Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Blue hair is more than a look, it’s an attitude. And it’s all over our fabulous radar as one of the hottest hair trends this year. In Blue hair|How to get the statement look at home, we told you everything you needed to know about whether this striking shade is right for you. Now we’re here with the best blue hair dye you need to nail the brave blue look at home.

Finding the perfect blue for your can be a challenge.

The good news is that today there are more professional quality options than ever before when it comes to choosing the perfect hair dye at home.

So if you’re looking for vibrant hues of icy blue, turquoise and cobalt, look no further.

We’ve done all the legwork for you and found you our top recommended hair dyes to get the blue hue.

These products have been tried and tested by thousands of customers who love them as much as we do.

So if you’re looking for a fresh new look this season then check out these top picks below…

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Contents

What is blue hair?

Blue hair is a powerful statement and a hot hair trend that has been sweeping the globe.

It’s not just for punk rockers anymore! It can come in different shades, from light icy blues to dark navy blues.

Blue is a hair colour you need to be sure about. Once it’s on your head, it’s really hard to get rid of, so you need to be up for the commitment.

The best thing about it, is it comes in a zillion different cool and warm shades which means there’s a hue of blue for everyone.

From midnight blue, sky blue, teal, pastel blue, electric blue and denim. All you need to do is find the right blue hue for you!

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Can I pull off blue hair?

You may be thinking “I don’t know if I can rock this look.”

But you can! Here are some tips for getting the super cool style that’s right for you.

1) Check your skin tone – cool-toned people should go with light shades like baby blue or sky blue, while warm skin tones work well with colours like navy and royal purple.

2) Keep in mind how much maintenance it will take to keep the colour looking fresh. Upkeep is really easy though so this shouldn’t deter you from trying something new!

3) Consider what hairstyle would work best with your new blue colour– longer hair looks prettiest in softer pastels, but shorter styles look great in bolder shades of blue.

Can I dye my hair blue without bleaching it first?

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

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In general, you cannot dye your hair blue without bleaching your hair first. You’ll need a light base to get the perfect blue hue.

Colour cannot lighten colour, so it all depends on what base colour your hair is now, and the colour blue you want your hair to be.

If you have blonde or light brown hair and want to go blue from there then that is possible. But you might still need to lighten your hair first using bleach if you’re thinking of blue pastels or light blues.

If you have dark brown or black hair, you will need to bleach it first to get the right base for blue. You can try deep dark blues like midnight blue or blue-black if you feel like experimenting.

Always do a strand test first to check the colour blue your hair will be. This avoids any hair dye disasters – we’ve all been there!

To avoid damaging your locks, make sure you use a colour-safe bleach before applying the new hue. It’s always best to consult with a stylist before doing anything major to your tresses!

Can I dye my hair blue at home?

Successfully dyeing your hair blue at home depends your hair type, the colour your hair is now and the blue colour you want it to be.

But the good news is, if you’re thinking about colouring your hair blue or even just adding a few streaks of electric cobalt into your dark locks, are plenty of off the shelf hair dyes to help you get the beautiful blue look.

There are different shades of blue from light blues to dark navy blues so there’s one for every personality!

Which is the best blue box dye to use at home?

If you’re ready to dive into the deep blue, here are the best blue box dyes you can spend your hard-earned money on right now!

Best blue hair dyes at a glance.

Hair dyeLooks likeBest forBuy it nowL'Oreal Paris Colorista Washout Denim Blue Semi-Permanent Hair DyeBeginner blue for warmer tones.

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Clairol Colour Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo.Purple hues for warmer tones.

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Clairol Nice' n Easy Crème, Blue Black.Long lasting colour for warm tones.

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Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright, Turquoise Temptation.Streaks and dips for cool tones.

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L'Oréal Colorista Washout Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Dye.Experimenting with colours for cool tones.

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Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair dye, Electric BlueCool tones with a metallic shine.

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TOP PICK!

Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair dye, Electric Blue.

Best blue hair dye for: Cool tones with a metallic shine.

This is one of Schwartzkopf’s dazzling urban metallic, permanent hair colours so we were expecting intense results. We weren’t disappointed.

We used this on pre-lightened light blonde hair and the effects were pretty dramatic! It’s almost a steel blue colour with its shimmery silver tones. There’s a great colour guide on the box and you’ll need to be blonde to get the box colour. Go for it if you want a blue with metallic tones.

Check it out now on Amazon >>


#1 L’Oreal Paris Colorista Washout Denim Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Colour

They say:

  • Denim Blue shade for brunette hair.
  • Chroma-Cream technology in a nourishing hair-mask base.
  • Colours your hair while conditioning at the same time.
  • Long wear – lasts 10-20 shampoos.

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Reviewers say:

“Love this colour! I got so many compliments when I first did it. It gave a lovely blue wash tint to my hair. Lasted for around 14 washes. Started as a dark blue and faded a bit over time. Easy to use too.”

“This gave a brilliant strong colour to the ends of my bleach blonde hair. I just dipped the ends in and found that it didn’t dry out my hair just added a brilliant blue colour and moisturised it really well.”

“I had always wanted blue hair so I bit the bullet and gave this a try. I think I either need to lighten my hair or leave on for longer as it wasn’t as blue as I would’ve liked. But leaving it on for longer might do the trick!

We say:

L’Oreal Colorista Washouts are semi-permanent dyes perfect for your first dive into edgy blue. They’re easy to apply and come with to follow instructions.

This shade is specifically designed for brunette hair, but we found that you’ll need to bleach your hair first if you want the colour on the box. Combine with the Colorista bleach kit for the most vibrant semi-permanent hair colour results.

It gave a lovely blue tone to our medium brown hair. The colour was dark at first which gave a real rich hue. Go for this if you want a subtle, starter blue.

Best for: Beginner blue for warmer tones.

Check it out now on Amazon >>

#2 Clairol Colour Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo.

They say:

  • Paint on. Show off.
  • Clairol Color Crave is a semi-permanent colour that lets you flaunt your fearless with bright colours and bold results.
  • Lasts 15+ washes. 

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Reviewers say:

“This is far and away the best semi-permanent hair colour I’ve ever tried! It really looks good, the colour was exactly as I was hoping. I would buy it a million more times.”

“While I love semi-permanent hair colour because there is no commitment, I find you don’t get the full benefit of it unless you have naturally light blonde hair. “

“Pretty fun product, not permanent, explore, have fun! This lasted about a month for me, I wash my hair 3 times per week.”

We say:

This is a permanent blue colour with purple hues and as it says on the box – the lighter your hair, the longer your wear. We tried this on light brown hair and found it gave a great purple hair wash, but again, you’d need your hair lightened for a more dramatic look.

It was easy to apply and we left it in longer than the instructions to be sure the colour would take as a few reviews said it didn’t. And it did! The result was a gorgeous, rich deep purple-blue hue. It will fade to red so be prepared to dye it again before long.

Best for: Purple hues for warmer tones.

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#3 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black Hair Dye.

They say:

  • A natural looking permanent home hair colour.
  • It has a blend of 3 tones and highlights and conditioners at every step.
  • Gentle on hair and scalp due to its oil infused colour.
  • It provides 100% grey coverage, with soft and shiny results.
  • No harsh chemicals. Ammonia free.

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Reviewers say:

“This product has an easy application and is user friendly. The colour is pretty true to the description. I would definitely recommend it.”

“It left my hair feeling soft and silky not dry at all. I was very pleased with the colour, it lasted for ages.”

“I’ve tried so many brands but I keep coming back to this one. It’s easy to use, and the colours last and looks great. My hair is never dried out after using it.”

We say:

We’re not impressed with the gloves that come with this hair dye so buy your own disposable ones if this is your pick.

This is a dark dark shade of blue and turned pretty much black on our dark brown, dyed hair. It has a subtle blue hue in the light that makes it look shimmery and rich. Use this for long-lasting, deep blue colour.

Best for: Long lasting colour for warm tones.

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#4 Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright, Turquoise Temptation.

They say:

  • This no commitment, semi-permanent formula is extremely versatile.
  • For bleached, lightened, highlighted and light blonde hair.
  • The colour result depends upon your natural hair colour.
  • For long or thick hair we recommend using two packs.

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Reviewers say:

“I’m so in love with the Schwarzkopf brights range! They provide great colour as long as your hair is lightened to the recommended shade beforehand. For me, they last a heck of a long time.”

“I wasn’t expecting this to work so well, from the middle of the hair to the tips, it’s a gorgeous bluey colour. It covered up orange and pink colours that have been in my hair for more than a year!”

“This colour will last a decent amount of time, not just because blue is a very hard dye to remove, but I think it’ll fade really nicely. I’ll definitely be using it again!”

We say:

This is a bright blue, bold pastel turquoise colour that’s made for light hair. We used it on platinum blonde hair at the ends and it worked a treat.

It’s a little on the green side for a full head of colour, but if you have cool skin tones and want to play with streaks and dips, this is the dye for you.

Best for: Pastel streaks and dips for cool tones.

Check it out now on Amazon >>

#5 L’Oréal Colorista Washout Blue Semi-Permanent Hair colour.

They say:

  • Fades gradually over 1-2 weeks so you can switch and change your hair colour whenever you want.
  • Based on Chroma-Cream technology in a conditioning hair-mask base.
  • Softly colours your hair while caring at the same time.

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Reviewers say:

“I have naturally dark blonde hair but I have it highlighted. I used the blue L’Oréal and absolutely loved the colour! However, I’ve washed my hair a lot and it fades fast.”

“This was so easy and simple to use. Was a little worried as it is very blue when you squeeze out, but left a lovely finish on my hair and lasted near enough a week!”

“Lasted a lot longer than I expected. It was very easy to mix and apply. Smells lovely! Not too bright but can see it and loads of people commented on it, which is a bonus!”

We say:

We tried this box dye on dark blonde hair to create an ombre effect. It was super simple to do and the effect is of a soft, purple/blue pastel colour that we love!

How long it lasts depends on how often you wash your hair. It doesn’t hang around for long so you can afford to experiment. Use it for short-term playfulness.

Best for: Experimenting with colours for cool tones.

Check it out now on Amazon >>

#6 Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair dye, Electric Blue.

They say:

  • Create metallic tones with striking colour intensity
  • Maximum colour depth
  • Anti-fade effect
  • Creates healthy looking, touchably soft hair
  • Vegan ingredients

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

Reviewers say:

“Amazing! When I bought this product I had red hair!! I stripped, bleached and toned my hair so it was blonde and it worked amazingly. I would say it won’t work unless your hair is blonde. I now have blue hair!”

“The best dye I have used without having to bleach my hair first.”

“I bleached my hair right before I used mercury blue. It ended up a bit brighter than the box but all blue and great all-over coverage.”

We say:

This is one of Schwartzkopf’s dazzling urban metallic, permanent blue hair dye colours so we were expecting intense results. We weren’t disappointed.

We used this on pre-lightened light blonde hair and the effects were pretty dramatic!

It’s almost a steel blue colour with its shimmery silver tones. There’s a great colour guide on the box and you’ll need to be blonde to get the box colour. Go for it if you want a blue with metallic tones.

Best for: Cool tones with a metallic shine.

Check it out now on Amazon >>


TOP PICK!

Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair dye, Electric Blue.

Best for: Cool tones with a metallic shine.

This is one of Schwartzkopf’s dazzling urban metallic, permanent hair colours so we were expecting intense results. We weren’t disappointed.

We used this on pre-lightened light blonde hair and the effects were pretty dramatic! It’s almost a steel blue colour with its shimmery silver tones.

There’s a great colour guide on the box and you’ll need to be blonde to get the box colour. Go for it if you want a blue with metallic tones.

Check it out now on Amazon >>


Will semi permanent blue hair dye wash out?

Blue hair can be achieved by applying a semi-permanent dye to your hair that fades over time.

Semi-permanent hair dye is safe for your locks and easier to remove than permanent hair dye. But it won’t ever completely wash out.

Environmental and lifestyle factors like sunshine, seawater, how often you wash your hair and heat stying also play a part in how long your colour will last.

It usually takes between 5 and 10 washes for the colour to start fading away.

How long does blue last in hair?

It’s a colour that can fade quite quickly and is a stubborn colour to completely remove. So you need to be ready for commitment if you go blue.

You can expect your fresh, new colour to last a couple of weeks before it starts to fade.

If your hair is in good condition and can take it, there’s no harm in dyeing your hair more frequently to keep the blue hues looking on point.

What does blue dyed hair fade to?

Like any other hair dye, blue dyes will fade over time. However, the colour of your roots and the tone of your natural hair will affect how quickly this happens.

For example, if you have light brown or blonde hair and you dye it a dark navy blue then the darker colours will absorb into your strands more easily than lighter colours would.

As it fades, it will become greener in tone. You can try using toners to keep the blue hue. But really, this shade is one that needs a lot of maintenance and upkeep to keep it looking glossy and fabulous.

If you’re looking to keep that beautiful shade for as long as possible – we recommend using products like colour-safe shampoo and conditioners for coloured hair with UV filters to protect against fading from sunlight exposure!

What colour cancels out blue hair?

If you are thinking of toning your hair to keep the blue tones blue, or even get rid of them, you need to use the opposite colour on the hair colour wheel.

Orange toner will cancel out blue tones and colour correct your hair if you’re looking to get rid of or tone down blue colour.

Best blue hair dye for dark hair without bleach

How do I care for my blue hair?

It’s a colour that is really fun to have. But it can be a hard one to keep – or get rid of!

To keep your hair bright and beautiful for a long time, make sure you use shampoos and conditioners that are specially formulated for coloured hair.

These will stop the colour from fading so fast.

It will fade to green so you might need to dye your hair more often to keep the blue colour vibrant.

Also try washing your hair less frequently, ideally once a week if you can. You can lengthen the time in between washes with a good dry shampoo.

And don’t forget to follow our top tips in How to keep coloured hair looking luscious for longer.

Parting words.

Everyone has their own opinion on what colours look good on them and what doesn’t. But let’s be real: some people can wear anything and make it work (we call these people the Kardashians).

Blue hair is not for everyone and may not be right for your lifestyle either.

If you feel like you could rock this colour or want to try something new, then go for it! You might fall in love with a whole new shade of hair that looks amazing on your skin tone. Good luck!

Can you dye dark hair blue without bleach?

Blue hair is a great way to create a bold and fun look! If you have dark hair and want to avoid using bleach, use a blue hair dye that is specifically designed for use on dark hair. To transform your hair at home, simply apply the dye to your hair, wait for it to soak in, and then rinse it out.

What blue hair dye works best on dark hair?

The Best Blue Hair Dyes for Dark Hair..
Wella Color Charm PAINTS Semi-Permanent Hair Dye – Best True Blue Semi-Permanent Dye..
L'Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color – Denim Blue – Best Blue Permanent Dye..
Manic Panic Rockabilly Blue Semi-Permanent Dye – Runner up for Best Blue Semi-permanent Dye..

Will blue hair dye work on dark brown hair?

Blue Hair Dye on Unbleached Dark Hair If you go for a dark blue hair dye on top of unbleached natural brown or black hair, you'll still get an (extremely) subtle effect but the colour will be a good few shades darker than stated and it'll fade quickly. Still, you can try it out as a test.

Is there blue hair dye for dark hair?

You need a dye that can give your dark hair great color payoff and long-lasting results. Splat Midnight Indigo or Garnier Nutrisse Dark Intense Indigo are great options for black hair. If your natural color is dark brown, Got2b Blue Mercury can give you a stunning metallic blue look without bleach.