If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more about our policies and reviews.
If you want to revamp your hairstyle but don’t have time to go to the salon, look no further because we rounded up all of the best black hair dyes!
When it comes to hair dye, there are tons of different factors to look for – whether it’s permanent or not, how rich the color is, how long it lasts, and more. To ensure you find the perfect black hair dye for you, we rounded up our top picks below.
Whether your hair is short or long, curly or straight, we rounded up a few options below including a dye infused with keratin, a dye specifically made for women of color, one dye made of fruit oils, and so many more.
No matter what type of hair you have, there’s a black hair dye option for you on our list below!
Detailing the Leading Black Hair Dye in 2024
Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme — Best Overall
This hair dye in shade 11 Blackest Black, is formulated with color boost technology to make your hair stay vibrant, as well as a blend of fruit oils including grape seed, avocado, olive, and shea, that work together to hydrate and nourish your hair. It comes in a non-drip, creamy formula, covers 100% of grays, and is permanent.
Pros
- It’s available in 43 shades
Cons
- It only comes with one application
Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color — Runner Up
Never run out of hair dye again thanks to this pack of three hair dyes that cover 100% of grays and are completely ammonia-free. The jet black hair color leaves your hair with a rich, vibrant hue that is permanent and features 3D Color Gel Technology that keeps your color long-lasting and fade-free. Even better, the hair dye is available in 40 amazing shades.
Pros
- It’s ammonia-free
Cons
- All three colors in a pack are the same
Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color Cream — Honorable Mention
This hair dye in shade 1.1 Midnight Black, comes with a protective Pre-Color Serum that conditions your hair before application to make it super soft and shiny. Plus, it’s formulated with K·Bond-Plex which reduces hair breakage by 80%. It’s available in six shades and is infused with keratin to nourish your hair, plus, it covers 100% of grays.
Pros
- It’s infused with keratin
Cons
- If your hair is longer than shoulder length, it’s recommended to use two boxes
L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color — Contender
This hair dye in shade 1.0 Ultimate Black, gives you a gorgeous permanent color that doesn’t fade. It comes with a Care Supreme Conditioner with Shine Serum that nourishes the hair and makes it soft and shiny, without sacrificing color vibrancy. Even better, there are 50 shades to choose from. The color lasts up to eight weeks and is formulated with camelina oil, vitamin E, and a UV filter.
Pros
- There are 50 shades to choose from
Cons
- Some ingredients may cause allergic reactions and should be tested on the skin before dying
Dark and Lovely Permanent Hair Color Fade Resist — Also Consider
This hair dye in shade Jet Black 371, is the perfect choice for women of color. It’s formulated with shea, avocado, and olive oils which provide maximum shine and hydration to your hair. It provides rich color that lasts up to eight weeks and covers 100% of grays. It has a no-drip jelly formula and comes with a nourishing conditioner to help smooth your hair.
Pros
- It’s super hydrating
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a shampoo
Buying Guide: Black Hair Dyes
Choosing a suitable hair dye is no less than an ordeal. Purchasing a good quality black hair dye is mainly a nuisance given the confusion created by the various shades of hair dye. We have compiled a comprehensive buyer’s guide to simplify your purchase experience.
From Our Celebrity Expert, Olivia Elgart:
"Black hair dye is so iconic, like, it doesn't even need to be said. It's a classic color that can look great on everyone, and it adds a little bit of drama and edginess to your look. Selena Gomez is one of my faves who has rocked the look for a while now, and she's living proof that it can be both sultry and sophisticated."
Should You Get a Black Hair Dye?
A black mane never goes out of fashion, and consequently, neither does black hair dye. It is one of those hair colors that look good on all individuals regardless of age and race. However, it suits some individuals more than others. While fair and light-skinned individuals look great with black hair, it creates a sharp and striking contrast with other features and may make the complexion appear paler. On the other hand, wheatish, olive, and dark-skinned individuals look stunning with hair dyed black as they complement the complexion in the best possible manner.
Black hair dye enhances appearance most effortlessly and elegantly. It gives a more youthful and healthier appearance to hair. Moreover, dyeing your hair black does not require subjecting the hair to damaging treatments like bleaching. Therefore, it does not damage the natural hair in the process.
How to Choose the Right Black Hair Dye?
Here are a few factors that one should consider to ensure a fail-proof selection of black hair dye
Complexion
Skin tone is a significant determinant in your choice of black hair dye. Individuals with olive and dark skins should consider pitch-black hair dyes, while those with fair complexion should choose the cooler undertones of black.
Purpose
There are mainly two purposes of black hair dye; gray coverage and hair color transformation. The choice of black hair dye is different in both cases. If a drastic hair transformation is your goal, choose a black hair dye that adequately complements your skin tone. In case of gray coverage, pick a black hair dye from a reliable brand with good pigment that offers 100% gray coverage.
Lasting ability
The last ability of your black hair dye reflects its longevity in response to hair washing. Depending on how long you want your black hair dye to stay, you can choose between permanent, semi-permanent, and demi-permanent. While permanent hair dye changes your hair color for good, semi and demi-permanent ones only stay up to certain washes. The demi-permanent ones are longer than semi-permanent ones.
Ease of application
A DIY black hair dye should be easy to apply. The consistency of the hair dye determines its ease of application. Hair dyes are available in three textures; powder, liquid, and cream. The powder and liquid consistency hair dyes can be a little tricky to handle. However, the cream consistency hair dyes are most commonly used due to their unmatched ease of application.
Tips for Buying the Top Black Hair Dyes
If it's your first-time experience buying black hair dye, here are a few tips to find a suitable product.
- Read the label carefully and purchase hair dye devoid of parabens, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia. Ideally, choose a hair dye composed of natural ingredients to minimize the potential occurrence of side effects.
- Often hair dyes contain allergy-causing substances like para-phenylenediamine or PPD that lead to scalp irritation. It is recommended to choose a dermatologically tested stain, free from all allergens to retain hair and scalp health.
Black Hair Dye Precautions
Hair dye with intense pigments, particularly black hair dyes, can damage the hair and scalp health in the long run. Some precautions reduce the incidence of damage caused by color-treating hair. Some of those are listed below:
- It is better to avoid washing your hair about a week prior to color treating your hair to black. It allows sebum and build-up to accumulate on the scalp, which serves as a protective layer and further minimizes the incidence of unfavorable events.
- Virgin hair is better adapted at retaining the color of the box dye in comparison to formerly color-treated and bleached hair. In either case, it is better to consult a professional hair colorist even if you want to color your hair at home.
- DIY hair dyes can get messy. It is vital to protect your skin by applying Vaseline to skin around the hair, including ears, forehead, and temples.
- No matter which hair dye you choose, even the safest and natural ingredient hair dye may cause some degree of damage to the hair. Hence, it is advised to go for nourishing hair treatment in the form of hair oil or hair mask after the hair dye to ensure the long-term beauty of your luscious locks.
- Regular shampoos tend to be harsh on color-treated hair. Thus, purchase a shampoo suitable for color-treated hair after using a black hair dye.
Black Hair Dye Pricing
Hair coloring is a trendy way of enhancing and transforming your overall appearance. Professional hair coloring and dying can cost a fortune, especially if you choose a good saloon with certified professionals. It may cost anywhere between $50 to $150. However, a box of hair dye is an affordable alternative to expensive professional hair coloring.
The DIY black hair dye kit can be purchased for as low as $5. Good quality black hair dye kits include all the equipment required for the at-home hair makeover, and the price can range between $10 to $20. Certain kits may even cost up to $40.
