9 Black Hair Dyes for a Bold, Shiny New Color

Hair color trends like pumpkin spice latte or cherry blonde hair will come and go, but timeless shades like inky black never fall out of favor. While finding the best black hair dye for your complexion may not seem particularly challenging, there are things to consider. Like any hair color, black isn’t just one color—there are variations on the sultry hue, some of which are better suited to certain complexions than others.

Whether you’re in the mood for a natural-looking soft black hair color or are on the hunt for a jet-black hair dye for an ultra-bold look, keep scrolling. We’ll share a look at some of our best black hair dyes, here, plus tips on keeping your rich new hue in tip-top shape.

Things To Consider When Choosing a Black Hair Dye

Before dyeing your hair black with the first boxed dye you spot on the shelf, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. What black hair dye works best for you may be dependent upon a few factors, including your desired end result and how long you want your color to last.

First, you’ll want to think about what color black you want your hair to be. As mentioned, there are several different versions of the inky hue. Jet black is the purest iteration of black hair color. It’s bold, dark, and incredibly striking, but can feel harsh against fairer features. If you’d rather have a more natural look, consider a soft black or espresso brown. These shades, while dark, are a bit more muted than your classic jet-black shade and may feel a bit less intimidating than a pure black hue. There’s also blue-black, which, as the name implies, blends deep blue tones with black for an unexpected (but very subtle) wash of color. If you’re not sure which shade to choose, consider your undertones—they can help guide your decision.

You’ll also want to think about how long you want your color to last. Permanent hair dyes offer the longest-lasting solution and are ideal for those committed to a color change. If you’re unsure, you may want to start with a semi-permanent dye—these formulas gradually fade over the course of a month or so. Or, consider a temporary hair dye. These wash-out formulas allow you to experiment with color without any lasting commitment, as they rinse out easily in the shower with a little bit of shampoo.

9 of Our Best Black Hair Dyes To Try

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and try out a black hair color, here are nine formulas worth taking a look at.

L’Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Jet Black

This jet-black hair dye is among our top picks for those looking to make a bold, long-lasting statement. The permanent dye, which is designed for use on natural brunettes, delivers bold results in as little as 25 minutes. Plus, the easy-to-use kit comes with a bonding conditioner to help strengthen and repair damaged-treated hair after processing.

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Universal Nudes Permanent Hair Color in Natural Soft Black

If pure black feels too stark for you, consider reaching for this soft black hair color. The silky hue blends black with deep espresso brown tones for a slightly more muted take on your classic ebony hair color. We also love that the ammonia-free formula helps protect hair as it colors and feels gentle on the scalp and strands.

L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Starry Night

The best black hair color for those with cool undertones will generally be one that lacks any warmth—and this deep onyx hair dye fits the bill perfectly. This gorgeous, multifaceted hair color features a black base with subtle navy undertones, resulting in a trendsetting mane that’ll instantly draw the eye when it catches the light.

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Natural Black

If you’re looking to cover up stubborn grays, reach for this at-home hair dye. The no-drip hair cream applies and spreads easily, delivering up to 100 percent gray coverage for rich, radiant color from root to tip.

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Universal Nudes Permanent Hair Color in Natural Black

Fool people into thinking black is your natural hair color with the help of this permanent hair dye. The ammonia-free formula features both cool and warm undertones, which together create a dimensional yet balanced (and incredibly natural-looking) hair color that can complement a wide range of complexions.

L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Ultimate Black

This luminous black hair dye is a great option for those looking to keep touch-ups to a minimum. The translucent gel formula allows for a precise, even application, and the kit comes with a protective conditioner that helps keep your color vibrant for up to nine weeks—even if you’re coloring over grays.

L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Downtown Denim

If you’re playing around with the idea of embracing a fantasy hair color but don’t want to commit to an ultra-vibrant hue, consider opting for this satiny blue-black hair color. The rich color appears black in low lighting but displays the full spectrum of its icy cobalt undertones in direct lighting. Keep in mind that the lighter your starting hair color, the lighter your end result will be.

L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Soft Black

If you’re afraid that a black hair color will wash out your pale or fair skin, try a softer shade of black hair dye. This one is perfect for the job, offering the richness of black color with a muted finish that won’t result in a stark contrast against your light complexion.

L’Oréal Paris Men Expert One-Touch Permanent Hair Color

While the previous black hair dyes work for all genders, there’s also a solution designed specifically for men. This permanent hair color is perfect for gray coverage or when you just want a color change. The easy-to-use formula is available in three black colors including Deepest Black, Jet Black, and Real Black. Plus, you don’t have to fuss around with mixing the color and developer—just twist the cap then comb the dye throughout your hair for an instant, low-effort color change that lasts up to six weeks.

How To Care for Black Hair Color

Using hair products made for color-treated hair can help preserve your black hair and prevent it from fading prematurely. Here, learn how to maintain your new hue between touch-ups.

1. Update your haircare routine

Dyeing your hair can be damaging, especially if you do it frequently. To help keep your strands looking healthy, we suggest swapping out your current shampoo and conditioner for a reparative system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair collection.

The four-piece lineup features a bond-strengthening pre-shampoo treatment, a gentle shampoo, a nourishing conditioner, and a leave-in hair serum. Together, the products help strengthen damaged, color-treated hair from the inside out, leaving your strands silky, smooth, and resilient. Plus, they’re all color-safe, so you don’t have to worry about your products stripping your black hair dye.

2. Use heat protectant

Using hot tools regularly can damage your strands and dull your hair color. Before reaching for the blow-dryer or flat iron, remember to prime your hair with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In. The frizz-fighting formula helps protect hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also minimize heat damage by turning down the dial on your hot tools—the less heat you use, the better.

It’s also a good idea to skip heat styling when possible. Opt for a heatless style like overnight beach waves or space buns, or work a curl-enhancing cream throughout your mane to help bring out your natural texture. For the latter, we’re fans of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-in Conditioner, which helps moisturize and define waves, curls, and coils.

3. Keep root touch-up on hand.

As your hair grows in, your roots may be noticeable, especially if natural hair is gray or blonde. For a quick fix, consider grabbing a temporary root cover-up spray. We love the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up in Black—it sprays on and dries instantly without leaving behind any sticky or tacky residue. Just hold the can about four to six inches away from your hair, spray your roots, then brush the formula throughout your mid-lengths to blend. Once dry, you can style your hair as usual. Keep in mind that like most root touch-up sprays, this formula is temporary (meaning it’ll wash out when you shampoo). If you’re after a longer-lasting solution, we suggest opting for the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Root Rescue 10 Minute Root Hair Coloring Kit in Black or Soft Black instead. The semi-permanent formula applies easily, processes in as little as ten minutes, and offers up to four weeks of coverage to help extend the time between more thorough root touch-ups.

Next Up: How To Balayage Your Hair at Home

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris