8 Best Blue Black Hair Dyes For Bold and Beautiful Locks in 2024.

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Blue black hair is a silky, sexy blend of the deepest darkest hues. And it’s high on our color love list as one of the hottest hair trends this year.

What makes us super happy is that it’s a color that is completely DIY doable. That’s why we’re here with the best blue black hair dye you need to nail the velvety look at home.

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TOP PICK!

Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black.

Best for: Long lasting deep blue color.

This is a dark shade that turned almost black on our dark brown, dyed hair.

In the light, it has a subtle blue hue that warms up the black and gives it a beautiful iridescent shine. Use this for long lasting, deep blue color.

Pros

  • Easy application
  • True to description color
  • Leaves hair feeling soft and silky
  • Color lasts for a long time
  • Easy to use
  • Smells great
  • Almost black on dark brown, dyed hair

Cons

  • Messy application

What color is blue black hair?

This sultry blue-black hue is a multi-dimensional show-stopper with a mysterious air.

With a deep, rich base color reminiscent of a starry night sky, it’s also known as midnight blue.

It’s a dark and luxurious shade you need to be sure about. Once this color is on your hair, it’s really hard to get rid of, so you need to be ready for commitment.

It’s a cool based color so best for those with cool skin tones. It looks incredible on those who already have naturally black or dark hair and want to add some mystery to their look!

But that’s not say that warm undertones can’t pull it off – with gorgeous, warm blue highlights, ombre or dipped-ends effects on deep dark base.

It can be worn long or short and we love it in layers or mermaid waves Check out the latest looks on our Blue-black hair Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.

blue black hair color ideas pinterest
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Which is the best blue black hair dye to use at home?

If you’re ready to embrace the midnight trend, here are the best blue black box dyes you can spend your hard earned money on right now!

ALWAYS do a strand test first. Oh, and cover your surfaces before you start – this color hair dye is messy!!


#1 Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Natural Blue Black 

Features & ingredients:

  • Gives 100% gray coverage
  • Formula includes our Revlon 3D Color Gel Technology, which deposits rich, dimensional color that looks natural and lasts.
  • UV Defense helps shield hair color against fading, keeping your shade bright and true

Reviewers say:

“This is a very good product for it’s inexpensive price. But it’s VERY messy; it literally got EVERYWHERE.

Also, the conditioner that they provide is not enough for a normal amount of hair, so make sure to have some on hand.”

“The color result? My hair was a light brown. The color literally came out exactly what it said. A rich, dark midnight blueish black. It is gorgeous.”

“This is a true inkwell black with a cool toned blue hue. The color could have not come out better!

Sure in normal light to distance or to the natural eye it looks black, but only when you put it under sun light or fluorescent lighting you notice the blue.”

Our experience:

The first thing we noticed about this particular box dye was that the formula is pretty thick.

This makes it easy to apply but also makes your hair feel really soft as the color sinks in and works its magic.

We tried this on mid brunette hair and the resulting hue is quite subtle. The color was dark at first – more black than blue – with glints of blue that catch the light and make your hair shimmer.

Go for this if you want a subtle, starter shade.

Best for: Subtle blue hints.

#2 Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo.

Features & ingredients:

  • Paint on. Show off.
  • Clairol Color Crave is a semi-permanent colur that lets you flaunt your fearless with bright colors and bold results.
  • Lasts 15+ washes. 

Reviewers say:

“This is far and away the best semi-permanent hair color I’ve ever tried! It really looks good, the color was exactly as I was hoping. I would buy it a million more times.”

“While I love semi-permanent hair color because there is no commitment, I find you don’t get the full benefit of it unless you have blonde hair. “

“Pretty fun product, not permanent, explore, have fun! This lasted about a month for me, I wash my hair 3 times per week.”

Our experience:

This is a dark indigo color with purpley-blue undertones and as it says on the box – the lighter your hair, the longer your wear.

We tried this on light brown hair and found it easy to apply. We left it in longer for than the instructions to be sure the color would take as a few reviews said it didn’t.

The result was a gorgeous, rich deep purple-blue black hue but not as black as the box. Use this if you have dark hair already to add a blue wash.

Best for: Dark hair only.

#3 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black.

Features & ingredients:

  • A natural looking permanent home hair color.
  • It has a blend of 3 tones and highlights and conditioners at every step.
  • Gentle on hair and scalp due to its oil infused color.
  • It provides 100% grey coverage, with soft and shiny results.

Reviewers say:

“This product has an easy application and is user friendly. The color is pretty true to the description. I would definitely recommend it.”

“It left my hair feeling soft and silky not dry at all. I was very pleased with the color, it lasted for ages.”

“I’ve tried so many brands but I keep coming back to this one. It’s easy to use, and the colors last and looks great. My hair is never dried out after using it.”

Our experience:

Nice n easy is certainly that. It smells great and wasn’t as messy to apply as some of the other hair dyes on the list.

This is a dark shade that turned almost black on our dark brown, dyed hair. In the light, it has a subtle blue hue that warms up the black and gives it a beautiful iridescent shine.

Lots of the reviews said the color kept really well. Best of all, it left our hair feeling in tip top condition. Use this for long lasting, deep blue color.

Best for: Long lasting deep blue black color.

#4 L’Oreal Paris Feria, Downtown Denim.

Features & ingredients:

  • With L’Oréal Feria hair color, what you see is the shimmer.
  • Multi-Faceted shimmering color with 3X highlights.
  • Delivers intensified, brilliant results.
  • A twist on the traditional and gives edgy hair color.

Reviewers say:

“Absolutely LOVE Feria hair color. It turned out so pretty. Love how there is a shampoo that comes with it and the after conditioner leaving my hair so silky.”

“The shimmer is really good and it didn’t fry my hair.”

“I have been buying L’oreal Feria for over 8 yrs..it’s by far the best hair product than any of the others.

The color is true to form, with shimmering effects, and staying-in power..it’s the best..now that I’m older, it also, hides my gray hair..love this product!

Our experience:

We love the Feria Shimmering range, particularly the edgy Glam Grunge colors like Dusty Mauve and Vintage Teal.

The reviews mentioned that this came out pretty dark so we tried it on pre-lightened brunette hair.

We also left it on for 10 mins more than the recommended 25 minutes, but could see it working from the start.

It is quite black that’s true. But the color is not too harsh against cool skin tones.

The blue richness adds softness and depth. And there is definitely a shimmer and gloss at first but don’t expect it to last beyond the first wash!

Don’t go for this if your base color is dark as it might be too black.

Best for: Shimmering blue black color for lighter bases.

#5 L’Oréal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Midnight Blue/Denim.

Features & ingredients:

  • Fades gradually over 1-2 weeks so you can switch and change your hair color whenever you want.
  • Based on Chroma-Cream technology in a conditioning hair-mask base.
  • Softly colors your hair while caring at the same time.

Reviewers say:

“I have naturally dark blonde hair but I have it highlighted. I used the blue L’Oréal and absolutely loved the color! However I’ve washed my hair a lot and it fades fast.”

“This was so easy and simple to use. Was a little worried as it is very blue when you squeeze out, but left a lovely finish on my hair and lasted near enough a week!”

“Lasted a lot longer than I expected. It was very easy to mix and apply. Smells lovely! Not too bright but can see it and loads of people commented on it, which is a bonus!”

Our experience:

L’Oreal Colorista Washouts are semi-permanent dyes perfect for your first dive into blue hair. They’re easy to apply and come with to follow instructions.

This shade is specifically designed for brunette hair and it does come out blue-black but more on the blue side.

It’s semi-permanent so will become bluer with each wash. So if you’re looking for more blue than black, this is the box dye for you.

Best for: A bluer hue.

#6 Garnier Nutrisse, Intense Blue Black.

Features & ingredients:

  • Best for anyone with natural hair between light brown and black.
  • Nourishing ingredients with grape seed and avocado oil.
  • Penetrates deep into hair fibers to nourish and condition your hair.
  • Delivers rich, long-lasting color with 100% gray coverage.

Reviewers say:

“This product is amazing! I bought this dye with very high hopes, and it delivered! I have very thick, very dark brown hair, so the color immediately took and looks fantastic.”

“The resulting color is a gorgeous, glossy black with an awesome blue tint that that is extremely noticeable in the light.”

“My hair is shiny, smells nice, and looks healthier than it did before dyeing. I am pleased and feel sexy with my new hair, I’m hoping it doesn’t fade too quickly!”

Our experience:

We were excited to try this color as it’s a gorgeous deep blueberry shade on the box. We tried this on dark brown hair to give some shine and lustre and it certainly did that!

Nutrisse hair dyes are great as they don’t smell strongly of ammonia which makes it pleasant to put on. The dye is very blue! But we left it in as instructed and the results were fab.

The blue is a cool almost metallic blue that shines and shows the most in your natural highlights. Some of the reviews said it didn’t last too long however.

Best for: Blue black shine and lustre.

#7 MANIC PANIC After Midnight Dark Blue Hair Dye

Features & ingredients:

  • Introducing After Midnight Hair Dye – the boldest, deepest navy blue for a night sky-inspired look. 
  • Mix and match with other colors for endless possibilities. Create soft, trendy pastel hues with our Pastelizer. No developer needed. 
  • Our semi-permanent formula gently fades in four to six weeks, without penetrating the hair shaft. 
  • And best of all, our cruelty-free, peroxide-free and vegan formula is celebrity-endorsed on Instagram and made with vegan ingredients.

Reviewers say:

“This dye gave me just what I wanted! A nice deep midnight blue color that was still pretty vivid even after fading.”

“The color stayed true for around 2 months or so before it started to fade, which wasn’t a bad deal at all!”

“I love how this color looks in my hair – it’s beautiful and bold! It’s easy to apply and comes out looking great. I’m in love with it!”

Our experience:

If you want a dramatic dark blue hair dye without the commitment of permanent dyes, then Manic Panic After Midnight Dark Blue Hair Dye is the perfect choice for you.

We love how vibrant the color is and how long it lasts before fading.

Plus, it doesn’t require any bleach which means that you won’t be damaging your hair with harsh chemicals.

Best for anyone looking for a bold statement look without having to worry about touching up their roots too often.

Go ahead and rock those midnight blues! Reviewers say it all – this dye gives amazing results that will last a while, so no need to be worried about fading too quickly.

Best for: Semi-permanent color for a bold statement look

#8 Adore Semi Permanent Hair Color – Blue Black

Features & ingredients:

  • For a bold and daring look without the commitment of permanent hair dye, try out Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Color.
  • This semi-permanent color is formulated with natural botanicals and does not contain harmful ingredients like ammonia or peroxide.
  • The vegan formula provides vibrant colors that last up to 4 weeks before gradually fading away.
  • Our 130 Blue Black will add some dramatic depth to your hair for sure!

Reviewers say:

“I love this color so much – it’s a dark navy blue with hints of purple depending on the light.”

“It’s perfect for me since I don’t want anything too extreme but still something noticeable when I’m out and about!”

“This is an amazing color – it looks like I just left the salon without any of the commitment or damage. My hair looks so healthy and vibrant!”

Our experience:

Another Semi-Permanent on the list, Adore Semi Permanent Hair Color in Blue Black is a winner.

We gave it a try on naturally black hair and was pleasantly surprised with the results!

The blue-purple undertones gave it a nice subtle pop in the sunlight that wasn’t too overwhelming. Plus, the dye didn’t damage our hair like some harsher dyes tend to do.

The only downside was that there was some color run in teh first few washes, but it wasn’t anything major.

Overall, we highly recommend Adore Semi Permanent Hair Color for anyone looking to switch things up without any major commitments.

Best for: Depth and drama with a hint of purple. 


TOP PICK!

Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black.

Best for: Long lasting deep blue color.

This is a dark shade that turned almost black on our dark brown, dyed hair.

In the light, it has a subtle blue hue that warms up the black and gives it a beautiful iridescent shine. Use this for long lasting, deep blue color.

Best blue black hair dyes at a glance.

Hair dyeLooks likeBest forBuy it now
Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Natural Blue Black

Subtle blue hints.
Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo.

Dark hair only.
Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black.

Long lasting deep blue colour.
L’Oreal Paris Feria, Downtown Denim.

Shimmering colour for darker bases.
L’Oréal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Midnight Blue/Denim.

A bluer hue.
Garnier Nutrisse, Intense Blue Black.

Shine and lustre.
MANIC PANIC After Midnight Dark Blue Hair Dye

Semi-permanent color for a bold statement look
Adore Semi Permanent Hair Color Blue Black

Depth and drama with a hint of purple.

Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the best blue black hair dye for you.

There are so many shades of hair dye out there, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Here are the most important things to think about when choosing the right box dye for you.

Hair Type and Texture

The first step in finding the best hair dye for you is considering your natural hair type, porosity and texture.

Different dyes work better with certain types of hair. For example, if you have thick, coarse hair, then a semi-permanent color might not be the best option as it won’t last as long as permanent colors typically do.

On the other hand, if your hair is thin or fine, a semi-permanent hair dye could be an excellent choice for you.

Base Hair Color

Next, you’ll have to take into account your base hair color before deciding on a new shade.

Generally speaking, lighter colors are easier to achieve than darker colors—so if you have light brown or blonde locks and want to go black or dark brown, then that could be difficult without bleaching first.

Of course, if you don’t want to bleach your hair then there are other options such as ombre styles or lowlights/highlights that can help create depth and interest without damaging your strands too much.

Skin Tone

Your skin tone also plays a role in selecting the perfect shade of dye for your tresses.

Cool skin tones usually look best with cooler shades like ash blondes and brunettes while warm skin tones often suit warmer hues like golden blondes and copper reds better.

If you’re not sure which colors will work best for you, then talk to a professional stylist or colorist who can advise you on what suits you best based on their expertise and knowledge of color theory.

Semi-Permanent vs Permanent

Finally, it’s important to determine whether or not you want a semi-permanent or permanent dye job before making any decisions.

Semi-permanent colors aren’t designed to last very long—typically around 4–12 washes—which means they wash out over time and require less upkeep than permanent dyes (which need touching up every 6–8 weeks).

However, if you want something that will last longer then opt for a permanent dye instead; just make sure that it’s suitable for your hair type and lifestyle before making any commitments!

Can I dye my hair blue black at home?

Dyeing your hair blue black at home is totally doable.

There are a range of brilliant box dyes on the market today that can bless your hair with this must-have color.

Follow the chart on the side of the box carefully because it depends on the color your hair is now whether it ends up as the color you desire.

If your hair is light to dark brown/black– All over blue black is pretty easy to do yourself, but if you want a dramatic change then you’re going to need to pre-lighten your hair.

Blue highlights on black hair also looks phenomenal.

If your hair is blonde and lighter – you’ll already have a good base for getting a more vibrant midnight hue.

If you want to go for pastel blue colors or highlights, you’ll need to lighten your hair with bleach. Always talk to your hairdresser if you’re not sure!

How to dye your hair at home.

Blue black hair dye FAQs

Is blue black hair dye darker than black?

Although this shade may appear black at first glance, it actually has a slightly bluish hue when held up to the light – making it deeper, richer and far more interesting than regular black.

Generally speaking, blue black hair dye will give you a black tint with subtle cool undertones, while a regular black hair dye will be much more intense.

Is there a permanent blue black hair dye?

There are definitely permanent hair dye options out there that can give you that long-lasting, blue-black hair color you’re looking for.

But, as with any hair dye, there are pros and cons to consider.

On the plus side, permanent hair dye lasts much longer than semi-permanent or temporary options. So you won’t have to worry about fading or touch-ups as often.

On the downside, because permanent dye permanently alters the color of your hair, it can be more damaging to your locks overall.

If you’re still interested in trying out a permanent blue black hair dye, we suggest checking out Nice n Easy’s blue black shade above.

It’s the best blue black hair dye for us and could give you the results you’re looking for!

What does blue black hair fade to?

Unfortunately, black blue hair won’t permanently stay because this gorgeous shade tends to fade faster than something like dark brown hair colors.

It depends on the hair dye you’ve used and the condition of your hair and things like how often you wash it.

But – whether you’ve used bright blue or dark blue hair color – it’ll start fading after 2-4 weeks and becomes more noticeable 4-6 weeks after you’ve applied the blue black dye.

As the color begins to transition, expect to notice hints of purples and blues gradually emerge from your once true blue black.

Leave it for longer and you’ll start seeing shades of dark brown with slight undertones of blue. This means it definitely time to re-dye your hair or hit the salon!

What skin tone does dark blue hair look good on?

Dark blue hair color adds a touch of drama and makes a bold statement, no matter what skin tone you have.

In fact, every skin tone can rock the trend – if requested, your stylist may need to adjust the hue for an even more flattering end result.

Those with lighter complexions may be able to go with a saturated navy color, while medium and deeper skin tones tend to look best in shades of royal blue or cobalt.

How long does blue black hair dye last?

If you’re wondering how long your new show-stopping colour will last, it all depends on what kind of hair dye you’ve used, and your hair care routine.

If it’s a permanent shade then your colour could last up to 8 weeks – so no more stressing about faded roots.

Semi-permanent solution could give you up to 24 shampoos worth of dye before needing a top-up.

How to care for blue-black hair.

How long your blue black hair dye will last will depend on a number of factors, but with proper maintenance you can ensure luscious, vibrant locks for weeks to come.

To make sure your hair stays as bold and beautiful, use a sulfate-free shampoo formulated for color treated hair and condition regularly to replenish moisture in your strands.

Make sure, you always use a heat protectant before using any heated styling tools such as curling irons or flat irons.

Finally, you can expect the dye to begin fading after 4-6 weeks as all dyes do – take this time to be creative and try different styles; embracing the gradual change and experimenting with new looks!

Parting words

So if you’ve always wanted to try something wilder than the conventional black or brown hues, dark blue hair could be your ticket!

We hope this guide has given you the low down on everything blue black hair, from dyeing your own locks at home to maintaining that midnight sheen.

With the right products and a little bit of know-how, nailing the trend is easy peasy. So go forth and rock that shiny new mane with confidence!

Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.

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Our Research & Review Process

To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.

We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.

Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.

This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.

As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
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    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!