The Best Color-Depositing Conditioners to Boost Hydration, Shine, and Depth
A quick fix for dull hair.
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We’ve all been at the awkward moment halfway between your last hair appointment and your next one where your hair starts to feel a little lackluster. A quick and easy solution to this is something as simple as a color-depositing conditioner. If you’ve never used one before, let us enlighten you into a whole new world.
“Color-depositing conditioners enhance or change the color of your hair while also conditioning it,” says Chase Kusero, celebrity colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care. “They add temporary pigments to your hair, allowing you to refresh your color, neutralize unwanted tones, or experiment with new shades without the commitment of permanent dye.” From removing brassiness similarly to a purple shampoo to enhancing saturation like a hair gloss, there are endless possibilities. Since it’s a conditioner, they also help keep your hair hydrated, shiny, and vibrant. Kusero adds, “color-depositing conditioners can be more effective than shampoos in delivering vibrant, longer-lasting color because they have a longer contact time with the hair and are formulated with conditioning agents that help lock in the pigment.”
When looking for a color-depositing conditioner, you need to consider your hair type, hair color, and goals. Even though it’s not technically permanent, it can be a slippery slope if you end up using a product too pigmented for your desired results. “Color depositing conditioners change the color and the tone or level of your hair color without using an ammonia or peroxide,” explains Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O’Connor Salon in NYC. “This means the cuticle of your hair is never opened. These colors lay on top of your hair strands where traditional color deposits into the cuticle.” Because of this, they all will eventually wash out. Be sure to read the fine print and directions on any product before using it. Look for the range of shades offered, the pigment strength, number of washes it lasts, and for an added bonus, scope out nourishing ingredients like argan oil and keratin to help strengthen the hair.
To find the best color depositing conditioners, we combed the internet for customer reviews, consulted several experts, and tested several formulas. Scroll on to find a color depositing conditioner that bests suits you and your hair goals.
Pros
- Includes nourishing ingredients
- Versatility
Cons
- Some say the intense color is too subtle
- Trial and error process
IGK’s Color Depositing Masks are available in 18 signature shades, offering everything from sheer to vibrant coverage. They are an easy-to-use choice for refreshing and nourishing your color while conditioning your hair. Whether you're looking to maintain your current shade, try a new color, or simply add a touch of vibrancy, this mask can deliver intense pigment when applied to dry hair or provide a subtle color boost when used on damp hair as a conditioner. The color typically lasts through 10 washes, gradually fading each time you shampoo. And the formula is made with squalane, prickly pear cactus, and meadowfoam oil for intense nourishment.
Shades: 18
Key ingredients: Squalane, prickly pear cactus, meadowfoam oil
Size: 6 oz.
IGK rating: 4.5/5
An IGK reviewer says: “I am happy that I found this product. It gives me enough color to my hair that will extend the color. My hair does hold color long and this product gives me about week of the perfect shade.”
Pros
- No parabens, sulfates, sodium chloride,
- Nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Learning curve
- Some complain about the scent
Users are advised to leave this conditioner in from 3-20 minutes, depending on desired saturation levels. The formula is infused with keratin, rose hip oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil for healthier, shiner, silkier hair with each use.
Shades: 20
Key ingredients: keratin, rose hip oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil
Size: 12 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “It's easy to use. It didn't turn my virgin hair orange. I applied It on wet, natural, red, virgin hair for 8 minutes. The smell isn't bad. It left my hair soft and conditioned. I achieved desired results and reapply once a week (or as needed). Highly recommend!”
KERASTASE Blond Absolu Ultra-Violet Purple Hair Mask
Pros
- Smells good
- Reviewers rave about the results
Cons
- Pricey
Rogerio Cavalcante, founder of The Second Floor Salon in NYC recommends Kerastase's Blond Asolu Ultra-Violet mask to brighten and hydrate blonde and highlighted hair shades. It neutralizes brassy undertones and provides impressive nourishment for a more even blonde tone. This product is made for those with lightened, highlighted, and grey hair. The conditioning mask is infused with hyaluronic acid in a creamy, rich, luxe formula.
Shades: 1
Key ingredients: Edelweiss, hyaluronic acid
Size: 6.8 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “This product smells so good and I really liked the results it gave me. It's very easy to use and it brightened my blonde hair nicely. Expensive, but very worth it.”
dpHUE Gloss+
Pros
- Clean ingredients
Cons
- Some say the conditioner lacks hydration
- Reviewers say it's better for lighter hair
dpHUE's Gloss+ is a semi-permanent hair color and conditioner that steers clear of all the harmful ingredients. The deep conditioning base nourishes while the pigment stains the outside of the hair boasting a new shade. It's meant to enhance and deepen your current hair color, not to create dramatic hair color difference. It is easy to apply and smell nice.
Shades: 12
Key ingredients: Vegan pigments
Size: 6.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4/5
An Amazon reviewer says:“The use of this product has resulted in a notable but subtle change in my hair color from primarily gray with some light brown to more light brown with some gray. I use about a quarter-sized blob of the product twice a week after I have washed my hair. This product not only softens and moisturizes my hair, it also colors it in a very subtle way. I highly recommend the product.”
Pros
- Clean Beauty
- Nice smell
- Soft and shiny results
Cons
- Many shades are not suitable for darker hair
- Some reviewers want more drastic results
Maria Nila's Color Refresh comes in 15 different shades from fun statement colors like pink and blue to subtle correctors. If you're looking to try out a true pastel like dusty pink, consider using the white formula first as a base. Each shade comes via a nourishing color bomb mask to hydrate while altering the pigment. The white formula allows room to play around and customize shades. The possibilities in this collection are endless.
Shades: 15
Key ingredient: Argan oil
Size: 10.1 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “It totally toned down the horrible yellow I had in my hair after coloring. I didn't want to damage more by recoloring and this filled that gap. It smells really good too and left my hair very soft.”
Olaplex No. 5P Blonde Enhancer Toning Purple Conditioner
Pros
- Noticeable results
- Cult-following
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Some say it can leave a purple tint after wash out
- Some say it does not hydrate coarse, curly hair
Olaplex's bond building toning conditioner is a professional grade for blonde, lightened, and grey hair. It removes brassiness while also nourishing and repairing damaged hair. It's a cult-worthy brand made with the brand's signature bond-building formula, shea butter, and pigmentation. - Locks in root-to-tip brightness and tone- It's weightless, softening and detangling with an outcome of strong, healthy, neutralized hair.
Shades: 1
Key ingredients: Shea butter, micro pigments
Size: 8.5 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.7/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “Love this! The purple color correction in this conditioner is really strong so a little goes a long ways. It is great for someone with bleach damaged hair, it has really helped to strengthen and repair my hair. Definitely worth trying if you’re a blonde & love other Olaplex products.”
Pros
- Smells nice
Cons
- Some say the line is missing dark hair options
This color depositing deep conditioning mask is formulated with nourishing ingredients to lock in hydration and shine next to a vibrant boost. It's formulated with their signature Argan, which gives antioxidant benefits while simultaneously supporting the natural hair repair processes, an amino acid blend which hydrates, nurtures, and detangles, and apricot kernel oil to soften both the hair and scalp.
Shades: 10
Key ingredients: Argan oil, apricot kernel oil
Size: 6.7 oz.
Sephora rating: 3.6/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I just got this to keep my toned hair the same shade between salon visits. I love it. My hair was super soft and glossy after using, and the color is perfect for me. Took my chocolate colored hair to a slightly cooler, darker espresso. I’m very pleased.”
Celeb Luxury Intense Color Depositing Color Conditioner
Pros
- Clean hair color (no chemicals)
- Bondfix deep conditioning treatment
- Vegan and cruelty free
Cons
- Rinsing out may create a mess
- Some say it stains hands
Just 2-5 minutes of this for a few days, or 20 minutes on dry hair will transform your hair into a vibrant magenta or bold blue. Choose from 21 intense color variations and continue to repeat the process for bolder results. Full intensity will show on pre lightened hair, while dark hill naturally will show less intense color. All Celeb Luxury products also contain bond rebuilder to strengthen hair.
Shades: 21
Key ingredient: bond-building technology
Size: 8.25 oz
Amazon rating: 4.7/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “All in all 5 stars! I have type c black hair so for this product, I absolutely love the scalp conditioning and how it just keep my color vibrant between salon visits. It is worth each and every penny. Follow directions on the back and you will not have a problem.”
amika Bust Your Brass Repair Hair Mask
Pros
- Smells nice
- Clean ingredients
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Intense pigment to wash out
- Pricey
This moisturizing and toning mask will bring brighter, healthier hair, said to be “eight times more conditioned, two times stronger, with 56 percent less breakage.” It's an ultra rich treatment where a little goes a long way, justifying the price point. It contains plant butters, quinoa protein, and ultra-violet pigments. After just one use, you'll notice that your hair is less prone to breakage far more neutralized.
Shades: 1
Key ingredients: Plant butters, quinoa protein, and ultra-violet pigments
Size: 8 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “The best purple product to have. All other purple shampoos dry your hair. The purple conditioners give you color but not enough moisture. This mask, has become a staple in my shower. I tone with this weekly. You can trust this and try for yourself.”
Meet the Experts
Rogerio Cavalcante is founder of The Second Floor Salon in NYC.
Chase Kusero is a Celebrity Colorist and Co-Founder of IGK Hair Care.
Tiffanie Richards is Master Colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon in NYC.
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Vanessa Powell is an LA-based fashion editor and stylist turned wellness guru that tests countless products to curate informative shopping guides in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle space.
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