Whether you have black hair or some form of brown hair, you are likely to be thought of as a brunette. However, dozens of brunette variations are recommended by influencers every day.
brunette It’s not a bad word, but some women with black hair Wondering if black hair is considered brunette because of the darkness of their hair.
This might make you wonder about your hair, is black hair considered brunette?
Is black hair considered brunette?
Perspective 1: Mostly understood
No, black hair is not considered brunette. Brunette refers to people with brown hair, ranging from light brown to dark brown shades. Black hair, on the other hand, is the darkest shade of hair color, distinct from brown shades. Both hair colors are natural, but they are not the same.
Perspective 2: By definition
Yes, some definitions suggest that brunette can encompass black hair. For example, the Cambridge Dictionary defines brunette as “a white woman or girl with dark hair”. Dark hair can range from brown to black, implying that black hair can be considered brunette. Similarly, the Dictionary Britannica defines a brunette as “a person who has brown or black hair”.
Sources that see black hair as brunette:
- The Cambridge Dictionary defines a brunette as “a white woman or girl with dark hair”. (source: Cambridge Dictionary).
- Dictionary.com defines brunette as “having dark hair, and often, dark eyes and dark or olive skin.” (source: Dictionary.com).
- Dictionary Britannica defines a brunette as: “a person who has brown or black hair”. (source: Britannica.com).
However, other dictionaries are more specific about the meaning of brunette. Oxford Language Dictionaries, Merriam-Webster, Collins English, Macmillan and American Heritage all define brunette as a person, usually a woman, with brown hair, without mentioning black hair.
Sources that do not consider black hair as brunette:
- The Oxford Dictionary of Languages defines a brunette as “a white woman with dark brown hair” (source: The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary).
- The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a brunette as “a person who has brown hair” (source: Merriam-Webster).
- Collins English Dictionary defines brunette as “a brunette is a woman or girl with dark brown hair”. (source: Collins Dictionary).
- The Macmillan dictionary defines a brunette as “a woman with dark brown hair” (source: Macmillan Dictionary).
- The American Heritage Dictionary defines brunette as “a girl or woman with brown hair.” (source: Dictionary of American Heritage).
So is black hair considered a brunette?
While some definitions imply that black hair can be considered brunette, most dictionaries and common understanding differentiate between black hair and brown hair. We want to stick to the commonly understood meaning backed up by popular dictionaries which is no, black hair is not generally considered brunette.
What do you call a woman with black hair?
We are all familiar with brunette (in reality, people use it to mean a woman with brown hair) and the conventional blonde terms. Sad but true that there is no such accepted term that we can use to call a woman with black hair!
There are many who use outdated terms like “raven hair“. The term is for shiny black hair and is an old fashioned way of describing a young woman with black hair. This term comes from the feathers of the raven bird which has black feathers.
Also, some people use the term “Noirette” which means “female with natural black hair” but again it’s not a common term people use.
Can I use brunette shampoo on black hair?
If you are a natural brunette, there is no need to find a shampoo based on a formula that protects colored hair. Fortunately, it’s perfectly fine to use a brunette shampoo on natural black hair. All you need is to find a shampoo that moisturizes your hair with every wash.
However, if you have dyed your brunette hair a soft or black color, then you should use a product that protects the hair color.
Blue Shampoo is one of the most popular brunette shampoos for black hair. The best thing about blue shampoo is that it neutralizes yellow and orange tones caused by environmental factors.
While neutralizing yellow and orange tones, the blue shampoo helps maintain the desired black color. Plus, this shampoo has nourishing ingredients that add shine and life to your hair with every wash.
Use a purple shampoo if you have brunette hair with slight highlights or undertones. Purple shampoo reduces brassiness in brunette hair and acts as a toner to lighten your hair.
A purple shampoo would not be a good option for black hair because you want to maintain the vibrancy of your black hair.
In conclusion, we usually think of brunettes as those with brown hair. However, some definitions imply that black hair may also fall under the brunette category. Despite these variations, most dictionaries and popular understanding distinguish between black and brunette hair. As a result, we prefer to say that black hair is generally not considered brunette.