9 Best Hair Dyes For Black Men 2024

Finding the right hair dye as a Black man can be a tricky proposition, especially if you’re interested in getting a more subtle look. Since your hair is your crowning glory, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before selecting the proper hair dye for you.

Fortunately, there are many different types of hair dye for African American men. As long as you take the proper steps from the beginning, you’ll be rewarded with a lovely head of hair.

We’ll first look at the best hair dyes for black men, then after let you know what you need to think about when coloring your hair.

Top Hair Dyes for Black Men

These best hair dyes for Black men will give you the uniform look that you want, are easy to apply, and can help you feel and look your best. If you want salon-quality results without ever setting foot in the barbershop, these dyes are your best bet.

Softsheen Carson Hair Dye for Black Men

When it comes to great hair dyes for Black men, Softsheet Carson Hair Dye is in a class all of its own. This product comes with a unique applicator designed to penetrate all of your hair thoroughly.

As a result, you’ll get an even coloring, a soft end result, and a subtle but lovely color. Better still, you don’t get any pesky peroxides or ammonia in the mix, so it’s a great pick for men with sensitive skin.

Softsheen Carson Hair Dye for Black Men balances out the color with plenty of scalp-soothing ingredients like honey and aloe vera. It’s specifically designed to moisturize as it colors, and you can apply the whole thing in a matter of minutes. It also comes with a special applicator cap, which keeps the dye off your skin and clothes.

Bigen EZ Color

If you want to go for a more bold color but don’t want to risk getting that orange hue, try Bigen EZ Color. It’s super easy to use, and you can apply it in a flash. The colors are warm, rich, and work well with all different skin tones. Plus, it’s a cost-effective option that also has a long-lasting formula.

As with Softsheen, Bigen EZ Color doesn’t use harmful ingredients like ammonia, so it’s safe enough to apply right down to your scalp. It does have some peroxides, though, so if you have any kind of peroxide allergy, you might want to tread carefully. Most men should find it easy and comfortable to use.

Bigen EZ color also has plenty of aloe and olive oil, which conditions your hair and leaves it luxe and smooth afterward. This color is a true winner.

Manly Guy Black Hair Beard & Mustache Color

This formula has tons of herbal ingredients designed to soothe your skin and make the hair-dying process as straightforward as possible. If you have very sensitive skin, it’s a good pick for you. Manly Guy Black Hair Beard & Mustache Color is designed to be kind to your skin, and it won’t leave the area around your beard looking rashy either.

As with all of the best hair dyes for Black men, Manly Guy Black Hair Beard & Mustache Color comes with an easy-to-use applicator. Since it relies predominately on natural ingredients, like henna, you might not get the long-lasting results that you will enjoy from other colors, but it’s powerful enough to last for about two months. 

One of the key selling points of this product is that it works on all types of black hair. So if you have relaxed or treated hair, this formula is an excellent choice.

True Sons Hair Dye

True Sons Hair Dye is unique because it’s a foam. If you’re someone who struggles a bit with applying hair dye correctly, it’s a good choice for you. The foam can adhere to your hair without dripping, giving you a much more uniform color. It’s a hair dye for people who don’t want to fuss around with too many moving parts.

True Sons Hair Dye foam won’t stain your skin, unlike many dyes. Just wipe it off and move on with the rest of your hair. You can also use this formula everywhere, including your beard. It’s non-irritating, easy to apply, and one of the best hair dyes out there for Black men when it comes to eliminating greys.

Goldwell For Men Reshade Grey Blending Power Shot

Goldwell For Men Reshade Grey Blending Power Shot is another great dye that specifically targets the signs of aging. This formula is right for you if you want a subtle look that will shave several years off your appearance. It also doesn’t have any ammonia, minimizing the possibility of adverse allergic reactions.

You’ll just get a smooth, uniform look that never appears manufactured. As with True Sons, this product is foam-based and incredibly easy to apply. It’s virtually fool-proof simple, and you’ll get muted results that enhance your natural features. The only real downside is that it doesn’t last as long as other products.

Christophe Robin Temporary Color Gel

Christophe Robin Temporary Color Gel goes on smoothly and stays in your hair. So you don’t have to worry too much about any drips or other problems. It’s also got a lot of natural ingredients, so your hair is protected and even enhanced while you’re coloring it. Christophe Robin Temporary Color Gel gives you fairly subtle results like many of our other picks.

One of the best aspects of this product is that you don’t have to do any guesswork. The entire formula is pre-mixed. All you need to do is apply, let it sink in, and enjoy your glorious new hair.

Just For Men Easy Comb-In Color

Just For Men is one of those legacy brands that work wonders on men’s hair. This formula was built for aging men who want to look graceful as they grey. You can select from several different colors too. Just keep your natural hair’s composition in mind as you do so. Going too golden can give you orange locks. Always do the strand test before you commit to dying all of your hair.

Just For Men Easy Comb-In Color is also pretty fool-proof. It comes with an easy applicator so that you can concentrate color in the areas where you need it most. Although Just For Men offers beard-tinting options, too, their flagship hair color is just for your head. It might irritate your facial skin.

Pure & Natural Henna Powder Hair Dye

If you want an organic option that will work well with your black hair, Pure & Natural Henna Powder Hair Dye is just the ticket. This formula is specifically designed to be kind to your skin. It doesn’t have any artificial ingredients or chemicals, so if you have sensitivities to peroxide or ammonia, pick up a bottle of this good stuff.

It also has built-in conditioners, so your hair is protected as you’re dying it. On the other hand, it’s not as potent as some of the dyes on our list. If you want long-lasting coverage, you might want to go with a more robust option. Nevertheless, it’s a great hair dye for people who want to experiment with hair dye or are looking for a subtle, temporary change.

Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit

For years, Manic Panic has been the gold standard of extreme hair color, and their Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit is no exception. This formula is powerful enough to take your black hair to a bright blond without becoming orange. So if you want an extreme look that will undoubtedly get you a lot of attention, pick up a bottle of Manic Panic.

Whenever you dye your hair a drastic color, it’s a good idea to follow the directions thoroughly. Make sure that you leave it on for the recommended length of time, but don’t hesitate to stop if your scalp is itching or irritated.

If you want to get blond hair at home without going to the stylist, Manic Panic is the way to go. Just make sure that you definitely do the strand test with this one.

Things To Keep in Mind When Dying Black Hair

Black hair can be difficult to dye, so don’t just grab any product off the shelf. Instead, you should use a specially formulated product for black hair and do your due diligence applying it. If you don’t, you might end up with a shade that you don’t want or even damage your hair.

If you have an adverse reaction to the product, stop dying your hair immediately. Allergic reactions can happen, especially if you’re attempting to bleach your locks.

If You’re Not Sure, Go With Semi-Permanent

Semi-permanent dye is an excellent way to “try out” a specific hair dye. These dyes only penetrate your hair a little bit, and they wash out after a few weeks. Semi-permanent dyes are a good option for people who are new to dying hair, and you can usually get an organic dye that won’t irritate your scalp.

If you are trying out an extreme look or want to go for a drastic change, semi-permanent dyes give you the flexibility to experiment without any long-lasting consequences.

Choose Your Hair Color Carefully

Since black hair is naturally darker than white hair, carefully choosing your color is essential. For example, some blond dyes can look orange on black hair. If you want to go super light, consider visiting a professional stylist.

You should also consider what kind of treatments you’ve already done to your hair. If your hair is natural, it will be more receptive to the dye. Hair that’s relaxed or treated might be harder to deal with. If your hair is damaged in any way, it’s better to visit your barbershop.

Prepare Your Hair Properly

First things first; prepare that hair! You’ll want to give your hair a nice deep conditioning treatment roughly 48 hours before applying your dye. The conditioner will lock in moisture and make your hair easier to dye. Ultimately, you want the color to be fully incorporated into your locks, and an excellent deep conditioner can accomplish this.

Leave your conditioner on for about 20 to 30 minutes before washing it out. Make sure that you get all of the conditioner out of your hair, though, because residual deep conditioner can make your hair look greasy or lifeless. Also, please don’t wash your hair right before you dye it. You want some of the natural oils on your locks before adding color.

When it’s time to dye your hair, comb through it thoroughly. One issue that many Black men run into when dying their hair is having patchy spots. You can alleviate this by thoroughly detangling your hair, especially if it’s a little bit on the longer side.

Next, section it out and get ready to apply that color.

Mix the Color Thoroughly and Apply

The best hair dyes for Black men will have proper applicators explicitly designed for black hair. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can always apply it carefully with your fingers.

The biggest thing to keep in mind here is to mix the color and toner thoroughly. If you don’t, you could end up with a haphazard end result. Also, make sure that your color is one uniform shade before applying.

Many hair dye kits have a small bottle in which you can shake up the mixture. If yours doesn’t, use a small bowl to mix the color thoroughly. Depending on the color, it might stain your bowl, so make sure that it’s one that you don’t care about.

If you decide to dye your hair at home often, put together a designated area for all of your tools and applicators. This way, you’re not scrambling to find what you need.

Also, use gloves to protect your hands from irritants and stains, and always wear something you don’t care about staining. No matter how careful you are, there’s a good chance that you will get dye on your clothes.

Condition Thoroughly

Finally, make sure that you condition your hair entirely after dying it. Dye tends to dry out hair, so you need to be extra kind to your locks. Many hair dyes come with conditioner, or you can use a heavy, nutrient-rich conditioner to seal in the color and help your hair look and feel its best.

Don’t skip this step, as you could wind up with frizzy, unmanageable hair. If your hair seems a little dry in the first few days after your treatment, continue conditioning to get it to your desired texture and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knowing what you’re doing can undoubtedly set you up for hair-dying success! These are the most commonly-asked questions Black men have about correctly dying their hair.

How can I maximize my chances for success?

The ultimate goal of dying your hair is to look better than when you started, so it’s no wonder that people’s number one question is how they can maximize their chances for success. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to get the locks you want if you do a little bit of research.

First, follow the directions completely. Skipping any of the steps or not leaving your dye on for the recommended amount of time is one way to get a subpar result. This is especially true if you’re dying your hair a drastically different or lighter color. For example, blond dyes can look orange on black hair if you don’t let them set properly.

For natural-looking results, don’t veer too far away from your real hair color. Staying within a shade or two of your color will give you an authentic look.

How do I prepare my skin?

There are several different ways to prepare your skin before dying your hair. It’s important to remember that hair dye can, and often does, irritate your skin, especially if you’re using a product with peroxide in it. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to take steps to shield it from the dye.

One fool-proof method is applying vaseline on the skin right around your hair. If you’re dying your beard, you will absolutely want to take this step. If you’re just dying the hair on your head, you can put vaseline around your temples to protect your skin.

You can also opt for a foam rather than a gel or liquid. Foams give you more control over where the dye goes, making them excellent for beards or other body hair. Always wear clothing that you don’t care about when dying your hair. Even if you’re careful, you could still get dots of dye on your shirt, and most permanent dyes are almost impossible to get out.

Although some itching is normal, especially if you’re going several shades lighter, stop if you feel pain. Some people are allergic to dyes and can have severe adverse reactions. If you have a lot of sensitivities or concerns, consider going to a professional instead of attempting it at home.

What can I expect from each type of dye?

While every product is different and has varying levels of longevity, there are a few standard things that you can expect from different types of dyes. In addition, there are four common variations in dyes.

• Permanent
• Demi-permanent
• Semi-permanent
• Temporary

Temporary dyes require the least amount of commitment and are an excellent option for people who are experimenting with a new color. Temporary dyes will wash out after a few shampoos. You can even expedite the process by stripping your hair with a clarifying shampoo if you don’t like the color.

Semi-permanent dyes are one step up. You can expect to get about ten to twelve washes out of these dyes. If you want to try a semi-permanent or demi-permanent dye, it’s good to do your research in advance. You want the color to fade out naturally without giving you a brassy hue.

Demi-permanent dyes are about twice as potent as semi-permanent ones, although they will fade out after about twenty-five washes. Finally, permanent dyes are the most powerful and will stay in your hair forever, although the color might change over time. However, permanent dyes can damage your hair, especially if you’re bleaching it, so go easy on them.

Should I do my hair at home or go to the salon?

The reality is that most people have a lot of success with at-home dye jobs. If you’re just switching up the color a little bit or experimenting with temporary or semi-permanent dyes, your risk level is relatively low. Basically, you just need to follow the directions on the box, and you should be all set.

Visit your salon if you’re making a drastic change or want professional-level results. You should also consider visiting a salon if your skin is especially sensitive. Sensitive skin can get easily irritated with harsh out-of-the-box dyes and might require some specialty products.

If you do visit a salon, make sure that you talk to your technician about the look that you’re going for. Bring pictures if you can, and be as detailed as possible. Transparency will help both you and them have a great experience and walk away with an excellent finished product. 

You can also buy hair care products at your salon that you might not find elsewhere. For example, you can pick up conditioners and treatments specifically designed for black hair, although the cost may be a little higher than at a beauty supply store.

Top Hair Dyes For Black Men, Final Thoughts

The best hair dyes for Black men are easy to use, yield great results, and won’t put a hole in your checking account; companies like Bigen have made sure of that. So if you want to give your hair color a bit of a boost or combat those greys, consider picking up a box of one of the dyes on our list.

If you’ve never dyed your hair, or if you’re going for a new color, make sure that you do the strand test before you commit to your whole head of hair.

Also, you need to prepare your hair properly before starting. Other than that, get your dye on bro!