You know bec, I had people know me for a few years and thought I was black or brown on top. Until they saw me stripping paint off a door one day out side a club and another bar taking out the trash. They were shocked to see the sun hit my hair and throw off those bright colors... Of course mine is bottle red, but in dim lights or rooms it looks very much dark and normal. Black hair only goes so light LOL... Without melting!