9 Best Hair Dyes for Dark Hair (Reviewed for 2023)

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Don't DIY your hair color without one of these picks.

Ask any colorist, and they’ll tell you that lightening your hair at home is risky. Hell, tell a colorist you want to dye your dark hair at home, period, and they’ll try to ward you off it altogether. But that’s not to say it can’t be done, especially true if you have dark hair. I'm a natural brunette, and while I would never bleach or highlight my hair at home, I've definitely gone a few shades darker and played around with tints and tones, thanks to the abundance of hair dyes for dark hair on the market now.

And to help you narrow down all the best hair dyes for dark hair, I reached out to hairstylist Jenny Balding and colorist Jonathan Colombini to round up the best at-home hair dyes for dark hair of 2023, based on real testing and reviews.

Keep reading for the entire list of dark hair dye picks, plus helpful tips from hair pros to streamline and simplify the at-home hair dye process.

One of my biggest issues with DIY hair dye is the lack of dimension in the color; many can feel like they fall flat, which makes hair look kind of blah—especially if you have darker hair like me. To the rescue: this color kit, formulated by the brilliant colorists behind IGK salon. They made it their mission to create salon-level dimensionality at home. Additionally, this permanent formula also conditions the hair with hydrating squalane and strengthening bamboo extract.

THE REVIEWS: “This is my new favorite hair dye," writes a reviewer. "The brown color is gorgeous and my hair came out softer and more healthy than it was before I colored it. "I definitely won’t go back to any other hair dye after using this," writes another tester, adding that "the results are incredible."

Nothing cramps my style more than when my hair color starts to fade. Like, when it becomes dull and lackluster but it’s not quite time for a full color touch-up. This in-shower hair gloss is the answer. It’s basically a conditioning mask, but infused with color pigments to enhance your color for that fresh from the salon look (without the fresh from the salon price tag). I shampoo first and then leave this on for about ten minutes to reveal smoother, shinier hair for up to four weeks.

THE REVIEWS: “This deep conditioning treatment is the best," writes a tester. "It gave my hair an amazing color boost and made it feel very soft and look very shiny too—I would 10/10 recommend this product.”

Newsflash: You don't need to bleach your hair before experimenting with a fun, vibrant hair color like rose gold or bright blue. I love using Overtone for playing around with trendy shades without lifting my natural color. Their pigmented conditioners (they're crafted specifically for brown hair) come in seven shades, from rose gold to green, and alter the tone of your hair for up to ten washes.

THE REVIEWS: “This stuff is the best," one reviewer writes. "I mixed the purple and pink for brown hair in equal parts and it turned out amazing!”

This one's for all you guys with allergies or super sensitive skin. It took Clairol twenty years of research, but they crafted a molecule called Me+ that reduces the risk of allergies significantly, and this formula touts that very molecule. This is a good reminder that no matter what hair dye you choose, you should always do a small patch test first to make sure you don’t have a reaction.

THE REVIEWS: “So far I am really impressed by this hair color—and that is saying a lot for box color," one review reads. "This is easy to apply and the color is nice for my hair—plus the scent is quite pleasant too," another tester writes.

This brand could not keep their products in stock during the pandemic and with good reason. Madison Reed offers you live access to professional colorists, either by phone, message, or on video. This kind of service is essential if you’re a newbie, or you’re just in need of a little extra help on your at-home hair coloring journey. Plus, their permanent formula packs super-pigmented color that covers even the most stubborn of grays. And it’s eight-free, so it’s formulated without certain ingredients like ammonia, but with nourishing ones like keratin and argan oil.

THE REVIEWS: “This is the only hair dye I'll use at home," writes a tester. "I use the black dye and it seamlessly covers my grays and looks very natural too."

With over 50 shades to choose from, this collection from L’Oréal Paris has been a mainstay for the brand since 1973. There is a wide selection of shades within the dark color family so you can find your exact tone and level of warmth—and the color lasts a good six to eight weeks too. If you want a sneak peek of what your hair will look like, the L’Oréal website offers a virtual try-on tool.

THE REVIEWS: “I have been using this box dye for 10 years," reads one review. "People are always shocked when I tell them it’s not my true color because it looks so natural—and you can't beat the price!"

If you’re following your ex’s lead and not tryna commit, this is the temporary hair color for you. It’s a paste texture that offers both hold and color and is perfect for achieving peek-a-boo strands or an ombre effect You can always layer on for more vibrancy, but be mindful as you apply because the formula dries quickly and has a thick consistency. When you’re over it, just wash it out!

THE REVIEWS: “I used Poser Paste on my dark brown hair and was amazed at the level of coverage," reads one tester review. "I recommend this to anyone wanting to make a statement with their hair or experiment with color that isn't permanent," reads another tester's review.

If your hair is on the drier side or frequently style it using a curling iron or flat iron, show it some love with this nourishing formula that functions as hair dye and an an oil treatment in one. It's made with plant-based oils to help boost shine while delivering pigment deep within the hair shaft sans damage.

THE REVIEWS: “I really loved the clean, natural feel and smell of this hair color," says a tester, adding that "when I applied it I didn't feel like I was damaging my hair like I have with some other hair color I've used."

The unique spoolie applicator allows you to brush on color sans mess. Give yourself bold highlights in orange, purple, pink, blue or red. The tube also has a handy compartment on the bottom where there’s a hidden comb that you can use to sheer out the pigment or to distribute the color through the length of your strands. The spoolie is great for smoothing down flyaways, too, if you want to keep baby hairs out of your face with a little pop of color.

THE REVIEWS: “I love how easy this color is to use and how quickly it washes out," one reviewer says. "The hot pink color payoff on my super dark hair was incredibly impressive," writes another tester.

Yes, you can dye your dark hair at home—but there are a few rules to keep in mind. The first? "Don’t attempt to bleach or highlight your hair at home because you don't know what color it will lift, or lighten, to,” says Balding. There's a ton of science and skill behind hair bleaching and it should absolutely be left to the pros.

The second? Don’t bother using a semi or demi-permanent dye in a lighter shade than what you have because it’s not going to do anything—except maybe tint your roots if they’re lighter or gray.

“If you want to stay dark and just add a little shine and warmth, opt for a semi or demi-permanent hair dye,” says hair colorist Johnathan Colombini. “This will prevent any brassy undertones from peeking through and will keep your hair healthy and damage to a minimum.” And make sure to read instructions because depending on the color you want (like some of the real vibrant ones), the site or packaging may say that it’s best to use it on pre-lightened hair.

“Permanent hair color is going to be your heavy hitter in giving the most visible results,” says Colombini. That said, there are plenty of temporary options that will show up on your dark hair, like if you're going a shade or two darker or adding in a deep pop of color, like burgundy or midnight blue, to your hair.

As a rule, any hair dye with words like "moisturizing“ or "nourishing" will be gentler on your hair, says Balding. In general, semi or demi permanent hair dyes with low ammonia and peroxide as well as gloss formulas are usually the least damaging, says Colombini.

If you already have dark hair, there are plenty of options for you to try in terms of color. There is always the opportunity to go darker. Just realize that the color on the box may come out even darker than expected, so if your hair is medium brown, you don’t necessarily need to go for the darkest shade to see a dramatic result. Instead, try playing with tone. You can try a more blue-based shade for something cooler and ashier or a more red-based one for something warmer and brassier.

The easiest way to skip bleaching is to try some of the temporary colors that are intended for use on dark hair. Since they’re not permanent, you don’t have to worry about causing any long-term damage to your hair, so they’re good for experimenting. If you decide you do like a brighter shade, I highly recommend going to a salon and leaving the lightening to a professional before committing to a more permanent pastel or vivid color.

Many reviewers for boxed dyes complain that they didn’t have enough color for even shoulder-length hair, which is why Colombini recommends buying two boxes of the same hair dye when coloring the your entire head.

As for application, you should always start with the roots first because that hair is the healthiest and won’t soak up the dye as quickly– it’s also likely the part of your hair that needs the most color. Save your lengths and ends for last because they tend to be drier and more damaged, which causes them to absorb the color much quicker. Doing your whole head at once is an easy way to wind up with a line of demarcation from where your grown out hair was previously colored.

Lisa DeSantis is a beauty writer at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience writing about hair, makeup, nails, and skin, including cleansing conditioners and protein treatments. She chatted with hairstylists and tested dyes on her own hair to find the best hair dyes for dark hair.

Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly ten years. She began her career in beauty and fashion at QVC and has since written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Health, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, Byrdie and more. She has tested thousands of products and considers herself a professional guinea pig who’s always on the search for the next big trends in beauty, wellness and beyond.

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