20 Stylish Jessica Alba Black Hair Ideas
Twenty black hair ideas, and the warning that belongs with them — black is the one colour you cannot simply change your mind about. Going darker takes an hour; coming back out takes months.
In this article · 26
- Black Needs Shine
- The 20 Black Looks
- 1. True Black, High Gloss
- 2. Blue-Black
- 3. Soft Black
- 4. Black with Face-Framing Lift
- 5. Black with Soft Waves
- 6. Black with Long Layers
- 7. Sleek Black, Middle Part
- 8. Black on Curly Texture
- 9. Black Long Bob
- 10. Black with a Deep Side Part
- 11. Black with Caramel Money Piece
- 12. Black with a Fringe
- 13. Black High Ponytail
- 14. Black with a Peekaboo Panel
- 15. Wet-Look Black
- 16. Black with a Root Smudge
- 17. Black Half-Up
- 18. Black with Serum Finish
- 19. Darkest Brown Instead
- 20. Growing Black Out
- Consider Darkest Brown First
- Mistakes to Avoid
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Black is the most dramatic colour on this site and the only one that comes with a genuine warning.
Going black takes an hour. Coming back out takes months. Black dye deposits dense pigment right through the hair shaft, and there is no way to remove it except by bleaching — which lifts through red and orange first, and usually needs several sessions to reach a natural-looking brown.
Everything below assumes you want that. If you are unsure, the section after the list is the one to read first.
Black Needs Shine
Because black absorbs nearly all light, the only thing stopping it reading as a flat silhouette is surface reflection.
Gloss is not optional here, unlike on lighter shades where it is a nice extra. A black without shine reads as a shape rather than as hair.
Health shows more. Every dry end and every piece of frizz is visible against a black surface in a way it simply is not on mid-brown.
Blue-black and true black behave differently. Blue-black has a cool reflective cast that photographs well and reads slightly softer; true neutral black is denser and more severe.
Movement matters more than on any other shade. A wave catches light and breaks the block up; poker-straight black is the flattest thing in this whole silo.
The 20 Black Looks
1. True Black, High Gloss
The core version. Shine doing all the work.
2. Blue-Black
Cool reflective cast. Photographs particularly well.
3. Soft Black
A touch lighter than true black. Less severe.
4. Black with Face-Framing Lift
Two brighter pieces to break the block.
5. Black with Soft Waves
Movement creating light across the surface.
6. Black with Long Layers
The cut providing dimension the colour cannot.
7. Sleek Black, Middle Part
The sharpest look here. Needs excellent condition.
8. Black on Curly Texture
Curl provides all the dimension needed.
9. Black Long Bob
High contrast shape and colour together.
10. Black with a Deep Side Part
A clear light side and shadow side.
11. Black with Caramel Money Piece
Maximum contrast at the front.
12. Black with a Fringe
Graphic and strong. The boldest combination here.
13. Black High Ponytail
Sleek, and it shows the shine.
14. Black with a Peekaboo Panel
Hidden colour underneath, which needs lifting.
15. Wet-Look Black
Gel finish. Very current, and shine is guaranteed.
16. Black with a Root Smudge
Slightly softer at the roots so grow-out is gentler.
17. Black Half-Up
Simple, and it shows the length's shine.
18. Black with Serum Finish
A drop of oil on the surface. Cheapest shine there is.
19. Darkest Brown Instead
The reversible alternative. Reads as black in most light.
20. Growing Black Out
Roots showing, ends still black. The reality of the commitment.
Consider Darkest Brown First
This is the practical recommendation, and colourists give it constantly.
Darkest brown reads as black in most light. Indoors, in photographs, at a glance — the difference is invisible. It only shows in strong daylight, where it reveals a warm cast.
It lifts out far more easily. One or two sessions rather than several months.
Grow-out is softer, because it is closer to most natural root colours.
If you know you want black and have wanted it for a while, go black. If you are trying it, or doing it for an occasion, or reacting to something — take the darkest brown. You get essentially the same look with an exit available.
Mistakes to Avoid
Going black on a whim. It is the one colour you cannot quickly undo.
Black without gloss. It reads as a flat silhouette.
Poker-straight black on dry hair. Every flaw is visible.
Box black over previously lightened hair. It grabs unevenly and can go patchy or green-toned.
Assuming you can lift back next month. Several sessions over months, and damage.
FAQ
Is black hard to remove? The hardest of any shade — bleaching over several sessions.
Black or darkest brown? Darkest brown reads the same in most light and lifts out far more easily.
Who does black suit? Cool and neutral undertones, and people with strong natural contrast.
Final Thoughts
If you have wanted black for a year, go black. If you thought of it this week, take the darkest brown — it looks the same in every room you will actually be in, and it leaves you a way back.
For softer darks see 15 dreamy Jessica Alba dark hair looks, and for the full look see 25 Jessica Alba hair looks worth copying. More in Celebrity Hair.
