Highlights:
- Aishwarya Rai unveiled a striking new beauty look in Paris.
- Her rich burgundy-red hair became one of the evening’s biggest talking points.
- She paired the dramatic hair transformation with a black velvet couture gown covered in crystal embellishments.
- L’Oréal’s Audacious Red lipstick complemented her hair and completed the beauty look.
- Aishwarya shared the L’Oréal Paris runway with several global stars.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has spent more than two decades commanding international red carpets and fashion runways. But at L'Oréal Paris Le Défilé in Paris on September 28, it was not just her couture gown or diamond headpiece that caught attention. Her burgundy-red hair became the defining detail of the look.
Walking at Place Joffre against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, the actor appeared in a dramatic black velvet couture creation by Yara Shoemaker, complete with crystals, pearls and a sweeping embellished cape. But the rich, fiery red-burgundy shade of her hair created the strongest contrast against the otherwise dark ensemble.
The shade sits between deep burgundy, wine red and fiery red, giving the hair a multidimensional appearance rather than looking like a flat, single-tone colour. Styled with a side parting and soft waves, it framed Aishwarya's face while allowing the colour to remain the central beauty statement.
Why Aishwarya's burgundy shade stands out
Burgundy is essentially a deep red with brown, purple or wine-toned undertones. It can appear relatively subtle indoors but become much more vibrant under strong lighting, which makes it particularly effective on a fashion runway.
In Aishwarya's case, the colour was paired with an almost entirely black outfit. That contrast made the red tones appear even more intense. Instead of competing with the couture, the hair added warmth and colour to the look.
And while the exact price of Aishwarya's personal hair-colouring treatment has not been publicly disclosed, burgundy is not necessarily an expensive colour to recreate at home. Current Indian retail listings show burgundy shades ranging from around ₹150 to ₹650 for several mainstream and semi-permanent products.
A professional salon treatment, however, can cost considerably more depending on hair length, the technique used, whether pre-lightening is required and the salon's location. There is no verified figure available for what Aishwarya's own colour treatment cost.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan walks the runway during the Le Défilé L'Oréal Paris "Express Your Worth show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2026 in Paris, France. Getty Images
The red lip completed the transformation
The hair was not styled in isolation. Aishwarya paired the burgundy tones with L'Oréal Paris' 423 Audacious Red, the hero shade from the brand's new Runway Matte Collection. The collection features five shades created with Indian skin tones in mind, with Audacious Red positioned as the key shade for the Paris show.
The result was a carefully coordinated beauty look: burgundy-red hair, saturated red lips and dramatic black couture.
The styling also featured a diamond-encrusted crown-like headpiece, diamond jewellery and matching footwear, adding to the regal character of the appearance.
A completely different Aishwarya
The burgundy hair also marked a noticeable departure from some of Aishwarya's more familiar beauty looks. Rather than relying on her signature dark hair, the new colour gave her appearance a more dramatic, contemporary edge.
The contrast was particularly striking because the rest of the styling remained rooted in classic glamour. The black velvet gown, crystal embellishments and diamond accessories provided the old-world luxury, while the red hair brought the unexpected fashion twist.
The approach also fitted the message of L'Oréal Paris' 2026 Le Défilé, themed “Express Your Worth,” which focused on individuality, confidence, diversity and self-expression.
Aishwarya has been a L'Oréal Paris ambassador since 2003, and her latest Paris appearance once again placed her at the intersection of fashion and beauty. She shared the runway with stars including Viola Davis, Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria, Simone Ashley, Jane Fonda and others.
But this time, the biggest takeaway from her Paris appearance may be much simpler: a new shade of red can completely change a familiar look.
The final sequence became one of the video’s most memorable momentsGetty Images
