Deciding your next hair colour can be difficult, so choosing the best dark hair dye is so important. If you're in the mood to transform yourself into a brunette, we're here to make it super easy, pinpointing the best at-home hair dyes that will give you a salon-ready finish, minus the expense.
If you're looking to experiment with a new, darker hairstyle at home, you want to trust that you'll be left with a professional finish. That said, if you're looking for a dark hair dye and you feel like a black hair dye will be too extreme, you might find that a lighter brunette shade will leave you with a more natural finish.
If you're feeling a change-up but don't feel as experimental as using a purple hair dye, choosing the best dark hair dye will leave you feeling like a new person. Celebs like Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato and TOWIE's Clelia Theodorou have previously rocked the darkest of dark hair, and it's a trend that's here to stay. Honestly, look how soft and shiny her hair is? Complete GOALS.
In a rush? Here's our best dark hair dye at a glance:
Editor's choice: Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye (£8) - But now on LookFantastic
Best natural dark hair dye: L'Oréal Paris Préférence Infinia Hair Dye (£11.99) - But now on LookFantastic
Best foam dark hair dye: John Frieda Precision Foam Colour (£9.99) - Buy now on Boots
Keep scrolling to shop the best dark hair dyes to leave you looking like you've just stepped out of a salon:
SHOP: The best hair dye for dark hair
As always, if you're going to dye your hair using a new dye, make sure you do a patch test on your skin to ensure total safety with your new 'do.
Editor's choice
LOOKFANTASTICwww.lookfantastic.com
If you're fond of your hair dye, you're likely to have come across Garnier before. Its Nutrisse selection includes a nourishing and protecting formula which leaves your hair glossy.
Review: "Went from blonde to my natural colour using this hair dye as it was on offer. Easy prays to do and now my hair feels AMAZING so will definitely use it again."
Pros
- Nice fragrance
- Tackles dryness
Cons
- May not last as long as others
- Easy brush applicator
- Developer cream
- 20 shades to choose from
Best natural dark hair dye
LOOKFANTASTICwww.lookfantastic.com
Say hello to this L'Oréal Paris Preference Infinia dye, which boasts a formula with "colour enriching pigments". Another dye that lasts for a decent eight weeks with full coverage and uses flower oils with floral fragrances to leave your hair silky and healthy.
Review: "This dye is amazing, leaves hair soft and shiny. I would not use any other brand except this to dye my hair as it is so good!"
Pros
- Colour enriching
- Contains flower oils
Cons
- Thicker hair may require two boxes
- 12 shades
- Developer cream
- Colourant gel
Best foam dark hair dye
John Friedawww.boots.com
John Frieda is a legend in the hair world, and this is our choice of the top foam dark hair dyes you could choose. This 'Precision Foam Colour' dye uses foam technology for ease of application, especially if you're in a rush. All you need to do is massage in and rinse out for lasting results.
Review: "Very simple and mess-free to use in the comfort of your own home, especially during the current period. Results last up to approximately 6 weeks for me so definitely recommend this product for roots in particular!"
Pros
- Easy application
- Quick results
Cons
- Stronger smell than others
- Seven shades
- Colourant, developer and foamer application
Best dark hair dye to splash out on
Josh Woodwww.boots.com
A slightly more expensive hair dye, this Josh Wood hair colour is perfect if you're looking for top salon quality. Josh Wood is another famous hair name, and this dye is ammonia-free whilst conditioning for shine. All it takes is thirty minutes to develop, and you'll have perfect hair.
Review: "Rich deep beautiful colour my hair is really soft and the colour is really professional. I will always buy this from now on I used light brown it turned out darker than the name just what I wanted. Lovely."
Pros
- Comes with a stain remover wipe
- Higher quality product
Cons
- Poor grey coverage
- 11 shades
- Colour and activator application
- Stain remover wipe included
Best trusted dark hair dye
Garnier www.boots.com
Another Garnier option, this Garnier Olia hair dye is a classic in the haircare world. With a non-drip formula and flower oils to leave hair soft. It's ammonia-free and leaves your hair feeling silky.
Review: "Always such good quality. Love the conditioner it comes with too, makes hair silky and soft immediately after dying."
Pros
- Ammonia free
- Non-drip formula
Cons
- Fades quicker than others
- Colour and developer
- 13 shades
Best creme dark hair dye
Bootswww.boots.com
If you're looking for a dark hair dye that has a creamier formula, then the Clairol Nice' n Easy Crème Oil hair dye is a great choice. With a blend of three salon tones and highlights in one dye, it gives a completely natural look and leaves your hair soft with the built-in conditioner. Also great for sensitive skin as it's a gentler formation.
Review: "First time using this brand. Easy to use and no mess. So happy! Would definitely recommend it."
Pros
- Built-in conditioner
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Not as good quality as some others
- Colour and activator application
- Over 10 dark natural shades
Best vibrant dark hair dye
L'Oréal Paris www.lookfantastic.com
If you're looking for a vibrant dark mocha hair dye to use, this L'Oréal Colorista gel is a great option. This collection is particularly for those looking for a colourful tone to their dark hair. With high intensity and three times as much more shine, you'll be wowing everyone in no time.
Review: "Gorgeous hair dye lovely colour. Left my hair soft and covered all my greys. Loved it."
Pros
- Vibrant colour pays off
- High shine on hair
Cons
- May not show on darker hair tones as well
- Colour gel and activator application
- Adds colourful tone to hair
What is the best hair dye for dark hair?
There are loads of choices on the market for hair dye, so it's no surprise it can be pretty overwhelming to know which dye to go for. We thought about all the things that are important when it comes down to choosing a dye, and here's what we found:
Permanent or semi-permanent: Are you willing to take the plunge permanently? If not, you can always choose a semi-permanent dye that will wash out over a few washes. Dark hair is pretty hard to wash out, so always be aware of that, even when choosing a semi-permanent dye.
Think about the application: There are a variety of applicators in different dyes when you buy them, whether you want an easy foam, an all-round applicator or even a head wrap to pull out certain strands of hair.
Be prepared for the outcome: Chances are, if this is your first time dying your hair, it may not come out exactly how you expect. It all depends on if your hair has been dyed before, how precise you are in your application and how big a change you're going. Take it easy and be patient with your dye.
How to look after brown hair: You'll be forgiven if you think going brunette is much more low maintenance than going blonde or red (which both need regular work to keep the colour fresh), but you can still do the most to look after your brunette locks, including using hair toners, oils and masks.
What's the best way to maintain your hair dye?
We know how important it is that your glossy locks continue to look fresh after you've dyed your hair. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner will help to prolong the vibrancy of your colour.
We recommend choosing a colour-safe shampoo and conditioner to keep your colour looking rich and your hair feeling hydrated. This is equally important regardless of whether you have dark hair or recently experimented with some silver hair dye.
How can you get hair dye off your skin?
Even if you wear gloves, sometimes you can find your skin gets stained from applying hair dye. Check out this quick, easy method to get hair dye out of your skin.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women's lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.