Hair color tutorials
Top 17 Hair Colors for Dark Skin
Hair color can be a powerful tool not just for self-expression but also for enhancing skin tone. In this article, we teach you about hair color for dark skin, including how to find your most flattering hair colors based on your skin’s undertone. After you’ve chosen your shade, feel free to shop from SoftSheen-Carson’s wide selection of browns, reds, blondes, and blacks that are all expertly designed for textured hair.
How to Choose the Best Hair Color for a Dark Skin Tone
Choosing the best hair color for dark skin begins with understanding your undertone. Undertones (warm, cool, or neutral) help you determine whether golden, red, ash, or balanced tones will help you look your best. Ideally, you want to go for a hair color with the same undertone as your complexion. The right shade will enhance your richly melanated skin’s glow and make your hair look more vibrant.
Consider Your Undertone: Warm, Cool, or Neutral
Before we dive into our hair color ideas for dark skin, let’s get more into detail about what it means to have warm, cool, or neutral undertones in your skin.
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Warm Undertones
If you’ve got warm undertones, you’ll look best with golden browns, honey blondes, and copper reds.
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Cool Undertones
Think you have cool undertones? Then you'll find that ash brown, burgundy, and jet black tend to be your most flattering shades.
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Neutral Undertones
With neutral undertones, you’ll look good in all types of hair colors. However, you might find that mocha brown and rich auburn will be another level of stunning against your skin tone.
Best Brown Hair Colors for Dark Skin Tones
We’re starting our roundup of hair colors for dark skin with brown hair colors. Browns are universally flattering and provide natural-looking dimension against deep complexions. They’re also easy to maintain because they effortlessly blend in with regrowth and don’t require hair to be bleached beforehand.
Brown Cinnamon
Spice up your life with brown cinnamon for added depth and a subtle glow. This warm medium brown is a gorgeous hair color for warm undertones and neutral undertones.
Golden Brown
Our next hair color for dark skin is golden brown, a regal brown with complexion-brightening golden tones. It’s a beautiful hair color for medium dark skin tone with warm undertones.
Hazelnut Brown
There’s no need to go nuts searching for the best hair color for neutral undertones. Hazelnut brown, a nutty medium brown with balanced warmth, is an excellent option. It gives off a classic, natural vibe and flatters warm-neutral undertones.
Best Red Hair Colors for Dark Skin Tones
The next section in our hair color ideas for dark skin is red hot! These red hair colors for dark skin bring bold contrast and warmth and are great for expressing yourself.
Ginger Red
A spicy red-orange, ginger red emanates an energy and brightness that makes it a dazzling hair color for warm skin tone.
Auburn Red
Burgundy Red
A toast to this deep wine shade that provides dramatic contrast against deep complexions. Burgundy red is one of several striking hair color shades for cool skin tones.
Best Blonde Hair Colors for Dark Skin Tones
Blonde hair color for dark skin? Absolutely. See for yourself if blondes really do have more fun when you try any of these shades, which create high-impact brightness and a striking glow.
Honey Blonde
Everyone’s buzzing about honey blonde, a golden blonde with warmth and radiance. It’s the ideal hair color for warm undertones.
Caramel Blonde
Chestnut Blonde
Chestnut blonde is a deep blonde with hints of brown for subtle lightness. Anyone with neutral undertones will find this hair color for dark skin super flattering.
Best Black Hair Colors for Dark Skin Tones
The last section in our roundup of hair color ideas for dark skin is all about black hair color. It’s no surprise black looks amazing against deep complexions; black shades maximize shine and deliver bold, striking dimension. They’re also one of the best hair color shades for cool skin tones.
Jet Black
The most universally flattering shade for dark skin of any undertone, especially cool undertones, is jet black. Dramatic and glossy, this hair color makes curls and coils pop.
Natural Black-Brown
Tips for Maintaining Hair Colors for Dark Skin Tones
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo. Its gentle formulation will cleanse your hair with minimal color fade.
- Wash your hair in cool water. Cool water seals the hair cuticle and prevents hair dye molecules from escaping.
- Deep condition on a weekly basis. Your hair will be nourished and your color will be more vibrant.
- Wear protective styles and use satin accessories. They’ll help keep your hair color bright.
TIP: Brown and black hair colors tend to last the longest, from 6-8 weeks, whereas reds tend to last just 4-6 weeks before needing a refresh.
Hair Color for Dark Skin Tones Virtual Try On
Excited to explore your options now that you know all about the best hair colors for dark skin? Let our Virtual Try On Tool be a part of your journey! Take or upload a selfie or select a model who looks like you to preview yourself in any of the shades from Dark & Lovely.
Best Hair Dye Products for Dark Skin Tones
Hair Colors for Dark Skin Tones FAQs
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Can Dark Skin Tones Wear Blonde Hair Colors?
Yes, dark skin tones can wear blonde hair colors. Honey blonde, caramel blonde, and chestnut blonde are especially flattering hair colors for dark skin. To find your ideal shade, we recommend selecting based on your undertone. Honey blonde goes best with warm undertones, chestnut blonde flatters neutral undertones, and caramel blonde suits warm and neutral undertones. -
What Shade of Red Hair Color Looks Most Natural on Dark Skin?
The shades of red hair color that look most natural on dark skin are auburn and burgundy. Auburn and burgundy are both red hair colors for dark skin that offer warmth and richness without being overpowering. Opt for auburn if you have dark skin with neutral undertones or burgundy if you’ve got cool undertones. -
What Is the Best Hair Color for Medium Dark Skin Tones?
The best hair color for medium dark skin tone is mocha brown, chestnut blonde, and caramel blonde. These hair colors balance depth with brightness, resulting in a flattering, natural finish. Mocha brown and chestnut blonde suit medium dark tones with neutral undertones, whereas caramel blonde works best on warm or neutral undertones. -
What’s the Best Way to Prevent Hair Color From Fading?
The best way to prevent hair color for dark skin from fading is to use sulfate-free shampoo, which won’t strip hair color as quickly as regular shampoo can, and to rinse with cool, not hot, water. Additionally, avoid applying excessive heat to your hair using hot tools, and refresh reds every 4-6 weeks. -
What Hair Color Is Easiest to Maintain for Dark Skin Tones?
The hair colors that are easiest to maintain for dark skin tones are jet black, natural black-brown, and chestnut blonde. These shades are considered low maintenance for dark skin tones because they blend better with regrowth and fade subtly. Jet black complements all undertones, especially cool undertones; chestnut blonde suits neutral undertones, and natural black-brown flatters both neutral and cool undertones.