How to Get Black Cherry Hair Color at Home

Dark hair may not get as much love as rainbow styles or dimensional blonde shades, but it’s just as beautiful and even less damaging. Happy to prove our point — black cherry hair — is a rich and vibrant soda-inspired hair color that is anything but boring. 

Black cherry hair resembles a deep burgundy hue with the slightest cherry red tint that can really make hair pop (no pun intended), especially for brunettes. Keep reading to learn all about black cherry hair, including how to get the look at home and how to care for black cherry strands.

How to Get Black Cherry Hair Color at Home

Vibrant hair colors almost always require brunettes to bleach their hair before dyeing it, but not black cherry hair. Black cherry hair is totally doable at home for dark brown hair (and all other hair colors) without needing a round of bleaching, first. Of course, you can always call your salon to book an appointment with a professional colorist to achieve the look. Also keep in mind that regular root touch-ups and toning will be necessary to maintain a black cherry hair color. 

For brunettes that want to rock a vibrant black cherry shade, try the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Power Reds - Deep Auburn / Red Velvet . Depending on your base color, lighter hair colors may want to opt for a darker black cherry shade like the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Deep Burgundy Brown. 

If you’re not ready to fully commit to this bold color, then consider using semi-permanent hair color. The L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Burgundy will fade in four to ten shampoos so you can test out the waters before committing to full-on black cherry hair. Remember to always follow the directions included in the box to ensure that your at-home hair color session goes smoothly.

How to Take Care of Black Cherry Hair

Coloring your hair is only the first step. The real work comes after the dye and it’s all about sticking to a hair care routine tailored to color-treated hair. Follow our tips below to care for and preserve your black cherry hair color.

1. Switch to a Color-Safe Hair Care System 

Time to make room in your shower for some new products, specifically a shampoo and conditioner, along with a hair mask that are safe for color-treated hair. For cleansing, we love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. This glossing system is infused with argan oil to help cleanse hair without stripping color, leaving it silky, shiny and smooth. 

The system also includes an in-shower glossing treatment, the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze, which helps to keep colored hair shiny and vibrant. To use this trio, first, cleanse your scalp and hair with the shampoo, then spray the in-shower glaze on wet hair and let it sit for one to three minutes, (do not rinse) and follow up with the conditioner.

Once a week, you can switch out the conditioner for a hair mask, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Signature Masque, Color Care Hair Mask, to deeply hydrate dry, colored strands and enhance shine.

2. Opt Out of Scalding Hot Shower Temps

A hot shower is hard to beat in terms of relaxation but it’s not great for your hair color. Super-hot water can strip your strands of essential oils, drying them out and fading color, so wash and rinse your hair in lukewarm temps to avoid drying out your black cherry hair.

Editor’s tip: If you notice your black cherry hair color is fading, try a hair gloss like the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Auburn or Clear to correct brassy, faded tones and leave hair with a luxurious, glossy shine.

3. Limit Heat Styling

If you can skip heat styling, do it — it’s always the best option for your color-treated strands. In place of hot tools, we recommend heatless beach waves or bringing out your natural curls with a curl enhancer like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner. 

If you have to use heat tools, always remember to prime your strands with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In or the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant. It’s best practice to use your hot tools on the lowest temperature setting and only pass through each section of hair once if you can.

Next: How to Get a Strawberry Brunette Hair Color

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo credit: Riyah, IG @/riyahtaylor, Design by: Crystal Simone