43 Stunning Hair Colors for Dark Skin

What color highlights are best for dark skin tones?

The best thing about dark skin tones is that they lend themselves to versatility—so any color highlights you choose will look fabulous. If you’re unsure where to start, we recommend golden blonde highlights. We love how these warm highlights bring out the gold tones in dark skin.

Good hair day by @rondah.shaskey.hair

What hair color looks best on dark skin?

There are so many absolutely stunning colors on dark skin tones, and the best one for you will depend on the look you are trying to achieve. In general, cool, ashy colors and deep brown shades like chestnut and chocolate pair exceptionally well with dark skin tones. For those looking for a more drastic change, jewel tones against dark skin can be a winning combination, too.

A trained colorist can customize your most flattering hue based on your hair color and your skin’s undertones, so we always recommend heading to the salon to get the best results.

In need of some inspiration to show your hairdresser? Below are 43 of our absolute favorite hair colors for dark skin tones.

The Best Hair Colors For Dark Skin Tones

Good hair day by @monique_correa

Jet Black

The same way every girl needs a little black dress in her closet, every girl needs to try jet-black hair. It’s a classic color that’s elegant, timeless, and universally flattering. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is; black hair is a staple. Jet black hair is a fairly low-maintenance color, but if you want it to look its best, you’ll want to up the shine in your hair. Simply spray your strands with Redken’s Shine Flash Hair Spray to take your shine to the next level.

Good hair day by @hitexturehair

Cream Blonde

Want to go lighter? Choose a cream blonde shade that incorporates the best of warm and cool tones. This shade is stunning on medium to dark skin tones.

Good hair day by @hairbymothert

Caramel Brown

If you’re searching for a brown hair color for dark skin that will instantly warm up your complexion, opt for caramel brown. Prevent brassiness in lightened brunette hair with a shampoo and conditioner system like Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo and Conditioner. This blue shampoo and conditioner help tone and refresh natural and lightened brown hair.

Good hair day by @rachel_redd

Chocolate

Keep your hue as natural as possible while enhancing your skin tone with a chocolate brown hair color.

See if your salon is stocking up on the brand-new Redken Shades EQ Natural Chocolates line to bring your locks to a new level of decadence.

Red Wine

If you’re a wine enthusiast, red wine hair color should be your mane’s next venture. This deep hue offers all the benefits we know and love about a nice glass of merlot: It’s subtle, sweet, and makes us feel great!

Good hair day by @beautyby.krys

Sunkissed Highlights

These honey-sunkissed highlights will complement your natural glow all season long. Be sure to use a color depositing mask like Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Honey Beige Mask to keep your hue fresh between appointments. This formula conditions and adds shine while enhancing your blonde shade.

Good hair day by @haircoloristcoreypaul

Golden Balayage

When you think of balayage, golden blonde balayage may be the first hue that comes to mind. This gilded color looks good on just about everyone, and dark skin is no exception.

Good hair day by @leysahairandmakeup

Cayenne

Red hair on dark skin is hotter than ever, with so many celebrities opting for vixen shades. Ready to commit to full-on red? Ask your colorist for this bold cayenne shade.

Good hair day by @dremalczewska

Dirty Blonde

Dirty blonde is one of the hottest blonde hair color trends of 2023 (and one that looks stunning against melanin-rich skin). Pro tip: Ask your colorist for a blend of warm-toned highlights and lowlights to add instant dimension and bring out the warmth in your complexion.

Good hair day by @therealhairbender

Platinum

Ready to take the plunge into a major hair transformation? Platinum hair color is just right for you. This iconic color is high maintenance but well worth the extra work.

Take the guesswork out of your at-home hair care by swapping your regular shampoo and conditioner with the Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo and Blond Absolu Cicaflash Conditioner. The Blond Absolu range helps keep brassy yellow tones at bay while maintaining vibrancy and leaving the hair softer and stronger.

Good hair day by @kaytshaylehair

Ash Blonde Highlights

Good news, brown-skinned beauties—you don’t always need to stick to warm-toned shades. Ask your colorist for dark ash blonde highlights that balance your skin tone perfectly.

Good hair day by @toshaiir

Ash Gold Highlights

Despite what you may think, you can have the best of both worlds by incorporating cool and warm tones into your hair. This multi-faceted look was created using Redken Shades EQ Hair Gloss Bonder Inside in 07AG Smokey Beige + 09AG Glossy Greige.

Hot Pink

If you’re searching for a flattering color change that’s anything but subtle, you’ll love the way hot pink pairs with your skin tone. This bold color will give you the confidence boost you’ve wanted. Be sure to use a shampoo and conditioner like Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain this shade. The system is formulated to protect the vibrancy of fast-fading hair colors.

Good hair day by @edgybgirl

Rose Gold

Rose gold hair color became one of the most popular hues over the past few years, and we still can’t get enough. If you have a never-ending love of rose gold hair, there is no time like the present to give the look a try. We love how the pink and gold hues bring out the rosy tones in dark skin.

@thecheveurier

Cinnamon

If you’re looking for a warm-toned red hair color for dark skin, look no further than cinnamon hair color. Much like the warming spice it’s named after, this color will make your skin tone look brighter than ever.

Good hair day by @haircolorkilla

Auburn

For those who love the look of cinnamon hair color but want something a bit more muted, opt for auburn hair color. This staple hair color looks stunning on everyone, but we absolutely love the way it pairs with darker skin tones. Enhance your auburn shade or add a tint of temporary red hair color to your mane with Biolage Professional’s Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner. This color-depositing conditioner provides a cool red luster while leaving your strands ten times more conditioned.

Auburn Highlights

Stick to auburn highlights if you want to keep your color routine low-maintenance.

Good hair day by @joiewallacehair

Champagne

We’d argue that a little bubbly always improves everything, and this champagne shade is no different.

To get this lightened look, your stylist will need to use bleach. It’s important to note that bleach causes hair damage, but your stylist will work with you to leave you with the healthiest-looking hair. You can also keep your hair nourished and strong at home by investing in hair bond-repairing treatments, such as Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment.

Good hair day by @rachel_redd

Mauve

Want to dabble in fantasy hair color without completely taking the plunge into hot pink hair? Mauve hair color is the hue for you. This muted pink hue provides enough warmth that you may be able to ditch blush altogether.

Good hair day by @rachel_redd

Pastel Pink

Pastel pink is another light pink hue on our radar for dark skin. Even if you don’t stick with it, you’ll never forget giving it a shot.

Bubblegum Pink

Safe to say that the pink hair is not losing speed any time soon. However, a variation of the shade that doesn’t get enough TLC is bubblegum pink. It’s a vibrant, youthful hue that reminds us to have some fun and not to take life so seriously.

Good hair day by @rachel_redd

Chili Chocolate Hair

If you haven’t tried chili chocolate , you’re in for a sweet surprise. Similar to the actual food, you wouldn’t expect chili chocolate hair to work—but it does, and it’s absolutely beautiful on dark skin tones. The brown color is a sweet and subtle base that perfectly complements the fiery hints of red. Get ready to be everyone’s hair inspiration.

Good hair day by @haircolorkilla

Honey Blonde

If you’re obsessed with all things summer, you must try honey blonde hair. Not only does this color look especially gorgeous on darker skin tones, but the sunkissed hair reminds us of long beach days in the sun with a good book and a cold drink.

Good hair day by @haircolorkilla

Burgundy

The same way burgundy finds the perfect sweet spot between the colors red and purple, burgundy hair color on dark skin tones does the same. While this shade is certainly a more subtle rendition of red, it doesn’t lack any of the fiery vibes we know and love about the shade. It’s a wonderful compromise bound to make you feel fierce all the time.

Good hair day by @Korluhairartist

Gingersnap

We’re hair gurus by day and foodies by night, so we’d never miss an opportunity to pull another delicious sweet treat for hair color inspiration. Like the chewy cookie, the base of gingersnap is a deep, warm brown expertly mixed with spiced cinnamon and auburn for a rich brunette that casts a warm ginger glow.

Good hair day by @jamaledmonds

Mocha Brown

When it comes to melanin, we say the more, the merrier! Choosing a mocha brown hair color similar to your skin tone creates a captivating monochromatic effect.

Muted Purple

Because muted purple hair color isn’t so bright, it passes as a unique shade of brown, perfect for brunettes who want a low-maintenance color.

Good hair day by @haircolorkilla

Mocha Brown with Money Piece

Want to keep your dark base but add a bit of lightness around your face? Ask your stylist for a money piece.

Good hair day by @marcelcurlsyouon

Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin spice may make you think of Thanksgiving, but we highly recommend indulging in delicious hue all year long. The wonderful shade blends orange, copper, and hints of warm brown to create a beautiful color that favors dark skin tones.

Good hair day by @hairmomo_

Light Auburn

Are you not feeling cayenne or pumpkin spice hair? No worries. Light auburn hair is a more natural-looking take on color transformations. The light brown shade with notes of red enhances your skin complexion.

Good hair day by @cesar4styles

Crimson Red

Have you been itching to get in touch with your inner vixen? Ask your stylist for a crimson red shade this season. It’s bright, beautiful, and makes a powerful statement no matter where you are.

Sunset

Are you indecisive when it comes to beauty, hair, and life? Don’t worry. We’re here to give you one less thing to worry about. If you can’t decide on your next color, do them all! You can do no wrong with a breathtaking combination of sunset colors like yellow, orange, and red.

Good hair day by @lamajbackwards

Smoky Brunette

Play up the ash tones in your natural brunette hair with an on-trend smoky brunette shade.

Good hair day by @contactevie

Lavender

Lavender hair color proves that you don’t need great lengths or light skin to get the most out of a bright hue. Get out of your comfort zone and experiment with this sweet color. We promise the rewards will be bountiful.

Vibrant Violet

Prefer to go as bright as possible with your hue? If lavender is too underwhelming for you, a vivid violet shade packs a serious punch.

Good hair day by @uggoff

Midnight Blue

Calling all dark skin beauties to get in touch with their inner queens and try this regal shade of blue! Midnight blue is royal blue’s sophisticated older sister. Almost passing as black, this hair color is a fit for all seasons and occasions.

Good hair day by @curlpop

Bronde

If you ask us, bronde hair is the greatest pairing since the invention of the beloved brookie (brownie cookie). The combination of brown and blonde create a beautiful color that looks exquisite on dark tones. For those willing to undergo the maintenance that comes with bronde hair, you’ll be sure to glow from the inside out.

Good hair day by @hairbymothert

Copper

Searching for another way to try red hair on dark skin? Go outside of the box with copper hair. This unique shade of red that leans orange is definitely worth giving a shot. If you’re looking to keep low-maintenance, ask your stylist to keep the color predominantly on the ends of your hair so that you don’t have to worry about getting constant touch-ups.

Mermaid

Opt for a blend of vibrant blue and green shades to embrace your inner mermaid.

Good hair day by @lisafarrall

Fire Ombre

We promise, it doesn’t get hotter than this! Fire ombre is a scorching, warm-toned trend that’s completely customizable. Whether you choose to wear it subtle or vibrant, the result is a red-hot ombre that’s reminiscent of a blazing fire.

Good hair day by @designsofcomposure

Periwinkle

If you love the look of soft, muted pastels, choose a dreamy shade like periwinkle.

Green

Want to go entirely outside of the box with your hue? You’ll be surprised how well bright green pairs with your complexion.

Good hair day by @oluchizelda

Burnt Sienna

We can totally understand why the hair world is buzzing about burnt sienna hair. This fiery, orange-red hue is slightly more vibrant than traditional copper and can be customized to fit any skin tone.

Need upkeep advice? Hair.com is stocked with the professional products you need to keep your hair color stunning at home.