20 Best Black Hair Dyes for Shiny And Natural-looking Hair

Written by Neha Tiwari Updated on Feb 13, 2024  |  1.8M
Best Black Hair Dyes for Shiny and Natural Looking Hair
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The idea of going dark on your strands or renewing their color can be quite intimidating, especially if it is the first time you are doing it yourself. But now you can choose from a collection of the best black hair dyes on the market to transform your nightmare of coloring your hair black into a daydream that makes your locks look stunning. 

Moreover, from blending in the salt and pepper look to a more refined black streak, our beauty expert team found solace in utilizing black hair dyes for any “hairy” situation. At a plus point, staining your hair black will make it "appear" glossy and fuller than any other color. This is because lighter hair colors, even if they are healthy, may appear unhealthy and lack sheen due to their light color pigment. Keeping this in mind, the oh-so nit-picky beauty experts scoured through various brands and put them to the test in terms of efficiency and dye power to bring you the ‘crème de la crème’ of black hair dyes. 

Save time, energy, and most importantly, money, with our top recommendations listed below!

20 Best Black Hair Dyes

When it comes to curating skin-friendly hair care products that work miraculously, the brand Garnier never disappoints its loyalists. With over a century-old expertise in the domain and age-old formulations passed down the lineage, this brand has introduced this potent black hair dye for concealing your pesky grays. It is consciously formulated with the choicest of natural ingredients like sunflower seed oil, castor oil and ternifolia seed oil, which form an undefeatable amalgamation for battling dry patches. The most interesting part of this product is that it has a robust no-drip formula, smells amazing, and eradicates all visible signs of roughness and dullness without weighing down the hair. 

Pros
  • Provides a silky appearance
  • Allergen-free
  • Penetrates deeply into hair follicles
  • Reverses roughness and dullness
Cons
  • Tends to bleach roots
  • Best for Premature Graying

    AGEbeautiful Permanent Anti-aging Hair Color - 1N Jet Black

    AGEbeautiful Permanent Anti-aging Hair Color - 1N Jet Black
  • As the makers of the product rightly claim, this black hair dye does indeed address the five evident signs of hair aging. It is formulated with melanin, keratin peptide, and silk protein, which help to restore color, make hair manageable, and provide a soft, silky alluring shine. Furthermore, it helps to strengthen weak roots and hence, is a salon professional favorite for battling hair shedding and follicular fractures. Lastly, it is best suited for all types of hair — straight, wavy, curly and coily, and has managed to seal a place for itself in the category of the best black hair dyes. 

    Pros
    • Boosts hair volume
    • Improves hair manageability
    • Conditions coarse hair
    • Improves shine
    Cons
    • Watery consistency
  • Best to Boost Shine

    Maria Nila Color Refresh

    Maria Nila Color Refresh
  • This 100% vegan clack hair dye consists of super-nourishing ingredients — think panthenol, argan oil, and wheat protein — that minimize damage in the coloring process and “lock” moisture in your precious locks. Due to the same reason, this conditioner-like hair color would be a treat to pre-lightened or bleached tresses. And the color payoff you get with this product is rather “refreshing” for the eyes, considering how rich and vibrant it makes your hair look. Professionals love this product for the stunning results it delivers and how it can be used in versatile ways. 

    Pros
    • Makes the hair super-shiny
    • Revitalizes your hair
    • Color lasts for weeks
    • Richly pigmented formula
    • No weird undertones
    • Natural finish
    Cons
    • Inefficient pump dispenser
  • Easiest to Apply

    Clairol Professional Beautiful Moisturizing Semi-permanent Color

    Clairol Professional Beautiful Moisturizing Semi-permanent Color
  • Considering how simple the usage of this semi-permanent black hair dye is, one can choose to use it even after a long day and without any help. The formula of this product is super-concentrated, which is why you can expect a vibrant color payoff after every use that lasts for weeks. What customers love the most about this dye is that it gives a natural finish that fades gradually — so, first-time users can get a chance to get used to the color once it tones down. Additionally, we love how nourishing this product is for your hair as it contains the goodness of aloe vera and jojoba oil. 

    Pros
    • Intermixable with other shades
    • No mixing process
    • Moisturizes intensely
    • Cost-effective
    • Great for all hair types
    • Minimizes damage
    • Doesn’t smell strong
    Cons
    • Not as long-lasting as expected
  • Pravana ChromaSilk Permanent Creme Hair Color - 1N Black

    Pravana ChromaSilk Permanent Creme Hair Color - 1N Black
  • Revive your weakened hair fibers with the Pravana Chroma black hair dye. The product provides a premium level of hair coverage without making the hair susceptible to stress caused by mechanical stressors. Furthermore, it has a consciously curated ammonia-free formulation that provides an unmatched radiance and makes the hair silky and soft without causing hair root damage or triggering scalp inflammation. Lastly, it has a non-drip formulation which makes its application an easy peasy task. The best part? It requires only 20-30 minutes to start working and hence is one of the most preferred options by people constantly on the go. 

    Pros
    • Quick absorbing
    • Phthalate-free
    • Boosts volume
    • Elevates shine
    Cons
    • Faulty packaging
  • Transylvania Hair Color by Arctic Fox

    Transylvania Hair Color by Arctic Fox
  • Transylvania hair color by Arctic Fox is a semi-permanent, long-lasting direct dye that conditions your hair, leaving it feeling moisturized and stronger. A variety of base hair colors will work well with this jet-black color that has a blue undertone. But on hair that has been lightened to level 7 or less, this color will show as the darkest, truest black. It has a highly pigmented color formula that was developed after two years of diligent research and development with the goal of reducing any color bleeding and staining. So you don't really have to worry about dirtying your clothes or looking like you painted your face while dying your hair.

    Pros
    • Ammonia-free
    • Cruelty-free
    • Long-lasting
    Cons
    • Results may vary
  • Best Long Lasting

    Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme

    Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme
  • Blackest Black, a shade of Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme, provides absolute gray coverage with its rich, opulent, and strong black color that lasts long. A color boost technology and triple fruit oils—avocado, olive, and shea—have been added to the formula to improve its effects further. These nourishing components are combined to create a rich, drip-free creme formula that gives the hair a dark, permanent color. Additionally, the hair is nourished by the grapeseed oil in this hair color. When you use this dye to color your hair, it also becomes stronger and more hydrated.

    Pros
    • Easy to use
    • Long-lasting
    • Contains oil ampoules
    Cons
    • Contains ammonia
  • Best Vibrancy

    L'oreal Paris Excellence Hicolor Permanent Hair Color

    L'oreal Paris Excellence Hicolor Permanent Hair Color
  • The rich, silky crème composition of Excellence HiColor Permanent Hair Colour by L'Oreal nourishes and penetrates hair for intense, long-lasting color. It's the perfect dark shade for blondes and brunettes to try for a winter princess look. Many reviewers have come forward to share their experience and mention how actually true-to-shade the color remains and resists fading. And after trying the product, we found it has a thirty-minute processing time, that's perfect for at-home quick hair dyeing.

    Pros
    • Cost-effective
    • Easy to store and use
    • Less fading
    • Good color payoff
    • Looks natural
    Cons
    • Might itch a little after application
  • Best Drip-free Formula

    SoftSheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color

    SoftSheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color
  • SoftSheen-Carson's ultimate hair dye for shiny, lustrous hair, showcases a new conditioner formulation that colors and sustains the tresses - all in one. It's enriched with ingredients like argan oil and vitamin E to help protect from dryness and nourishes from the root to the tips. Addedly, it features moisture seal technology, that hydrates and moistens the brittle strands which get much affected by the dyeing process. After conducting experiments with it, we found it lead to less hair breakage and didn't drip like a leaky tap after application. It's one of the best hair dyes for black hair-seeking individuals!

    Pros
    • 100% gray coverage
    • Easy to use
    • Drip-free
    • Suitable for all hair types
    Cons
    • Might fade a little
  • Best Drugstore Product

    Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color

    Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color
  • This ammonia-free permanent hair dye is perfect for delicate scalps that react easily to the slightest prick of harsh chemicals. Infused with keratin proteins and silk amino acids, the color dye replenishes the hair follicles and shafts with thorough care. Also, it delivers long-lasting results and is ideal for individuals searching for grey hair covering or a new look. After trying the box dye for a couple of weeks, we found it is a perfect match for novice hair experiments and covering classic grays and whites.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Ideal for beginners
    • Vibrant hue
    • Prevents damage
    Cons
    • The formula might drip
  • Best Nourishing Formula

    AGEbeautiful Permanent Antiaging Color

    AGEbeautiful Permanent Antiaging Color
  • Along with coloring your tresses, the oh-so-fab Permanent Antiaging Color also nourishes and fortifies the fibers for fuller, thicker, and healthier-looking mane. The unique anti-aging formulation is blessed with melanin, biotin, keratin peptides, and silk proteins that restore the hair with important components that are lost with aging. After putting the color tint to the test, we found it lasts for up to 8 weeks and our beauty team would advise choosing a shade that is 1-2 levels lighter than the desired color.

    Pros
    • 100% gray coverage
    • Doesn’t dry out hair
    • Thickens hair
    • Natural-looking color
    Cons
    • Not cost-effective
  • Best Pigment

    Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream

    Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Color Cream
  • Schwarzkopf has come up with a formula called Color Ultime that provides vivid color intensity to hair. If you're looking to color your hair black, this dye makes sure that you have hair as black as the night sky and that too with a shine like the stars. It improves the hair texture and enhances one's natural pigment. The Color Ultime box comes with an application bottle, a developer lotion, one tube of color, and one tube of conditioning treatment. It also has a leaflet that provides thorough instructions on how you should color your beautiful hair.

    Pros
    • Fade-resistant
    • Instant-results
    • Dermatologically tested
    Cons
    • May dry out the hair
  • Best Hair Dye for Coarse Hair

    Adore Semi-permanent Hair Color

    Adore Semi-permanent Hair Color
  • Adore's jet-black color is a semi-permanent dye that gives your natural hair a high-impact color. This dye can also be applied to humain-hair wigs, that models and celebs use. Most of us run away from ingredients that harm our hair health. Peroxide, drying alcohols, and ammonia ruin our hair but this dye has been made without any of these harmful ingredients. In this line of dyes, you can find just about any color you're looking for, from natural colors that are dark or light, to fancy and trendy fashion colors. The black color has a strong stain and can withstand up to 20 washes.

    Pros
    • Alcohol-free
    • Ammonia-free
    • Makes hair soft
    Cons
    • Not easily available
  • Jet Black Henna Hair Color

    Jet Black Henna Hair Color
  • Using henna to color hair has been a traditional way to pigment the hair or cover grays in many regions of the world. This organic hair color does not discriminate! It colors all shades of hair, including blondes, brunettes, redheads, and those with gray or white hair evenly. Jet Black Henna offers an amazing, dazzling black color. The darkest henna hair color adds ebony tones to black hair, enhancing it further, and raising the darkness of lighter hair to new heights. This is the color you desire if you want something rich and striking!

    Pros
    • Conditioning
    • Adds shine
    • Boosts manageability
    • Helps with hair growth
    Cons
    • Does not last long
  • Naturtint Permanent Hair Color Gel

    Naturtint Permanent Hair Color Gel
  • Olives and meadowfoam seed oil are among the nourishing plant-based ingredients in this Naturtint Permanent Hair Color formulation. These components make the hair healthy, radiant, and soft while also moisturizing and strengthening it. It offers complete gray coverage and infuses a vibrant, lasting, and deep color into the hair. It is dermatologically tested and is proven to be mild on the scalp and skin. There are three shades of black available in this semi-permanent vegan hair dye — cool ebony black, warmer brownish-black, and blue-black. If natural is what you're looking for, your search ends here.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Paraban-free
    • No artificial fragrance
    Cons
    • May fade early
  • Kiss Colors Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color

    Kiss Colors Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color
  • For those who want to be nonchalant about coloring their hair and don't wish to forgo the health of their hair, Tintation is a semi-permanent hair color treatment that ensures damage-free hair color. The dye has ingredients that maintain a healthy pH balance and repair the dead skin cells on the scalp. It has amino acids that accelerate hair growth and supply hair strands with protein. This product is also a great choice for people with damaged hair as it does not color the hair permanently, and only primarily colors the cuticle of the hair.

    Pros
    • Maximum hydration
    • Contains collagen
    • Made with aloe water
    Cons
    • Not jet black
  • Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Color

     Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Color
  • The Clairol Nice'n Easy permanent hair dye produces a striking black shade with a blue undertone by combining three different color tones in its formulation. It delivers complete gray hair coverage for up to eight weeks. Equipped with gloves, a blend activator, a color seal conditioner, and the color blend formula, the kit is comprehensive and allows for easy application. The color-sealing conditioning gloss that comes in the kit adds a brilliant shine to the hair while locking in the color pigments. It is made of special dye molecules, which provide deep, long-lasting color while lowering the possibility of allergies.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Long-lasting
    • Complete coverage
    Cons
    • Pungent smell
  • Wella Color Tango Permanent Masque Hair Color

    Wella Color Tango Permanent Masque Hair Color
  • Wella Color Tango is a brilliant black hair dye that is permanent and fade-resistant. It is formulated with Moisture Embrace Technology that delivers intense moisture which carefully conditions each strand and provides long-lasting sheen and smoothness to it. This black hair dye for natural hair has a thick consistency that allows for easy application without creating a mess. The best part? It smells like mimosas! Who wouldn't want to smell like mimosas when covering up their grays! This color however is a little old-school when it comes to packaging. It comes in a rigid squeeze tube and needs to be applied using a bowl and a brush.

    Pros
    • Quick results
    • Smells incredible
    • Pleasant fragrance
    • Conditions the hair
    Cons
    • Application may be difficult
  • Smart Beauty Colour-plex Permanent Hair Color

    Smart Beauty Colour-plex Permanent Hair Color
  • As the name suggests, this is a really smart hair color that not just covers your grays, but also repairs and replenishes them. Smart Beauty permanent pure black hair dye has anti-break technology that ensures that no hair strands are martyred in this “operation black” (your hair color!). This product's Plex technology actually nurtures and rebuilds the micro-bond fiber structure of the hair, making it stronger and healthier. It rebuilds your precious hair's natural structure and guards it against any further damage, thereby enhancing the volume of the hair considerably.

    Pros
    • 100% vegan
    • Mineral oil-free
    • Cruelty-free
    Cons
    • Requires more product
  • Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel

    Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel
  • Herbatint hair color is every woman's dream come true. It is a hair color made with natural ingredients that deliver avant-garde results. Most of us, burdened with the fear of damaging our hair, seek natural remedies to color our hair, but home remedies are often time-consuming and messy. Herbatint offers all the natural goodness in a mess-free kit. It is a specially created herb extract that uses rosemary, cinchona, and walnut husk to gently deposit color, giving your hair a natural, fresh-out-of-salon appearance.

    Pros
    • Easy gel formula
    • Organic ingredients
    • Dermatologically tested
    Cons
    • May not last long

    Before we head on to purchase the hair dyes, our team thought its best to show this buying guide for a better insight into how to choose the black hair dye for your mane.

    How to Pick the Best Black Hair Dyes

    You're probably on the lookout for the best black hair dye to stain your hair black, and you don't want to make an error.  Fret not, we'll tell you what to be mindful of when going for the best black hair dyes.  When selecting black hair dye, there are a few factors to take into account, swipe down to check them out.

    Skin Tone: At the outset, it's always important to match the shade with your skin tone before uu purchase to avoid looking like a misfit recruit. Our best guess to match is that deep, dark complexion tones look great with smooth, lustrous black hair. True black looks well on those with warmer skin tones. To bring out the natural shine of your cheekbones, try black colors with blue undertones. Don't be scared to experiment with the color panel's deepest midnight! These vibrant colors look fantastic in dark and warm complexion tones. 

    Conditioning Ingredients
    Picking a black hair dye that won't damage your tresses is important because some black hair dyes contain harsh chemicals that can harm your hair. Whatever tint you decide on, look for ingredients that will condition your hair. Argan oil is a good ingredient to make hair shiny and smooth.

    Type of Dye
    There are many different kinds of black hair dyes, including temporary, demi-permanent, semi-permanent, and permanent. The color black is a natural shade of color, unlike deep reds, blondes, etc,  so there are permanent color options available. Depending on how you want it to fade, you can choose a different type of dye. Select a permanent dye if you want to keep your black hair dyed for a long time. When the color fades, you only need to infrequently update the roots and restore the color.

    Gray Coverage
    The dye must be deeply pigmented to be able to completely cover the hair from roots to lengths, without bleeding onto the skin or scalp. Gray coverage is an important factor to consider when selecting a hair dye 

    Results: To know how your color might suit you, we suggest browsing the reviews to see how long the dyes persist and whether they fade or last with each wash. There are various fade-resistant dyes and wash-proof hair colors available, and they endure a long time. Don’t ignore it as it will show and rest on top of your head, so always check out the reviews for the best results.


    Safety
    Make sure to read the ingredients list before committing to a dye. If you're getting your hair colored at a salon, it would be better to get a patch test or enquire about any allergens in the hair color. So that it does not irritate your scalp.  Avoid using hair dye that contains harmful chemicals, even if you don't have any allergies. If you find names like lead acetate, methylisothiazolinone, or DMDM hydantoin, abort the mission!

    There are many different black hues and undertones to choose from, including warm black, solid jet black (if you want the deepest black), blue-black (which has cooler undertones), and more. If it's the first time you're dying your hair black and are unsure which shade you want, choose a demi-permanent color that fades over time if you aren't ready to commit to a permanent shade.

    How to Use Black Hair Dyes

    Once you have chosen your hair dye, the next step is to apply it rightly to yield optimal results. Here's how you should apply black hair dye. 

    1. Protect the Skin
    We know you want to color your hair but we are well aware that you don't want to get any stains on your clothes or your skin in that process. To avoid any unwanted color on your clothing and skin, apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to any area that might come into contact with your hair or the dye to prevent stains on your forehead, cheeks, and neck. When you are finished coloring your strands, you can easily wipe off this protective layer. It would be wise to wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty as well.

    2. Part the Hair
    Make sections in your mane next. Create more controllable, smaller sections in your hair. Your hair's thickness will determine how many sections you should make-- the thicker your hair the more section you need to make.  Use a claw clip to secure the rest of your hair out of the way while leaving just one section hanging free, to begin with.

    3. Mix the Color
    Follow the instructions to the T and mix the hair color as advised on the pack. Rubber gloves can be worn at this time to protect your hands as well. 

    4. Apply the Hair Dye
    Applying hair dye when the hair is dry yields the best results. Some may even dampen their hair lengths. But, too much moisture might prevent the dye from locking into the hair. Working in sections, apply the color as instructed. Make sure you have covered your hair in ample color and that no spots are missing.

    5. Wait and Rinse
    When your hair is completely covered, wait the allotted amount of time for the color to develop. Never overdo the waiting game because some colors may cause allergic reactions. After the designated time has passed, thoroughly rinse your hair. Unless the hair dye you're using specifies otherwise, you shouldn't wash your hair with shampoo. However, you should continue with a conditioner, which at-home color kits frequently include. It locks in any lost moisture. Voila, you are ready to rock those dark, shiny, tresses!

    Although black hair dye is a well-liked beauty product, some people wonder if it is more harmful than other hair dyes because of the intense color. Thanks to the advances in the beauty industry, there are now a lot of natural black hair dyes available on the market that don't use harsh chemicals. In addition to being safer for the environment, these dyes are less likely to harm our valuable hair. Take cues and tips from the list above and make sure to carefully read the label when selecting a black hair dye to make sure you are getting a high-quality product. We're sure you're dye-ing to start coloring your hair!

    FAQ's

    Is professional black hair dye better than box dye?
    Professional products have better strength, but box colors of good quality, when applied properly, do the job.
    What is the longest-lasting black hair dye?
    The best hair colors last anywhere between 6-8 weeks.
    How do you keep black hair dye from fading?
    Utilizing shampoo and conditioner made specifically for colored hair is one way to help prevent this. These products help to keep the color in place and prevent it from fading.
    What skin tone does black hair look good on?
    Black hair looks good on all skin tones.
    How often should I dye my hair black?
    If you're using traditional permanent dye, try to limit your dyeing to every six to eight weeks to prevent damaging your hair.
    Is it hard to maintain black hair color?
    It is easy to maintain black-colored hair if you take care of it.
    Is black hair dye the least damaging?
    Yes, as the action of pre-lighting your hair is eliminated, thus keeping your hair texture and quality a little better than other colors.
    What black hair dye looks most natural?
    Arctic Fox black hair dye looks the most natural among the rest.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Neha Tiwari reviewed the best black hair dyes because she wanted to offer her readers authentic and helpful advice on achieving their desired hair color. With a dedicated following and a passion for hair care, Neha recognized the importance of hair dye choices and the impact they have on one's appearance and self-confidence. According to her, Clairol Nice'n Easy permanent hair dye is a game-changer, providing salon-quality results at a fraction of the cost. She is thrilled with the transformation, and highly recommends it and the other top-rated products mentioned here to all haircare enthusiasts seeking flawless black tresses.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Neha Tiwari
    Copy Editor

    Neha Tiwari, a certified Haircare coach, an experienced writer, educator, translator, and editor, has been catering t More