5 Shades of Black – which pigment for which application?
July, 31st, 2025
As of today, July 31, 2025, our Swiss Color range includes five different black pigment colors. But isn't black just black? Do we really need five different shades? And how did this come about? We give you an insight into the development process – and show you which shades of black are the best choice for which applications.
For further information, please contact us by email at info@swiss-color.com or by phone at +43 5332 56671 .
We look forward to hearing from you!
Your Swiss Color team
2021 – Three new carbon black-based black pigments
In line with the new REACH regulation of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), our entire pigment range has been revised. The goal: fully REACH-compliant colors – including new eyeliner pigments that all use carbon black as their black base pigment: 301 Ultrablack, 302 Jetblack, and 303 Stardust.
Carbon black is an ultra-fine, high-purity carbon pigment with particularly high color saturation. It is used in PMU colors in different particle sizes, which influence color depth, dispersibility, and storage behavior.
2024 – The return of iron oxide black
After high-purity, synthetically processed iron oxide pigments were reintroduced into our range in 2023, 109 Black was launched as one of four inorganic base pigments at the beginning of 2024. Unlike carbon black, iron oxide black has lower opacity and produces a softer black tone. Used pure, it is very subtle, but when mixed with other colors, it scores points for:
- high color stability
- minimal risk of migration
- ideal darkening of eyebrow or eyelid shadow tones
2025 – The deepest black with carbon black dual technology
Standing still is not an option for us. With the aim of achieving even better results, even on challenging skin types such as oily, firm, or heavily pigmented skin, we have continued to develop our products. The result: 304 Deep Black.
Our latest pigment combines two types of carbon black with different particle sizes – for maximum performance in eyeliner pigmentation on demanding skin. The advantages at a glance:
- Easier application
- Denser color deposition
- Maximum color depth – even in the first pass
At a glance Which black for whom?
(swipe left on mobile)
| 109 BLACK | 301 ULTRABLACK | 302 JETBLACK | 303 STARDUST | 304 DEEP BLACK | |
| SKIN TYPE | Blending color for darkening, for long-lasting, easy-to-apply PMU colors | All skin types, especially mature skin & | Not for mature, thin, or atrophic skin | Not for mature, thin, or atrophic skin | Especially for oily skin, combination skin, firm skin, and heavily pigmented skin (Fitz V and VI) |
| PIGMENT | C.I. 77499 | C.I. 77266 | C.I. 77266 | C.I. 77266 | C.I. 77266 Two different Carbon Black pigments in different grain sizes |
| TECHNIQUES | Eyebrows and eyeliner (only as a mixed color) | Basic eyeliner, ideal for initial pigmentation sessions | Eyeliner shading or smokey eye technique | Eyeliner shading techniques, with a subtle stardust effect | Eyeliner with particularly high color saturation |
| CONSISTENCY | Thin consistency | Creamy consistency | Thin consistency | Thin consistency | Rather thin consistency |