Hair Color Ideas for Black Women

Why should the light skinned women have all the fun? Don't stop yourself from giving your mane a color makeover. Black is not the only color for them. In fact, these days it seems dark-skinned women are having all the fun (read, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna). Here are some hair coloring ideas for our black sistas. Check them out!
Encouraged by fashion trends, many African-American girls are searching for the latest hair color ideas for black women. Today, hair color has become a form of self-expression while strongly influencing the perception of outer beauty. Black women have varying skin tones but they all belong to the warm category of color complexion. While choosing a hair color for our dark-skinned damsels, it is important to remember that it must have warm undertones as well to complement and enhance the golden radiance of your skin color. I know how much you girls like to have fun with your hair. Here are some simple hair color ideas for women with a dark skin tone.

Guide to Choosing Hair Color for Black Women
Most black women are blessed with naturally black hair due to their African heritage. They may, however, want to try different hair colors to enhance their lady charm or accentuate their best features. To get a hair color that is most suitable for your appearance, you need to keep two factors in mind - your skin tone and hair texture.

Blonde hair color on black womenGoing Golden
Dyeing black hair blonde can be very tricky, particularly if the hair has been chemically treated. The lifting procedure that is needed to get a natural-looking blonde shade can be quite harsh for your hair. If you have not straightened your hair chemically, you can go for a blonde shade and lighten your locks. I would recommend you to opt for these shades to enhance your warm skin tone.

Platinum blonde: Best suited on black women aiming for a trendy look or a drastic hair makeover, it works spectacularly with a pixie haircut or a short bob. It contrasts with your complexion in a way that brings out the golden undertones and compliments it. Mary J. Blige and Keri Hilson prove that. However, black women that have a very dark skin tone like Kelly Rowland must avoid it.
Warm golden blonde: If you have a coffee and cream or golden complexion like Halle Berry or Beyoncé, this color will brighten it and make you look like a bronzed goddess. For golden shades to look striking on black women, they need to be richer. Opt for golden bronze, bronze, blonde, honey blonde and similar shades.

Red hair on black womenFiery Reds
Perhaps, one of the best examples of red hair on black women is Rihanna. The singer dared to sport a bright shade of red and set a hair color trend while cementing her place as an avid fashionista in the entertainment industry. A majority of black women prefer red hair color shades due to their flattering appearance. You can go for a vibrant red with cherry undertones if you want to add a dash of playfulness to your appearance. It looks fun, flirty and daring. A deep plum or mahogany is suited for black women who don't want a drastic hair transformation. These red shades really look good on medium, light, or medium brown complexion.

To dye naturally black or deep brown hair, the procedure for infusing a red hue to your tresses is not as harsh as it is to get a blonde color. Brown colored hair can be dyed in just one single session, whereas black hair might require color lifting prior to depositing the red dye. When it comes to hair color ideas for dark skin, deep burgundy, amber or copper shades would also create a warm look. Beware, red washes off quickly.

Dark hair color on black womenSticking to Basics: Brown/Black
If your hair is naturally dark, but you still want it to look shiny but darker, you can opt for a deep brown or black hair color. However, black hair color with a blue undertone can look too harsh as it only complements black women with a very dark complexion. I would rather recommend you to choose shades like coffee, dark brown, rich chocolate or natural black as they have warm undertones that will illuminate your complexion. Take inspiration from the First Lady of United States, Michelle Obama, who looks absolutely stunning, graceful and, yet, chic as she carries her hair color with elegance in every style.

Since coloring your hair beyond 2 to 3 shades lighter is not a very easily noticeable hair transformation, dark colors can subtly bring an improvement in your appearance without looking unnatural. This is one of the safest hair colors for black women because they are naturally inclined to have darkest hair. If you wish to see a visible change in your color while still keeping it dark, go for 4 to 5 lighter shades than your color for it to alter your hair color. Also, it eliminates the need to retouch roots when your hair grow out.

Snazziness Fully-Loaded!
I am absolutely impressed by hair-chameleon Nicki Minaj, not for her whacky hair colors but for her spunk. Even if just wigs, she carries any and every hair color with such flamboyance, it is commendable. If you too have offbeat choices and want to try out a daring color like electric blue, aquamarine, violet, fiery orange, candy pink or neon green, I'd say... go ahead and try it! You don't have to go all out and get a global color (if you don't want to), but it wouldn't hurt to sport a streak or two or even more. Try a semi-permanent hair color though. I really think black women can carry off such colors way better than other skin tones because dark skin brings out the drama in jazzy colors.

Adding Highlights to Hair Color
If you do not want to dye your hair completely, you can experiment with highlights. They instantly add depth to your hair. If you have brown hair, highlights like red, caramel, bronze, auburn or dark blonde would certainly enhance your haircut. But if you have deep brown or black hair, it is suggested that you opt for medium brown highlights. Also, ensure that your highlights frame your face and the crown of your head for a natural look. For those searching for hair color ideas for olive skin complexion, coffee and chestnut color shades with honey or golden streaks would look great. These colors won't contrast much with your hair color, making them seem like you were born with them!

A new hair coloring technique to try is balayage which literally means 'to sweep'. It makes highlights look like you were born with them! Also, another hair trend for black women to try is ombre. The roots of your hair start with a dark hair color, preferably your natural hair color, and graduates to a blonde shade at the tips. If tastefully done, they look absolutely gorgeous on African-American women. Style your hair in a fish braid or loose curls for that extra glamor quotient.

Post Color Hair Care Tips
The hair of black women are more likely to be dry naturally, so along with hair coloring, it is also very crucial to think about hair care before dyeing them.
  • Avoid excessive hair bleaching to lift color as it permanently damages hair cuticles.
  • Deeply condition hair twice every week to maintain hair health and gloss.
  • You may need to lighten/color your eyebrows to give your hair color a natural appearance.
  • Wash colored hair as less as possible to maintain it for a longer time.
  • Change your wardrobe and makeup to complement your new hair color.
  • ALWAYS go for a patch test.
  • Avoid hair colors that say 'cool' or 'ashy'.

Hopefully, the above mentioned tips for choosing a hair color for black women gave you some useful insight for your hair. But, before you decide to color your hair or get it done from the salon, it will be a wise move to ask your professional colorist for his/her opinion and get a reassurance on your shade. It helps to know what your hair color will turn out to be like before you apply it on your tresses. You've got the curves, now go flaunt the hair girl!
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Last Updated: 1/7/2012
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