Black · Level 1
Blue Black.
A raven black with an ink-blue sheen. The cool reflect counteracts brassiness and sharpens contrast for cool undertones.
By the Hair Color editorsReviewed by the Hair Color editorial teamTested in the virtual studio
- Bleach
- Not needed
- Gray coverage
- full
- Upkeep
- low
- Fade
- Blue reflect fades first
Who blue black flatters.
Blue Black sharpens cool undertones — pink, rosy, or porcelain skin, especially if silver jewelry flatters you. If you wear black tones already, this shade sits naturally inside the family — deep, glossy, high-shine depth.
Commitment check.
Low upkeep. Regrowth blends softly and refreshes are simple glosses every 6–8 weeks — the easiest commitment on this site.
Full gray coverage — formulated pigment fills resistant white strands completely.
Fade timeline: Blue reflect fades first; expect 4-6 weeks of visible shine.
What to ask your stylist.
Ask for a level 1 blue black with cool reflect, and confirm whether your current base needs any lift with a strand test. Bring a daylight photo of your goal — salon lighting makes every shade look perfect, and you want the street version.
Try it before you dye it.
Swatch cards lie and packaging lighting lies. Preview blue black on your own photo with the before/after slider, drag the intensity from a whisper at 10% to full saturation at 100%, and compare it against jet black side by side. Then take the two-minute quiz to see where it ranks for your undertone.
Blue Black FAQs.
Does blue black hair color require bleach?
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Usually not — Blue Black (level 1) can be reached on most bases without lift. Very dark or previously colored hair may still need a clarifying or color-removal step, so confirm with a strand test.
What skin tone suits blue black?
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Blue Black leans cool and sharpens cool undertones — pink, rosy, or porcelain skin, especially if silver jewelry flatters you. Still unsure? The two-minute shade quiz reads your undertone from vein, jewelry, and sun-response checks and ranks this shade against all 51.
How much upkeep does blue black need?
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Low upkeep. Regrowth blends softly and refreshes are simple glosses every 6–8 weeks — the easiest commitment on this site. Blue reflect fades first; expect 4-6 weeks of visible shine. Cold-water washes and color-safe shampoo stretch every shade further.
Does blue black cover gray hair?
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Full gray coverage — formulated pigment fills resistant white strands completely.
How long does blue black last before it fades?
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Blue reflect fades first; expect 4-6 weeks of visible shine. Because the base sits close to natural depths, grow-out stays soft rather than stripey.
What's the difference between blue black and jet black?
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They share the black family, but Jet Black leans cool and olive while Blue Black leans cool. The fastest way to choose is to preview both on your own photo and see which one lights up your skin.
Will blue black work on dark hair without bleach?
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Yes — at level 1 with no bleach required, Blue Black deposits directly onto most dark bases, which is exactly why the black family is the lowest-risk entry point. The caveat is history: box-dye buildup or henna can block even deposit-only color, so do a strand test if your ends carry old pigment.
Similar shades.
All blackJet Black
Level 1 · black
Raven Black
Level 1 · black