Raven black hair is having a major moment, with celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Megan Fox embracing the glossy onyx shade. As a beauty editor, I've been captivated by this trend, and after watching The Hunt for Red October, I was inspired to take the plunge myself. The result is a shiny, flattering shade that makes me feel like Cher circa 1973. If you're also considering this uber-dark hair color, here's everything you need to know about achieving and maintaining raven black hair, courtesy of top colorists.
Raven black isn't just any black hair color. It's a specific shade that stands apart due to its natural appearance and gorgeous sheen. Unlike artificial blue-blacks or the darkest browns, raven black is the only truly "natural" black shade, according to Olivia Casanova, an influencer-favorite colorist at IGK Salon in New York City.
Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, emphasizes the importance of shine in raven black hair. It's a soft black that uses shine to create movement, rather than being a flat, dark color from roots to ends. Jonathan Colombini, a L’Oréal Paris style and color expert, notes that raven is a cool hue, setting it apart from dark brunettes and blacks with red tones. "It’s the darkest neutral cool black," he says. "There are a lot of other tones showing, which keeps this color very natural-looking." The shade’s natural-looking quality makes it both dramatic and sophisticated.
Going black is a bold move, so it's essential to consider your natural hair color and skin tone. Your colorist can provide valuable guidance in this area. Casanova suggests that the raven trend is best suited for those with olive to darker skin tones. It can also complement fair-skinned individuals, particularly those with rosy or pink undertones, creating a romantic, Snow White-like effect.
However, if you have fair skin with yellow or green undertones, raven black hair might wash you out. In this case, Valdes recommends opting for a darkest black-brown shade. "Most people can [go raven], unless they need more warmth and brighter colors," she explains. "If your skin would do better with a different variation than the soft black, you can modify a dark brown by adding different underlying tones."
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If you're planning to dye your hair at home, be sure to select the right shade. Look for a natural black and avoid any colors with blue or burgundy tints. Casanova recommends asking your colorist for a natural black gloss or using a professional at-home color kit like IGK’s permanent 00:00 Almost Black.
Colombini advises applying the color only to your roots initially. "After the processing time is up, comb the color down about two inches," he says. "If you want to pull it through the ends, only leave it on for five minutes max." This technique ensures a natural-looking result, avoiding a flat appearance. This is the technique Casanova used on my own strands for a flawless finish.
However, Casanova cautions that black dye can be challenging to remove if you decide to change your color in the future. "It’s extremely hard to remove from your hair if you ever do decide to change your color."
The good news is that maintaining raven black hair is relatively easy. Casanova notes that the color typically doesn't fade quickly, and you'll likely need a touch-up every six weeks, depending on your natural hair color.
To keep your raven black hair looking its best, color-safe shampoos and conditioners are essential. I've been using the Kérastase Chroma Absolu Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair and washing my hair every three or four days. As a result, my color remains vibrant even two weeks after my salon appointment.
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Casanova also suggests using pigmented products designed for dark brown or black tones, such as Davines’ Alchemic Chocolate Shampoo and Conditioner. "These will add pigment to your color with each wash, helping to prevent it from fading," she explains.
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