Imagine, You’re staring into the mirror, sipping your third iced coffee of the day, and thinking, “My hair is… fine.
But also? Kind of screaming for help.” Sound familiar? That’s exactly how I felt before I stumbled into the rich, mysterious world of black cherry hair color—a shade that’s basically what happens when midnight meets merlot.
Not to be dramatic, but this color turned my “meh” into main character energy. And yes, strangers did stop me to ask, “What color is that?!”
So what is black cherry hair color, exactly? It’s a deep, sultry blend of dark brown, burgundy, and subtle violet-red tones—think of it as the moodier, cooler cousin of classic red or brunette.
Whether you’re a natural dark-haired beauty looking to spice things up or a blonde wanting to go full vampy glam, this shade works wonders.
I’ve had my fair share of hair transformations—everything from cotton candy pink to “accidental green”—but black cherry? It’s the one that got me compliments from my stylist and my mom.
And let’s be real, that’s the holy grail of hair approval. Ready to find out if this juicy shade is your next obsession? Let’s dive in, one rich, cherry-toned strand at a time.
1. Pure Black Cherry Hair
When I first tried pure black cherry hair, it was like stepping into my boldest, most confident alter ego.
This rich, jewel-toned shade blends dark brunette with hints of red and purple, giving your strands an almost glassy shine under sunlight.
It’s perfect if you’re looking for a subtle twist on dark hair without going full fire engine red.
It flatters deeper skin tones beautifully, but lighter complexions get this cool contrast that looks intentionally edgy.
Pro tip: use a sulfate-free shampoo to keep the richness from fading too fast.
Also, check out these dark cherry red hair ideas for more inspiration.
2. Black Cherry Balayage
Black cherry balayage is basically the low-maintenance queen of hair color.
I loved how it let me experiment with the hue without touching my roots—so less damage and fewer salon visits? Yes, please.
It works wonders if you have naturally dark hair and want a softer transition into the cherry tones.
A stylist can hand-paint the cherry streaks for a lived-in, sun-kissed finish that grows out gracefully.
Add loose curls to show off the dimension! Curious about other blends? Browse these brunette balayage styles
3. Deep Black Cherry Hue
This shade is like the wine-stained lipstick of hair colors—dark, romantic, and a little mysterious.
I went for a deep black cherry hue last fall, and it felt like the perfect seasonal glow-up without committing to bright red.
Best for olive or medium-toned skin, it adds depth without washing you out.
Keep it shiny with a color gloss every 4–6 weeks, and skip daily washes to hold onto that depth longer.
4. Black Cherry Ombre
If you’re commitment-shy like I used to be, black cherry ombre is the gateway shade you didn’t know you needed.
I started with dark roots and faded into a luscious cherry end, which gave me serious dimension with half the upkeep.
It’s ideal for medium to long hair and especially flattering on waves or curls.
The contrast looks amazing when styled, and the cherry ends almost glow in natural light.
5. Black Cherry with Violet Tint
When I couldn’t decide between purple and red, this hybrid saved me.Black cherry with a violet tint gave me those cool galaxy vibes without going full unicorn.
The violet adds a cool-toned edge, so it’s great for cooler skin tones or if you want something a bit more playful.
Use a purple toning conditioner to keep the hue fresh and avoid brassiness creeping in.
6. Rich Black Cherry Glow
This was my “I want healthy-looking hair and bold color” moment.
A rich black cherry glow gives you that salon-fresh shine with a deep, multidimensional finish that somehow always looks freshly done even when you haven’t washed your hair in three days (no judgment).
It’s perfect if your strands are looking a little dull and you want to revive them without going too bright.
I recommend a gloss treatment or shine serum to enhance that natural-looking radiance. Bonus: it makes your hair look thicker, too.
7. Black Cherry Babylights
Babylights were my go-to when I wanted to dip a toe into color without making a splash.
With black cherry babylights, you get those ultra-fine streaks that add just a hint of warmth and depth—think subtle, not streaky.
This style works great for fine or thin hair because it adds dimension without overpowering.
I used a flat iron to enhance the contrast, and trust me, the way those cherry tones catch the light is chef’s kiss.
8. Black Cherry with Plum Accents
Black cherry with plum accents is the edgy cousin of the classic shade.
When I rocked this combo, people literally asked me if I got it professionally done every week (spoiler: I didn’t).
The plum gives it that cooler tone that really pops in natural or indoor lighting.
If you have hazel or green eyes, this one makes them glow. Use a color-depositing conditioner every other wash to keep those purpley notes fresh.
Use a color-depositing conditioner every other wash to keep those purpley notes fresh. Love purple tones? These dark purple hair ideas for brunettes are a must-see.
9. Black Cherry Root Melt
The root melt technique changed my life when I got tired of constant root touch-ups.
Black cherry root melt blends darker roots into cherry-toned mids and ends, which makes it super low-maintenance and super chic.
This one’s a win if you want to extend time between salon visits without sacrificing style.
I loved pairing it with loose, tousled waves for that effortless, grown-out glam vibe.
10. Subtle Black Cherry Highlights
When I wanted just a whisper of color, subtle black cherry highlights were my secret weapon.
They’re understated, but when the light hits right? Magic.
Perfect for dark brunettes who want to spice things up without going full dramatic.
I wore mine straight most days, and the color still peeked through in the softest, prettiest way.
Pro tip: ask for a toner that leans more red than purple for a warmer finish.
11. Black Cherry with Burgundy Tips
This was my “I’m feeling bold but not reckless” look.
Black cherry with burgundy tips gives you a punch of color at the ends without fully committing to a head-to-toe transformation.
It’s perfect for layered or textured cuts because it draws the eye to the movement of your hair.
I curled the ends to really make those burgundy pops stand out plus, it looks amazing in selfies with warm lighting.
12. Cool Black Cherry Blend
If you lean toward cooler tones and silver jewelry over gold, the cool black cherry blend might be your perfect match.
I tried this when I was over warm shades, and the mix of deep cherry and cool undertones gave my hair this sleek, polished vibe.
Great for fair or cool-toned skin, this shade plays well with bold makeup looks too.
Keep the cool tone intact with a purple shampoo once a week—it seriously saves the color from turning brassy.
13. Black Cherry Velvet Finish
Black cherry velvet sounds luxurious—and trust me, it looks even better.
When I had this color, people kept telling me my hair looked like crushed velvet in the light, and yes, I blushed every time.
It’s rich, smooth, and full of depth, ideal for fall or winter hair makeovers.
I used a silk pillowcase and leave-in conditioner to keep the velvet vibe alive—soft, shiny, and totally touchable.
14. Black Cherry with Lowlights
Want dimension without drama? Black cherry with lowlights is the move.
I had this done before a wedding, and the subtle contrast gave my hair depth without making it look “done-up.”
It’s a smart option if you’re already a red or burgundy shade and want to add more texture and shadow.
I recommend wearing it straight or sleek to really showcase the layered color tones—it’s a stunner in sunlight.
15. Black Cherry with Red Shine
This one? A total attention-grabber. I tried black cherry with red shine last summer, and the way it caught the sun had people asking if I had glitter in my hair (spoiler: I didn’t, but I didn’t correct them either).
The red shine adds a fiery glow to the base color without being overpowering.
It’s perfect for warm-toned skin or if you want that “just stepped out of a music video” energy.
Use a color-protecting serum to enhance the shine—trust me, it makes a difference.
16. Glossy Black Cherry Hair
If “glass hair” and black cherry had a baby, this would be it. Glossy black cherry hair was my go-to when I wanted that ultra-sleek, just-flat-ironed look that turned heads without trying too hard.
It works best on straight or smoothed hair since the shine is what really makes the color pop.
I swear by a shine-boosting hair oil and regular deep-conditioning masks to keep that mirror-like finish.
Bonus: it makes your hair look healthier even if it’s not feeling its best. If you’re into sleek and shiny looks, explore midnight purple hair
17. Black Cherry Unicorn Shade
Yes, this one sounds a little out there—but I tried it, and I have zero regrets.
Black cherry unicorn shade is a creative, whimsical twist on the classic, blending in hints of magenta, lavender, and even blue in some lights.
It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re feeling playful or going through a “main character” phase (we all do), this one will definitely turn heads.
I used a color-depositing mask to refresh the tones weekly—it’s high-maintenance, but totally worth it for the fantasy vibes.
18. Black Cherry with Crimson Streaks
Crimson streaks in black cherry hair = bold energy with a side of spice.
I rocked this look during my “don’t mess with me” era, and it was honestly therapeutic.
The red pops through in just the right spots, adding energy and heat without taking over the whole look.
Works especially well in straight or wavy styles—plus, it’s a solid choice if you want a hint of fire without a full dye job.
19. Matte Black Cherry Tone
Matte black cherry is for those who like their color a little moody and mysterious.
I gave this one a go when I was over high-shine styles, and the muted finish gave my hair an editorial, almost grungy vibe in the best way.
Perfect for short bobs or blunt cuts, it looks super modern and cool without being flashy.
Use texturizing spray and dry shampoo to keep that matte look fresh and photo-ready.
20. Black Cherry with Dark Roots
I call this the “lazy girl’s dream” hairstyle—and I mean that with love because I’ve lived it.
Black cherry with dark roots lets your natural color peek through while the cherry tones take center stage, which means less maintenance and more attitude.
This one’s ideal if you’re growing out your color or just don’t have time for constant root touch-ups.
It also gives you that effortless, “I woke up like this” kind of cool. Throw it in a messy bun or loose waves, and you’re good to go.
