Dark Winter: Hair Dye

Hair dye is more than a simple change in appearance—it’s a powerful form of self-expression. Whether you’re covering greys, amplifying your natural hue, or embracing bold, adventurous colors, the shade you choose mirrors your personality and mood. It can also be a confidence booster, helping you feel more true to yourself or marking the beginning of an exciting new life chapter.

In Dark Winter, we see medium and dark brunettes as well as a variety of blacks: intensely dark, blue and brown. Due to its neutral-cool hue, colours tend to be ash in tone or have a subtle hint of blue.

In this article, we’ve used a variety of blonde, brunette and fashion colours to demonstrate which hair dyes we’d advise for Dark Winter as well as those that should be avoided.

Affiliate links have been used to provide additional visual examples. These products have been physically tested on our clients in order to provide the most accurate recommendations but results may vary. We always advise a patch test prior to dyeing your hair. To achieve some of these colourings, you may need to lift your natural colour or strip back any residual dye. This is something a professional stylist could help with.

Please note, this advice is generic for all Dark Winter individuals and recommendations will vary based on your unique colouring. Some trial and error may be required in order to find the best hair dye for yourself. For personalised advice, we suggest purchasing a Colour Analysis package with the hair option.

Dark Winter individuals typically have naturally brunette or black hair. These colours tend to be ashy or blue but, as they border Autumn, we can sometimes see red or gold.

They belong to a season influenced by bright chroma, which makes them clearer than those we see in Dark Autumn.

Those who lean closer to Dark Autumn may be able to select darker, neutral variations. However, individuals who lean closer to Cool Winter will need to select the ashier or blue-tinged colours.

BLONDE HAIR

As a dominantly deep subtype, blonde hair is tricky for Dark Winter. These colours must be deep to match the individual’s natural intensity.

In example one, we have shown a dark ash blonde similar to Revlon Colorstay Longwear Permanent Cream Colour in 7.1 Dark Ash Blonde. The depth works particularly well for Ivy as it verges on a light brunette. Here, she retains her rosy pink glow and her eyes sparkle.

Dark golden blondes such as John Frieda Sheer Blonde Precision Foam Colour in 7G Dark Golden Blonde, may also be possible for Dark Winter individuals leaning towards Dark Autumn. In example two, there is a slight yellow tinge to Ivy’s skin. Her eyes still sparkle thanks to the depth of the colour. However, any lighter and it would be completely disharmonious. However, she would still need to balance this warmth with some cool makeup, jewellery and clothing.

Looking at examples three and four, we can how light variations clash with Ivy’s natural depth. We see the colour before we see her, which indicates an imbalance. Where the light ash in example three pales her image, the light gold in example four throws yellow on her skin. Some depth makes a warm colour feasible as we’re opposing her secondary characteristic rather than her dominant. However, opposing both does not work.

The medium ash blonde and medium golden blonde in examples five and six are also unsuitable. Paired with a medium ash, her bright influence is muddied. She looks grey and drab. The golden colour looks forced as it clashes with both her depth and cool qualities. 

brunette hair

Ivy’s strongest choice here is the dark ash brunette in example two. This may be likened to… . This has both the depth and cool hue to balance her colouring. Note how her eyes sparkle and her rosy glow is apparent. 

The medium ash in example one has a similar effect but we can see how the added depth makes a difference. Product recommendations for medium ash brunette include Clairol Nice'n Easy Crème Hair Dye in 5A Medium Ash Brown.

As this subtype borders Autumn, they can make use of some golden or reddish variations provided they have the depth for the required intensity.

In example three, we see a dark golden variation similar to Knight & Wilson Colour Freedom Hair Dye in 5.036 Rich Golden Brown. Ivy’s pinkish glow is not as apparent in this example but it still lifts her image. Again, she would need to use cool makeup, metals and clothing to ensure balance.

Brown-black, as shown in example four, is also a great choice for Dark Winter. This is a good option for Dark Winter individuals leaning towards Dark Autumn as that subtype cannot handle the intensity of a pure black. For Ivy, it adds a layer of mystery to her image. You could try Schwarzkopf Oleo Intense Hair Dye in 2-10 Black Brown.

Brunettes that are not recommended to Dark Winter include light variations. This includes the light golden in example five and the light ash in example six.

Where the light golden reflects yellow on her skin, the light ash drains her colour and makes her look pale. The priority for neutral subtypes is to maintain the dominant characteristic. In Dark Winter’s case, this would be depth. Despite possessing the necessary cool hue, the light ash colour in example six opposes this depth.

other hair

Aside from brunette, the Dark Winter hair dye chart includes a range of black, blue, purple and silver shades to choose from.

In example one, we see an intense black similar to Schwarzkopf Oleo Intense Hair Dye in 1-10 Intense Black. Winter individuals are the only season that can handle this cool and bright neutral. On a Summer individual, this colour can wash them out. However, on a warm season, it can give the individual a green tinge. Ivy appears effortlessly balanced here as no colour is reflecting on her face, her eyes sparkle and she retains her rosy glow.

Blue blacks are also a good option for Dark Winter as shown in example two. These colours must be both deep and cool to create balance. Product recommendations for blue black include Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair Dye in 090 Cosmic Blue.

Another great option for this subtype is violet purple. Again, these must be both cool and dark as warm plum and light lilac variations won’t harmonise with the individual’s natural palette. Ivy’s image is lit up by this purple variation so we can say it is balanced. You could try Schwarzkopf Live Urban Metallics Hair Dye in U69 Amethyst.

There are also a range of silver greys on the hair dye chart, which are readily available as box dyes. Depending on the individual’s natural colour, some work may be required to lift the hair to take on the grey. The variation in example four is deep with a metallic sheen, such as Schwarzkopf Live Urban Metallics Hair Dye in U71 Metallic Silver. This works best for Dark Winter as it has an element of shine that compliments their bright influence. 

Colours we do not recommend for Dark Winter include platinum and any variation of warm red including copper. 

Despite platinum’s cool hue, this colour is far too light for Ivy and completely washes her out. The copper in example six is bright but is too warm and reflects yellow on her face. This demonstrates that these colours are not suitable for her. 

Styling

Dark Winter has a high to intense contrast level. This means their best colour combinations oppose what is in the individual’s palette rather than blending with them. 

The above visual demonstrates how to effectively combine colours to repeat this contrast level if you choose to style your hair with a mix of highlights and low lights. This also applies to styles such as ombre, which maintain Dark Winter’s intense colour depth. 

Example one shows how light neutrals such as light ash brown can be paired with dark accents such as blue black highlights. This could also be done in reverse with a silver grey as a base and intense black, a bright neutral, as subtle lowlights or a root stretch.

Another way to achieve this effect is to pair similarly dark cool shades such a black brown with an intense black. Again, this can be styled as highlights and lowlights or a gentle ombre effect with the intense black drawn roughly through the ends. 

---

Dark Winter - Hair Chart [Digital Download]

Buy Now