6 Tips for Dying Your Hair Black

Are you thinking about dying your hair black?

Black can be a very pretty hair color on a lot of fun. It’s sophisticated, yet also edgy and stylish. But, before you dye your hair black, there are some things you need to know so you don’t end up looking like Samara from The Ring.

Check out this guide to discover the top things you need to know about dying your hair black.

1. Consider Your Brows

Before you make the move to dye your hair black, you first need to consider your brows. If you have lighter brows, you’ll either need to dye them as well, or find a product that will allow you to fill them in.

Of course, you’ll need to fill them in on a daily basis, which is why many people opt to dye them so they don’t have to deal with the hassle of daily maintenance. Whether dying or filling in, the general rule is that you want your brows to be a couple of shades lighter than your hair color.

We recommend talking with an eyebrow technician or hair stylist to figure out the right brow color to go with your hair.

2. Know Which Shade of Black You Want

It’s also important to understand that just as there are many different shades of blonde, so too are there many different shades of black.

Some people opt for a black dye with violet to hide their brassy undertones, while others opt for a splashes of gold if thay have a lot of gray in their hair. Before you walk into the salon, do some research to figure out which shade of black is best for your look and your lifestyle.

3. Understand the Upkeep

We all know that dying your hair requires upkeep. But, many people are surprised to find out that dying your hair black can require just as much upkeep as dying your hair blonde.

To keep your color fresh, you’ll typically need a touch-up every three to four weeks. Here are some other tips that will help you maintain a vivid black mane:

Make sure your hair is in good condition before you dye it (ie, get a fresh cut)
Avoid washing your hair 72 hours after dying it
Wash your hair less frequency to help the color maintain its vibrancy
Stay away from the heat (especially hot tools like blow dryers and straighteners) as much as you can
Use a shampoo and conditioner that is specially-formulated for dyed black hair
Shower in cooler water

Also, make sure to stay away from the pool as much as possible, as chlorine can do a number on your hair. If you do decide to dunk, it’s best to wear a swim cap or to use a shampoo and conditioner after that can help get the chlorine out.

4. Not All Dyes are Created Equal

While you may be tempted to dye your hair at home, it’s important to understand that you get what you pay for. We recommend dying your hair at the salon, especially if this is your first time going black. If you’re looking for a hair stylist in your area, you can take a look at this guide.

If you really want to save money, you can do the touch-ups at home with a quality kit. Make sure you do your research on the different dye kits available and that you talk to your stylist about finding a kit that matches your initial color.

5. Invest in a Good Serum

If you want your hair to have that shampoo commercial-worthy shine, then you need to invest in a good hair serum.

We suggest going with a silicone-based serum, as this will help bring out the shine in your hair without weighing it down. When applying the serum, cover the tips of your index fingers and your middle fingers with just a droplet of the product. Then, apply it to the parts of your hair that can be seen.

6. Choose Your Shade Based on Your Skin Tone

As we mentioned earlier, there are many different shades of black that you have to choose from. While there’s no hard and fast rule for choosing a shade, it can help to pick the right shade by considering your skin tone.

If you have fair skin, it’s important to understand that any dark dye is going to create a sharp contrast. If you go too dark, you run the risk of looking washed out. To prevent this from happening, we suggest going with a darker brown instead of a pure black.

If you have medium-toned skin, we recommend going with an almost-black/dark brown. While you may be tempted to go darker, it’s important to understand that hair color always turns out darker than advertised on the box.

If you go too dark, it can be hard to correct. It’s way easier to add depth to hair that you feel is too light.

If you have dark skin, then you can go for a jet black shade. Just remember to choose a dye that’s multi-dimensional. Otherwise, your hair and skin tone will look too flat. Also, make sure there’s still a bit of contrast between the shade of your hair and your skin so your beautiful facial features can stand out!