Spinoff: Gray hair &Coloring

OK...so maybe a hairdresser or someone with black (well almost, darkest brown possible ) can help.

I have seen a cple greys,,,not enough YET to have to color.

My question is...when I do need to what should I color my hair?

When I was a teenager I tried blonde highlights--too much of a contrast.

Red turned fruit punch bc I have natural red undertones

And just black was too dark bc although my hair is dark, it isnt really black and I looked washed out,,,

Any pics??? i haven't touched my hair with color since I was a teen experimenting lol TIA