100 Dark Hair Colors: Black, Brown, Red, Dark Blonde Shades

Darker hair colors are often overlooked for other shades, but dark hair offers a depth and perspective all its own. Take a look through the following magnificent 100 dark hair colors, from jet-black to dark brown to dark red and deeper shades of blonde hair. There are so many different options at play, lengths and shapes and even plays on color to utilize. Dark hair is a great option for anyone looking for a new makeover, as it can be everything from soft and romantic to deeply dramatic and stunningly beautiful.

Dark Black Hair Colors

Dark black hair is a great base for any color adjustment as the contrast will always be strong, even when it is subtle. Well-nourished black hair also catches light while boosting colors and styles that promote shine. Here are 20 amazing options for black hairstyles!

1. Black, Blue and Purple Peek-a-Boo Black Hair

This is a style that works on any length of hair, long enough to hold the surprise. With the hair down, normally all anyone will see is black, but masked in the lengths are vivid blue and purple streaks. This is a brilliantly fun dark hair color idea and would work well even in the office as you can have your color without making a spectacle if you prefer.

2. Brown Extensions In Black Hair

Depth through color is always a great option as black hair is a great base for all other colors to contrast with. Everything pops with black hair and the addition of these brown extensions give an interesting ombre appearance to the overall look.

3. Dark Waves

Beachy, carefree waves look great on dark hair of any length but here they are focused primarily towards the ends of the length of the hair. This look is soft and fun, with a difference in texture from top to bottom that enhances the look of the dark hair.

4. Sleek Pony

A smooth ponytail is always in order. This case is no exception as the ponytail is considered high and every dark hair is pulled back. There are no curls in this ponytail to enhance the appearance of length and the overall sleek appearance.

5. Dark Black, Silky Straight and Long

This hairdo was done with black extensions to add body and length to the look. There are layers in the hair, but because of the very long length they are not meant to be face framing, though the look is elegant.

6. Long Angled Bob

When the cut and undercut of a bob is right, it will almost always fall into place perfectly. This bob rests on her shoulders and dusts across her skin at the perfect length in a deep, dark black.

7. Long Layers with Big Curls

Sweeping, loose barrel curls always look great on long dark hair, but layers give it extra movement. Healthy black hair will catch the light from every angle of the curl making each oversized ringlet look even softer and exaggerate every turn of the head.

8. Va-Va-Voluminous Dark Curls

Dark brown and black hair play with shadows and light for a rich thick look with a variety of curl sizes. This look is carefree, but still well done and easy to admire.

9. Big Dramatic Black Hair

With dark hair, curls simultaneously look softer but take on volume very well. This very big hairstyle brings the drama, in a half pinned-up style with tendrils. This would look great at a formal event where standing out is a must.

10. White Floral Headpiece On Darker Hair

Hair accessories have more ‘oomph’ again dark hair colors. Look at how bright the white floral hairpiece stands out and gives an extra romantic touch to this loose fishtail braid. The strategic placement is gorgeous, and the overall effect hard to miss.

11. Black and Brown Pin-Up Hair

Wedding and black-tie styles are always elevated and this one brings volume and curls into play in a big way. The pinned-up style shows off the brown underneath beautifully well.

12. Long Extensions and Barrel Curls

The center part and barrel curled coif are very popular now. The curls bounce for a moving, soft look that works well on nearly everyone.

13. Loose French Braid

For these types of really loose structured twists, the definition is not as important as the braid is tugged and pinned and pulled to create this loose look. The shine of her black hair really sets it off and adds depth to the big style.

14. Princess Updo

Not just because of the tiara, but the elegance in this updo is obvious. The very loosely structured, dark haired bun is still well articulated with tendrils gracing the sides for an elegant look that is just the right amount of too much.

15. Loose Beachy Black Curls

These solid black curls are a relaxed version of spirals that create beautiful bouncy waves and curls that turn backwards in her dark hair. The length is just perfect to be nicely done without being overdramatic and harshening the look.

16. Loose Braids Out (Natural Hair)

Deep black hair that has been stretched, with or without heat, and well moisturized can take the texture created with braids and become this when the braids are loosed. The effect is soft and natural while still being a different, fun texture to play with.

17. Black Spiral Curls

Spiral curls always toe the line between volume and definition to create a curly cloud of dark black hair that looks beautiful. Here the hair is shaped so that the curls do not become too overpowering, even when flipped to one side as seen.

18. Undercut and Long Black Layers

The smoothly trimmed undercut juxtaposed against the long smooth length of the rest of her dark black hair makes for an interesting contrast with an edge. This look also creates a lot of volume on one side for a sultry look.

19. Black with Chestnut Highlights

Black and brown work beautifully together, and the hints of chestnut ring well through the tighter curls at the bottom of her hair. It makes for an interesting and soft look with many dimensions.

20. Medium Length Black and Brown Curls

Medium length hair with medium to large curls creates plenty of movement. The variations of brown highlights throughout her dark hair make for a floating beautiful hairstyle, especially with the shape she has cut into it.

Dark Brown Hair Colors

Dark brown hair is easy to enhance as certain highlights and lowlights can make it appear softer, longer and silkier. The variations are limitless even though many people undervalue and underestimate the options provided by darker brown hair colors. Take a look at a few that are natural looking and still amazing!

21. Chocolate, Caramel and Copper

These dark brown highlights and lowlights were done with diagonal foils to create the dimensions needed to elevate the all over color. The warmth and brightness and clarity are very well done and look great overall.

22. Half-Up Tugged Dutch Fishtail

There are plenty of half-up hairstyles to try, but a Dutch fishtail is a great way to do so. This is purely fashionable as it is not designed to keep your hair out of your face, but the tugged effect on her dark brown hair gives it an overall whimsical look.

23. Highlighted Dark Brown Hair

Highlights always pop brightly against dark brown hair easily creating a new look without all over processing. The overall effect is fluid and silky, especially with big body waves.

24. Soft Bronze and Medium Brown

Guy Tang is really talented, creating a natural dark brown look with bronze highlights that look natural ” as though she spends a lot of time in the sun. This sort of natural dark hair will grow out well and continue to look beautiful.

25. Custom Dark Brown and Ash Extensions

These extensions were custom colored to enhance her dark hair color. The dark brown of her hair transitions nicely in an ombre effect to the ash color of her ends. The key to this is to start with extensions that match your base and root color and mimic the effects from there. If you don’t want long hair all the time, have clips installed on the weft so you can wear them when you want, which will also increase the life of the extensions.

26. Brunette Ombre Balayage

Balayage treatments are hand painted highlights, custom done so that no ones are exactly the same. They are made to fit and in this case, they fit beautifully. The natural color enhancements bring up this dark brown hairstyle to a fun, multifaceted look.

27.’Bronde’ Beach Waves

One of the best dark hair colors out there, brunette hair with well-integrated blonde highlights is called ‘bronde’ and it’s a fun look that is even better with these beachy waves. The look is still very natural and easygoing, but a lot fun.

28. Brown and Blonde Balayage Bob

The long layers work well with the blonde highlights and brown base color of her hair. The curls and movement are enhanced by the way the balayage treatment has interspersed the blonde, boosted by the dark brown color hair.

29. Dark Brown Ombre Hair

With hair painting, it is easy to do too much if you are not careful, but a well-done treatment will yield results like this. The color seamlessly melds together the way an ombre balayage treatment should, creating a dark brown root that stretches subtly into a darker blonde end on a medium long cut.

30. Brilliant Copper Barrel Curls

As color combinations go, copper works really well with darker brown hair. The barrel curls are a bit tighter here, adding volume and definition that is enhanced by the copper colored highlights.

31. Sandy Bronde Layers

Lifting dark brown hair to a lighter color can take several processes. In this case it took 2 appointments with an expert to achieve this sandy blonde and brown hair color.

32. Wavy Bob with Multidimensional Lights

The placement of the highlights on hair is always important and the lighter ends are a result of a well-done and well-planned color. The look is lighter and more fun, but still maintains the possibility that it could be a natural look ” just enhanced.

33. Rich Brown Hair with Reddish Gold Highlights

The reddish gold against the dark brown of her hair literally appears to glow. The overall look is soft, shiny and intriguing, a definite good look that is really only achieved with a dark base color and properly done balayage. These dark balayage highlights do not start at the root, which is a key point to this look.

34. Brown, Red and Gold Balayage

Brunette hair is already considered to be warmly colored, but the addition of red and gold really gives it a bit of fire. The color treatment here is done with a balayage treatment and long layers were trimmed in for movement.

35. Dark and Light Asymmetrical Bob

Short asymmetrical bob with blonde balayage highlights is a crazily bright look on short dark brown hair. It is gorgeous and looks great from every angle.

36. Brown Wispy Lob with Babylights

As expected from Guy Tang, this dark hair color is fabulous and in this photo it’s grown out! There is no brassiness to the ‘babylights’ and the rich brown hair color of her long bob or ‘lob’ has not faded at all. When done right, this is how a color should grow out, looking natural.

37. Dark Brown Diversified

Dark brown and light brown hair colors together create a polychromatic effect where they boost and feed off each other. The lighter brown pops and is enhanced by the loose beachy curls.

38. Black and Brown Ombre

On longer hair the tendency to go overpowering with color can be easy to trip into, but with this balayage treatment the brunette hairstyle features streaks reminiscent of light coming through a window. It just looks natural and easy, even if achieving it was not.

39. Fall Inspired Reddish Brown Hair

Brown hair is often considered flat and boring when nothing could be further from the truth. Just the slightest hint of red warms the roots of her hair, while the ombre treatment slowly changes it to a chestnut brown toward the ends. The overall effect is a serious of dark brown hair colors that range in warmth and depth just like the fall season.

40. Multidimensional Brown Bob

To get this look, the stylist did ‘babylights’ with foils, then a balayage treatment on the ends for a prismatic brown color in her hair. The look is still natural, but definitely eye catching.

Dark Red/ Auburn Hair Colors

Dark red hair is done brilliantly in so many ways. From ombre to balayage and color transitions, darker red hair colors are making headway in trendy styles and creating fantastic, vivid looks in a variety of hues. Take a look at the following 20 dark red and auburn hair color options that are anything but boring!

41. Red to Burgundy Ombre Hair

The closer to the root, the brighter the red hair! It’s a great, vibrant look with a lot of dimension and appeal. Regular treatments will help maintain the color and will be essential to maintaining this look as the roots grow out.

42. Color Changing Red Hair

The color combination is purple roots that transform into dark red hair that overlays and turns into a subtle orange for the tips. The look overall is a color changing wonder and a fun overall design.

43. Hints of Rose on Brown

Rose red hair is not usually combined with dark brown hair, but based on this photo it should be! The effect is almost prismatic, but definitely beautiful and unique. It’s soft and effervescent at the same time.

44. Copper and Red Hair

Copper is a natural looking brightener for dark red hair. It’s a great option for a luminescent highlight that brightens and heightens the base color of her dark red hair.

45. Dark Red Highlights on Black Hair

Many people mistakenly think that darker hair colors do not make good highlights, but this deep wine red is in a beautiful contrast with the black base color of her hair. The red color hair creates a fun look that is well accented with the long layers and loose waves.

46. Rich, Dark Wine Red Hair

The idea that the richer and deeper dark red hair is not bright is a misconception. The right hair color will have its own high and lowlights that will pull and reflect color accordingly for a lively look. Keeping hair moisturized and healthy will keep this juxtaposition going and stay on appointments to keep the color from looking dull.

47. Red Nightfall

The color was called Red Nightfall by Guy Tang, and it is easy to see why. It’s a dusk of all red shades and beautifully done, with brighter ends and darker roots, it is easy to see that this will grow out lovely, and be a sight to see on the way out the salon.

48. Nearly Maroon Red Hair

Rich hair colors are the ones that are deeply pigmented, radiant even in the darker shades. This nearly purple red hair mimics the riches of wines and looks beautiful on so many skin tones. When looking to try something different that is drastic but not too much so, this is a good color to make an impact with, a true deep, dark red hair color.

49. Dark Red Hair with a Raspberry Tint

The colors included are Sugar High and Raspberry Yum Yum, and it looks as delicious as it sounds. The color is smooth and blends in well, giving an appearance of longevity, as it will grow out evenly and with the color still maintained.

50. Copper with Blonde Highlights

Bright red hair comes in copper as a base color as well. In this case it is highlighted with blonde and set with lowlights of reddish brown. It is a complex look that has a very cute finish on this curly, shoulder-length hairstyle.

51. Mauve with Strawberry Blonde Highlights

This shoulder-length bob is accented not just with movement and curls but brilliant broad streaks of mauve, highlights of pink and strawberry blonde. The overall effect is a kaleidoscope of red hair colors.

52. Dark Red and Brown Hair

Volume and length look great with highlights a few shades lighter than your natural hair color. In this case, the red enhances and adds to the voluminous appearance of the hairstyle as it blends seamlessly into the curls.

53. Multidimensional Carrot Red Hair

Dark red hair with a multidimensional quality to it looks healthy and shiny and vibrant from all angles and in all light. This is a more traditional version of dark red hair, the color most people think of, but so complex that many people cannot get it.

54. Romantic Purple and Dark Red Hair

Darker hair colors are dramatic and as smoothly done as this deep wine is the look can be considered very soft and romantic. The smooth blending of the dark reds and purples shines through beautifully on these very loose waves.

55. Dark Auburn Hair

The look of this dark auburn hairstyle is dubbed ‘Auburn Melt’ and is very apt. The bright auburn highlights stand beautifully against the darker auburn base colors. The overall effect is bright, yet rich; it gives the appearance of movement even when standing still.

56. Red Streaked Loose Waves

The fiery red streaks bring up the dark color of her hair for an interesting take on red hair that is fun and bright and memorable. The highlights enhance every wave, adding to the movement of the hair, which everyone wants.

57. Burgundy to Copper Hair

This is a fun balayage treatment where the color at the ends of the hair was hand-done, the color changed to bright copper. The copper offsets the burgundy so beautifully that the effect is easy to praise.

58. Prismatic Fiery Red

This style is another great example of prismatic hair created by a detailed balayage treatment that makes the hair look fuller and more lively with all the different layers of carefully placed color. It’s stunning, and further enhanced by the well shaped layers.

59. Natural Red

There is an expectation of a soft, yet very distinctive red color when red hair is mentioned. This is that red color. Not too dramatic, very natural looking, not overpowering!

60. Bright Red Crocodile Tails

Crocodile tails are the bulled French (or Dutch if you prefer) braids that are still close to the head, mimicking the ridges on a crocodile’s tail. They are certainly making a comeback and are a great go-to style that is easy to elevate, especially with bright rich color like the red highlights throughout this style.

Dark Blonde Hair Colors

The same way that black hair offers great contrast with colors, the range of blonde and dark blonde hair colors offers great contrast against other hair colors as well. Even standalone, dark blonde is interesting to look at and a fun adventure in itself. For those who have dark hair, dark blonde is still such a difference from their own color that it can provide a completely new look. Peek through the following 20 dark blonde hairstyles and see if one could work for you!

61. Dark Roots, Blonde Ends

Looks such as this balayage treatment allow for hair to grow out in its original dark color without ruining the overall aesthetic of dark to blonde hair. The different levels of blonde that have been put in her hair reflect the light differently, appearing fuller, more dimensional and nearly iridescent.

62. Tan to Sandy Blonde

Tan is a soft brown, nearly blonde color that always looks soft on hair, combined with a lighter sandy blonde in face-framing highlights and on the lower lengths. The wavy texture put in the hair is very easy to do even without a crimping iron. Simply put the hair in medium sized braids and run the flat iron or blow-dryer over them to heat the hair and imprint the crimps. Then take the braids out and voila!

63. Bronze to Silver Metallic Ombre

The overall look is very natural, with lighter shiny ends and deeper dimensional roots. The transition is beautifully done, with a glow thanks to the light reflecting properties of the glossy silver blonde hair.

64. Bronde to Blonde Haircolor

The darker color right between brown and blonde is a great starting point for this ombre look which leads down to a bright, natural blonde hair color at the ends. The blonde highlights that lead down into the blonde ends are not overpowered, but rather beautifully placed throughout to gradually complete this ombre look.

65. Contrasting Custom Blondes

The contrast between dark blonde and nearly white blonde is evident in this look. Only the face framing highlights reach as close to the roots while the rest of the bright blonde highlight is found mostly on the ends of the hair. Travelling from the roots down nearly ¬¨¬®‚àö¬∂ of the length of the hair is a blonde so dark it is nearly brown. It’s a beautiful overall look shown well on long hair for maximum impact.

66. Darkly Blonde, Nearly Brunette

This is a dusky bronde, so dark it could very easily be mistaken for brown hair. Blonde hair reflects more light and the curls in her hair show the itty-bitty blonde streaks, giving the overall look a naturally pretty appearance.

67. Beachy Bronze and Blonde Waves

Bronze hair is usually avoided by blondes, as it can quickly look brassy if not done well. Here, however, the color is bright and warm with the color melt of bronde and blonde hair throughout. It’s a beautifully hued warm blonde look.

68. Balayaged Dark and Blonde

Balayage is such a beneficial type coloring treatment. It allows for completely unique, customized looks that work specifically for the client. Here, her dark blonde hair has stunning blonde highlights placed as naturally as possible throughout her texture-cut, shoulder-length hair.

69. Sun-Kissed Blonde Hair Colors

Darker blonde hair colors with lighter blonde shades typically respond very well to each other. Here with the balayage treatment and an accompanying glaze. The final effect is very beachy, fun and shiny.

70. Brown Highlighted with Sunny Blonde

These long, brown locks feature hand-painted balayage. The shiny gold baby lights of blonde hair are designed to give these waves a sun-kissed beachy appearance. It will look great in a multitude of styles, though it clearly looks great down.

71. Beachy Blonde and Wavy

This hairstyle is everything people love about the effects of a beachy summer. The dark blonde highlights look incredibly natural thanks to the detail of the balayage treatment and the brilliant placement of the highlights.

72. Wearable Blonde Transition

Again and again, it is very important to transition from dark to light colored hair in several treatments to keep your hair as healthy as possible, but doing it right should not mean that your hairstyle is not optimally wearable between treatments. In this case, this color is one treatment away from full-on blonde, but is still beautifully done, bright and gorgeous.

73. Curly Blonde Ombre

Tight curls have been a desirable texture to obtain, but difficult to manage, especially on color-treated hair. The key is to take extra care of the lighter colored hair, and then the brightness and depth of the variations of blonde will take care of enhancing the curls.

74. Warm Toasted Blonde with an Undercut

The undercut of her hair does feature a subtle change in the height for design, but the remainder is very long. She was very careful to make certain that regardless of the length of placement of style, the warmth of the color in her hair was beautifully consistent.

75. Dark Lob with Shimmering Blonde

This long bob features well-placed, hand-painted shimmering dark blonde highlights on virgin hair. The color combination is classic and beautifully well executed, creating an extra shine thanks to the reflective properties of the blonde and the overall healthy hair.

76. Tanned Blonde Hair

Blonde hair that is tan and bright is not always an easy feat. The color manages to be rich and bright and works well with a variety of lengths and styles. Very subtle, very cute!

77. Honey Blonde Hair Colors

Anyone who likes honey knows it comes in several tones of blonde. In this case we see two of the most popular colors in one hairstyle, and both are just as warm in color as honey is warm in flavor.

78. Bronde Bob with Dark Blonde Highlights

This asymmetrical bob is the perfect visual definition of a bronde colored textured hairstyle. The nearly luminescent streaks of blonde are a great way to enhance the texture in her style.

79. Long Bronde Waves

This look is after the first lightening session, but it is still a beautiful dark blonde color, full of iridescent light-reflecting blondes. Taking darker hair to lighter hair can take several sessions to do it healthily, but that shouldn’t mean it is not wearable. Here is a great example of keeping it wearable while going through the process.

80. Blonde Hair Color Spectrum

The spectrum of colors in this style goes from dark blonde hair to light blonde hair and the ombre effect is obvious but still very pretty. The difference in color from the roots to the tip is a bit drastic, and can lead to the lightest colored section looking dry and unhealthy, but here it is soft and beautifully trimmed.

Other Dark Hair Colors

Dark hair colors are not limited to those that are black, brown, blonde and red. There are plenty of colors on the spectrum, and unlimited combinations of them all available. If you want a color that doesn’t currently exist, ask a talented colorist to help you out. Need a suggestion? Take a look through the following 20 dark hair colors and maybe find your dream shade!

81. Slate Grey Hair

The look of stormy gray colored hair is jaw-dropping in its richness and the complexity of the tone. The clarity of the greys that make up this color, ranging from nearly blue grey to dark grey and silver and slate, blends in brilliantly well for this overall look.

82. Rose and Ruby Red Hair

Beautifully done dark to red ombre is customized with the addition of rose-colored highlights to soften the fiery ruby red without diffusing the warmth of the overall look. The long layers and variegated colors work well in this look.

83. Various Blue Hues

The shades of blue here are both iridescent and prismatic, creating depth and dimension that is stunningly bright and beautiful, even in such dark shades. The talent in creating this look also assures its future. As long as the color is treated well, it should not fade too much and as it grows out it will still be beautiful between appointments.

84. Varied Green Hair

This short, bouncy bob has a gift of emerald and hunter green throughout to give it a natural looking depth on a beautiful color. The balayage treatment is so well done it is nearly unseen, the effects largely being an overall effect instead of the typical highlights.

85. Lustrous Black to Purple Hair

This color combo is known as Magenta Melt and was done in true custom hair painting style. The colors used were Jam, Velvet, Cupid and Blush, which all worked together for this purple dream of a hairstyle.

86. Dark Denim Blue Hair

Guy Tang’s undeniable and upper echelon level talent created a beautiful dark denim tinted grey hair color. The many different layers and the overall stunning beauty of this look are as unique as the color combination.

87. Red and Violet Streaks on Black Hair

Since black works well as a contrast for other shades, especially deeply pigmented colors, these colors pop extremely well. In a variety of styles, this hair color will look very different but always fun.

88. Black Hair with Blueberry Highlights

Long layers of midnight black hair with blue highlights in an ombre design are unbelievably beautiful. The absolute richness of both the black and the blues is just amazing.

89. Black and Blue Ombre

The shoulder-length hair features a rich black hair color that melts neatly into a nearly electric blue color. The transition is visible, but subtle and fun.

90. Berry Tinged Black Lob

The berry hair colors were hand painted throughout the ends, well placed as highlights on the hair. The choppy style promotes movement and the soft yet rich berry colors really enhance the look well.

91. Poison Green Tips

Feeling confident can leave others green with envy, which surprisingly is the name of this color: Green Envy. The highlights do not extend too far up the hair, not even hitting the half way point with the exception of around the face. The different shades of green work together to create a vibrant appearance.

92. Baby Blue on Dark Waves

The medium-length, dark-colored waves are accented with grey and baby blue for a light and soft appearance. Locks like this are few and far between and each one is unanticipated and surprisingly beautiful.

93. Wine Tipped Brown Hair

The color is unexpected but beautifully blended. The underhanded braid accentuates the half-up hairstyle to show the dexterity of this design and color, which is called Bordeaux.

94. Mahogany, Red and Gold

Well-maintained glossy hair will show off colors with this amount of shine. The difference in the color is drastic and dramatic, sure to turn heads and gain compliments as the mahogany is deeply rich, while the blonde is bright.

95. Ocean Blue and Green Hair

This is mermaid hair with beautiful ocean colors. Teal, blue, and shades of green make this colored hairstyle, dubbed ‘Deep Ocean Waters’ seamlessly integrated onto the model’s black hair. Every color blends subtly while still highlighting the style beautifully.

96. Purple Ranged Ends

Dark black hair with oil slick purple ends is an eye-catching standout style on long hair. The color is blended in for an ombre look that transitions quickly towards the ends.

97. Black, Purple and Orange Hair

Stand out dark hair colors all have a shocking wow factor. This color combination is kaleidoscopic, ranging from black roots so it will grow out well to violet and magenta mid-length pops of color that lend into bright orange tips. No matter how this is worn, the colors will stand out.

98. Neon Green Peek-a-Boo

Color combinations of yellow, peach, blue and neon green create a vibrant surprise beneath black hair. It’s a great way to wear bright colors without overwhelming your typical look.

99. Black and Grey Ombre Hair

Black and gray ombre is very popular right now and a great trend of technically natural hair colors. We’ll all go grey sometime; it might as well be fashionably on purpose. The transition is very well done and looks great with her medium-length hair.

100. Poison Ivy Villainous Ombre Green Hair

Long lengths, soft waves and long layers are boosted by the array of shimmering green layered into her black hair. The color seems natural it is so well done, glossy and soft.

Photos courtesy of Instagram

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