Last Updated on September 3, 2022 by Oscar O. Paquin
What’s better than having gorgeous, luscious black hair? Is it good-looking, luscious dark brown hair? Black hair is one of the most popular hair colors in the world, but dark brown is right behind it as far as popularity goes. Dark brown hair has all of the beauty and rich color of its darker cousin without all the upkeep required to keep it looking its best. However, choosing the best of these two hair colors solely depends on individual tastes.
This detailed article will assist you in deciding whether or not you should try dark brown hair or stick with your natural black shade.
The Black Hair
What do you think is better, black hair or dark brown hair color? Many people favor black hair because it fits in more with other natural shades of the human body and blends in more easily with an array of skin tones than a darker shade of brown does.
Darker shades can be too much on some individuals who don’t have many variations to their complexion and may only create a mask of sorts if their skin tone doesn’t complement the darkness of the coloration.
However, brown hair may blend well with their eye color for those with lighter skin or hazel or green eyes, making them stand out more. Regardless, this comes down to personal preference and what looks best for your individual needs!
The Pros of Black Hair
- Black hair colors are versatile and can be paired with virtually any color, skin tone, or outfit – no matter your style.
- It also won’t show gray hairs as much as dark brown hair colors because the darkness makes the gray go unnoticed.
- You can use lighter shades or highlights to hide some of the darkness of black hair colors, allowing for more styling versatility in different colors and levels of darkness.
- This color choice can also make you look a few years younger than if you were to choose a darker shade like dark brown because it will only highlight the natural beauty without making the natural age more noticeable, as dark brown would do.
- If you want to cover up all the gray hair, this color choice might not work so well, but it’s perfect for hiding grays that aren’t prominent enough to need a complete change in hair color.

The Cons of Black Hair
- The major con of black hair is that it fades quickly and requires frequent touch-ups and dyeing sessions because people’s natural root color (their original pre-dyed color) usually shows through. – If you don’t touch up your roots frequently enough, this may lead to an awkward situation where one half of your head has two completely different colors!
- Black hair can look flat and unnatural at times.
- It also doesn’t work well with those with lighter complexions since the contrast between the hair color and skin tone is extreme, making the person look washed out in some cases.
- Lastly, black hair may fade easier than other colors due to sun exposure.
A Look at the Dark Brown Hair
Dark brown hair is the most natural looking of all the different shades because it blends in with the color of our skin and lets off a very subtle, sultry vibe that looks amazing on everyone, but especially on women with lighter skin tones.
This shade allows you to maintain your eye color while changing your hair color, making it an ideal choice for those who love doing their makeup every day and want a change, as well as those who don’t have time to do their makeup every day and want to save time applying it.
Dark brown hair is also more forgiving when you take care of it improperly, so even if you don’t get enough sleep or forget your conditioner in the morning, this shade won’t show the damage nearly as much as black hair would.
Pros of Dark Brown Hair
There are many pros to dark brown hair:
- It is easier to maintain than black hair.
- It also doesn’t require as much upkeep – all you need to do is wash your hair and maybe get it trimmed every so often, and the color will stay looking good for a long time.
- If you have naturally brown hair, you can go darker or lighter without bleaching it first since lightening dark brown or black hair makes it look too orange or brassy in some cases (though people with curly hair should go for darker colors).
- Lastly, a darker color looks more natural when growing roots because of how muted the contrast between the lighter tips and your natural color will be.
Cons of Dark Brown Hair
- The dark brown hair color isn’t as natural looking as black and doesn’t appear healthy.
- The dark brown color tends to make people look dirty or with age spots on their skin, whereas black looks sleek and shiny instead of dull and flat.
- It also has a colder tone than black, making people look sicklier instead of just naturally tanner for those who live in cooler climates.
- Black requires less upkeep than brown does because you don’t have to constantly dye your hair which may lead to more damage to your locks in the long run if you’re not careful about how often you do it.

Getting the Best Out of Both Hair Types
Whether you’re looking for something to cover up a couple of months of grays or want to stick with your natural shade, black hair color can be a fun way to spice up your hairstyle. It doesn’t always have to be jet black; there are several ways that you can experiment with lighter and darker shades of black hair color until you find the perfect look for your needs.
As for whether the dark brown or black hair color is better is about personal preference and trying out both so that you know what works best for you!
Black vs. Dark Brown Hair Colors: Which is Better?
People usually ask, what is better, black or dark brown hair? It’s a challenging question because what color someone chooses depends on personal preference and style. For example, redheads may prefer lighter-colored hair to darker-colored hair as it shows their fiery locks more effectively and can give them a splash of artistic flair.
However, many brunettes like the richness that dark brown creates against the paleness of their skin. People with light skin look even fairer when they have black hair rather than dark brown locks.
Similarly, people with darker skin stand out more when they have dark brown versus black hair. There is no definitive response to this debate, but most people who are not professional stylists will tell you that you should consider your natural hair color before deciding on which shade you want. If you’re considering dyeing your hair in either of these colors, consult a professional hairstylist first!

Conclusion
The choice of hair color that is better for you largely depends on how you want your hair to look and what you prefer in a hairstyle. Black hair with touches of brown or dark brown are both excellent choices, but it ultimately depends on the person wearing it and their personal preference. For example, some people might not like having black hair because they feel that it can make them appear too dramatic when compared to other shades of hair colors.
Reference 1: https://hairstylecamp.com/brunette-vs-black-hair-color/
Reference 2: https://hinative.com/en-US/questions/196940