Black is striking, shiny, and surprisingly nuanced. The secret is picking the right undertone and formula for your hair’s condition. If you want inky jet, go neutral cool. If you want a softer, natural look, choose soft black that sits just above level 1. If you are gray resistant, reach for a permanent formula with strong coverage and keep your timing strict. Below are four dependable picks that cover everyday all-over color, stubborn grays, low-commitment demi, and fast root fixes. After that, you will find pro application tips and a care plan that keeps black looking glossy instead of flat.
Quick comparison
If you are between two blacks, start with soft black rather than jet black. Permanent formulas read darker on porous ends, so lighter first is safer. Always do a strand test and time to the minute.
| Pick | Type & Shade | Why it’s great | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| L’Oréal Superior Preference 2 Soft Black | Permanent, level 1–2 | Dimensional, glossy finish and wide tone range | Can over-darken porous ends if pulled through too long |
| Schwarzkopf Keratin Color 1.0 Black | Permanent, neutral cool | Strong gray coverage with porosity-balancing pre-treatment | Thick cream needs patient sectioning to fully saturate |
| Clairol Natural Instincts 2 Black | Demi-permanent, ammonia-free | Softer grow-out and a natural, healthy sheen | Blends grays rather than fully covering |
| Clairol Root Touch-Up 2 Black | Permanent root kit | 10-minute targeted coverage between full colors | Shade match and precise placement are essential |
The best black hair dyes
Ratings reflect a summary of owner feedback and stylist commentary.
1) L’Oréal Superior Preference 2 Soft Black, Best overall for believable, glossy black
Rating: 4.7/5
Why we picked it
Preference delivers a light-reflective black that still shows movement in daylight. The gel-cream spreads evenly, which helps you avoid dark patches, and the post-color care leaves a mirror finish that does not look plastic.
How to use for best results
Work in four quadrants. On previously colored hair, start at the roots for gray coverage and pull through lengths only for the final 5 to 10 minutes. On virgin hair, apply to mid-lengths first, then roots, then ends for just a few minutes. Cool rinse, then use the included conditioner.
Keep in mind
Porous ends grab permanent pigment. If your ends are rough, consider a root-only approach and refresh the lengths with a gloss later.
2) Schwarzkopf Keratin Color 1.0 Black, Best for stubborn grays and smooth feel
Rating: 4.6/5
Why we picked it
The porosity pre-treatment helps even out rough zones so grays take color more uniformly. The finish skews slightly cool, which keeps red undertones at bay and helps black look refined under sun.
How to use for best results
Massage the pre-treatment through mid-lengths and ends. Apply color to the most resistant areas first, usually the front hairline and crown, then finish the back. Take thin slices and load product generously.
Keep in mind
The thicker cream needs patience and small sections. Use a tint brush and bowl if the applicator feels slow.
3) Clairol Natural Instincts 2 Black, Best low-commitment black with soft fade
Rating: 4.5/5
Why we picked it
This demi formula is ammonia-free and deposit-only, which leaves hair feeling flexible with a believable shine. The fade path is kinder than many permanent blacks, so it is ideal for first-timers or anyone who wants depth without a harsh line of demarcation.
How to use for best results
Apply to clean, dry hair in small sections and process for the full label time. For resistant grays, pair a permanent root touch one level softer, then run this through the mid-lengths for a seamless finish.
Keep in mind
Demi does not fully cover grays. Expect soft blending rather than opaque coverage.
4) Clairol Root Touch-Up 2 Black, Best quick fix for silver regrowth
Rating: 4.6/5
Why we picked it
Ten minutes, targeted. The small bowl and brush let you paint the part line and temples precisely, which buys you two to three more weeks before a full recolor. It prevents over-darkening lengths, a common issue with monthly full applications.
How to use for best results
Match tone to your base black, then paint short strokes away from the face for clean edges. Start at the most resistant grays and set a strict timer.
Keep in mind
There is only enough product for roots. For uniform tone, keep the same brand family for your full color where possible.
How to choose your best black
Undertone
- Soft Black looks natural and reads rich espresso under daylight. Great everyday pick that avoids the “ink” look.
- Natural Black is a classic neutral. Solid choice if you want true black without blue.
- Blue-Black is fashion-forward and makes skin look brighter, but it can highlight redness. Better on cool complexions and pre-lightened panels.
Formula
- Permanent for real gray coverage and a durable color shift.
- Demi for softer grow-out, gentler deposits, and first-time experiments.
- Root kits to extend time between full applications and protect lengths from over-processing.
Level and porosity
Black reads darkest on porous ends. If you have lightened hair or older color on the lengths, go soft black first and keep color off ends until the final minutes. A monthly gloss can deepen tone later without stacking permanent dye.
Application tips that avoid banding
- Strand test for timing and feel. Note the exact minutes to target tone.
- Section cleanly into four quadrants, then work in thin slices you can fully saturate.
- Sequence smartly. On virgin hair, start mids, then roots, then ends. For gray coverage on previously colored hair, start at roots.
- Saturate like a pro. If strands look dry or you see lighter lines when you comb, add more color. Under-saturation causes patchiness.
- Time to the minute and resist stacking color on the same ends every month. Root-only plus an occasional gloss keeps the finish deep without dullness.
- Rinse thoroughly until the slick feel is gone, then cool rinse with the included conditioner.
Tone and maintenance for long-lasting shine
Black fades warm for the same reasons as other shades, only the warmth shows as dark brown or soft red under sun. Keep it crisp with these habits.
- Wash less often and use a color-safe, low-sulfate shampoo.
- Add UV and heat protection before blowouts or irons.
- Gloss monthly with a neutral or cool topcoat to restore mirror shine.
- Chelate once a month if you have hard water, then follow with a hydrating mask.
- Keep tools moderate and let a round brush or boar-mix brush do more of the smoothing.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
- Black offers instant polish and high contrast that looks luxe
- Root-only maintenance protects lengths over time
- Demi and gloss options make experimenting low risk
Cons
- Over-darkening on porous ends is common without timing control
- Warm fade can show brown or reddish under sun
- Growing out to lighter colors later takes planning and patience
Final Thoughts
Black hair can look expensive at home when you treat it like a system. Choose the undertone that flatters your skin, apply with clean sections and full saturation, then protect tone with simple monthly care. If you keep roots on a schedule and lengths on a gloss plan, you will get that deep, reflective black that looks sleek in every light.
See also
If you are mapping your whole color plan, start with Best At-Home Hair Dye for a plain-English walkthrough of developers, sectioning, and aftercare. Thinking about going darker after a lift or correcting uneven ends, read Best Hair Bleach first so you understand safe lift and how to avoid banding on your next change.
On color day, keep How to Get Hair Dye Off Skin handy to avoid stains along the hairline and ears. To protect pigment in the shower, our Best Shampoos for Colored Hair guide lays out what formulas actually help. If you want a brand routine that pairs well with darker shades, check the Redken Color Extend Shampoo Review before you stock up.
FAQs
1) Should I pick soft black or natural black for my first time?
Start with soft black. It reads rich and polished without the hard line that true jet can create on porous ends. You can always deepen later with a gloss.
2) Can I cover stubborn grays with black at home?
Yes. Choose a permanent formula, start at the most resistant areas, and process for the full window. If some grays still flash, try a neutral base shade in the same level rather than a very cool tone.
3) Will black make my hair look flat?
Flat results come from over-processing lengths. Do root-only applications after your first color, then use a gloss for lengths. A round brush finish adds movement without extra heat.
4) How do I keep black from fading brown or red?
Wash less often, protect from heat and sun, chelate monthly if you have hard water, and use a neutral or cool gloss every three to four weeks.
5) I went too dark. What now?
Use a clarifying or chelating wash for a few shampoos, then follow with a hydrating mask. When the tone softens, a demi one step lighter can ease the look. Avoid harsh lighteners on the same day.
Affiliate Disclosure
If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
