14 Unexpected Hair Colors That Look Stunning On Dark Skin Tones
14 Unexpected Hair Colors That Look Stunning On Dark Skin Tones
Once or twice a year, we start itching for a hair change and consider dabbling in a new hair color. Most of us have the seasonal changes to thank for that, but others simply have the desire to step outside the box and try something new. Either way, we support your urge for change and want to ensure you have all you need before booking that appointment. After all, being prepared makes the experience a smidge less intimidating.
For women with dark skin tones, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to hair color options. Celebrity hairstylist Kiyah Wright says warmer-toned hair colors compliment dark skin tones best, and suggests bringing photos for reference to your stylist (put that IG save feature to work!). Other than that, there really are no rules for women with melanin-rich skin which makes dye jobs even more fun and daring.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’re here to help. Here, two professional colorists that know the ins and outs of hair color share which colors look best on deeper skin tones, no matter the shade range. While some of the colors are totally expected (ahem, Beyoncé Blonde) others will definitely surprise you. Keep scrolling to find 14 hair colors that will make your dark skin pop.
1) Rose Gold
Yes, rose gold is still trending and it looks great on any skin color, dark tones included. The unique part about rose gold is you can choose warm or cool-toned variations and either will pair perfect with a chocolate-y complexion. When talking with your stylist about the tone and intensity of your rose gold hue, it’s best to bring along photos that mimic the undertones and depth of color you’re looking to achieve. The icy, pink color is the perfect match on this curly pixie cut.
2) Auburn
Auburn strands are the best of both worlds. When you can’t decide between going full-on red, auburn is a happy medium that still gives you bold color without going all the way. Wright says this reddish-brown shade brings out the beauty in darker skin tones. And, since dark skin tends to have a lot of warm and red undertones, choosing a dye job that mimics these hues only makes melanin-rich skin pop even more.
3) Platinum Blonde
This head-turning shade is not, we repeat is not, for the faint of heart. It’s for the bold, the daring and the I’m-not-afraid-of-rocking-anything souls in the world. Although Wright says this is a go-to for deep skin tones, she warns that you must make sure the stylist includes gold undertones. “This will help the skin not look too matte,” she says. This is the biggest difference between platinum on fair and dark skin tones. Darker skin tones should keep the color with warm undertones and avoid those that go into the cool color family. When committing to this big of a dye job, it’s best to do research on your stylist before booking the appointment. Don’t be afraid to ask for pictures of previous colors similar to yours.
4) Eggplant Purple
When Justine Skye popped on the Hollywood scene and made this color totally wearable, I’ve been sold ever since. And while you can recreate her signature look of dark roots and purple ombre, Nadav suggests choosing various shades of the color for best results. She does warn that you’ll want to talk with your stylist before booking the appointment to make sure purple is an available option. This also may be a color where you’d want to visit a salon that has experience with bright and bold colors instead of your traditional salon.
5) Blonde with Natural Roots
Like an inside-out peanut butter cup, blonde tips and natural roots likely require the least amount of commitment, if that’s something you’re concerned about. While this looks great on any darker skin tone, it’s especially a good pick for medium brown skin. Since this style doesn’t require a full dye job, requesting from your stylist is relatively simple; Ask for blonde tips. They can be golden, icy, honey, whatever you please. And, if you’re feeling daring, why not let the stylist pick which shade of blonde works best with your complexion. There’s nothing wrong with leaving it in the hands of the expert.
6) Royal Blue
Quarantine has everyone wanting to try something new with their strands. So, if you’re looking to finish out 2020 with a statement, this is the color for you. Wright says this vibrant color really compliments those with olive complexions because of the reddish undertones in the skin. And, since royal blue can be interpreted many ways, you’ll definitely want to have a reference photo (or two) ready for your stylist. If you’re feeling daring, but not sure if you want to commit long-term, look for a temporary spray color that washes out instantly. This gives you a chance to get your toes wet without cannonballing into the deep blue.
7) Cinnamon Brown
To make skin look richer and more vibrant, Wright suggests choosing a shade like this cinnamon-spiked brown. Stars like A-listers like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Ciara have also sported this hue. If you have naturally dark hair, it lightens up your strands without looking unnatural. And you can customize the color to your liking. The face-framing pieces on this picture especially make her skin pop.
8) Ashy Blonde
Slightly blonde, sort of gray, ashy blonde strands have been hot for a while and according to DevaChan colorist Smadar Nadav it’s here to stay. “The coolness from the ashy blonde helps to neutralize warm undertones in the skin and introduce light to the face,” she says. And she mentions, it looks best on dark skin tones with red or orange undertones. When talking to your stylist about this look, you’ll want to ask for a platinum, cool blonde and show pictures. You can get this color all-over or with highlights.
9) Caramel Highlights
Although caramel highlights aren’t new to the world of hair color, there is something classic and timeless about them that keeps experts loving them over time. This is a great go-to for someone who wants to experiment with color for the first time, but doesn’t want a drastic change. Nadav says she loves this color on dark skin tones with brown eyes. “It helps bring out their eye color and adds nice dimension to their dark hair.” It’s also especially lovely on naturally curly hair.
10) Copper
Similar to auburn, copper gives strands that red tinge without going all the way. The only difference is copper tends to skew more golden and pink than burnt orange like auburn. Nadav suggests speaking with your colorist about the right shade of copper for your skin tone. “Since there are different shades of copper, they will be able to mix up the right shade for you.”
11) Red-Violet
There’s some complexity to this magenta hue that makes you double-take and, according to Nadav, will grab anyone’s attention. “This head turning shade adds a radiant glow against any dark skin tone.” And as with all good things, this color will definitely take some time to process. Nadav suggests asking for a single process appointment and bringing various pictures so your stylist knows exactly what you’re looking for.
12) Chestnut Brown
If you want to dabble in color, but don’t want to deal with booking touch-ups and toning, this may be the color for you. “Since it’s working with the natural underlying pigments in your hair, you won’t have a lot of color maintenance with this look,” Nadav says. This comes in handy for women who want a dye job that will continue to look natural as it grows out.
13) Honey Blonde
We can thank Queen Bey for this tried-and-true hair color. In fact, you can probably tell your stylist you’re going for a Beyoncé-esque honey blonde and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. “The blonde lightens the face while the honey adds warmth,” Nadav says. She also suggests going honey blonde all-over, but if you’re looking for highlights this is a great option, too.
14) Jet Black
Since most of these colors are lighter and brighter than your natural hair color, here's an option for those looking to deepen their strands come the fall and winter season. There’s something gorgeous about shiny, jet black hair and it pops on dark skin tones. Thankfully, this color is super simple to achieve and you won’t need to prep your stylist, unless you’re looking for some dimension in your color.
Almost every shade looks good on melanin-rich skin.