
- Shine spray
- Light hold hairspray
Blackberry Plum Color Melt
Blackberry plum color melt creates a rich blend from dark roots into juicy, berry-toned lengths. This look works especially well on long hair with curls or waves, where the different tones can ripple through each bend. The roots stay deep, so grow-out is soft and easy. The overall effect is moody yet playful, perfect if you like your hair to be a statement accessory. Great for cooler weather or whenever you want something dramatic. Pro tip: plan on regular gloss appointments to keep the berry tones looking fresh, since purple-reds fade faster.
How To Style
Apply curl cream to damp hair, then diffuse or air-dry to keep your natural texture. Once dry, scrunch in a small amount of lightweight oil to enhance shine without weighing curls down.
Best For
Round, oval faces; wavy or curly medium to long hair.
Tools & Products
- Sulfate-free shampoo for colored hair
- Curl cream
- Diffuser attachment
- Lightweight hair oil
Rose-Wine Brunette Gloss
A rose-wine brunette gloss is ideal if you want a hint of berry without fully committing. Instead of a full recolor, a sheer rose-wine glaze is applied over your existing brunette, giving it a soft pinkish wine glow in the light. It can make your hair look healthier and shinier while gently shifting the tone cooler or more neutral. This is great for anyone who likes soft, romantic looks and wears a lot of neutral clothing. It’s also easy to refresh. Pro tip: ask for a demi-permanent gloss so it fades softly and doesn’t leave harsh lines.
How To Style
Blow-dry your hair smooth with a paddle brush, focusing on directing the cuticle down. Finish with a drop of serum on the ends to highlight the glossy finish.
Best For
Oval, heart, long faces; straight or wavy hair of any length.
Tools & Products
- Gloss-safe shampoo and conditioner
- Paddle brush
- Blow dryer
- Lightweight serum
Plum Espresso Lowlights
Plum espresso lowlights are perfect if your hair feels too flat or one-note. Instead of lightening, this look deepens select sections with dark, violet-tinged brown, adding shadows and richness. It works especially well on lighter brunettes or faded dyed hair that needs depth again. The result is subtle in low light but gives a lush, almost multi-layered effect when the sun hits. It’s very office-friendly and grows out smoothly. Pro tip: ask your stylist to place lowlights under the top layer, so the color peeks through when you move.
How To Style
Blow-dry hair with a round brush to create smooth volume. For extra polish, lightly curve the ends under. Use a shine spray at the very end to show off the darker pieces.
Best For
Square, oval faces; straight or slightly wavy short to medium hair.
Tools & Products
- Color-safe shampoo
- Round brush
- Blow dryer
- Shine spray
Violet-Tinted Brunette Curls
Violet-tinted brunette curls give natural texture a fun but still subtle twist. A sheer violet tone is layered over a brunette base, boosting shine and adding a cool berry tint that looks especially striking on curls and coils. The color catches the light on each curl, making your texture look defined and intentional. It’s a great idea if you like playful color but still want something that feels grown-up. This shade pops in daylight and photos. Pro tip: keep your curls hydrated, because healthy curls reflect color much better.
How To Style
Apply a leave-in conditioner and curl gel to soaking-wet hair, then scrunch and either air-dry or diffuse on low. Once dry, gently separate curls with a little oil to avoid frizz.
Best For
Round, heart faces; curly or coily short to medium hair.
Tools & Products
- Sulfate-free curl-friendly shampoo
- Leave-in conditioner
- Curl gel or cream
- Diffuser
- Light hair oil
Subtle Plum Sheen for Dark Brunettes
A subtle plum sheen is the most low-key way to try this trend. Instead of obvious purple or red, your very dark brunette is given a soft plum reflect that’s only really visible in bright light. In shade or indoors, your hair still looks like deep brown or near-black. This is perfect for work environments or anyone who prefers understated color. It can make your hair look glossier and more interesting without feeling like a huge change. Pro tip: ask your colorist for a test strand first to see how strongly your hair grabs the tone.
How To Style
Keep styling simple to show off the shine. Blow-dry using a paddle brush, then, if needed, smooth small sections with a flat iron. Finish with a tiny bit of serum on the mid-lengths and ends.
Best For
Long, oval faces; straight or slightly wavy medium to long hair.
Tools & Products
- Gentle, color-safe shampoo and conditioner
- Paddle brush
- Blow dryer
- Flat iron
- Lightweight serum
Conclusion
Plum and wine-toned brunette shades are an easy way to try something different while staying true to your dark base. Whether you like soft ribbons of color or full, glossy merlot, you can adjust the placement and depth to suit your comfort level. Save your favorite ideas, then talk through maintenance and budget with your colorist. With the right aftercare, these berry-inspired tones stay rich, reflective, and flattering for months.
Call To Action
Save the ideas that feel most like you, then show them to your colorist at your next appointment so you can customize the perfect plum or wine-toned brunette for your hair and lifestyle.
FAQs
1. Will plum and wine tones fade quickly on brunette hair?
Yes, red and violet pigments tend to fade faster than neutral browns. Using sulfate-free products, washing with cooler water, and limiting heat tools will help your plum or wine shade last longer between salon visits.
2. How do I pick the right plum shade for my skin tone?
Cool or neutral skin tones usually suit cooler, more purple-based plums and wine shades. Warmer skin tones can balance those tones by keeping more chocolate or espresso in the formula, so the overall effect stays flattering and soft.
3. Can I get wine-toned brunette at home with box dye?
You can deepen your color at home, but getting the exact plum or wine tone you want is tricky without a pro. A colorist can adjust the formula, timing, and placement so the shade suits your skin tone and doesn’t turn too red or uneven.
4. Do I need to lighten my hair first for plum tones to show?
If your hair is very dark, some pre-lightening may be needed for a brighter plum or violet shade. For subtle plum sheen or deeper wine reflects, your colorist can often work directly over a brunette base using demi-permanent color or gloss.
5. How often should I refresh plum or wine-toned color?
Most people refresh every 6–10 weeks, depending on how fast their hair grows and how bright they like the tone. You might not need a full recolor every time; sometimes a quick gloss or tone and a trim are enough to revive shine and richness.
