Just when we thought there were no more trends left to squeeze out of the Noughties, black hair dye makes a comeback.
The gothic hair trend defined the 2010s, with stars such as Rihanna, Demi Levato and Megan Fox flying the flag for bewitchingly inky locks. Now, black hair dye is stepping out of the shadows and dominating social media feeds where on TikTok, there have been 161.3 million on videos related to Black Hair Dye.
So what brought about this renewed interest in dying our hair black? Perhaps we have Netflix’s Wednesday to thank, which shone the spotlight on the protagonist’s kooky style and iconic black braids. Then there are black-haired poster girls like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Kylie Jenner, who forever hold the tightest of grips on the beauty world. All options are undoubtedly convincing enough to brave the black dye bottle.
Regardless of why black hair is back and better than ever, it remains a statement look that is both grunge and glamorous in equal measure.
Black hair was deemed highly desirable in ancient civilisations. The Ancient Egyptians would use henna to dye their hair black, while Romans and Greeks would mix lead and sulphur powder to form dark hair dyes. Consider Egyptian queen Cleopatra, who used her distinctive black wigged headdress as a symbol of power. Having black hair was the original power move.
Native American communities cleverly opted for more natural plant and mineral-based dyes to darken their manes, with synthetic hair dyes only coming onto the scene thousands of years later during the Industrial Revolution. L'Oréal would become the first company to produce modern hair dyes - the precursor to the ones we see stocked in Boots and Superdrug today.
Luckily in today’s day and age, we don’t have to resort to using toxic chemicals to achieve our Mia Wallace-inspired tresses. There are ample black hair dyes to peruse online and in-store, from household names such as Garnier and Schwarzkopf to emerging favourites like Glaze.
Embrace a winter-ready look and browse the best black hair dyes to transform your locks below. Your glamazon goth persona awaits.
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Glaze Luminous Liquorice Super Gloss
Join the dark side with Glaze’s Luminous Liquorice gloss which offers the sleekest temporary fix. Ideal for beauty lovers wanting to toy with their mane, the gloss acts as a hair moisturiser saturated with semi-permanent colour to enhance your shade in just ten minutes.
Unlike harsher options, Glaze will lift your current hair colour rather than dye it totally, leaving you in charge of how dark you want to go. The bleachless product is also cruelty-free and blends gentle dyes with hydrating fatty acids to offer deep conditioning.
Buy now £16.00, Glaze
Garnier Olia Midnight 1.0 Deep Black No Ammonia Permanent Hair Dye
A bestseller for a reason, Garnier's Olia Midnight hair dye is one for the brave. Upgrade your locks with a permanent colour pop that won’t harm your scalp thanks to the dye's oil-powered, ammonia-free formula.
Not only will the product cover any pesky greys, but it guarantees a velvety shine devoid of dryness upon application.
Buy now £10.00, Boots
Josh Wood Permanent Colour 2.0
Celebrity favourite colourist Josh Wood knows a thing or two about creative colouring. His eponymous brand’s Permanent Colour offers a striking black shade to achieve your darkest hair dreams.
The product is ammonia-free and made with natural ingredients which are suitable for vegans, meaning all can enjoy a fresh new head of gleaming ebony locks.
Buy now £14.00, Josh Wood
Schwarzkopf Oleo Intense Permanent Oil Colour 1-10 Intense Black Hair Dye
Avoid a costly trip to the hair salon and pick Schwarzkopf’s Oleo Intense Permanent dye. The inexpensive product provides 100 per cent grey coverage while injecting your tresses with some rich, long-lasting shine.
Follow the shade guide to find your perfect hue and marvel at your new luxurious look.
Buy now £6.50, Boots
dpHUE Gloss
Another gloss to consider, dpHUE offers a semi-permanent, deep-conditioning treatment for those dreaming of darker hair. To use, hop in the shower and distribute evenly over your locks.
Leave on for 3-20 minutes, depending on the desired tint, and rinse well. If you’re itching for an easy breezy yet bold colour pop, dpHUE is a safe bet, especially for the indecisive.
Buy now £35.00, Cult Beauty
Garnier GOOD Permanent Hair Dye, 2.0 Truffle Soft Black
Another notable pick from Garnier, this permanent hair dye will see that your hair journey to beautiful black is an effortless one. The 90 per cent natural origin formula is enriched with shea butter to deliver healthy-looking locks.
Not only does it promise all-over coverage (yes, even greys) but the item boasts a non-drip formula crafted from vegan ingredients.
Buy now £12.00, Boots
Verdict
For a temporary trip to the dark side, Glaze Luminous Liquorice Super Gloss gets our vote. The product is known to replenish hair with a boost of shine, hence its rave reviews.
Shoppers who never want to come back from black may prefer the Garnier Olia Midnight 1.0 Deep Black No Ammonia Permanent Hair Dye, an inexpensive, permanent solution to help achieve your dream hair.
