How to Do Ombré Hair When You Have Black Hair

Take one scroll through your social media feeds and you’ll quickly realize that ombré hair is still having a moment. Who knew a beauty trend could last so long? While our favorite gradated hair color technique is still alive and well, oftentimes those with brown hair and blonde hair seem to have all the fun with it. Well, what about all the gals with jet black hair? Can they get in on the action, too? If you’re on a mission to highlight your black hair, we’re here to tell you that yes, you can rock ombré hair (and in quite a few super-trendy ways, if we do say so ourselves)! Follow along for tips and tricks on how to lighten black hair for an on-trend ombré ‘do.

10 WAYS TO DO OMBRÉ HAIR ON BLACK HAIR

When you have black hair, you might be wondering which shades of ombré hair will look best on you. While your dark roots may have you thinking that your options are limited, we’re here to tell you just the opposite. In fact, we have good news: Everything matches black! So, when it comes to selecting your perfect ombré hair look, it’s all about how intense you want the end result to be. The world is your oyster and your black mane is your canvas! Consider the following list your hair color inspiration.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #1: Sun-kissed ombré hair

Do you want to look like you just spent a day at the beach without having to say goodbye to your classic black hair? Incorporating natural-looking light brown tones on your ends could do just the trick. As soon as your color is painted on, you’ll look in the mirror and find your appearance is instantly brightened. For a temporary alternative with an extra hint of warmth, use the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Color in BronzeAuburn to color your ends. This red-brown hue will add a fun twist to this summery ombré look. Even better, it’ll wash out in just one shampoo—AKA you can rock another ombré hair color option the very next day!

Black Ombré Hair Idea #2: Ash blonde ombré hair

Looking to make a change that’s a bit more drastic? Bring out the blonde. All you have to do is keep the black intact at your roots and apply an ashy ombré color halfway down your hair. If you’re in the mood to be a bit more multi-dimensional, mix a few golden highlights into your ombré hair to really add movement to your look.

One thing to keep in mind: Going blonde at your ends will require using bleach (and likely multiple sessions of it), so while you can get the look at home, you may want to leave it to the pros. Still want to take on this hair color trend DIY style? First, bleach your strands with an at-home hair bleach. Then, wait at least 14 days until your mane is ready for your ashy blonde hair color.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #3: Gray ombré hair

Digging the ash but want to drop the blonde? Gray ombré hair could be for you! Who would’ve thought gray hair would become all the rage with models and everyday women alike? In fact, one particular take on gray hair happens to be all the rage at the moment—silver hair! For a temporary mane change, apply the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Color in Silver Blue to your ends and you’ll have yourself a trendsetting look.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #4: Rainbow ombré hair

Rainbow hair is another trend that shows no signs of slowing down. So, if you want to maintain your black base while taking your overall color up a notch, why not spice things up with a vibrant ROYGBIV hue on your ends? We especially love how peachy-pink, aqua, and lilac pair with jet black hair. Just get ready to stand out from the crowd if you go this route! For a quick fix, test out the color with a few hues from the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray line.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #5: Reverse ombré hair

Ombré hair isn’t exactly out of the norm at this point, so what if you want to be different from the pack? Instead of dyeing your ends to achieve ombré hair, why not start at the roots? No matter the color you choose, you’ll be sure to turn heads.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #6: Blackberry hair

Blackberry hair is one of the hottest hair color trends at the moment. It involves painting on highlights to flawlessly transition your black roots into deep purple and blue hues that are reminiscent of this color’s namesake. Want to learn more? Here’s How to Get a Beautiful Blackberry Hair Color.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #7: Negative Space Hair

Another popular hair color trend, you could say that negative space hair was made so gals with black hair could take a walk on the bright side. This look involves adding lighter strands throughout your natural hair color, focusing slightly more on your face-framing strands. It’s a super natural way to rock an ombré hair color on black hair! For all the details on this idea, check out our article, What You Need to Know About the Negative Space Hair Color Trend.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #8: Purple ombré hair

Purple is one of the hottest hair colors at the moment, and that includes everything from lilac to purple balayage. Join in on the fun by rocking purple ombré hair! The best part about this ombré option is that it’s totally customizable—whether you prefer a light lavender or bold violet. Be sure to hop on Pinterest and pin some of your favorite color combos to show your colorist!

Black Ombré Hair Idea #9: Metallic ombré hair

Metallic hues are here to stay—and silver isn’t your only option. This eye-catching hair color surely isn’t for the faint-hearted, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try! If you want to air on the side of caution, give yourself a temporary metallic ombré ‘do by spritzing on the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray in Gold.

Black Ombré Hair Idea #10: Pink ombré

Embrace your girly side with a totally Instagram-worthy pink ombré hair color. While you can opt for a brighter pink hue to get the look, personally, we're fans of using a soft pastel pink shade to create a stunning contrast with your dark, black locks. Learn more about embracing this trend in our article, How to Get Pink Ombré Hair.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TRYING OMBRÉ HAIR ON BLACK HAIR

If you’re considering making a drastic change to your black hair, you may want to consider seeing a professional colorist who can walk you through the process from start to finish. Keep in mind that getting ombré hair will likely require bleaching—and the darker your starting shade, the more work it will take to achieve your desired hair color. The good news is, since ombré hair focuses color at the ends, you won’t have to worry about touching up your roots—meaning once you have ombré hair, it’s a pretty low maintenance hair color choice. Score!

HOW TO GET OMBRÉ HAIR AT HOME IF YOU HAVE BLACK HAIR

If you want to, it is possible to bring ombré hair to life at home—even when you have black hair. First, you’ll need to lighten the ends of your hair with bleach. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Ombré Bleach, which is specifically meant for creating a beautiful ombré look. Now, you can stop there or you can follow up by using another shade overtop to complete your ombré look. For a semi-permanent option, try any of the shades from the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color collection. Available in colors like soft pink, blue, indigo, purple, pink, and aqua, there’s something for everyone! This temporary color fades in four to ten shampoos, so you won’t be making a major commitment if you go this route.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OMBRÉ HAIR

Now that we’ve given you a breakdown on some of the best black ombré hair color options (and how to get them), you may be wondering how you should switch up your hair care routine to best suit your new ‘do. It’s all about using products that are formulated for color-treated hair. Swap your usual shampoo and conditioner for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair and Defend Conditioner in order to keep your colored strands looking their best. After washing your hair with the shampoo, apply the conditioner and leave it on for one to two minutes, then rinse. A few times a week, switch out the conditioner for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair Remedy Balm to give your mane a little extra TLC. Easy enough, right? Leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse.

While we’re huge fans of switching up your hair color, there may come a time where you want to go back to your mane’s natural hue. If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered. Head on over to our article, How to Get Back to Your Natural Hair Color, for everything you need to know.