Love your sun-kissed hair color but want to switch things up with a sultry alternative? It may be time to experiment with dark hair colors. Sure, it’s easy to think that dark hair colors are only reserved for fall, but the right hue will look amazing all year round. Plus, it’s a great way to add the right amount of edge to your look. Ready to trade in your light locks for a darker alternative? We bet you are! Keep reading for 26 dark hair color ideas, from deep shades of brown to an unexpected purple hue that will add a stylish touch to your beauty look.
1. BROWN ALE HAIR
A far cry from your traditional brown locks, brown ale hair features a deep mahogany base and subtle amber highlights. Perfect for those who love dark hair with a tinge of brightness, this hair color won’t disappoint.
Get the look: Since this color can be customized to suit your dark hair needs, we’d recommend visiting a colorist and bringing along inspiration photos to get the job done.
2. BLACK AND CHOCOLATE BROWN OMBRÉ
Love the look of black hair but don’t want to commit to the darkest hue possible just yet? Consider trying your hand at black hair with chocolate brown ombré. This super flattering shade consists of black roots that fade seamlessly into chocolate brown hair for a chic yet refreshing take on dark hair.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Féria in Cool Medium Brown
3. ESPRESSO BROWN
If you’re game for incorporating your love of coffee into your next hair color, espresso brown hair will meet your needs. Falling right between black and brown, espresso hair offers just the right amount of darkness.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Cool Darkest Brown
4. DARK MOCHA BROWN
Looking for another dark hair color that will satisfy your coffee fix? Dark mocha brown hair is perfect for you! Featuring a mix of dark brown and red tones, this look is an excellent way to warm up to your mane.
Get the look: Skip the at-home hair color and enlist the help of a colorist.
5. DARK CHOCOLATE
For a glossy shade that offers a rich cocoa brown hue, try dark chocolate brown hair on for size. Think of this color as a sweet treat for your tresses, and keep in mind that it looks especially stunning on those with warm undertones.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Brown
6. CHOCOLATE FONDUE
If you’re a fan of brown hair with a rich base, chocolate fondue hair may be right for you. This trend works wonders to darken your mane with a deep, chocolatey base while also balancing the color out with medium brown highlights that serve up the right amount of dimension.
Get the look: Since this color requires expertly placed highlights, leave this pick to the pros.
7. CLASSIC BLACK
Prefer to keep things traditional on the hair color front? Look no further than classic black hair! The perfect way to stay true to the rich, dark hair color trend, black hair is a staple for a reason.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Féria in Black
8. VIOLET SOFT BLACK
For those who love to experiment with color, take black strands to the next level with a black base that has violet undertones, you’ll be able to rock two colors in one for a shimmery look that won’t go unnoticed. Hello, sparkly strands!
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Féria in Violet Soft Black
9. DARK HONEY BLONDE
Blonde hair might not be where your mind goes when you think of dark hair, but a dark blonde shade is one way to ease into this trend. Walking a fine line between brown and blonde shades, this dark honey color is oh-so-pretty.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Blonde
10. DARK ASH BLONDE
The perfect combination of dark blonde and light brown ashy hues, it doesn’t get much better than this. This option is ideal for those who love blonde hair without a super-bright, sun-kissed finish. Consider this shade a happy medium!
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Ash Blonde
11. DARK GOLDEN BROWN
Instead of sticking with classic dark brown hair, why not level up with a bit of dimension? Dark golden brown hair dye provides rich dark brown hues with hints of gold, which work to highlight your features. Pretty sweet, right?
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Dark Golden Brown
12. COOL DARK BROWN
Add a twist to your dark hair color with the help of cool dark brown hair dye. If you’re used to warm hair colors, a cooler shade can really up the ante, especially if you have a cool skin tone.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Cool Dark Brown
13. DARK BRONDE
Known for its balanced mixture of blonde and brown hues, this hair color veers to the dark side for a look that’s sultry and elegant. Since bronde hair is customizable, this option is an excellent pick for all skin tones.
Get the look: Play it safe and leave the hair coloring to your colorist!
14. DARK BEIGE BLONDE
For a dark hair color with soft and pretty contrast, turn to dark beige blonde hair. The perfect marriage of depth and warmth, this beautiful shade offers gold undertones with notes of dark blonde for a standout choice.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Dark Beige Blonde
15. DEEP BURGUNDY
Partial to red hair? We have a feeling this violet-red hybrid color will become your go-to in no time. A nice change of pace for individuals with cool skin, this trendy hue allows you to play with color without going too bold.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Féria in Deep Burgundy
16. MAROON
If you’re in the mood for a dark red hair color with plenty of dimension and depth, maroon hair dye will rise to the occasion. A stunning blend of brown, red, and a bit of purple, this hair color can liven up your mane with ease.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Maroon
17. RED WINE
Red wine hair is another dark red hair color getting major attention. The perfect combination of copper, chocolate brown, and deep red, you can count on a sporting a mane full of dimension.
Get the look: How to Get a Red Wine Hair Color
18. GARNET
We can’t talk about dark red shades without adding garnet to the list! Known as one of the darkest shades in the red color family, this cool-toned option provides intense hair color without the super bright finish, making it a surefire pick for fair and deep skin tones.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Féria in Auburn Brown
19. MAHOGANY
With notes of chocolatey brown, espresso, red, and deep purple mixed throughout, mahogany hair makes your dark hair color choice extremely easy. Since it can look a multitude of ways depending on which shades stand out the most, you can make this dark hue your very own.
Get the look: How to Get a Mahogany Hair Color
20.BLACK CHERRY
Thanks to this soda-inspired shade, you’ll never look at dark hair the same. Black cherry hair features a black base with a mix of deep burgundy and bright cherry highlights throughout. Yup, it’s just as pretty as you’d think!
Get the look: How to Get Black Cherry Hair
21. DARK AUBURN
Prefer a dark true-red hue? Dark auburn hair dye could be what you’re looking for. A great way to make a bold statement with your strands, auburn is always a win.
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Auburn
22. EGGPLANT
Step outside of your dark hair comfort zone with an eggplant hair color. A stark change from your traditional brown and black hues, this cool, purple shade is ultra-dark and incredibly sultry. Basically, it’s everything you need!
Get the look: L’Oréal Paris Féria in Power Violet
23. MIDNIGHT BLUE
These days, you can’t go wrong with edgy, dark hues, and midnight blue hair is coming out on top. This gorgeous hue brings the dark hues of the night sky to life throughout your mane.
Get the look: How to Get Midnight Blue Hair
24. DARK BLUE-BLACK HAIR
Speaking of edgy hair colors, it’s only right that we put dark blue-black hair on your radar. Blending dark blue and black hues for intense color and movement, this mystic hue may be what your mane is missing.
Get the look: Your Guide to Getting Blue Black Hair
25. MUSHROOM BROWN HAIR
Ashy brown hues don’t have to be light and subtle. Darken things up with a mushroom brown hair color that features shades of brown and gray for a cool-toned masterpiece.
Get the look: How to Rock the Mushroom Brown Hair Color Trend
26. CINNAMON
Spice up your hair color with a little cinnamon, cinnamon hair color, that is. With a pretty combination of milky brown, ginger, and red highlights weaved throughout a medium brown base, this dark hair hue is just what your mane needs!
Get the look: How to Get A Cinnamon Hair Color
Next up: Looking for a hue on the opposite end of the spectrum? Here are The 50 Best Blonde Hair Colors for Every Skin Tone.