dark brown is as good as black thats what I did, mum wouldnt let me dye my hair black and she was right to do so cuz I looked ill enough with my hair dark brown but its very striking if you have a pale complexion. bit of free advice. dont go for a permanent colour get semi permanent when it fades it'll fade alot quicker and you wont have such servere drawn out colour and if you dont like it you wont have to put up with it or have it cut out.