Dyeing your dark hair blue has never been easier or more accessible. There are so many great dyes out there to choose from. In this article, we will look at the 16 best blue hair dyes for dark hair and brief you on a few things to be aware of before going blue.
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16 Best Blue Hair Dyes to Use For Dark Hair
We have compiled a list of some of the best dyes on the market which will turn your dark hair a shade of blue.
1. Punky Lagoon
This is one of the best dyes for darker hair. The color result is vivid and long-lasting- the secret behind this is that it is infused with keratin which ensures its longevity. Hair is left shiny and feels soft.
Why we like it: It is paraben-free, sulfate-free, and vegan.
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2. Got2b Metallic Permanent Hair Color
This Schwarzkopf dye in blue mercury will give you a shiny hue and shimmering undertones. If you’re after a multidimensional metallic look then this is the one for you.
Why we like it: This permanent product will last in your hair and it has an anti-fading effect.
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3. Arctic Fox – Long Lasting Blue Hair Dye in Poseidon
Full disclosure: this product works better on bleached hair but it can be used on dark hair too. Arctic fox hair products are gentle enough for frequent use and they actually condition hair as they add vibrancy.
Why we like it: This product is 100% vegan and has no harmful chemicals.
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4. Adore Haircolor #112 Indigo Blue
This easy-to-apply dye comes in liquid form, and it does not stain at all which is a definite bonus for a blue hair dye! This product is gentle on hair and doesn’t strip it of moisture as some dyes do. The result of this dye is a cool-toned color.
Why we like it: This Adore product fades well to leave hair with its original color.
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5. Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Nourishing Hair Color Crème Dark Intense Indigo
This product promises to take your color to the next level with its ColorBoost technology. After the application of this dye, you will see a vivid transformation on even very dark bases. Blended with avocado, olive, and shea oils, this dye nourishes as it colors.
Why we like it: Garnier has been around for over 100 years so they must be doing something right!
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6. Splat Midnight Hair Color Kit Indigo
This dye is marketed as being ‘best for brunettes looking for a bold color without the bleach’. This formula contains nourishing baobab seed oil which replenished moisture, adds shine, and protects hair from UV rays.
Why we like it: Blended with quinoa extract, this dye helps strengthen hair against breakage.
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7. L’Oreal Paris Excellence Hicolor Hair Color, Black Sapphire
Easy to use, this dye is formulated specifically for dark bases. It provides multi-level lift on dark hair in just one step with no brassiness.
Why we like it: It is quick and easy to use.
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8. Clairol Color Crave Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo Hair Color
This stylish bold color is promised to last for up to 15 washes. It does come out better in lighter hair, but the results are visible in brunettes.
Why we like it: Direct dye formula so no need for mixing.
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9. Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Dye, 2BB Blue Black Hair Color
This product pledges to leave you with natural-looking radiant blue-black color. It is blended with coconut oil and aloe vera to enhance shine and is paraben and ammonia-free. It is also vegan.
Why we like it: It is made with 80% naturally derived ingredients.
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10. Smart Beauty – Black Sapphire Hair Dye
This is another good dye to help you achieve blue-black hair. This product uses smart plex technology to rebuild the fiber structure of your hair as it colors. It promises to nourish and rebuild the hair, making it stronger and healthier.
Why we like it: It restores suppleness and volume to hair as it colors.
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11. ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Hair Color Dye in Aquamarine
This dye will give a deep teal tint to dark hair. It is a vegan formula with no harmful chemicals. And it hydrates your hair.
Why we like it: You can actually mix this product with a little bit of Purple Rain from the same brand to achieve cobalt or deep indigo.
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12. John Frieda Precision Foam Color, Blue Black
This product is easy to apply and doesn’t drip. It saturates every strand of hair with color to leave shiny and healthy hair.
Why we like it: The color lasts for a really long time.
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13. REVLON Colorsilk Beautiful Color Blue Black
Blended with keratin and amino silk, this blue-black dye gives a natural-looking multi-tonal shade while being gentle on hair.
Why we like it: Delivers complete gray coverage and adds shine.
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14. Adore Shining Hair Color Blue Black
This dye gives a vibrant blue-black color while acting as a conditioner by leaving you with soft shiny hair. It is blended with natural ingredients.
Why we like it: It is free from ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and alcohol.
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15. Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal Blue Black
This Schwarzkopf blue-black dye produces salon-quality results while also being user-friendly for those who may have experienced itching as a result of hair dyes in the past.
Why we like it: Good for those with porous hair as it provides good color equalization.
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16. Anthocyanin Hair Manicure Color Second Edition
Fade-resistant, the gel-like texture of this product makes for an easy application process. It is formulated to be gentle on the hair and produces a rich blue-black shade.
Why we like it: Peroxide and ammonia-free and provides UV protection.
Also Read: Best Color To Dye Over Blue Hair ( With Examples)
4 Things To Consider When Dyeing Hair Blue
Before you dive into dying your hair blue, there are a few things to consider and choices to make.
Shades Of Blue To Choose From
There is an abundance of blues to choose from: cobalt blue, indigo, teal, electric blue, midnight blue – the list goes on.
You’ll need to decide which one you want, and which one might suit you best. And that leads us nicely to the point below.
Consider Your Skin Tone
You may be feeling inspired by Katie Perry’s cobalt blue locks from 2010, Lady Gaga’s neon blue from 2011, or even Hilary Duff’s mermaid blue from earlier this year.
However, before you try to re-create any of these looks in your own tresses, consider this: your skin tone.
Cool blue dyes are good for those with pink skin tones, while yellow skin tones suit warmer colors.
But if you prefer (and feel brave), you can throw caution to the wind when experimenting with color: sometimes the most unconventional trials have the most delightfully unexpected results.
Long-lasting or Temporary
When choosing a blue dye for your dark hair, you also need to consider how long you want it to last.
Temporary
A temporary dye is a good idea if you just want to go blue for a particular event, or if you are not ready to fully commit to going blue. A temporary dye is a good way to try it out.
Semi-permanent
A semi-permanent dye is a good choice if you want the dye to last about 7-12 washes. It just coats the strands and doesn’t penetrate them.
Permanent
You need to be fully committed to going blue in order to use a permanent dye.
Often the only way to get rid of it is to have it cut out or let it grow out, although that being said some blue dyes fade out within a matter of months.
It is advisable to seek advice from a haircare professional before going down this route.
First Application Problem
Undertaking the transition from brunette to cobalt blue probably won’t take place overnight.
Dying hair the exact color you want can be a long journey and should not be rushed.
Your hair may evolve through underlying tones before reaching the desired color. You should buy enough blue dye to last you a few cycles and give the processing time.
Also Read: 8 Best Professional Bleaches for Dark Hair
Do You Need Bleach to Dye Your Hair Blue?
You do not need to bleach your hair before dyeing it blue. However, bear in mind that the exact shade of blue you are aiming for may not be as vibrant as it would be on bleached hair.
How Light Does Hair Have to Be to Dye it Blue?
A bright and vibrant shade of blue is best achieved when hair is stripped of all color. Blue dyes can still work on hair that has color but the outcome might not be as lively as you had hoped.
How far you would need to lighten it depends on the exact shade of blue you want to reach.
How To Dye Hair Blue At Home
So, you have decided on the perfect hue of blue for you. Just follow the instructions below to effectively apply it.
You will need:
- Clarifying shampoo
- Petroleum jelly
- Dye pack (which will probably have all the accouterments you will need)
But if not, you will also need:
- Disposable gloves
- Cape
- Bowl
- Applicator brush
Instructions:
- Wash your hair with the clarifying shampoo to remove any previous dye and any other residue.
- Put on gloves and a cape and apply a layer of petroleum jelly around your hairline to prevent staining.
- Mix the dye using the bowl and brush.
- Divide your hair into equal sections and secure it with clips.
- Start with the bottom layer of hair and really use your fingers to get the color worked into each strand.
- Leave the color in your hair for the instructed amount of time as per the packaging.
- Rinse out using lukewarm water.
The majority of box dyes tend to take around 45 minutes to develop. Avoid going over the time in an attempt to achieve a more prominent color. This can just end up damaging the hair.
How Long Does Blue Dye Last?
After 6-8 weeks, in spite of its name, your permanent blue hair dye will begin to fade. This is due to everyday external factors: heat and sunlight. And, of course, washing it.
Semi-permanent color will last about 4-6 weeks but it will fade progressively as is its nature.
Mistakes To Avoid
We have outlined a few mistakes to help you avoid making them and have the best ‘dying your hair blue’ experience you can have!
Not Doing A Patch Test
It is important to do a patch test before every time you use a new dye so as to avoid allergic reactions which can range from minor to major.
Not Caring For Hair After Coloring
If you regularly color and style your hair, it can lead to hair becoming more fragile and becoming damaged.
It is strongly recommended that you use bonding oil after you dye your hair.
This helps repair fibers that have become damaged due to processing and leaves hair looking smooth and full of vitality.
Not Using Clarifying Shampoo Before Coloring
Before you dye your hair blue (or any color), you should first use a clarifying shampoo to remove the build-up of hair products and to enhance penetration of the dye color.
Using Clarifying Shampoo After Coloring
After coloring, clarifying shampoo should be avoided at all costs. This product will cause your blue dye to weaken and fade.
Washing Hair Too Often
When you have made the change to blue, you should avoid washing your hair too often as this will cause it to fade faster.
It will also strip out oils and nutrients- a lot of these will already have been stripped out during the process of dyeing, so you really want to retain whatever you have left.
You should also try to avoid exposing your hair to swimming for any period of time. If you do go swimming, try to use a product on your hair that protects it from being stripped of color.
Alternatively, wear a swimming cap or wet hair before you go swimming as this prevents chlorine from absorbing into the hair.
So, there you have it: if you have dark hair and you’re keen to go blue, there are plenty of options out there.
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