18 Fantastic Jet Black Hair Color Ideas for Every Skin Tone

Jet black hair colors ↓ Jump to Photo Gallery
Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

Jet black hair is a hair color that features the deepest, darkest shade of black. The most common and the most desired hair color in the world – it’s the perfect canvas for any hairstyle you can think of!

Its unparalleled dimension, amazing shine, and natural movement make it far from being plain and simple. Hair that’s as black as the night sky can give you a statement that says elegance and mystery.

It doesn’t matter what skin color you have, as this color is universally proven by famous personalities who are known to obsess over jet black strands – Megan Fox, Rihanna, Priyanka Chopra, and Kim Kardashian.

Dark hair means less maintenance, but it doesn’t mean those strands should be left unkept! Keep it healthy and lustrous by using moisturizing products and hair treatments at least once a week for a long-lasting shine.

The only question remaining is how to wear this fascinating hair color. To join the dark side, check out these winning looks on jet black hair!

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#1: Lovely Long Straight Hair

This jet black hue is as if midnight walked in, presenting its elegance to the world!

Jet Black Layered Long Thick Hair
Instagram @glamourbycee

#2: Layered Long Thick Hair

When considering jet black hair, it’s perfect for women with long, thick hair. Your hair colorist should ask if you’re looking for a black color with a blue undertone or a black that is neutral. This is because there are differences in black colors. With jet black hair, you have to come in for retouches just as much as platinum hair. This is because no one has naturally jet black hair, there will be root regrowth that can be noticeable.

#3: Medium Shaggy Cut

The medium shaggy cut on jet black hair is drool-worthy. We love how the wavy layers give the color dimension and shine. Using a volumizing cream before blow drying will help support the style for a few days, less shampooing the better. Using a shine spray helps show off the shiny black color. Be prepared for lots of compliments on this gorgeous style!

#4: Tousled Wavy Bob

Consider a tousled wavy bob if you’re looking for a low-maintenance style. A bob is one of the best haircuts because it’s so versatile and works on so many different types of face shapes and textures. Tousled waves give a carefree look that’s always in style.

contrasting jet black hair color
Instagram @eastonhair

#5: Contrasting Jet Black Hair Color

The long shag cut of this jet black shade is unmatched.

Dark brown hair to jet black
Instagram @salon_povera

#6: Dark Brown to Jet Black Ombre

The littlest detail always makes the biggest impression. Slowly dive into the jet black hair coloring trend with the faintest brown to black ombre.

Honey blonde highlights
Instagram @_hairbykali

#7: Honey Blonde Highlights

Hop on board the highlight train with this natural-looking caramel touch on black hair. Some blonde highlights with jet black hair is an amazing contrast.

#8: Shiny Wavy Hair

Nothing can get more authentic than this solid shade of jet black hair. Waves give it more texture for that instant light-reflecting effect.

gorgeous on curly hair
Instagram @giboazhair

#9: Gorgeous on Curly Hair

A doll you are, a doll your hairstyle must be! Look super cute and perky with some mid-parted-up jet black curls.

blue black hair
Instagram @hair_bynikki85

#10: Jet Blue Black Balayage

The sudden change in color is astonishing but not surprising. These two combos have made midnight blue hair everlasting hair color. With the midnight and jet black hair color, movement in light gives off just the slimest change.

Jet Black to Burgundy Ombre
Instagram @georgeeblancoo

#11: Jet Black to Burgundy Ombre

Ebony to crimson transition is a mood! Those rich jet black tones partnered with soft rolls are made to enhance dark-skin babes.

#12: Beautiful on Brown Skin

Q&A with style creator, Breeanne
Color Specialist @ Hair by Breeanne in Las Vegas, NV

How would you describe this look?

This look is voluminous, sultry, and ready for a night out on the town! We colored her with a jet black hair dye shine gloss, then styled her long locks with some bouncy waves.

Any advice for someone considering it?

Go for it! Having a dark solid color is such low maintenance compared to other color options. It’s also such a timeless look. Big waves always stay on trend and are so simple to execute. It gives off the look that you’re done up, without trying too hard.

Black Hair Pop with Pink Highlights
Instagram @kris_you_up

#13: Pop with Pink Highlights

Q&A with style creator, Cristina Ruso
Suite Owner @ K.Rose Studio in Miami, FL


How would you describe this look?

I would describe this as a raspberry balayage melt. It’s a dark jet black base at the top, melted into some dark magenta highlights moving from the middle of the hair, down into the ends. I cut the hair according to my client who has a finer texture, gave her a blunt cut, with just a few face-framing layers to give a bit of shape. I waved the hair to finish off the style, using a flat iron.

Any advice for someone considering it?

Use a sulfate-free shampoo to help maintain the magenta color longer. Using a leave-in protectant after washing will also help, as well as trying to go longer in between washes, since each time you wash, the color will fade. Dry shampoo helps to extend the wash. This color is for anyone looking to have a bold and funky color change but wants to keep their natural base and a more subtle grow out.

Black Hair With Highlights
Instagram @epstylistiris

#14: Jet Black With Highlights

Q&A with style creator, Iris Cisneros
Stylist @ The Ivy Hair Salon in El Paso, TX


How would you describe this look?

This client came in with jet black hair dye wanting to take off the black color that she has worn for years.

Any advice for someone considering it?

My biggest recommendation when a client comes in wanting to remove her black is it will be a process. I tell my clients to be patient because it is a slow process but worth the end result. I like to start with a highlight and a brown toner.

Usually, the first hit of bleach gives you very orange color. My main concern is to maintain the porosity of their hair at its best. Olaplex is usually my best friend in the hair industry. It saves! With this highlighting process, clients can enjoy the stages of the box dye removal until their final color is achieved. I kept her in a long layered haircut to show off her new color.

With a Blue Tint
Instagram @celsostyles

#15: With a Blue Tint

Q&A with style creator, Celso Ramirez
Hairstylist / Barber @ Rosario’s Barbering in Vineland, NJ


How would you describe this look?

The color is a jet black with a blue undertone/cast. I love the subtlety of it because usually everyone likes to be bright and blonde during the warmer months. Doing this color was a nice change of pace especially since even simple black hair color can be tweaked to give it a bit of visual interest!

As far as the style, I gave my client a nice trim and decided to freshen up her layers and bring them up a bit to give the blowout a more defined and fuller look!

Any advice for someone considering it?

This look is great for someone who likes being dark but still wants a pop of visual interest. It’s also perfect for someone who doesn’t want a lot of heavy maintenance. My client is a busy mom so this look is great for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to go to the salon.

For products, I used Paul Mitchell skinny serum for lightweight frizz prevention and shine, Kenra platinum blow-dry spray for heat protection and smoothness, and Paul Mitchell dry wax to add a nice light hold to the finish and keep the layers looking nice and defined!

Natural Black
Instagram @estrada_liseth

#16: Natural Jet Black

Q&A with style creator, Liseth Estrada
Licensed Cosmetologist @ Aurora’s Salon in Baltimore, MD


How would you describe this look?

What I love about this look is the length of it that isn’t too short nor long. If someone is used to having long hair and wants to make a change, this shoulder length bob would make their haircut functional and stylish. Having a blunt one-length haircut would make your cut sharp, edgy, and trendy.

Any advice for someone considering it?

Going from short to long will be perfect for those people wanting to make their face look longer! Having layers, face frame, or bangs is something you can add to your haircut. Having no layers or minimal layers like this natural jet black hair bob will make your ends look thicker, perfect for thin haired girls out there!

jet black hair color stunning on short hair
Instagram @alex.tanase_

#17: Stunning on Short Hair

Opt for a French bob in a jet black hair color. This particular cut and color combo can be rocked with a solid color yet has enough personality to still stand out.

Use a demi-permanent jet black blue undertones and high gloss for a deep color and healthy shine. Avoid box colors and opt for professional color as box color does not maintain the shine and fades fast. Shower with lukewarm to cold water and always use a color-safe sulfate-free shampoo line to avoid fading.

I like this particular cut because it suits many face shapes. It’s great for round faces as it offset the roundness, and it can work for square shapes and oval shapes as well. Key is where the points of the haircut hit your face, jaw or shoulder.

For clients with naturally straight hair, this cut is zero to no maintenance when styling.

If you have a wave or curl in your hair, you can flat iron straight using a heat protecting styling spray or you can get this cut in a curl friendly version. A great way to maintain this cut smooth is with a keratin smoothing treatment done by a licensed professional.

The maintenance needed for this jet black haircut is a trim/shaping about every month and a half to keep the lines of the cut crisp.

jet black long hair
Instagram @hairbyelvisp

#18: Jet Black Long Hair

Jet black, long locks are a color and cut combo made in heaven. Darker tones on longer hair tend to hide imperfections and split ends, prolonging the life of your cut.


Posted In: Hair Colors