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Not to bury the lead but, dark hair is highly pigmented. Now, this isn’t necessarily a problem per se unless you want to color your hair or, more specifically, go blonde.
On the one hand, you could go to your local salon and let the professionals do it for you. But, on the other hand, you could save a bunch of money and familiarize yourself with the right products and techniques to achieve salon-inspired results at home.
With that in mind, the best blonde hair dye for dark hair should be strong enough to lift several levels of melanin off your strands, depending on how light you want to go. By several, we mean at least 7 for a super-light, almost-platinum blonde. If you prefer a darker, natural-looking hue, 3 levels should do it.
We’ve reviewed 8 of the best blonde hair dyes for dark hair on the market right now, all of which deliver outstanding color results time and time again. Let’s jump in, shall we?
Best Blonde Hair Dyes for Dark Hair
1. Best Overall – Revlon Color Effects Platinum Blonde
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- Ammonia-free, paraben-free
- Liquid and powder form
Pros:
- Less damaging chemicals
- It only takes 25 minutes to lift color
- Easy to use
- It comes with an anti-brass conditioner
- Ideal for all hair types, including dark hair
Cons:
- It may not be ideal for gray coverage
The Revlon Color Effects Platinum dye is hands down the best blonde hair dye for dark hair. We haven’t come across a product that lifts color quite this one. It comes with 7 levels of lift, which is perfect for lightening even the darkest hair types. We found that two coloring sessions spaced about 6-8 weeks apart will get you the best results if you don’t achieve the desired lightness on your first attempt.
One of the best things about the Color Effects is that it is ammonia-free, so you don’t have to worry about sustained, long-term damage to your hair resulting from repeated bleaching. It is one of the safest products out there for brunette hair. All in all, if you want to go super-light, this is the dye you need to get the job done.
2. Best Platinum Blonde Dye for Dark Hair – L’Oreal Paris Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- Hyper platinum
- Contains ammonia
- Cream and powder form
Pros:
- 8 levels of lift for ultra-platinum hair
- It comes with an anti-brass conditioner to keep warm undertones in check
- No lingering ammonia odor
- Long-lasting color results
- It doesn’t fade even after several washes
Cons:
- Should not be used on chemically processed hair
While still on the platinum bandwagon (what can we say, we love super-light blonde hair), no list of best blonde hair dyes for dark hair would be complete without the L’Oréal Paris Feria Hyper Platinum hair color. With 8 levels of lift, the folks at L’Oréal didn’t come to play.
If you’re a dark brunette who’s always dreamed of platinum blonde hair, the Feria is guaranteed to get you the results you seek, and in a surprisingly short amount of time, we might add.
The first thing we noticed about it was how great it smelled. It doesn’t have any of that godawful ammonia smell that makes you want to gag – which is quite surprising for a product that contains ammonia.
We also like the proprietary advanced lightening system that works for even the darkest hair types and the purple anti-brass conditioner that really makes the color pop. While it may not deliver the best results for grays, it works wonders on dark hair.
3. Best Anti-Brass Blonde Dye for Dark Hair – L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- Absolute platinum
- Contains ammonia
- Cream and powder form
Pros:
- It offers 7 levels of lift, making it ideal for darker hair types
- Delivers long-lasting, vivid color results
- Easy to use
- Excellent gray coverage
- No brassy undertones
Cons:
- Not ideal for relaxed hair
The L’Oréal Paris Feria Absolute Platinum is another favorite blonde hair color for dark hair. Unlike the Hyper Platinum that offers 8 levels of lift, the Absolute Platinum has 7. That one level might not seem like much, but it’s the difference between a light, crystal-clear platinum result and a bold, more solid light blonde hue.
This blonde hair color works exceptionally well for dark hair and delivers long-lasting, vivid color results even after several washes.
We attribute this to the Power Shimmer purple conditioner that locks in the color and removes those unwanted brassy undertones that often show up when you lighten darker hair. All in all, it’s a solid choice for brunettes.
4. Best Ammonia-Free Blonde Hair Dye – L’Oreal Paris Feria 91Champagne Cocktail Dye
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- #91 Light Beige Blonde
- Ammonia-free
- Gel form
Pros:
- Safe for chemically processed hair
- It comes in gel form for easy application
- Excellent gray coverage
- Bold, long-lasting color results
- Ideal for full coverage, ombre, blonde balayage or highlights
Cons:
- You might need two packs if you have thicker, longer hair
Yes, we realize it’s yet another L’Oréal product. We can’t help it. We are reviewing the best blonde hair dyes for dark hair, after all. We tested several products specifically marketed to brunettes on the market, and L’Oréal Paris products delivered outstanding results every time.
Now that that’s out of the way, we wanted to find a dye that’s specially formulated for dark hair and doesn’t rely on ammonia to lighten. The L’Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color has no trace of ammonium hydroxide.
It is super easy to use and, more importantly, safe for all hair types, including chemically-relaxed hair. The Light Beige Blonde is our all-time favorite.
5. Best Blonde Hair Dye for Black Women – SoftSheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- #378 Honey Blonde
- Ammonia-free
- Liquid gel
Pros:
- Safe for chemically relaxed and natural hair
- Long-lasting results for up to 8 weeks
- 100% gray coverage
- Does not stain or smear
- The liquid gel makes it easy to use
Cons:
- It cannot be used over progressive color or henna
Dark & Lovely hair products are specially formulated for African-American hair types. Having tried and tested several blonde hair dyes for dark hair, the Dark & Lovely Fade Resist was by far the best blonde for Black women. It delivers a rich conditioning color that leaves the hair looking glossy for up to 8 weeks. Trust us, we counted.
We especially like the fact that this blonde dye is infused with a generous amount of Vitamin E and Argan oil to nourish and moisturize your hair. We believe this is why it locks in the color so well. The Fade Resist also offers excellent gray coverage, so why not kill two birds with one stone? It’s definitely worth trying out.
6. Best Gray Coverage Blonde Dye for Dark Hair – L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Hair Color, Champagne Blonde
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- #8.5A Champagne Blonde
- Contains ammonia
- Creme form
Pros:
- Excellent gray coverage
- Strengthens and conditions hair
- Long-lasting, permanent color results
- Easy application
- It comes with a pre-color treatment to prevent buildup on already-colored hair
Cons:
- It doesn’t turn dark hair ultra-light; you’ll get more of a dark-blonde hue
Not all hair dyes are created equal, especially when it comes to gray coverage. Many of them color everything but those stubborn grays you want to keep camouflaged. The L’Oréal Paris Excellence Triple Protection Color Creme is by far one of the best blonde dyes for gray coverage.
The unique thing about this blonde dye is the Ceramide, Pro-Keratine, and Collagen infusions that all work to lock in the color, strengthen, and deep-condition your dyed hair. Whether you’re looking to cover grays on dark hair, add subtle highlights, or go full-on ombre, the Excellence Creme will not disappoint.
7. Best Fade-Defying Blonde Dye for Dark Hair – L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- #7 Dark Blonde Natural
- Contains ammonia
- Liquid gel
Pros:
- It gives your hair a natural-looking blonde hue
- Delivers long-lasting color results
- Shine Serum keeps hair looking rich and glossy
- Full gray coverage
- Easy application
Cons:
- Not ideal for use on fresh, chemically processed hair
Blonde hair dye on dark hair has a tendency to fade after a couple of washes or frequent sun exposure. The L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Color System is the exception to the rule. It is a permanent hair dye that delivers long-lasting color results even after several weeks.
We particularly like that it is not overly blonde but is still a lighter shade. It lifts 3 levels of color to give you a darker shade that is a more natural-looking blonde hue, so you won’t get that dramatic root line when your brunette hair begins to grow out.
The Superior Preference kit comes with Care Supreme Conditioner infused with proprietary Shine Serum to keep the color locked in while ensuring your hair stays moisturized, nourished, and looking vibrant. You can tell every aspect of this product has been expertly crafted to make it safe and effective for dark hair types. It’s certainly worth checking out.
8. Best Natural Blonde Hair Dye for Dark Hair – Garnier Nutrisse Haircolor – 70 Almond Creme
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Specs:
- Permanent hair color
- #70 Almond Cream Dark Natural Blonde
- Contains ammonia
- Oil-based color cream
Pros:
- Rich in nourishing shea, olive, and avocado oil
- Permanent, long-lasting color results on dark hair
- Excellent gray coverage
- The non-drip formula makes application easy with virtually no mess
- It smells great
Cons:
- May produce a darker hue on dark to light-brown, color-treated hair
Garnier is no stranger to the hair care world. For brunettes looking for a Garnier blonde hair dye for dark hair, the Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme is a solid choice. For one thing, we like that it is safe for use on chemically-treated hair, which is something most coloring treatments on the market don’t offer.
Then there’s the fact that it is specially formulated with proprietary technology designed to boost color. It uses a unique blend of shea, olive, and avocado oil to not only seal the color, giving it unmatched permanency; it nourishes and moisturizes it.
The kit also comes with a grapeseed oil ampoule that you can crack open and pour directly into your color treatment. All in all, it’s an excellent choice for brunettes.
There you have it – our top picks for the best blonde hair dyes for dark hair. If you’ve always been scared to take the plunge and go to a blonde shade, this is the sign you’ve been looking for. Just do it and let us know what you think in the comments section below.