Want those funky electric blue locks? Don't want to bleach it first? Here are some best blue hair dyes for dark hair!
Coloring your hair blue looks absolutely magical and this trend has been going on for some time now.
It gives you such an edgy look! The blue-hair trend soared after celebrities like Katy Perry, Bella Thorne, Kylie Jenner, and Lady Gaga started wearing them.
The blue-hair trend soared after celebrities like Katy Perry, Bella Thorne, Kylie Jenner, and Lady Gaga started wearing them.
Blue is one of the best options for someone who is going to color their hair for the first time.
Related: Best Green Hair Dye
Related: Best Ammonia Free Hair Dye
If you’re worried that blue is seen as a funky hair color and something not suitable for a formal workplace setting, you can choose easily removable temporary dies or get highlights that can be easily hidden.
And if a bright electric blue is too much for you, a darker hue is a more lowkey and safe option. Midnight blue is a low-key shade of blue that mimics dark hair.
Best Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair | Best For | Type of Hair Dye |
L’Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color | Natural Brown Hair | Semi-Permanent |
Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright Pastel Blue Hair Dye | Light Brown Hair | High Lift Dye |
Garnier Nutrisse Intense Hair Dye, Intense Indigo | Black Hair | Permanent Dye |
Renbow Crazy Colour, Capri Blue | Thin Hair | Semi-Permanent |
Arctic Fox Hair Dye, Aquamarine | Dry Hair | Semi-Permanent |
Clairol Colour Crave Semi Permanent Dye, Indigo | Dark Colored Hair | Semi-Permanent |
Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Dye Shocking Blue | Damaged Hair | Semi-Permanent |
Schwarzkopf Got2B Metallic Hair Colour | Thick Hair | Permanent Dye |
A lot of people think that blue, pink, or other bright hair colors require bleaching if your hair is black-colored.
But some high lift dyes can be used without bleach. And certain color-depositing dyes work well on dark hair as well.
Here are some best blue hair dyes for dark hair that I’ve reviewed.
Should I bleach my dark hair to get blue hair?
This is a common question that a lot of people have when it comes to blue hair color.
Usually, it is difficult to get a funky color on your hair unless you have naturally blonde hair.
The bright color might not work on naturally dark hair colors.
So you will have to subject your hair to bleaching which will bring your natural color a few shades down.
However, bleaching can have negative effects on your hair since it contains a lot of harsh chemicals. These chemicals can dehydrate your hair and lead to thinning and breakage.
If you are looking to get a perfect blue shade of hair, yes you need to lighten your hair.
If you try to get blue without bleaching your hair, you will only get a subtle hint of the color.
This, of course, works if you are looking for a midnight blue shade that is similar to black.
But if you are looking for shades like aquamarine, turquoise, light blue, etc. you definitely have to get your hair bleached.
How I selected the best blue hair dyes for dark hair?
If you have dark hair there are certain qualities you need to look for in a hair dye, especially a shade like blue. So here's the factors I tested for before rating these dyes on a scale of 1-5.
- Strength of the pigment - Blue dye doesn't show up easily on dark hair. So I checked whether the dye is strong enough to appear even on dark hair or does it require prior bleaching?
- Duration of dye - I then checked how long the dyes stays on hair. If it's semi-permanent or will it wash off with one instance of shampoo?
- Ingredients - Most brands add extra ammonia to make sure the blue hair dye shows up on dark hair. So I checked if these dyes are actually free of harsh ingredients or are they bad for hair despite being good colorants.
Top Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair 2023
L’Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color, Midnight Blue
Best Semi-Permament Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
I am a huge fan of LÓreal and this hair color did NOT let me down. In my opinion this hair color is made for people with brunette hair.
When I applied it first I liked how the teal blue blends well with my brown hair to give a subtle teal blue shade.
If you don’t want to commit fully to the blue color, you can select this one because it is a one-day hair color. Depending on how long you want blue hair for, this can either be a good thing or a bad thing!
But on the plus side, being easily washable means this hair dye doesn't need a developer or bleach to work. This hair color has a vegan formula that is free of harmful ingredients like ammonia, parabens, and peroxide.
If you have brunette shades that are chestnut, copper etc. the blues come out well. Otherwise, you will get a subtle blue color on your dark hair. Another thing I noticed is that it stayed in my hair longer than regular temporary hair color.
So this definitely requires a little more commitment. If you wash your hair less frequently, it will stay even longer. And I also recommend using sulfate-free shampoos!
Make no mistake this product is advertised as a "one day" hair color and it delivers what it advertises.
Pros:
- Bright pigment that shows well on dark hair
- Vegan formula that doesn't test on animals.
- Ammonia free, Paraben-free, Peroxide free formula that is suitable for thin, fragile hair as well
Cons:
- Will stain your skin as the dye is too strong
My Ratings:
- Strength of pigment - 4.5/5
- Duration of dye - 3/5
- Ingredients - 4.5/5
Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright Pastel Blue Hair Dye
Best Pastel Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
You know what I found most interesting about this hair dye? This is a 2 in 1 kit that gives you dual options. It comes with a conditioner that gives you a pastel hue when you combine it with the color cream.
If you only apply the color cream, it comes out electric blue. But this will only work for people with light hair so you will have to bleach your dark hair.
If you have naturally dark hair, you should expect a darker shade. You can try out various looks like ombre and highlights with this hair color.
Check this full review here
I had to use an extra pack of hair color to make sure that my hair was fully covered. So that was a bummer. But apart from the quantity I did not find issues with this dye.
The pigment especially is awesome. Well, a bit too awesome as even my scalp looked blue at the end but if you take proper precautions (unlike me!) you should be fine!
You should keep an extra pack of colors while coloring your hair if you do not have short hair. That's all my advice is to you.
Pros:
- Long-lasting shade as the color protect formula will last up to 6-8 weeks (with good care)
- Leaves hair with a shiny look thanks to the extra conditioner that comes with the dye
- Pastel hue when mixed with conditioner so you can adjust the shade you want
Cons:
- Might make your scalp blue as dye is strongly pigmented
My Ratings:
- Strength of pigment - 5/5
- Duration of dye - 4/5
- Ingredients - 4/5
Check out also different types of blue shampoo here.
Garnier Nutrisse Intense Hair Dye, Intense Indigo
Best Permanent Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
The Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color in Intense Indigo works really well for dark hair. However, this is not a very bright shade of blue, it is dark, subtle, and resembles the midnight blue shade.
If you're looking for a more "professional" blue color and do not want to go full electric blue punk mode, this is a good choice.
Another thing that impressed me about this product is that it gives your hair that much-needed nutrition that helps to combat the damage done while coloring.
The set comes with a grapeseed fruit oil ampoule which you can mix with the cream mixture. So your hair is nourished from the get go. And that's not all there's a after-color deep conditioning sachet too!
The after-color conditioner is enriched with avocado, olive, and shea oil which leaves your hair moisturized. So full points from me!
The conditioner and the fruit oil ampoule really soften and moisturize my hair.
But I did experience a bit of a residue on my towel even after a week of coloring my hair.
If your hair is really dark, the color will look almost black with hints of blue. So be prepared for this possibility. Other than I only wished the conditioners weren't so full of silicones.
But hey, you're not dyeing your hair every week so there's little chance it will build up.
Pros:s
- Contains fruit oil ampoule that will nourish hair while dyeing it
- Suitable for dark hair as it gives a subtle midnight blue undertone
- Non-dripping formula that doesn't stain skin or clothes
Cons:
- Might leave residue on the hair as it contains silicones
My Ratings:
- Strength of pigment - 4.5/5
- Duration of dye - 4.5/5
- Ingredients - 3.5/5
Renbow Crazy Colour, Capri Blue
Best Washable Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
This is one of the longest-lasting hair colors on the list.
Although they guarantee that the color will last for about 10 to 12 washes, I could maintain the same shade for about seven washes.
Usually, the color starts fading and washing up after a few washes.
The hair color is also infused with moisturizing ingredients like Raspberry oil, avocado oil, and sunflower seed oil.
This hair color does not contain harmful ingredients like ammonia, alcohol, and peroxide.
This range also contains other shades of blue like peacock blue, jade blue, sky blue, and sapphire.
You will have to bleach your hair to platinum or medium blonde color to achieve these colors.
Pros:
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan friendly
- Available in different shades
- Mixable colors
- Long-lasting shades
Cons:
- None
Arctic Fox Hair Dye, Aquamarine
Best Temporary Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
I loved how this hair color gave my dark hair a deep teal tint.
It looks really bright in light hair but it also combines with black and brunette hair to give you beautiful results.
The product gives you a very vibrant hue and has a lovely sweet scent, quite a departure from the chemically-smell of dyes.
It is pretty easy to color your hair with this hair color but you should expect some level of staining.
The product is completely vegan and free of harsh ingredients like ammonia, ethyl alcohol, peroxide, and PPD.
If you notice that your color is fading off, you can use this product again.
It will not dry out your hair after frequent use, and as I have very dry, curly hair I was really grateful for this!
Pros:
- Conditions hair
- Sweet smell
- Vibrant color
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Can cause staining
Clairol Colour Crave Semi Permanent Dye, Indigo
Best Electric Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
This product has a thick and creamy formula that coats well on your hair to give you even results.
But the color wasn't very vibrant. The product washed out fairly easily from my hair.
The color blends well with your dark or black hair to give a very subtle tint. You cannot expect a bright result from this product.
I liked that the product does not have a weird odor like other hair dyes.
You will definitely need more than one box if your hair is not short so keep it ready before you start the coloring process.
Pros:
- Direct dye formula
- No bleach required
- Contains stylist brush
- No ammonia, peroxide, and parabens
Cons:
- Might cause an allergic reaction
Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Dye Shocking Blue
Best Vegan Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
Manic panic is a brand that I trust with bright funky colors so I was really looking forward to trying out their shocking blue shade.
This bright blue color has purple undertones that make your hair look super unique.
This gives beautiful dark blue highlights to unbleached naturally dark hair.
But if you are looking for something brighter, you will have to lighten your hair a few shades.
This is one of the brightest shades for virgin dark hair.
But you have to make sure that you do not stain your clothes or surroundings with this product because it is really difficult to get this off.
Pros:
- Vegan friendly
- PPD free
- Cruelty-free
- Blends well with dark hair
Cons:
- Stains are difficult to remove
Schwarzkopf Got2B Metallic Hair Colour
Best High Lift Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair
If you are looking for a hair color that will give you a shiny finish, this one will be a good option.
It has not only added a beautiful blue tint to my hair but also made my hair smooth and shiny.
This hair color works best with virgin or bleached hair.
I would not recommend people who have already colored their hair to try this color.
Pros:
- Shiny finish
- Suitable for dark brown hair
- Anti fading effect
- Metallic radiance
Cons:
- Washes off fast
Here's a comparison of the top blue hair dyes for dark hair!
Top Blue Hair Dyes For Dark Hair | L’Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color, Midnight Blue | Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright Pastel Blue Hair Dye | Garnier Nutrisse Intense Hair Dye, Intense Indigo | Renbow Crazy Colour, Capri Blue | Arctic Fox Hair Dye, Aquamarine | Clairol Colour Crave Semi Permanent Dye, Indigo | Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Dye Shocking Blue |
Images | |||||||
Price | Very Expensive | Very Expensive | Affordable | Affordable | Very Affordable | Slightly Expensive | Slightly Expensive |
Staying Power | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Pigment | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Ingredients Quality | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Ammonia-Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Suitable For Sensitive Scalps? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
If you are looking for blue hair dyes for dark hair, then I hope this list of hair colors helps you find one good for you!
These hair colors are perfect for dark hair as they are either high lift dyes that do not require bleach or temporary color-depositing dyes that coat your hair cuticles.
Either way, I suggest using a color-safe shampoo to keep your hair dye from fading!
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