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Home » Hair Care Products » Hair Dye » The 15 Best Permanent Black Hair Dyes

The 15 Best Permanent Black Hair Dyes

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aida turner

Published by Aida Turner

Fact checked by Annie

If you asked anyone decades ago what hair color they prefer on women, many would say that blondes do it better.

It was the more attractive and trendier shade of hair then since it was all-American, bright, and summery.

But nowadays, black hair is king when it comes to glam looks. It’s dark, sultry, and mysterious, so it’s every star’s go-to. It’s chic and on-trend—models and Instagram stars like the Kardashians make this apparent.

So don’t be surprised if you wake up one day and get the random urge to kiss your light-colored mane goodbye to go for simple yet sexy black hair.

And if you’re in it for the long ride, permanent hair dye is going to be your new friend.

Best Overall

Amazon best-selling product B07Q5CBNBM

Our rating

WELLA Color Charm Permanent Liquid Hair Color in Black

  • Vivid and deep black color
  • Has a pleasant, floral fragrance
  • It does a great job covering the greys
RUNNER-UP

Amazon best-selling product B082LJWWW6

Our rating

Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Color in Jet Black

  • Gentle dye for sensitive scalps and fine hair
  • Contains oat milk and argan oil
  • Infused with proteins for moisture and strength
Best Value

Amazon best-selling product B001TVR9DK

Our rating

L’Oreal Superior Preference Fade-Defying Color + Shine System in Ultimate Black

  • Comes with shine serums
  • The color lasts up to eight weeks
  • Leaves your hair soft and silky

Why turn your hair black?

Your hair color should be a form of self-expression—something that screams “you” and will allow you to feel creative.

So if you think you have the personality of someone mysterious and brooding, switching to black hair might be a fabulous idea.

You might also want to transform your mane to black if you feel that it’s more suited to your skin tone.

An unlucky few might be born with a natural hair color that washes out their tan or pale skin, but black is flattering on all skin colors, so it’s an excellent option for that.

Coloring your hair black can also make your locks look healthier. The dye plumps up your strands, boosting body and volume in your fine tresses.

It also reflects more shine than lighter hair colors, so your hair will have a glossier luminosity.

But be warned—once you go black, you can’t always go back to blonde or brunette just because you feel like it.

You’re adding a very dark color to your locks, so if you want lighter hair again, you’ll need to bleach your strands to get rid of the black pigment in your cuticle.

The benefits of using permanent hair dye 

Permanent hair dye is made with ammonia, an oxidizing agent like peroxide, and a colored dye. It lifts the cuticle and deposits pigment in your hair fiber, effectively staining it.

Now, a permanent dye can sound intimidating, especially if you’re not entirely sure you can commit to one hair color your entire life.

But there are many advantages to using permanent dye instead of something temporary that can wash out within a week or two.

First, you don’t have to reapply every couple of months to maintain your color. Permanent dye doesn’t wash out even if you use a strong shampoo. The only way to get rid of it is to cut your hair or bleach the pigment out. 

So if you want something heavy-duty and get the assurance that you won’t have to maintain it with constant coloring sessions, permanent dye is perfect for you.

They also look more natural than other temporary hair color options, but you don’t lose out on richness and darkness either.

They even provide efficient coverage for white and gray hairs, which are challenging to color with semi- and semi-permanent dyes. 

But isn’t permanent dye bad for the hair?

Yes, the ammonia, peroxide, and other harsh chemicals infused in permanent hair dye can cause more damage than temporary hair colors.

This is especially since the formula has to be left on your hair longer, which increases the risk of hair damage.

Like all chemical processes, dyeing your hair can lessen hair elasticity and promote dryness and fragility.

Permanent dye deposits pigment straight into the hair cortex, which can push moisture out and dry up your hair strands. 

Fortunately, many permanent hair dye brands have become more forward-thinking, designing dyes meant to give you long-lasting color while still maintaining your hair’s integrity.

They do this with conditioners, shine serums, and other nourishing concoctions.

If you’re uncomfortable with having to damage your hair just to get the black color you want, you can always opt for a dye without ammonia. Look for one with natural conditioning oils, like coconut and argan oil.

Top 15 Best Permanent Black Hair Dye

1. WELLA Color Charm Permanent Liquid Hair Color in Black

Product Overview

This permanent color by Wella is designed with unique Liquifuse technology to ensure that the dye is distributed evenly every time for smooth, uniform color from root to tip.

It leaves your hair with a vivid and deep black color that is fade-resistant and will last a long time. It even does a great job covering up gray hairs that are too stubborn to take color.

  • Ammonia free formula
  • Uniform color from root to top
  • Deep, fade-resistant color
  • Won’t leave an chemical odors

The dye has a floral fragrance, so you won’t have to deal with that chemical-like odor that comes with other permanent dyes.

Pros

  • Doesn’t damage your hair with chemicals
  • Spreads evenly and nicely
  • Makes your hair smooth and silky

The Cons

  • You’ll need a conditioner

2. Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Color in Jet Black

Product Overview

If you have a sensitive scalp and fine hair, you need a gentle, permanent dye like this one by Schwarzkopf.

It’s dermatologist-tested to be friendly and non-irritating to the scalp as you paint your hair a luscious jet black color.

  • Non-irritating formula
  • Contains oat milk and argan oil
  • Has proteins for extra strength
  • Doesn’t use ammonia or alcohol

This dye formula contains oat milk, argan oil, proteins for moisture and strength.

It also has zero ammonia, alcohol, or silicones, so you can be sure it will be gentle to your delicate hair and not strip it of healthy moisture.

Pros

  • Restores your hair
  • Doesn’t strip your hairs natural oil
  • Works great with sensitive scalps

The Cons

  • Washes out fast enough

3. L’Oreal Superior Preference Fade-Defying Color + Shine System in Ultimate Black

Product Overview

This fade-defying permanent color by L’Oreal gives you deep and vivid blackness in one application.

It gives your hair more dimension and shine, so the dark color isn’t so flat and dull. The color lasts up to eight weeks long.

  • Color lasts up to 8 weeks
  • Comes with a shine serum
  • Deeply conditions your hair
  • Restores hair follicles health

It comes with shine serums and a nourishing conditioner to restore your hair’s healthy moisture levels, allowing for bounce and shine even after a thorough dyeing session.

Pros

  • Maintains hair’s health
  • Good for sensitive skin
  • Provides a deep and vivid blackness

The Cons

  • Needs 2 or 3 packs for long hair

4. Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Color in Black

Product Overview

While this Clairol dye gives you a grungy black color, it does so in a blend of three tones and highlights to give your color depth and dimension.

It also conditions your hair in every step of the dyeing process to ensure you retain shine and softness.

  • Easy to apply and distribyte
  • Non-drip formula 
  • Gives color depth and brightness
  • Works nice with all types of hair

The non-drip formula comes in a smooth cream to make it easy to apply and distribute through your hair without making a big mess in your bathroom.

Pros

  • Retains shine and softness
  • Gives a nice shade of black
  • Won’t make a mess of your bathroom 

The Cons

  • The formula is strong

5. Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color in Black

Product Overview

This ammonia-free dye by Revlon provides a natural yet dark, full, high-definition black color to your locks while strengthening your strands simultaneously.

 It’s enriched with silk amino acids and keratin proteins to fortify your hair and make it smooth and soft to the touch. It also adds a glossy, healthy sheen to the hair.

  • Infused with keratin proteins
  • Works great with greys
  • Provides natural darkness
  • Perfect for all types of hair

Its 3D color gel technology makes coloring stubborn gray hair a breeze, leaving you with a natural, uniform color across your tresses.

Pros

  • The most affordable formula
  • Leaves your hair soft and shiny
  • Can be applied at home

The Cons

  • Has ammonia

6. Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Color in Jet Black

Product Overview

This permanent color by Softsheen-Carson is explicitly designed for the needs of women of color. It caters to natural Afro-American hair that needs to stay moisturized.

To do this, it has shea butter, avocado oil, and olive oil to provide deep moisture as you color your hair a rich and sultry jet black.

  • Infused with avocado and olive oils
  • Has shea butter for nutrients
  • Formulated with argan oil for moisture
  • Vitamin E for extra sntreght 

The box dye also comes with a new nourishing conditioner formulated with argan oil and vitamin E. These add even more hydration to the hair while elevating its shine and luminosity.

Pros

  • Keeps your hair soft and smooth
  • Contains a conditioner
  • Helps restoring hairs health and shiness

The Cons

  • The formula is strong

7. Schwarzkopf Keratin Color in Black Onyx

Product Overview

This permanent dye by Schwarzkopf is enriched with a unique keratin bond complex that strengthens your hair. It repairs any damage in your hair’s inner structure while smoothing out your cuticle for sleekness.

  • Works nice with damaged hair
  • Makes your hair more elastic and strong
  • Repairs inner damage
  • Doesn’t dry out hair cuticle

It’s designed with an anti-breakage technology that reduces split ends and hair-snapping by up to 80%, so you can enjoy full, dark, lusciously black hair that is strong and elastic.

Pros

  • Doesn’t damage your hair
  • Leaves no stickiness
  • Repairs and restores damaged hair

The Cons

  • Doesn’t work great with long hair

8. Creme of Nature Liquid Hair Color in Jet Black

Product Overview

Dry hair will love this permanent hair color by Crème of Nature because it provides rich and intense moisture as you color your hair a deep, classic jet black.

The formula leaves dimension in your new hair color while bringing forth radiant shine.

  • Contains shea butter
  • Rich in nutrients and amino acids
  • Intense moisture and nice color
  • Contains a conditioner

The pack contains a conditioner rich in creamy shea butter that moisturizes the hair deeply, allowing your locks to be more soft and hydrated than it was before. 

Pros

  • Keeps your hair’s moisture in place
  • Has a durable hair color and shine
  • Prevents hair from breakage and damage

The Cons

  • Can cause skin irritation

9. ONC Natural Colors Healthier Permanent Hair Color in Black

Product Overview

This vegan and ammonia-free permanent hair color by ONC Natural Colors is a healthy, environment-friendly option for the usual hair dye. 

It’s infused with natural ingredients your hair will love, including aloe, argan oil, coconut oil, essential hair vitamins, and more. These hydrate your hair while adding a natural glow and shine to it.

  • Infused with natural ingredients
  • Has aloe vera and essential vitamins
  • Contains argan and coconut oil
  • Designed to maintain hair health 

It’s also designed to be gentle to the scalp and hair, giving you the optimal comfort level for your skin and less damage for your tresses.

Pros

  • Provides nice and even color
  • Works nice with all types of hair
  • Provides shine and smoothness

The Cons

  • Doesn’t work great for dry hair

10. Il Salone Milano Intense Professional Color Cream in Pure Black

Product Overview

This Italian permanent color cream is designed to give you black, salon-gorgeous locks in the comfort of your home. It provides intense color that covers even those pesky white hairs that don’t take pigment that well.

This dye also does a great job moisturizing your hair since it’s enriched with botanical oils like linseed and meadowfoam seed oils.

These oils also help smoothen out the hair, making it sleek and manageable after dyeing it.

  • Infused with natural oils
  • Linseed and meadowfoam extracts
  • Covers greys pretty well
  • Permanent black color

Pros

  • Provides moisture as well as color
  • Won’t dry out your hair too much
  • Works great for newbies and professionals

The Cons

  • You might need two packs

11. Garnier Olia Brilliant Color in Darkest Platinum Brown

Product Overview

This nourishing, ammonia-free permanent color by Garnier makes it its mission to keep your hair healthy and hydrated even after going through a chemical process like dyeing your hair.

It leaves your tresses with a brilliant and vivid black color.

  • Includes hydrating flower oils
  • Adds shinees and softness
  • Keeps your hair hydrated
  • Bright and vivid color

Sixty percent of its formula is made with natural ingredients, including hydrating flower oils that add shine, softness, and smoothness to your locks. 

Pros

  • Has a thick and foamy consistency
  • Doesn’t leave any damage
  • Keeps your hair hydrated

The Cons

  • Has no scent

12. L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme in Natural Black

Product Overview

Get natural black color in your locks with this crème formula by L’Oreal. It has a triple-protection system that seals in all the black pigments in your hair, keeping your new color from fading.

  • Contains collaged and keratin
  • Infused with moisturizing ceramides
  • Maintains hair’s health
  • Gives a nice shade of black

It’s made with hair-loving ingredients such as collagen, keratin, and moisturizing ceramides to nourish and strengthen your locks. It’s a great way to maintain your hair’s health and integrity even as you color it black.

Pros

  • Leaves your hair smooth
  • Doesn’t dry out your hair
  • Can be spread easily and evenly

The Cons

  • Doesn’t cover the greys

13. Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Go Intense! Color in Super Black

Product Overview

If you want a dark, rich, and intense black, this permanent color by Softsheen-Carson is perfect. It gives you a striking, super dark black color. It even provides 100% color coverage for gray hair in just one application.

  • Provides an anti-drying formula
  • Infused with moisrizing olive oil
  • Ensures 100% color coverage
  • Works perfect with dry and dull hair

This anti-drying gel formula is infused with moisturizing olive oil, known to condition dry and dull hair to restore its shine and softness.

Pros

  • Gives a nice shade of dark black
  • Restores hair moisture and health
  • Coats your hair with moisture

The Cons

  • Not the best option for damaged hair

14. Naturtint Permanent Hair Color in Brown Black

Product Overview

Get that sleek and brilliant black color you’ve always dreamed of the natural way with this permanent hair color by Naturtint.

It’s created with olive oil, which is rich in oleic acid to condition and moisturize the hair. It also has some meadowfoam seed oil, which has amazing slip for added smoothness and shine.

  • Plant based formula
  • Created with olive oil
  • Rich in oleic acid
  • Formulated with no ammonia, parabens or other chemicals

This dye is created without ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, synthetic fragrances, and other harsh chemicals that can damage and dry out your gorgeous locks.

Pros

  • Provides a sleek, brilliant black color
  • Adds softness and smoothness
  • Restores hair’s natural shine

The Cons

  • Can be to strong for sensitive skin

15. Naturigin Permanent Hair Color in Black

Product Overview

Naturigin’s black hair dye is made with organic ingredients that hydrate and add shine to your locks while delivering a deep, rich black color.

  • Formulated with organic ingredients
  • Has a lot of essential oils
  • Nice, pleasant scent
  • Includes mandarin and lemon extracts

It’s uniquely formulated with a blend of aromatic and hydrating essential oils, including mandarin and lemon extracts. This leaves the solution smelling fruity and fresh—a far cry from the usual chemical-like aromas of other permanent dyes.

Pros

  • No scalp irritation after applying
  • Doesn’t damage your hair health
  • Leaves no irritating scent

The Cons

  • Doesn’t go well with oily hair

Conclusion

Permanent hair dye may sound scary at first, and it could cast doubts about whether or not you should go black forever.

Remember—it’s permanent and can’t be washed out, so only opt for this if you’re sure you won’t change your mind and want to go back to platinum blonde in a couple of weeks.

If you’re scared of hair damage, go for ammonia-free options that are healthier and more nourishing for your hair.

But if you’re not afraid of a little damage and know how to nurse your hair back to health, go for the rich, high-intensity permanent dyes that give you the fullest, darkest, blackest hair ever.

Best Choice

Amazon best-selling product B07Q5CBNBM

Our rating

WELLA Color Charm Permanent Liquid Hair Color in Black

Vivid and deep black color
Has a pleasant, floral fragrance
It does a great job covering the greys

aida turner

Aida

Founder & Hair Beauty Specialist

I’m Aida and this is my blog where I write mostly about beauty and make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often!