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Getting a dark brown box dye right is less about choosing the deepest-looking swatch and more about matching the shade to your starting color, gray coverage needs, and tolerance for permanent hair color. Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Crème 40 Dark Brown (Dark Chocolate) is designed to give you a neutral, natural-looking dark brown while covering gray hair. Its strongest points are dependable gray coverage, a non-drip crème formula, and a five-oil after-color conditioner. The main limitation is that this is a permanent oxidative dye, so it is not the right choice if you specifically want an ammonia-free formula or need to lighten hair that has already been dyed very dark.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8/10, Recommended with caveats
Best For: You want a neutral permanent dark brown, reliable gray coverage, and an at-home kit with conditioning aftercare.
Bottom Line: Shade 40 is a practical choice when you want rich dark brown coverage without strong red or ash tones. Its conditioning system is a useful advantage, but the formula contains standard permanent-dye ingredients and requires careful allergy testing and shade selection.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Garnier |
| Line | Nutrisse Ultra Crème |
| Shade | 40 Dark Brown (Dark Chocolate) |
| Product Type | Permanent at-home hair color |
| Color Tone | Neutral dark chocolate brown with no added red or ash reflects |
| Gray Coverage | Up to 100% gray coverage |
| Formula | Non-drip crème with ColorBoost technology |
| Conditioning Oils | Avocado, olive, coconut, argan, and shea oils in the conditioning system |
| Package | 1 hair-color kit |
| Kit Components | Color crème, crème developer, fruit oil ampoule, after-color conditioner, and instructions |
| Best Starting Color | Natural light brown through black |
| Hair Texture | Designed for all hair textures |
| Important Safety Note | Requires a skin allergy test 48 hours before every use |
What Is Garnier Nutrisse 40 Dark Brown?
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Crème 40 Dark Brown, also called Dark Chocolate, is a permanent box hair color made for a neutral dark brown result. Garnier positions shade 40 one level lighter than its 30 Darkest Brown shade, so it is useful when you want deep brunette color without moving all the way to near-black.
The formula uses Garnier’s ColorBoost technology for permanent color and gray coverage. The kit also includes a fruit oil ampoule that goes into the color mixture and a silicone-free after-color conditioner containing avocado, olive, coconut, argan, and shea oils.
This is not an ammonia-free permanent color. The nourishing color crème contains ammonium hydroxide, and the complete system also contains permanent-dye ingredients that require you to follow the allergy and application warnings on the package.
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Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- You want a neutral dark chocolate brown without obvious red or ash tones.
- You need strong permanent coverage for visible gray roots or scattered gray hair.
- You want an at-home crème color with conditioning oils included for post-color care.
Skip If
- Your hair is already permanently colored shade 30 Darkest Brown or darker and you expect shade 40 to lighten it.
- You specifically need an ammonia-free hair color.
- You have previously reacted to permanent hair dyes or develop a reaction during the required allergy test.
Before You Buy: Permanent hair color cannot reliably lighten hair that has already been dyed darker. Garnier specifically advises against using shade 40 to lighten hair previously colored with shade 30 Darkest Brown or darker.
Color and Gray Coverage
Shade 40 is designed to produce a pure, neutral dark brown. That makes it different from dark brunette shades that deliberately add mahogany, chestnut, burgundy, golden, or cool ash tones. If your goal is a straightforward dark chocolate result, the neutral profile is one of this shade’s biggest strengths.
Garnier states that Nutrisse shade 40 provides 100% gray coverage. For visible gray roots, the directions emphasize saturating the roots first before moving through the lengths and ends. Resistant gray areas need full, even saturation and the processing time stated in the instruction leaflet.
Your starting color still matters. On natural hair between light brown and black, shade 40 is within Garnier’s recommended range. The final result can look different depending on your natural pigment, existing color, percentage of gray, hair porosity, and previous chemical treatments.
Five-Oil Conditioning System
The conditioning side of Nutrisse is more substantial than a simple color-only kit. Garnier uses a fruit oil ampoule in the color mixture and provides an after-color conditioner enriched with avocado, olive, coconut, argan, and shea oils.
These ingredients are there to help reduce the dry feel that can follow permanent coloring and improve softness and shine after rinsing. They do not make permanent dye damage-free, but they give you a built-in conditioning step that can make the finished result feel smoother.
The after-color conditioner is silicone-free according to Garnier. You should use it after thoroughly rinsing the dye instead of substituting your normal shampoo or conditioner during the coloring process.
Non-Drip Crème and Ease of Application
The Nutrisse formula has a non-drip crème texture designed to spread through different hair textures. This can make section-by-section application easier than a very thin liquid formula, particularly when you are concentrating color around gray roots, temples, and your hairline.
The original version of this review recommended a mixing bowl, but that is not the standard Garnier method for this kit. The color crème and fruit oil ampoule are added to the developer bottle, then mixed according to the package directions.
Pro Tip: Divide your dry, unwashed hair into manageable sections before mixing the dye. Once the mixture is prepared, you can focus on complete root saturation instead of stopping to separate tangled sections.
How to Apply Nutrisse Dark Brown Correctly
Always read the current instruction sheet supplied with your kit because formulations and timing directions can change. Garnier also requires a skin allergy test 48 hours before every application, even if you have previously used hair dye without a reaction.
- Complete the allergy test. Do it 48 hours before coloring and follow the test directions supplied with the product.
- Start with dry, unwashed hair. Prepare your workspace, protect clothing and nearby surfaces, and put on the supplied protective gloves.
- Prepare the mixture. Add the nourishing color crème to the developer as directed, then add the fruit oil ampoule and mix thoroughly.
- Apply according to your situation. For gray coverage, concentrate on the roots first and saturate resistant areas carefully before moving through the lengths and ends.
- Follow the exact processing time. Do not guess or leave permanent dye on longer than the package allows.
- Rinse thoroughly. Continue rinsing as directed, then use the included after-color conditioner.
Garnier recommends having two boxes available if your hair extends past your shoulders or is especially thick. Running out halfway through application can leave you with uneven saturation and an inconsistent result.
How It Performs in Real Use
For First-Time All-Over Color
Shade 40 makes the most sense when your natural color sits within Garnier’s light-brown-to-black recommendation and you want a uniform neutral brunette result. Work methodically through sections so the roots, mid-lengths, and ends receive adequate coverage according to the instructions.
For Gray Roots
Gray coverage is one of the main reasons to choose Nutrisse 40. Concentrating the mixture on new growth first gives resistant gray strands the exposure intended by the manufacturer’s application method. Pay particular attention to areas where your gray is most concentrated.
For Root Touch-Ups
When you are maintaining an existing shade 40 result, focus on new growth according to the touch-up directions rather than repeatedly processing every inch of previously colored hair for the full application time. This can help reduce unnecessary repeated chemical exposure on the lengths.
For Long or Thick Hair
Coverage becomes harder when one kit cannot fully saturate your hair. Garnier advises using two boxes for hair past shoulder length or very thick hair, which is a practical consideration before you start mixing the first kit.
Ingredients and Safety: What You Should Know
Nutrisse 40 is a permanent oxidative hair dye. The verified ingredient information includes ammonium hydroxide in the color crème and hydrogen peroxide in the developer. Garnier also provides an allergy warning for phenylenediamines, commonly called PPD, plus resorcinol and hydrogen peroxide.
That makes the 48-hour allergy test an essential part of using the product, not an optional precaution. Do not use the dye on eyelashes or eyebrows, and stop if the package-directed allergy test causes a reaction. Follow the manufacturer’s warnings for scalp condition, previous reactions, age restrictions, and other contraindications.
Garnier states that its products are approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny program. The current Amazon listing also describes this Nutrisse variant as vegan and cruelty-free.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, medical guidance is more appropriate than relying on a product review for a personal safety decision. Current medical guidance generally considers normal hair-dye use during pregnancy low risk, but you should still follow all package precautions and discuss individual concerns with your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Neutral dark chocolate tone without deliberate red or ash reflects.
- Designed to provide 100% gray coverage.
- Non-drip crème helps with controlled root-to-length application.
- Includes a fruit oil ampoule and five-oil after-color conditioner.
- Suitable for all hair textures within the recommended shade range.
Cons
- Not an ammonia-free formula.
- Cannot reliably lighten hair that has already been permanently colored very dark.
- Permanent-dye ingredients require a 48-hour allergy test and careful instruction following.
Is It Worth the Price?
Garnier Nutrisse 40 is positioned as a value-focused at-home permanent color rather than a salon service. You get the permanent color system, developer, oil ampoule, after-color conditioner, and gray-coverage capability in one kit, which makes it practical for routine home coloring.
You get the most value if neutral dark brown is already close to your intended result and you need regular gray coverage. The value is weaker if you are trying to correct a complicated previous dye job, make a major color change, or lighten hair that has already been colored darker.
For those cases, paying for professional color correction may make more sense than repeatedly applying another box dye and hoping for a different result.
How It Compares to Alternatives
If you like Garnier but specifically want an ammonia-free permanent dark brown, Garnier Olia 4.0 Dark Brown is the more relevant product to compare. If shade 40 feels too deep, Nutrisse 50 Medium Natural Brown gives you a lighter neutral-brown direction.
If you want more visible warmth instead of a neutral chocolate result, Garnier Nutrisse 415 Soft Mahogany Dark Brown or 434 Deep Chestnut Brown are better comparisons. Shade 40 makes the most sense when you specifically want a traditional neutral dark brown rather than a red, mahogany, golden, or chestnut effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Garnier Nutrisse 40 cover gray hair?
Yes. Garnier states that shade 40 provides 100% gray coverage. For resistant gray areas, saturate the roots carefully and follow the maximum processing guidance in the instruction sheet when directed.
Is Nutrisse 40 a warm or cool dark brown?
It is a neutral dark chocolate brown. Garnier describes it as a pure natural brown without added red or ash reflects, making it a better fit when you do not want an obviously warm or cool result.
Can I use shade 40 on previously colored hair?
You can use it on some previously colored hair, but your existing shade matters. Garnier specifically does not recommend shade 40 for hair previously colored shade 30 Darkest Brown or darker when your goal is to lighten it because permanent color does not predictably lift previously deposited dark dye.
Is Garnier Nutrisse 40 ammonia-free?
No. The verified ingredient list for shade 40 includes ammonium hydroxide in the nourishing color crème. If avoiding ammonia is a priority, compare an ammonia-free permanent line such as Garnier Olia instead.
Should I wash my hair before applying Nutrisse?
Garnier instructs you to apply Nutrisse to dry, unwashed hair. Follow the current instruction sheet in your box rather than shampooing immediately before application.
Do I need a bowl and brush to mix the dye?
No bowl is required for the standard kit method. Garnier directs you to add the color crème and fruit oil ampoule to the developer bottle, mix as instructed, and apply with the supplied system.
Do I really need an allergy test every time?
Yes. Garnier instructs users to perform a skin allergy test 48 hours before every use, even if they have colored their hair before. Permanent hair-dye sensitivity can develop over time, so previous trouble-free use does not replace the required test.
How many boxes do I need for long or thick hair?
Garnier recommends two boxes for hair that extends past shoulder length or is very thick. Having enough mixture matters because full saturation helps you avoid patchy or uneven coverage.
The Bottom Line
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Crème 40 Dark Brown is a strong choice if you want permanent neutral dark brown color, dependable gray coverage, and conditioning aftercare in an at-home kit. Skip it if you need an ammonia-free formula or expect it to lighten hair that has already been permanently colored very dark.
Its biggest strength is the combination of neutral shade control and gray coverage. Its main tradeoff is the standard permanent-dye chemistry, which makes correct shade selection, application, and the required 48-hour allergy test essential.
