15 Super Cool Black Ombre Hair Color Styles

Or: How to get that trendy look without looking stripey.

Black ombre hair is a newer rendition of the standard ombre style, and we’re loving it! Thanks to creative hairstylists and color experts everywhere, there are almost no hair color trends or styles that are off-limits anymore. Previously, women with darker hair colors often had a harder time lightening their strands to the blonde hues and icy colors of their dreams. And a striking style like black ombre hair wasn’t even an option for them. But with the techniques and products available to us now, black ombre hairstyles (and other color trends) are easier to achieve and maintain.

Black Ombre Hair: 15 Looks to Try

Read on to learn how to pull off ombre on dark hair and check out 15 styles that will inspire your new look.

1. The Softest Ombre

black ombre hair straight ponytail soft ombre
Consider an ombre for black hair with a super soft and smooth transition.

Ombre styles aren’t always all about high contrasting colors and stark contrasts. This soft ombre look helps you move easily from dark roots to lighter ends with a super smooth transition in between.

2. Subtle Ombre

black ombre hair dark ombre
Go for a subtle transition with a darker ombre color. Photo credit: Gift Habeshaw

If a bold transition isn’t your thing, don’t worry, there’s still a black ombre hairstyle for you! A more subtle transition is a great way to experiment with adding color to your dark hair without committing to a blonde shade. Even just going a few shades lighter than your base color can make a world of difference!

3. Uncomplicated Braid

black ombre hair pulled apart braid
Fake it till you make it with this black hair with ombre style.

This braid appears to be much more complicated than it actually is. Create a regular French braid, and then pull the loops out to create this intricate-looking style.

4. Naturally Curly

black ombre hair naturally curly
This ombre hair-on-black hair look celebrates your naturally curly hair.

Highlight your naturally curly hair with a bold dose of ombre hair color. Having a transition this smooth depends on maintaining defined, healthy curls.

Swap out your usual shampoo and conditioner for Nexxus Curl Define Shampoo and Conditioner for curls that are extra hydrated and bouncy.

5. Red and Black Ombre Hair

girl with red to black ombre hair
Try a bold color for high contrast.

Want to opt for a high contrast look? We love how this black to red ombré look seamlessly blends together, yet you’re still able to mix a very dark and a vibrant hue together.

6. Warm Toned

black ombre hair warm tone
Switch up the traditional ombre style with a warm-toned color. Photo credit: Daniel Bounliane

Warm tones are trending this season, so why not incorporate them into your black ombre hair color? We love how a shade of red can add so much warmth to a complexion and add a beautiful contrast to a darker brown base color. Definitely give this a try if you’re looking to switch things up.

7. Long and Loose

black ombre hair long loose waves
Wear your curls long and loose to show off your ombre black hair.

Wear your black ombre style long and loose in easy curling wand curls. This look is so effortless and works for every occasion.

Finish them off with a mist of Suave Dry Texture Finishing Spray to keep them in place.

8. Icy Blonde Curls on Black Ombre Hair

black ombre hair icy blonde curls
Give your black ombre a high contrast icy blonde color.

Split up your hair coloring sessions into a few different appointments in order to do as little damage as possible on your strands. It will take a couple of rounds of bleach to get your hair from black to icy blonde and by spreading out the doses of bleach, you’ll preserve some of the integrity of your strands.

9. Natural Hair Ombré

black ombre hair natural hair
Show off your natural texture.

If you want to see which hair types work well with this ombre style, take one look at this natural look and head straight to your colorist. This beautiful ombré style shows off your natural texture in one breathtaking color look.

10. Braided Bun Black Ombre Hair

black ombre hair braided bun
Show off your beautiful color transition.

Curl your hair, skip the products, and braid your hair up into this romantic updo. We love how the black ombre hair color weaves in and out of this braid, it’s a great way to show off your color.

11. A Brunette Ombre

black ombre hair brown ombre bob
Keep the color damage to a minimum.

Another way to keep the damage to a minimum and maintain the integrity of your strands is to opt for a brunette ombre versus a blonde color. By only lightening your hair a few levels you’ll achieve a beautiful brunette color on the bottom and preserve your base black color at the roots.

12. Play with Color

black ombre hair blue and purple
Incorporate blue and purple into your look.

Play with a number of colors and wear your black ombre hair with a rainbow of shades of purple and blue. We love this trendy and fun take on a classic ombre style.

13. Half Updo

black ombre hair half up
Go for a cutesy half-up style, perfect for any daytime plans.

A great way to show off your ombre hair color is a half updo. This style is perfect for adding a sort of cascading effect to your color. Leave a few face-framing strands out to really let that blonde color pop.

14. High Contrast Black Ombre Hair

black ombre hair high contrast
Go for high contrast in colors to make your look pop. Photo credit: Hian Oliveira

Don’t hold back on color and really go for a high-contrast color. This color combo instantly adds a pop of bold to your style. Embrace a black root and pair it with a blonde tone for the ultimate look.

15. Cool Toned

black ombre hair cool toned
If you want a more muted blonde then go for a cool-toned color. Photo credit: Valeriia Kogan

Feeling like you want more of a muted shade of blonde? A cool-toned color flirts with almost being platinum or silver, but it’s still a little easier to maintain. This shade is perfect for anyone with a neutral or cool-toned undertone, making it more wearable than some warmer, more yellow shades of blonde.

Those are the top trending colors and styles for black ombre hair! Just because you want to keep your style a little darker on top or more muted all over doesn’t mean you can’t go for the popular ombre style. Test out a few combos to find your perfect match.

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