hair color ideas The Best At-Home Black Hair Dyes

Hair color trends like rose brown hair or rainbow sherbet hair will come and go, but staples like platinum blonde and black hair color will always remain classics. While black hair can feel particularly risky due to its harshness, its shine, vibrancy and prominent identity are unmatched.  If you’re looking to upgrade your strands with striking color, there are few shades that can match the stark yet luminous appearance of black hair color.

So, if you’re ready to rock with a dark new hue, a black hair color can be in your near future — all you need is the right at-home, hair color kit. Take notes as we share the best black hair dyes to achieve this rich and dazzling hair color at home. 

What Is the Best Permanent Black Hair Dye?

Not all black hair dye is created equally. By that, we mean you want to look at all your options and potentially choose a more muted shade like soft black or a more vibrant one like blue-black. This will help you avoid a shade too harsh for your skin tone, and instead achieve the vibrance that draws many to black hair. Check out some of our favorite black hair dyes below.

1. 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.

2. L’Oréal Paris Féria in Bright Black

If the goal is bold, onyx tresses, try this amped-up shade of black hair dye. This gorgeous, multifaceted hair color features a black base with bright, violet undertones, resulting in a trendsetting mane that’ll instantly draw the eye when it catches the light. Plus, it’s a great option for those with dark and olive skin tones.

3. L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Natural Black

Fool people into thinking black is your natural hair color with the help of this permanent hair dye. This natural shade of black dye has subtle hints of brown throughout for a toned-down appearance that offers 100 percent gray coverage.

4. L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Black Sapphire

For a shining, black hair color with undeniable hints of blue, look no further than this at-home hair dye kit. Thanks to cool-toned shades of sapphire blue, it’s sure to give your strands a vivid, blue-black pop with a high-shine finish.

5. L’Oréal Paris Féria in Black

For classic black strands, you can’t beat this straightforward box dye. The shimmering finish coats your tresses with brilliant, black color and a gorgeous, glossy finish. Just be sure to follow the directions in the kit to get the gorgeous results you desire.

6. L’Oréal Paris Féria Midnight Bold Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Color in Twilight Haze

If you’re looking to make your dark strands next-level, pick up this navy blue-meets-black shade of hair dye. The dye’s custom blend of colors create an eye-catching black hair color with a vibrant, revamped finish.

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

This rich, black hair dye kit delivers super shiny, luminous hair color that won’t get brassy. If you’re looking for simple black hair dye without notes of brown or blue colors, this is the one to pick.

8. L’Oréal Paris Féria in Downtown Denim

For an intense shade of black hair that rivals navy blue on second glance, look no further than this midnight, inky hue. This unique shade of blue-black hair dye is guaranteed to give you a long-lasting color that takes after your favorite pair of dark-wash denim jeans.

9. L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Cool Supreme Permanent Gray Coverage Hair Color in Ultra Ash Black

A soft, ashy shade of black is a great way to achieve a vibrant hair color with a subdued finish. This permanent hair color kit offers a natural-looking shade of black with complete gray coverage and anti-brass color technology.

How to Care for Black Hair Color 

Like with any hair switch, using a system for color-treated hair can do wonders to preserve the shine and vibrancy of your new shade. Check out our few tips to help you upgrade your hair routine for your new hue.

1. Use a Glossing System

Black hair color will need an extra element of help to preserve its luminous and intense hue. A great way to do that is with a glossing system like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. This system also includes the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze, an in-shower glossing treatment that keeps your colored hair shiny, silky and vibrant. 

To put this trio into action, cleanse your scalp with the shampoo, then spray the in-shower glaze on wet hair and let it sit for one to three minutes, (do not rinse) and follow up with the conditioner. 

Another way to give your jet-black hair color a touch up is with an at-home toning gloss like the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Deep Black. This luxurious, in-shower gloss will correct brassy, faded color and deep condition your strands in as little as 15 minutes. Use it once a week after your shampoo and conditioner.

2. Use a Heat Protectant

If hot tools are a staple in your styling routine, this can lead to faded hair color and damage strands. Always remember to prime your hair with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In or the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant to combat the effects of constant heat. Additionally, use your hot tools on the lowest temperature setting and pass through each section of hair once to avoid frying your hair.

Editor’s tip: To avoid heat styling altogether, consider wearing other styles like overnight beach waves or space buns. Those with curly hair can reach for a curl-enhancing cream like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Creamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner to define their natural wave.

3. Keep Root Touch-Up on Hand

While black hair color is fairly easy to touch up at home, if your natural roots aren’t a dark shade, they’re going to be very noticeable as they grow. For a quick fix, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up in Black. 

Hold the can four to six inches away from your hair and spray the roots and partly through the length of your hair to blend the color. This root cover up has a non-sticky finish that will conceal all traces of gray or new growth until you wash it out.

Next: How to Get Black Cherry Hair Color at Home

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn