How To Get Black Cherry Hair at Home

When most people think of red hair, they think of summery strawberry blonde and bright copper shades. But red hair can be dark and moody, too—and black cherry hair color is a perfect example of the versatility of this striking hue. The dark red shade is deep, but vibrant, with a subtle cool undertone that makes it a great pick for those with cooler skin who may not otherwise go for red hair. That being said, dark cherry hair can be flattering on just about everybody—it’s all about selecting the proper hue and keeping up with your maintenance. If you’re interested in embracing this striking shade, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain what black cherry hair color is and introduce you to a few of our favorite black cherry hair dyes to consider for your next at-home hair transformation. 

What Color Is Black Cherry?

Cherry black hair color is a deep burgundy hue with hints of black, espresso brown, and vibrant cool-toned cherry red woven throughout. Often, it also contains subtle violet or magenta tones for added dimension and contrast. 

Darker variations of the shade can appear black in low lighting, with the red tones only shining through in sunlight. More vibrant takes on the shade skew more red than black, but with a deep, rich undercurrent that lends the shade a moody feel. 

Is black cherry hair red or purple?

A black cherry hair color is neither definitively red nor obviously purple, but exists somewhere between the two shades. As mentioned, the hue usually features a blend of red and purple pigments. When these two shades are combined with black to create a cherry black hair color, you’ll enjoy a deep, rich hue with a seamless meld of both moody purple and vibrant red tones. However, the intensity and quantity of the pigments in your chosen formula will determine whether your color skews more red or more violet. The more red pigment there is in your formula, the warmer your hair color will be. More purple pigment, meanwhile, generally yields a cooler, subtler dark cherry hair color.

Who can pull off a black cherry hair color?

Since black cherry hair color tends to be more neutral or slightly cool-toned, it’s a shade that can work well for a wide range of complexions. Generally speaking, you’ll find that the most flattering hue is one that complements your skin’s undertones. 

To identify your undertones, take a look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, your skin is likely cool-toned. A green tint is typically indicative of warm undertones. If you see both blue and green shades, you probably have neutral skin. Those with cool undertones tend to fare best with cooler takes on black cherry that have a more prominent purple tint. If you’re warmer, a more red-leaning dark cherry hair color will flatter you well. With neutral undertones, there’s no risk of colors clashing with your skin, so you’ll look great with just about any hair color (lucky you!) 

How To Get Black Cherry Hair Color at Home

Dyeing your hair a vibrant color often requires bleaching your hair, but that’s not typically the case with black cherry hair. Because it’s such a deep hue, the striking shade is achievable for just about everybody—no bleaching needed. All you need is a cherry black hair dye and a little bit of know-how. We’re sharing everything you need to know to nail your at-home transformation ahead. 

Step 1: Choose your dye

Before doing anything to your hair, you’ll need to select the appropriate dye. If you’re interested in a black cherry red hair color that’ll complement warm skin tones, try a red-leaning shade, such as the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Red Velvet. For a darker color that skews more blackish-purple than black-red, we suggest the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry. The rich hue appears warm brown in low lighting but features brilliant violet undertones that pop in brighter settings. If you’re after a classic, not-too-warm, not-too-cool black cherry hue, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Féria Twisted Crystals Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Black Cherry. The deep, purple-red shade features the perfect combination of violet and burgundy tones, and it’s suitable for all hair types (plus, you don’t have to bleach your dark strands before applying the rich color). 

Step 2: Section your hair

Sectioning your hair before dyeing makes the process much easier and helps ensure you don’t miss any spots as you work the color throughout your hair. Start by brushing your dry hair to remove any knots, then use a comb to part your hair in the center, running the part all the way down to the nape of your neck. Clip one side of your hair out of the way to create two even sections. 

Next, use a comb to create a horizontal part that extends from the center of your middle part to the back of one ear, effectively splitting one side of your pigtail in half. Clip both sections out of the way, then repeat the process on the other side of your head. When you’re finished, you should be left with four roughly equal sections of hair. If you have very long or thick hair, consider splitting each side of the pigtail into three or four sections instead—it’ll make the coloring process more manageable.

Step 3: Mix the hair color

Don the gloves included in your at-home coloring kit and, at the sink, mix the hair color as instructed on the package insert. Keep in mind that you’ll want to begin applying the color immediately after mixing it, so don’t do this until you’re ready to get down to business. If you’re wary of staining your skin, drape an old towel or T-shirt over your shoulders and cover your hairline and ears with a thin layer of petroleum jelly as a barrier against dye drips, drops, and splatters.

Step 4: Apply your color

At this point, you can begin applying your black cherry red hair color. We recommend working section-by-section, taking your time to ensure every strand is fully coated before moving onto the next section. It’s best to be generous with the dye—by the time you’re done, your hair should be completely saturated with the dye. Once you’ve finished applying the color, set a timer for the amount of time outlined on the instruction sheet in the package insert. 

Editor’s tip: If you’re a DIY hair color novice and need a more thorough breakdown of how to apply hair dye, head on over to our article How To Dye Your Hair at Home in 8 Easy Steps for a beginner-friendly, step-by-step tutorial. 

Step 5: Rinse and condition 

When the timer goes off, hop in the shower and rinse your hair with lukewarm water until the water runs clear (this might take a few minutes). Then, condition your hair with the conditioner included in your color kit. Some hair colors also require washing your hair after dyeing it—again, we recommend reading the package instructions to discern whether shampooing is necessary. Once you’ve finished showering, you can gently squeeze your hair to remove excess moisture and style as usual. 

How To Take Care of Black Cherry Hair

Coloring your hair is only the first step in achieving a flawless at-home color transformation. The real work comes after you dye your hair and involves adjusting your haircare and styling routines to help preserve your color. Ahead, we’re sharing some of our top tips for caring for color-treated hair.

1. Switch to a color-safe haircare system

After coloring your strands, you’ll need to make room in your shower for some new products. Specifically, we suggest investing in a color-safe shampoo and conditioner to help prolong your new hue. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing Shampoo is a great pick. It’s sulfate-free, pH-balanced, and contains an anti-fade UV filter to help protect your color. Pair it with the coordinating L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing Conditioner to boost shine and keep your strands looking smooth and silky. You can also pre-treat your tresses before conditioning with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Glossing Glaze two to three times per week to help amplify shine and smooth your strands. 

2. Skip the scalding showers

There’s nothing more relaxing than a hot shower, but it can be pretty damaging to your color-treated hair. Super-hot water can strip your strands of natural oils, drying them out and fading color. It’s best to wash and rinse your hair in lukewarm temps to avoid drying out your black cherry red hair color. If you find your hair is beginning to feel dry, reach for a nourishing hair mask to help restore hydration. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Elastic Fiber Masque—it’s suitable for all hair types and textures and won’t strip or dull your black cherry hair color. 

3. Limit heat styling

If you can skip heat styling, do it—it’s always the best option for your color-treated strands. In place of hot tools, we recommend heatless beach waves or bringing out your natural curls with a curl enhancer, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner. 

When you do use hot tools, always remember to prime your strands with a heat protectant to help protect against unnecessary damage. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer for 48HR Frizz Control helps shield against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and tames frizz for silky-looking hair without any weigh-down. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave-In is another excellent option, especially for those who prefer sprayable formulas over creams.

Even with a heat protectant, it’s important to use the correct approach when heat styling. Set your tools to the lowest heat setting possible that allows you to achieve your desired results without having to go over your hair multiple times. Letting your hair dry halfway before reaching for your blow-dryer can be helpful, too—the less time you spend exposing your strands to heat, the better.

Next Up:What Is a Keratin Treatment for Your Hair?

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris