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Best Beard Dye for Black Men: Top 5 Reviewed

While the salt-and-pepper look seems nice, there’s no denying that a good beard dye can help black men retain that natural youthful appearance that we are blessed with.

African man applying beard dye

After all, as modern men, we embrace the practice of maintaining a healthy, well-groomed beard, and sometimes that includes dyeing it.

In a rush? Here are my top picks:
Best Overall

Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye

Natural-looking and drip-free

Organic beard dye
Variety of color shades
Skin-friendly
Best Budget Dye

Bigen Ez Color for Men Jet Black Kit

A ready-to-use beard dye

No mixing required
Complete beard grooming kit
Natural ingredients

From a fresh, trendy beard to a look more suitable for a job interview, you can turn to a beard dye to style your mane just the way you like it.

With a good beard dye, you can tweak the color of your whiskers without anyone noticing. There are semi-permanent and permanent beard dyes that can help you achieve that.

The 5 Top-Rated Beard Dyes for Black Men

We examined the ingredients and compatibility with the melanin skin of a dozen dyes to find the best beard dye for black men. This lowers the risk of skin reactions, chemical burns, and patchy beards.

Best forBeard Dye for Black Men
Organic Beard DyeGrizzly Mountain Beard Dye
Mascara for Men’s BeardBlackbeard for Men
Best Budget DyeBigen Ez Color for Men Jet Black Kit
Salt and Pepper BeardJust for Men Beard Dye
Coloring Small AreasGodefroy Tint Kit for Beard

Other features we considered while ranking these dyes include how safe they are, their ease of use, and their ability to last a long while. In the end, only 5 beard dyes made it to our list. These dyes produce lustrous and gloomy effects.

Upon considering these factors, it is safe to say that Grizzly Mountain Organic Beard Dye is the best beard dye for black men. It doesn’t go overboard and it looks natural. Plus, it does not contain any harmful chemicals. 

Grooming hack: Ladies can use a beard dye on their brows to make them look darker. Apply with an eyebrow brush, leave for about 5 minutes, and wipe off. 


Let’s get to the list.

What Is the Best Beard Dye for Black Men?

The best beard dye for black men is the Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye. It is best for its natural-looking beard dye options. Here is a detailed review of the top beard dyes that are suitable for black men.

Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye is an organic dye that is good for sensitive skin. No itches or irritation with this dye.

Best Organic Beard Dye

Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye
Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye

If you are looking for a beard dye that checks all the boxes, then this product from Grizzling Mountain should be a priority. This is a semi-permanent dye that lasts for up to a week. Thanks to its formula, you don’t have to be worried about harmful chemicals sinking into your skin. Even more, it works well with coarse hair. 

This dye boasts of a unique organic base that provides varying shades of natural colors. It smells like fresh vegetables. It contains herbs and plants, such as Indigo, Henna, False Daisy, and Neem tree. These are ingredients of a plant-based dye and they won’t irritate your skin.

The formula is easy to apply to your beards. It is drip-free, so having a mess after an application is highly unlikely. The mixture stays on the beards easily. Simply apply the dye and let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse off with water. It is vegan-based, so you don’t have to do a full-soap rinse.

The product comes with a dye and a base. You can mix it, or apply them separately—apply the base on your beards and let it sit, then wait for about 20 minutes later before applying the dye. Men with resistant and coarse beards are fond of this dye because of its organic base. This enhances the longevity of the dye.

Some users notice a purple or green tint after application, and that’s normal as it oxidizes overnight. The natural oxidation process produces a fine result without putting your health at risk. You would get the desired color the next morning. Like most at-home dyes, the smell can be a bit overwhelming before a shower. Overall, it is one of the best beard dyes for black men.

What I Like

It is a plant-based dye that contains herbs and plants
Hypoallergenic: having little likelihood of causing allergies
Its natural oxidation process produces pleasant colors
Has a variety of color shades

What Can Improve

Smells like vegetables during application
Takes a couple of hours to give a vibrant, natural color
A bit expensive

Final Verdict

I’d always pick a plant-based dye over a chemical-based one anytime. The price and quality of the Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye make it a good buy. There’s a lot to love about this at-home coloring option: drip-free and easy to use, just to mention a few.

Want the best mascara for black men’s beards? The Formula X of Blackbeard for Men gives you that if not more.

Best Mascara for Men’s Beard

Blackbeard Dye for Men
Blackbeard for Men

This formula is created in such a way that it appears as if your beard multiplied. It makes your mustache and beard appealing as it gives a boost to length and volume. The mascara can serve as a temporary dye for your beard. 

Blackbeard for Men won’t leave you with a clump as it goes smoothly on the beards. It makes your mustache and beard look naturally darker. There are three colors available: brown, dark brown, and black. This might not be the best beard dye for black men, but it can surely serve as one when you need it. 

If you have a salt-and-pepper beard, you can apply the mascara carefully to retain the black-and-white nature. The product will give you the desired look with its non-toxic and allergy-free formula. Your beard will surely retain its color all day. Another good thing about Blackbeard for Men is that it doesn’t sacrifice quality.

You can use it daily, apply it at the start of the day, and wash it off at the day’s end. Ensure there are no excesses before using the brush on your mustache. The excess formula on the brush can result in dark blotches. Moreover, a tissue can be used to remove the streaks.

Additionally, Blackbeard waterproof mascara for beards is smudge-proof. And like most mascara out there, men can use it on their brows too. If you apply other products to your beards, Blackbeard should come last in your beard grooming routine. Also, it’s best to avoid beard products that can affect the mascara’s adhesion.

What I Like

Provides versatility in physical appearance
Great for men with a thinning or patchy beard
Easy to apply and rinse off

What Can Improve

Not suitable for very thick beards
Last for only a day

Final Verdict

With the aid of Blackbeard mascara, you can tweak your beard color to suit your taste. This instant brush-on beard color mascara saves you the time that would have been spent mixing a dye. It is suitable for sensitive skin as it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals.

The Bigen EZ is made for black men with specific needs. While most beard dyes provide different colors, this one specializes in giving a vibrant black beard.

If you want to cover your gray hair, use this and get no stains. This is the best beard dye to get a natural-looking black beard.

This product contains olive oil and aloe vera extracts. You can use the dye on your mustache and beard without any worries. For best results, wash the beard with warm water and a color-protective shampoo before application. 

It is cheaper than most dyes and comes in large tubes. The tubes are thick and won’t drip down your face when applied. It also comes with a cream colorant, an application comb, and a brush. The brush has an intuitive design that ensures accuracy. You don’t have to mix the product. Follow the instructions it came with, it is straightforward.

Budget-conscious buyers like this product. Guess why. It is affordable! You can close the tubes after use, unlike some products that are discarded after one use. Depending on the units available, they are usually really dark. That said, some defective units of this dye may result in chemical burns. 

The dye lasts for a couple of weeks. Although it fades after some time, it’s definitely worth it. You can swim and not worry about the dye trimming the pool black. 

Unlike some other formulas, the dye is free from ammonia and contains a very low amount of peroxide. The scent is also not offensive, and neither does it linger. 

What I Like

Comes with a comprehensive beard grooming kit
Contains natural ingredients, such as olive oil and aloe extract
Gives natural dark colors: Dark brown, Brown Black, and Jet Black
Drip-free and no mixing required

What Can Improve

Contains traces of chemicals, which means it’s not chemical-free
Perhaps it results in some reactions in some skin types

Final Verdict

This is a chemical dye that doesn’t contain ammonia. Hence, if you have sensitive skin, there’s no cause for alarm. The Bigen EZ contains a cream developer, a colorant, and an application tomb. Surprisingly, this is one of the most affordable beard dyes.

Just for Men is one of the most popular beard dyes. Interestingly, the ladies don’t think it is just for men, some use it on their brows.

Best Dye for Salt and Pepper Beard

Just For Men Mustache & Beard Dye
Just for Men Moustache & Beard Dye

It is a wonderful choice for men who want their beards to appear darker. The step-by-step instructions that come with the product prevent you from making any mistakes. 

Just for Men dye contains coconut oil, aloe, and biotin. The formula is creamy and won’t cause any stains. You just have to be careful not to get the formula in your fingers. There are also a number of shades available. 

The product comes with a brush, mixing tray, color base, and natural color developer. That’s not all, a pair of gloves is added to the product boxes. It takes only a few minutes to mix and then another 5 minutes to dry before you wash off. 

You don’t have to do anything special to your beard before you apply this dye. It is suitable for most beard types. It produces vibrant, natural colors. When you wash your hair, it shines even more. That’s one reason why it made it to our list of best beard dyes for black men. 

What I Like

Works well on coarse facial hair
This is a brush-on gel that works in 5 minutes
The dye contains aloe, biotin, and coconut oil, making it good for hair growth
It doesn’t contain ammonia

What Can Improve

Defective products may result in chemical burns
Not recommendable for people with allergies

Final Verdict

Just For Men Beard Dye is one that has been a good companion to black brethren for years now. The dye is ammonia-free and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals. It is made from natural herbs and plants that will nourish your beard.

Godefroy Tint Kit is the ideal option for anyone who wants a permanent black dye for beard, mustaches, and sideburns.

Best for Coloring Small Areas

Godefroy Hair Color Tint Kit
Godefroy Tint Kit for Beard

The formula is creamy and easy to apply to various hair types. If you want a vibrant color, then this is one product you should consider. It is good for covering gray hair and doing touch-ups.

The product comes with a large mixing dish, 20 color capsules, a 2-in-1 brush, a comb applicator, a precision application brush, a color developer, and a small mixing dish. The color capsules are already pre-measured, so no worries about the quantity you need to apply. I really like that.

Another interesting thing about the dye is how it easily blends with your beard color. Thanks to its well-selected ingredients, it doesn’t contain ammonia. Have sensitive skin? Relax, this is gentle on the skin and amazingly drip-free. 

The beard dye provides coverage to even the darkest beard tones. There are no hassles with this formula. When left for an extended period, you’d likely not experience any discomfort. You can just wash it off whenever you like. 

What I Like

Blends with natural hair color
Creamy, easy to apply, and smells nice
The pre-measured capsules reduce waste
Can last for more than a month
Produces realistic colors

What Can Improve

Takes a bit longer to apply than a brush-on dye
Can react with some other hair types

Final Verdict

The ease of use and superb quality are two outstanding features of the Godefroy beard dye. You don’t have to make a huge investment in your beard grooming to get this dye. It is affordable and produces fine results. 

I’ll update this post continually to share my current top picks with you. Now let’s consider some incredibly useful ways to identify a good beard dye.

Features of a Good Beard Dye for Black-Skinned Men

African American man rocking a good beard dye

The fact is, you shouldn’t be in a rush to get a beard dye, here are important features to look out for.

Ingredients

The content of a beard dye has a direct impact on its effectiveness, and reaction to sensitive skin, coarse hair, and so on.

No matter how thick you think your skin is, even as black men, beard products with harsh chemicals aren’t good for us. And if you’ve got sensitive skin you should definitely avoid ammonia. Prolonged use of dyes containing ammonia can result in skin reactions and burns.  

There are chemicals found in some dyes that could dry out your hair or even damage it. That’s why it is important to check what beard dye contains. If you get a chemical dye, it should contain conditioning agents. This can help counter the side effects of the chemicals.

On the other hand, plant-based dyes may contain Henna, Indigo, blackcurrant, etc. The best beard dye for black men often contains herb and plant derivatives. There is also hypoallergenic beard dye for those who have sensitive skin. They have ingredients that won’t irritate your skin.

Temporary or Permanent 

When getting a dye, another thing to consider is how long you want it to last. It’s common to see semi-permanent dye last for a week, and some a month. A temporary dye, like mascara for a beard, can last till the next time you have a shower. 

Generally, how long a beard dye lasts depends on how often you wash the beard. Well, quality also plays a vital role. Many low-quality dyes are either too offensive or too temporary.  

In our experience, a long-lasting dye with vibrant colors is preferable. You don’t have to apply it every day. However, it is simply a matter of personal preference.

If you intend to try out a couple of beard dyes while searching for the one that works for you, go for the temporary dye. Or maybe you just want to get rid of gray hair, if so a permanent dye is the right call. At times, permanent dyes look more natural after washing a couple of times. 

Remember, no dye lasts forever.

Color

Depending on how you want your beard to look, there are beard dyes of different colors. When picking a dye, one with a high-quality color should be a priority.

For the plant-based options, you’ll find the Henna orange dyes and the Indigo blue dyes. A beard dye with a combination of these two will give bright brown to black colors. 

For chemical dyes, you’ll also see the ones with bright colors. A good rule of thumb when picking dyes is to get one that won’t fade easily. Also, brighter colors tend to be more obvious than darker colors. 

It is usually best to use a color with a shade similar to your beard, it makes it unnoticeable. For black men with darker hair, a lighter tone of black is okay. 

Bleeding

At times, beard dyes may bleed a little when it doesn’t get to your beard shaft. While some may not bleed so much, others could bleed more. This is a factor you should consider when you want to dye your beards. It is often best to get a dye that is drip-free and bleeds as little as possible. 

Ease of Use

Personally, most of the dyes (especially at-home beard dyes) I’ve used had a simple guide. The instructions that come with them are usually easy to understand. And as your skill levels improve you wouldn’t need a guide.

How to Apply a Beard Dye

Now you know the beard dye to get. How then do you apply them? Are there things you need to do? Well, you don’t want to end up looking like Joaquin Phoenix in Joker. Here are steps to take when applying beard dye.

1. Test for Skin Compatibility

You can conduct a patch test to determine if the dye is compatible with your skin. First, apply a small portion in an area with sensitive skin. It could be below your ear or your forearm. 

Simply leave the dye on that region and then wash it off a day later. If the dye isn’t good for you, you will notice inflammation or redness after washing it off. Otherwise, it is ready for use. 

2. Prep Your Beard

Before applying the dye, you have to get your beard ready. You can do this by washing with shampoo. A shampoo rich in vitamins is would do a good job. Ensure your beard is dry before using the dye. 

In addition, you can style your beard by trimming or lining it up before the application of a dye. If you must, you’ve got to use good clippers. Rub natural oils on surrounding areas to prevent stains.

3. Apply Some Dye

Always try to cover the entire beard area with some dye, unless you have a salt-and-pepper beard. Try to use a brush to evenly distribute the dye to the hair roots without getting stains. It’s usually not difficult when you follow the guide. 

A dye’s guide often states how long you should let it sit. It’s normally between 10 to 40 minutes. Afterward, you can simply rinse off excesses. With organic dyes, you can rinse with water. On the contrary, chemical dyes require soap. With that in mind, ensure to use just the right quantity. 

The Bottom Line

So far, we’ve reviewed some great waterproof dyes for beards. The Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye won a place in our beards. If you are looking for black men’s beard dye, this product will satisfy those needs. Even for folks with sensitive skin, its hypoallergenic formula is skin-friendly. No irritations, no chemical burns. 

To get a good dye, you must take into consideration the dye’s color, ingredients, bleeding, gentleness, ease of use, and how long it lasts. We’ve put in the work for you. If you need a daily alternative, the mascara for beards looks very natural. And you can easily use shampoo to wash it off. 

If you’re using a beard dye for the first time, it might take a bit of a learning curve. But really, it’s quite easy to apply. The more you use it, the easier it gets. We’ve provided you with the best yet as well as how to apply them, and that counts. So once you start receiving compliments for your good-looking beard, don’t forget your grooming plug.

About the Author

Dante Morton

Grooming Professional

Dante Morton is a grooming professional and fashion expert. He has a jovial personality and a passion for skincare, as well as styling the hair and beards of black men. Before joining GroomHour, Dante worked with several big players in the beauty industry. Join Dante and several monthly readers on GroomHour.com, and enrich your lifestyle with reliable grooming resources.