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Hair color guide: Black, red, brown and more

by Lotte Lindgren on Jun 03, 2023

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Dorthe Kristensen

Read through by Dorthe Kristensen

Hairdresser and former co-owner of the award-winning hairdressing chain Zoom by Zoom
With many years of experience in the hairdressing industry, Dorthe has advised many customers about hair and hair care. Dorthe has read through this blog entry to ensure high quality and professionalism. This blog post is professionally updated on November 13, 2024.

Table of contents

Have you ever considered changing your hair color? It can be a great way to give your look a new lease of life and boost your confidence. But before you decide, it's important to understand the different colors out there and how they affect your hair. In this blog we will guide you through everything you need to know about black, red, brown and other hair colors so that you can make the best decision for healthy and strong hair.

Table of contents

Black hair color

Black is a classic hair color that never goes out of fashion. It gives a sophisticated and elegant look to any woman who wants to stand out. Black hair color can be used by women of all skin tones and hair types, but it requires maintenance to maintain its deep color. To avoid smudging, it is recommended to wash your hair with cold water and avoid excessive sunlight or hot styling tools.

Black hair color is timeless and sophisticated and suits all skin tones and hair types, but requires maintenance to maintain its deep color.

Brown is a versatile hair color that goes well with most facial features and skin tones. It comes in many different shades from light caramel brown to deep mahogany brown. Brown hair color requires less maintenance than black or red as it does not fade as quickly as other colors. But even so, you should protect your brown mane from the sun to achieve the perfect glow for a long time to come!

What is black hair color?

Black hair color is one of the most popular hair colors in the world. It is a color that represents elegance and timelessness. Black can also be the perfect color to create contrast and depth in your hair. There are different shades of black, such as natural black or blue black.

Different shades of black hair color

There are several different shades of black hair color, each with its own unique tone and characteristics. Some have a warmer hue (brown-black), while others have a cooler expression (blue-black). This makes it easier to find the right shade of black for your skin tone and personal style. Maintenance is essential to keep your black hair color looking fresh and shiny for a long time to come, no matter which shade you choose.

Who can use black hair dye?

Black hair color is a versatile color that can be worn by women with different skin tones. Black hair color works best on women with darker skin tones and can provide a strong contrast to light or blue eyes. An advantage of choosing black hair color is its ability to hide gray hair and regrowth, but it requires frequent touch-ups to maintain the deep color.

Although black hair color can be beautiful, it also has disadvantages such as the need for frequent touch-ups and the risk of damage to the hair structure from chemicals in some black hair colors. It is always recommended to consult a professional stylist before deciding on a new color and ensure proper maintenance of your new look.

black hair color

How to maintain black hair color?

When it comes to hair color, black can be one of the most beautiful and elegant shades. But how do you actually maintain your black hair color? It is important to take good care of your hair to maintain the color for a long time. Here are some tips to help you with this:

  • Use products specially designed for black hair color, preferably color protecting products. 
  • Avoid the sun's harmful rays and wear a hat or headscarf when you are outdoors
  • Cut back on hot styling tools like blow dryers and straighteners to avoid damaging your hair

Some products that can help with the maintenance of your black hair color include:

  • Color shampoo and conditioner: These product types help with both color strengthening and moisturizing.
  • Hair oil : Oil will keep your hair healthy while increasing the shine of your color.

Always remember to choose products that suit your individual needs. With proper care, you will be able to enjoy your beautiful black hair color for a longer time!

Red hair color

Have you ever considered going for a bold and vibrant hair color? Red is a great choice that can make you stand out from the crowd. Red hair color is both flattering and unique, making it the perfect choice for women who want to express themselves with their hair.

But before you dive into dying your hair red, make sure you factor in the extra maintenance. Colored hair requires more attention and love than naturally colored hair. Be sure to use products specifically designed for colored hair and avoid excessive heat treatment such as blow dryers or straighteners. With the right care, your red hair color will shine for a long time to come!

What is red hair color?

Red hair color is a beautiful and bold hair color that can give you a unique look. There are different shades of red to choose from, such as strawberry blonde or deep red. The ingredients in red hair dye vary from brand to brand, but the basic ingredients include dyes and chemicals.

Benefits of choosing a red hair color include the ability to stand out from the crowd as well as increased self-confidence and attention. The disadvantages of this style include the need for frequent touch-ups to maintain the color as well as dry ends due to the high concentration of chemicals in some products. Most importantly, it is important to always keep in mind the health of your hair; make sure to always care for your hair with quality products and avoid over-processing and excessive styling.

Who can use red hair dye?

Red hair color can suit many different skin tones, but it's important to choose the right shade. If you have a warm skin tone, red shades with a golden or coppery sheen will be flattering. If your skin tone is cooler, try pinker shades of red.

But in most situations it's about personal choice and style expression - so follow your heart and go for the color that makes you feel most confident!

Red hair color

How to maintain red hair color?

To maintain your red hair color, it is important to use gentle products that do not dry out or fade the color. Choose shampoo and conditioner specially designed for colored hair and avoid hot water when washing your hair, as this can remove the dye.

Coloring techniques and timing of touch-ups also play a big role in maintaining the intensity of your red hair color. Consider semi-permanent coloring instead of permanent so you can adjust the tone as needed without damaging your hair. Schedule touch-up treatments regularly to maintain the desired shade and avoid the risk of uneven growth.

Finally, you can take some simple steps for daily care of your red hair like covering it with a hat or scarf when you are in direct sunlight, as the UV rays can bleach the color over time. Also, avoid excessive use of styling products as well as frequent heat styling, as these factors further weaken the structure of your hair and cause your beautiful red shade to fade faster than necessary.

Brown hair color

Have you ever considered changing your hair color to brown? Brown is a versatile color that suits most skin tones and hair types. It can give your hair a warm and natural look while still looking polished. There are also many different tones of brown, where you can achieve everything from light brown to dark brown hair.

One of the reasons why brown hair color is so popular among women today is its low maintenance level. You don't need to worry about regular salon treatments or frequent touch-ups, as brown hair color often fades beautifully over time. However, always remember to use products specially designed for colored hair to ensure the best care and durability of your new hair colour.

What is brown hair color?

Brown hair color is a natural hair color that varies in shades from dark brown to light chestnut. Brown hair color can occur in people of different ethnicities and skin tones. Typically, brown hair color will have more melanin than blonde or red shades due to higher pigment production.

Types of brown hair colors include:

  • Dark brown
  • Chestnut
  • Golden brown
  • Mahogany

Natural sources of brown hair color can be woods, nuts and fruits such as cocoa and coffee. In addition, certain tea mixtures can also help promote the natural coloring of hair in a brown shade without the use of chemicals or dyes.

Who can use brown hair dye?

Anyone with different skin tones can use brown hair dye. It's more about choosing the right shade to suit your unique complexion. Darker shades like chocolate brown and chestnut work well for those with darker skin tones, while lighter tones like honey or ash brown look beautiful on lighter skin types.

There are many benefits to having brown hair. First, it is a natural color that matches most eye colors and facial features. Brown hair color can also give your hair a healthy and shiny look as well as take years off your appearance! 

brown hair color

How to maintain brown hair color?

How to maintain brown hair color? In order to maintain the color for a long time, it is important to use products specially designed for colored hair. It is also recommended to wash the hair with cold water to prevent the color from fading faster.

Routines for the care and treatment of colored hair include regular use of conditioners and hair masks for extra moisture and nourishment. In addition, hot styling tools must be limited or completely avoided, as they can damage your hair and negatively affect your hair color.

For a healthier practice, you should avoid harmful substances such as sulfates, parabens and ammonia in your products. These chemicals can dry out your hair as well as strip your scalp of natural oils, which can result in a dull brown hair color.

Other hair colors

For women who want to experiment with hair colors beyond the traditional blonde, brown and red shades, there are a wealth of options. Black hair can give a bold and sophisticated look to those with a pale skin tone or dark eyes. Purple or pink colors are popular choices for women looking for pastel color in similar tones.

However, always remember to consider the health of your hair before you decide to dye it. If your hair has already undergone several treatments, it may be wise to wait a little longer before the next dyeing - this way you reduce the risk of damage and maintain healthy and strong hair.

Blonde hair color

Different shades of blonde can give you a completely new look. From honey blonde to platinum blonde - the options are many. To achieve a natural look with blonde hair color, consider your own skin tone and eye color. Ask a professional hairdresser for advice before you start.

Once you have achieved the desired hair colour, it is important to maintain it in order to keep the beautiful glow and softness of your hair. Use products specially designed for blonde hair that contain ingredients such as argan oil to maintain the color and strength of your hair. And always remember to protect your hair from harmful UV rays from the sun using a suitable spray or serum.

blonde hair color

Gray hair color

Gray hair color has become a popular trend in recent years and it looks set to continue. If you're thinking of trying this color trend, you can also do it at home with a gray hair kit. But be aware that some people's hair may tend to turn yellowish instead of gray after dyeing. To avoid this, it is important to use a silver shampoo and conditioner regularly to maintain the desired color without unwanted tones of yellow or brass.

gray hair color

Pastel colors

Popular pastel colors right now include soft tones of rose, lavender and mint green. These colors can be achieved with coloring techniques such as balayage or ombre for a more natural transition between the color shades. It is important to find an experienced hairdresser who knows how to create the desired results without damaging the hair.

Once you've invested in pastel color for your hair, remember to care for it regularly to maintain the vibrant color for as long as possible. Use special shampoo and conditioner products designed for colored hair and avoid frequent exposure to the sun or hot styling tools. With a little extra love, your beautiful pastel hair will stay healthy and strong for longer!

Rainbow colors

Six colorful shades in the rainbow can transform your hair into a work of art. It is important to choose colors that suit your skin type and hair length. You can also use different styling techniques to highlight the color in a better way. Some tips on rainbow colored hair include:

  • Red: Looks great on dark and golden skin tones with short or long hair, especially if you style it in waves.
  • Orange: Best suited for fair skin tones with medium or long hair as it gives a bright and warm look.
  • Yellow: Goes well with lighter shades of blonde with all lengths of hair; perfect as a highlight.
  • Green: Looks great on brownish skin tones as well as short hairstyles; try different shades like mint green or deep forest green.
  • Blue: Best suited to cooler toned skin types and looks great on long curls or bobs.
  • Purple: Can look good on both cool and warm undertones of skin tone; mixed with pink creates a beautiful pastel color

To keep the vibrant color in your locks as long as possible, refresh your hair color every 4-6 weeks (depending on how often you wash). Here are some tips:

  • Shorten the number of washes using dry shampoo and avoid hot styling tools as much as possible.
  • Protect your hair from the sun by using a hat or UV protection spray.

Rainbow colored hair may not be for everyone, but it can be fun to experiment with different colors. If you want a vibrant look that will make you stand out from the crowd, rainbow tresses might be just what you're looking for!

pastel colored hair

Hairdresser's advice

With more than 14 years of experience, hairdresser Mie Iversen has built up a great deal of expertise in hair colouring and is what is known as a colour expert. Here she gives her best advice. See her instagram here

Are there any specific hair colours that are better than others?

- The short answer: yes. Behind every product we see, there is a long list of components and ingredients. It's up to the individual hairdresser to decide which components and ingredients they want to work with, i.e. which products they want to sell for use in the salon and for them as professionals. I personally believe that products should be chemically and result-oriented, and have chosen my colour range in the salon based on its oil-based structure.

What are the most gentle hair colouring techniques?

- The most gentle is to not colour at all.
But who am I as a hairdresser to deny my lovely clients an insanely beautiful colour, not to mention the countless colours I've had myself over the years. Mailbox red, white with pink bangs, pee yellow (it was not a success, smiles), black, blue-black, dark brown, cobber, caramel, etc. the most gentle for your hair will always be to move in the surrounding pitches from your own hair. That is, either tone on tone where you only change the colour, or in a spectrum close to your own colour. These are also the same colours that are the easiest to maintain afterwards. Whether there is a particular technique that is more gentle than others is not for me to judge, it all comes down to the hairdresser and technician you choose, as well as how much knowledge they have of the chemicals they have chosen, as well as their abilities within the chemicals and how they themselves work.

How many treatments does it take to change hair colour? e.g. from brown to blonde

- It depends on the starting point - always.
But as a general rule on a virgin hair, 1 sitting/treatment. I often refer my own clients to tattoo artists when they ask how long a certain look will take them to achieve. In other words, to convert their treatment into x number of hours.
X-number of hours can make it more manageable for the individual in the chair, as 1 sitting/treatment set can be anything from 3-10 and even up to 12 hours. Some choose a full day in the salon with me, specifically when it comes to the larger hair transformations where there is often colour in the hair from before, while others choose to divide the time over x-number of treatments.

Who can use these colors?

Colorful hairstyles can be a great way to show your personality. If you have an outgoing and creative personality, colored hairstyles like rainbow colors or pastel colors will suit you well. For more reserved women, subtle color highlights in darker tones can give your hair dimension without standing out too much.

When it comes to age groups, there is no real rule about which hair color suits different ages best. But in general, younger women look good with bold and bright colors, while older women often choose more natural tones for a more sophisticated look. However, it is always up to the individual's taste and style.

How to maintain these colors?

If you have just dyed your hair, it is important to take care of it in order to maintain the beautiful color for as long as possible. Use products or ingredients that can help you maintain your new hair color. Some examples of this could be colour-protecting shampoos and conditioners as well as oils with a UV filter.

To avoid hair loss or breakage, it is also important to have a good hair care routine. Don't wash your hair too often, as this can dry out the hair and make it more susceptible to damage. Also try some natural methods of caring for your hair such as coconut oil treatments and heat protection before styling.

For the maximum shine of your colored hair, keep these tips in mind: Avoid over-treatment by frequent styling or chemical treatments; Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner designed for colored hair ; Let your locks air dry after washing; Give them regular trims for healthier ends - all will contribute to a strong, beautiful look!

Can you change hair color without damaging the hair?

Yes, it is possible to change hair color without damaging the hair, but it requires proper treatment and care. If you want to change your hair color, it is important to choose a color that matches your skin tone and natural hair color. Avoid going more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color to avoid damage.

It is also important to choose a hair care product that is specifically designed for colored hair as it will help maintain the color and prevent damage to your hair. Also, use a heat protectant spray when styling your hair with heat tools such as a hair dryer or flat iron.

Also remember to give your hair regular care and nourishment with a good hair regimen and avoid overtreating your hair with chemical treatments. By taking these precautions, you can change your hair color without damaging your hair and achieve healthy and strong hair.

How often should you dye your hair?

How often you should dye your hair depends on several factors, including the type of hair dye you use and the overall condition of your hair. In general, it is recommended to dye your hair every 8-10 weeks to maintain the color and avoid uneven growth. If you have gray hair, you may need to dye your hair more frequently to cover them.

It is also important to give your hair time to rest between colorings to avoid damage. We recommend a minimum 4-6 week break in between. Overdyeing can lead to hair loss, breakage and other problems. If you want to change the color drastically or experiment with lighter colors, it may be necessary to dye your hair more frequently.

It is best to consult a professional hairdresser who can assess your hair and advise you on the best coloring technique and frequency for your specific hair. They can also help choose products that are gentle on the hair and minimize damage.

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