The Best Haircare Tips For Dark Hair Colours

Thinking of dyeing your hair luscious chocolate brown? Or maybe you’ve already opted for an inky black shade? Either way, you’ll probably want to keep it in its best condition to really show off its beauty. To help you achieve just that, we’ve created this guide to caring for dark hair colours. Discover everything from the best dark hair dyes to the top products for brown and black hair, right here.

A guide for brunettes

Let's start with you brunettes: how do you get chestnut tones to pop? And what are some of the best brown hair dyes for your skin type? Find out below.

How to maintain brunette hair

Many assume that looking after brunette hair is easy, but that doesn’t mean you can get away with not caring for it. In fact, if you don’t look after your brown hair, you might find that it looks dull and lifeless. Here’s what to do to maintain the colour:

• Reduce hair washes – shampooing your hair often means that the colour will fade faster, not ideal if you’ve just spent money on dyeing it. Try and aim for 2-3 times a week and use a touch of dry shampoo between washes if you feel like you need it.¹
• Use lukewarm water when washing – high temperatures can lift the outer cuticle layer, which can remove the dye. To avoid this, rinse your hair with lukewarm or cold water (if you can stand it) to keep the colour for longer.²
• Use a colour protective shampoo – when it comes to washing your hair, opt for a shampoo that has been designed to keep your dyed hair intact for as long as possible.
• Try the no-poo method – hear us out, this isn’t what you might think. The no-poo method is a great technique for reducing the amount of shampoo you use and keeping your hair silky soft.
• Go easy on the heat-styling – we get it, you want to show off your new locks. But as we mentioned earlier, the heat might remove the colour quicker than you’d like. Instead, learn how to curl your hair without heat for a less damaging alternative.

Best brown hair dyes

Thinking of changing up your look with a chic brunette hair dye? You might be a bit unsure on which dye to go for, especially since there are so many on the market. So to make your decision easier, we’ve listed some of the best brown hair dyes to suit a range of skin and hair types below.

1. Best permanent brown hair dye

On the hunt for a permanent fix? Look no further than the Naturtint Permanent Hair Colour in Light Chestnut Brown. Enriched with natural plant and seed oils, this hair dye is well worth a try if you’re after a natural option. But that doesn’t mean quality is compromised. In fact, it offers a non-drip gel formula for a stress-free application so you can get the best results from the comfort of your own home.

Key features:

• Offers 100% grey coverage
• Vegan and against animal testing
• Works in 40 minutes
• No ammonia

Customer reviews:

Satisfied Customer – 5/5 stars – Super Product.

“Natural colour every time. Leaves hair shiny, soft and grey free!”

Pauch – 5/5 stars – Great hair dye!

“This is the second time I purchase this hair dye. It is easy to apply, does not smell or irritate my scalp. Color is same as my natural hair color. Best part: 100% gray coverage. Would recommend it”

1. Best semi-permanent brown hair colour

If you’re not feeling the weight of commitment with permanent dye, don’t worry. You can still achieve glossy brunette hair with natural semi-permanent dye like this one. From It’s Pure Organics, this option is made with henna which is a natural alternative to standard hair dye.

Key features:

• 100% organic
• Fair trade henna
• UK’s only Soil Association henna
• No ammonia

Customer reviews:

Dooboo – 5/5 stars – Natural colour

“I applied natural brown to my hair and the result was a very natural looking brown with a few reddish highlights. It was easy enough to apply. I left it on for a couple of hours and was very happy with the result.”

Tess – 5/5 stars - It's Pure Organic Hair Dye

“I love this hair dye because it is natural and will not damage my hair. It provides coverage (even for grey) and enhanced colour. Very pleased.”

Not used henna before? Don’t fear. Use this guide to henna dye to learn all about this natural dye alternative.

1. Best caramel hair colour

With 92% natural ingredients, this caramel hair colour will leave your locks feeling moisturised and with a gorgeous golden hue. This Naturtint Permanent Hair Colour in the shade Teide Brown also comes in a handy non-drip formula for a seamless application.

Key features:

• Offers 100% grey coverage
• Vegan and against animal testing 
• Works in 40 minutes
• No ammonia

Customer reviews:

Customer y – 5/5 stars - Warm brown hair colour

“Excellent product and lovely warm brown colour which stands out and helps cheer me up on these cold winter days.”

Hollanne – 5/5 stars - Natural hair dye

“Excellent hair product no strong smell when applying and leaves hair soft and shiny.”

New to dyeing your hair? Don’t worry, we’ve got a whole guide on dyeing your hair which contains all the information you need to know.

A guide for black hair

If you’re thinking of joining the dark side, we don’t blame you. Ebony hair is beautiful and striking, especially if you give it the love and care it deserves. We've got the rundown on how to keep your black hair looking sleek and glossy, plus some of the best black hair dyes that keep it in tip top condition.

How to maintain vivid black colours

First up though, how do you maintain vivid black hair colour? While all the tips we mentioned for maintaining brown hair still stand, explore our key tips and tricks for making your black hair pop, below:

• Don't wash your hair straight after dyeing it – in fact, try to avoid washing it for a full 72 hours afterwards to prevent it from stripping the colour and leaving it looking washed out.
• Avoid the swimming pool – if you’re a fan of swimming, we’re sorry! The chlorine used in most swimming pools may bond to the artificial hair colour and draw it out quicker than you’d like.³
• Get a trim – to ensure that your hair is in good condition before colouring it, get it cut to remove any split ends which can affect the sleek look.
• Use plenty of conditioner – apply conditioner to the lengths of your hair to keep it smooth and soft. Just avoid the roots as you don’t want them to appear greasy.

Best natural black hair dyes

You’ve made the decision to dye your hair black, exciting! But which product should you go for? If you’re looking for a longer lasting colour, opt for a permanent dye. Or if you’d just like to experiment with black for a while but you’re happy for it to fade quicker, a semi-permanent dye may be the better option. Discover a couple of our top picks below:

1. Best permanent black hair dye

Helping to cover greys and provide you with shiny dark tresses, this Naturtint Permanent Hair Colour in Ebony Black is the perfect option. Made with natural ingredients, this is ideal if you’re looking for a jet black hair dye with fewer chemicals than standard ones. Plus you can blend shades in this range, so you can fine tune the dye to get the exact hair colour that you desire.

Key features:

• Offers 100% grey coverage
• Vegan and against animal testing
• Works in 40 minutes
• No ammonia

Customer reviews:

LFernando – 5/5 stars – Hair colour

“I have been using this product for a few years and have found it be safe, easy to use and colour lasts for a while”

Bengali Princess – 5/5 stars - Great Hair Colour!

“Healthy Looking Hair! Love the vibrancy and colour of this product. Less damage and dryness compare to other high street brands. Will definitely repurchase.”

1. Best semi-permanent black hair dye

Perfect for an introduction to black hair, the Naturtint Reflex Semi-Permanent Henna Cream Hair Colour in Black is super easy to use. But that’s not all. This dye contains a powerful combination of 12 plant extracts which provide colour protection, enhanced hydration and a soothing formula.

Key features:

• Natural henna & plant extracts
• Lasts up to 12 washes
• Covers greys
• No ammonia

Customer reviews:

Jenn – 5/5 stars – Glossy hair!

“Brilliant dye works really well. And great for sensitive scalps. My mom loves it too”

Renarta – 5/5 stars - Naturtint Semi Hair Dye

“Gentle on your hair and last between 4 to 6 weeks. Have been using for years.”

Caring for dark hair

Want to make the most of your rich brunette or silky dark tones? We’ve got some of the best products to help you look after it.

Best hair oil

Considered as one of the best natural oils for hair, argan is a must-have if you’re trying to make the most of your dark locks. The fatty acids in argan oil help to keep your hair shiny and potentially reduce the risk of heat damage.⁴

Key features:

• Vegan friendly
• 100% natural and cold pressed

Customer reviews:

Anonymous – 5/5 stars - BEST Argan Oil available, EVER !!

BEST Argan Oil available EVER !! Great quality and value, I have done my research.

Audrey15 – 5/5 stars - Excellent

This is a very high quality argan, argan oil is supposed to smell like elastic bands, and this does which is a sign of good quality l, very smooth, I like this brand.

Best shampoo for dark hair

Designed to help strengthen and repair colour-treated hair, this Naturtint Colour Fixing Shampoo is our top pick for dyed dark hair. It contains a range of natural plant and seed extracts to strengthen and rejuvenated hair for longer lasting colour.

Key features:

• Vegan friendly
• 99% natural origin

Customer reviews:

Jasv – 5/5 stars - Shampoo
“Shampoo is nice as it protects my hair dye. I now- colour my hair every 3 to 4 weeks instead of every 2 weeks. My hair are much stronger and looks healthier and shiny .”

Viviennekaren1961 – 5/5 stars - Keeps hair healthy and natural colour

“Keeps my hair and colour in great condition, lovely and healthy looking, soft and shiny with natural ingredients and no harsh chemicals. Love it.”

Best leave in conditioner

Lightweight and gentle but still nourishing, this leave-in conditioner from Sukin is worth a shot if you’re aiming for super shiny dark hair. It contains a balanced blend of horsetail, burdock and nettle to nourish hair in between washes, as well as sesame and baobab oils to enhance natural shine instantly leaving hair looking healthy and revitalised.

Key features:

• Vegan friendly
• Suitable for all hair types
• Carbon neutral

Customer reviews:

Sayla – 5/5 stars - Very nourishing & helps with frizz

“This product helped reduce frizz and makes brushing tangled hair so much easier. I have wavy hair and have struggled with frizz for a while and this product really helped. It doesn't look greasy after application and gives a soft shiny look. Has a very nice biscuit-like scent too.”

How to choose the right shade for your skin tone

Fortunately, dark hair looks great on the majority of skin types. But as a rule of thumb, the lighter your skin, the lighter your hair should be on the scale to avoid looking washed out.

Also, if you have medium skin tones, warm coppery brunettes may be the way forward. If you have dark skin, it’s likely that you’ll suit a lot of brunette and black shades – so why not have some fun with it?

The final say

Achieving sleek and glossy dark hair isn’t impossible, especially if you choose good quality dyes and nourish your hair with natural products full of moisturising ingredients.

If you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, acne or rosacea, consult a dermatologist before trying any products.