The Ultimate Hair Color Debate: 5 Reasons Why Black Hair Is (and Isn't) Considered Brunette

The question of whether black hair is considered brunette is one of the most enduring—and surprisingly complex—debates in the world of hair color. As of December 2025, the answer depends entirely on whether you consult a dictionary, a professional colorist, or simply common cultural usage. While the technical definition of "brunette" excludes pure black, the reality is that the term has evolved to become an umbrella term for almost any dark hair color, often blurring the line between the deepest browns and true black. This article will explore the technical, scientific, and cultural nuances that define the black-to-brunette spectrum, providing a definitive guide for anyone confused by the darkest shades of the human hair palette.

The Definitive Breakdown: Technical, Cultural, and Scientific Profiles

To truly understand the "black vs. brunette" conundrum, we must look at the definitions from multiple authoritative perspectives:

• Etymological/Dictionary Profile: The word "brunette" is the feminine form of the French word "brun," which means *brown*. The traditional Oxford Dictionary definition specifies "a woman or girl with dark brown hair." Technically, this definition excludes true black hair.
• Professional Cosmetology Profile: In the professional hair color numbering system, known as the Level System (which ranges from 1 to 10), Level 1 is designated as the absolute darkest color: *Black*. Level 2 is *Darkest Brown*, Level 3 is *Dark Brown*, and so on. This system clearly separates black (Level 1) from all shades of brown (Level 2-4).
• Scientific/Pigment Profile: All natural dark hair colors, including black and brown, are primarily determined by the pigment eumelanin. The difference is in the *concentration* and *density* of this pigment. Black hair has the highest concentration of eumelanin, while brown hair has a high, but slightly lower, concentration. Some scientists and colorists argue that natural black hair is simply a form of deep, dark brown hair with such a high pigment density that it absorbs almost all light, making it appear black.
• Cultural/Colloquial Profile: In everyday conversation, "brunette" is often used as a catch-all term for anyone who is not blonde or a redhead. In this context, black hair is frequently "lumped in" with the brunette category, especially when used to describe a person's general appearance.

5 Reasons Why Black Hair is Often Considered a Subset of Brunette

Despite the technical separation in the cosmetology world, several compelling factors push black hair into the broader "brunette" category in popular culture and even within some industry discussions.

1. The "Darkest Brown" Illusion: The Eumelanin Factor

The most scientific argument for inclusion is the pigment itself. As mentioned, the difference between darkest brown (Level 2) and black (Level 1) is minimal. Natural black hair, particularly in certain ethnic groups, is often a shade of brown so deep that it is visually indistinguishable from true black under normal lighting. This darkest brown shade, rich with eumelanin, is what many people mistakenly identify as black, and since "dark brown" is undeniably brunette, the perceived "black" hair gets included by proxy. The debate hinges on whether pure, Level 1, jet black hair actually exists naturally in a widespread manner, or if it is almost always an extremely dark Level 2.

2. The Lack of an Equivalent Term for Black-Haired Individuals

English has clear, single-word terms for people with blonde hair (blonde) and red hair (redhead or ginger). For brown hair, the term is brunette. However, there is no widely accepted, single-word equivalent for a person with black hair. Because of this linguistic gap, the term brunette often expands its domain to cover all dark-haired individuals, making it a functional, if technically inaccurate, umbrella term. This is why you rarely hear someone say, "She's a black-head" but often hear, "She's a brunette," even if her hair is raven black.

3. The Cultural and Historical Grouping of Dark Hues

Historically and culturally, hair colors have been grouped into four major categories: blonde, brunette, redhead, and black. However, in many Western contexts, the black category is often absorbed by the brunette category simply because they share a similar depth of color and contrast with lighter shades. This simplification is more pronounced in media and general conversation, where light brown, medium brown, chestnut, espresso, and onyx are all frequently described under the single banner of "brunette."

4. The Cosmetology Blending of Dark Shades

Even professional colorists acknowledge the overlap when mixing or describing shades. When a client requests a color like midnight black or licorice, the formula often involves using a base of Level 2 (Darkest Brown) and adding a blue or violet tone to counteract any warmth, creating a cool, deep black that is only one level away from the darkest brown on the color chart. The entire range of deep, cool-toned hair—from dark chocolate to raven-haired—is often conceptually grouped together.

5. The Etymological Extension of "Dark Hair"

While the root word *brun* means brown, the term "brunette" has taken on a broader colloquial meaning of simply "dark-haired." The focus shifts from the specific hue (brown) to the overall lightness or darkness (depth). In this sense, black hair, being the absolute darkest color, fits the description of a "dark-haired person," thereby qualifying as a brunette in the non-technical, everyday usage. This is particularly true when discussing hair color in relation to skin tone or eye color, where the distinction between Level 1 and Level 2 is irrelevant.

The Counter-Argument: Why Black Hair is *Not* Brunette

To maintain topical authority and provide a complete answer, it is crucial to reiterate the technical argument against inclusion. The most powerful counter-argument comes from the hair color level system. This standardized system, used globally by companies from L'Oréal to Wella, is the industry standard for hair color identification. * Level 1: Black. * Level 2: Darkest Brown. * Level 3: Dark Brown. In this definitive classification, black is its own primary color, distinct from the brown family. To a colorist, calling Level 1 hair "brunette" is technically incorrect, as the term brunette should only apply to the levels of brown (Level 2 through 5 or 6, depending on the system). Therefore, if you are consulting a professional or discussing a specific hair dye formula, the answer is a firm no: black hair is not brunette; it is black.

Defining the Dark Spectrum: Alternative Terms for Black Hair

If you want to be technically precise and avoid the "brunette" confusion, what should you call someone with black hair? The most common and evocative term is raven-haired. This adjective refers to the glossy, deep, and often blue-black color of a raven's feathers and is a beautiful, descriptive alternative to the generic "dark-haired." Other descriptive entities used by stylists for the deepest shades include:

• Jet Black (A pure, often dyed, black with no visible warmth).
• Onyx (A rich, deep black with a high shine).
• Licorice (A deep, cool-toned black).
• Midnight Black (A dark, inky black).

In conclusion, the debate is a classic case of technical accuracy versus common usage. While the cosmetology industry and its Level System clearly state that Level 1 Black is separate from Brunette (Brown), the colloquial and cultural use of the word "brunette" has expanded to become the standard term for nearly all dark-haired people, including those with hair that is technically black. When in doubt, use the more specific, descriptive term raven-haired to be both accurate and evocative.