Black · Level 1
Raven Black.
Near-black with a cool violet undertone — maximum gloss without the ink-blue flash of blue black.
By the Hair Color editorsReviewed by the Hair Color editorial teamTested in the virtual studio
- Bleach
- Not needed
- Gray coverage
- full
- Upkeep
- low
- Fade
- Fades minimally
Who raven black flatters.
Raven Black sharpens cool undertones — pink, rosy, or porcelain skin, especially if silver jewelry flatters you; harmonizes with olive skin, where bronze, mahogany, and espresso tones shine. 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: Fades minimally; stays true 6-8 weeks.
What to ask your stylist.
Ask for a level 1 raven black with cool and olive 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 raven 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.
Raven Black FAQs.
Does raven black hair color require bleach?
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Usually not — Raven 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 raven black?
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Raven Black leans cool and olive and sharpens cool undertones — pink, rosy, or porcelain skin, especially if silver jewelry flatters you; harmonizes with olive skin, where bronze, mahogany, and espresso tones shine. 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 raven 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. Fades minimally; stays true 6-8 weeks. Cold-water washes and color-safe shampoo stretch every shade further.
Does raven black cover gray hair?
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Full gray coverage — formulated pigment fills resistant white strands completely.
How long does raven black last before it fades?
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Fades minimally; stays true 6-8 weeks. Because the base sits close to natural depths, grow-out stays soft rather than stripey.
What's the difference between raven black and jet black?
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They share the black family, but they are close cousins — compare them on your own photo. The fastest way to choose is to preview both on your own photo and see which one lights up your skin.
Will raven black work on dark hair without bleach?
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Yes — at level 1 with no bleach required, Raven 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
Blue Black
Level 1 · black