10 Best Esthetician-Approved Color-Depositing Conditioners Of 2024
Keep your glamorous highlighted tresses safe with gentle hair care formulations.
Becky Sturm is a multi hyphenate beauty maven who has been in the salon and spa industry for 30+ years as a hairdresser, esthetician, as well as product development and product expert. After graduating in the HORST/Aveda Institute Advanced Training program in 1985, she went on to do an apprenticeship at The Red Carpet Salons for three years in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and then 1 year at Regis Corporation.
Read full bio of Becky Sturm
Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
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If you have been looking for innovative ways to style your hair, you need to grab the best color depositing conditioner out there, stat. More sophisticated than at-home colors that need careful application, these conditioners contain pigments that subtly enhance your natural hair color and neutralize uneven tones. They have been formulated to be super-easy to apply without the messiness of regular hair dyes.
Whether you’ve got beautiful blonde highlights that are starting to turn brassy or a ravishing red base to which you want to add some fire, these concoctions are the fastest and simplest way of getting it done. In addition to coloring, they’re also used to protect your hair from UV rays and reduce heat damage. Can’t wait to try it out? Pick from our 8 highly recommended options and make every hair day a whole lot brighter! Scroll for detailed reviews.
In This Article
What Is a Color-Depositing Conditioner?
Colored hair requires proper maintenance. Frequent heat styling, sun damage, washing, or simply the passage of time can make your hair color fade. Besides using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, you can use a color-depositing conditioner. If you want to keep your hair color looking vibrant, a color-depositing conditioner will be your saving grace. Color-depositing conditioners contain a small amount of pigment that can amplify the color of your hair and also help to neutralize the unwanted brassy tones that are often found in blonde or naturally gray hair.
A color-depositing conditioner basically helps to dye your hair temporarily. If you are looking for a convenient solution to maintain your beautifully colored tresses, this is the best way. It preserves your light or deep color between salon appointments. Another good thing about color-depositing conditioners is that you can also use them on your natural hair in the shade brown will be your best companion. It can be used to add a temporary color of brown to your hair or to enhance the natural color of the hair. It also covers up grays effectively. However, it is important to note that color-depositing conditioners cannot lighten your hair. They can only alter the pigment in your hair. So, let’s check out the best color-depositing conditioners available in the market right now.
So, let’s check out the best color-depositing conditioners available in the market right now.
10 Best Color-Depositing Conditioners (2024) – Reviews And Buying Guide
1. Best Gentle Formula: Evo Fabuloso Intensifying Conditioner
This color-enhancing conditioner provides instant hair color while nourishing the strands, providing restorative care to the tresses. It conditions the hair, softens, and hydrates it. It is a one-step home color-boosting treatment that extends the life of light blonde to blonde hair colors. It refreshes hair, adds shine, and moisturizes the hair in just 3 minutes. Here is an informative video that gives an insight into the reviewer’s experience and tells you more about the product.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Keeps your hair color fresh
- Requires little product per use
- Gentle formula
Cons
- None
Quick Tip2. Best Scalp Cleanser: Aveda Color Conditioner – Clove
This luxurious color conditioner enriches the warm tones in medium to dark brown or black hair. It contains organically grown cloves that help enhance the warm hues in your brunette hair It cleanses, heals the scalp, and promotes healthier haircare and growth. It also deeply conditions dry and damaged hair ends. The creamy formula leaves your hair softer and manageable.This conditioner is an ideal choice for brown and honey shades, as it has excellent conditioning effects. For more information about the product, check out this video for the tester’s experience after testing the product.
Pros
- Pleasant fragrance
- Adds shine
- Perfect for covering up an uneven ombre
Cons
- None
3. Best Fade-Proof: Joico Color Infuse Red Conditioner
The Joico Color Infuse Red Conditioner is a nourishing formula infused with powerful ingredients. It refreshes red tones and enhances red highlights, improving hair color vibrancy and shine. It is a fade-proof conditioner that works instantly and can be used 2-3 times a week.
Pros
- Fade-proof
- Instant results
- Easy to use
- Paraben-free
- Improves shine
Cons
- Doesn’t deposit much color
Pro Tip Evo Fabuloso Intensifying Conditioner Best Gentle Formula | Aveda Color Conditioner – Clove Best Scalp Cleanser | Joico Color Infuse Red Conditioner Best Fade-Proof | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Normal | All | All |
| Dimensions | 2.36 x 7.87 x 2.36 inches | 3 x 4 x 8.5 inches | 2 x 3.1 x 8.5 inches |
| Weight | 0.6 Ounces | 0.01 Ounces | 8.5 Ounces. |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | - | 357 | - |
| Price | $38 | $42.68 | $24 |
4. Best Cruelty-Free Formula: Celeb Luxury Viral Hybrid Colorditioner – Purple
This intense color conditioner helps maintain your vivid hair color and controls fading for weeks. This conditioner works well on highly lightened, palest blonde, and bleached hair. This color refresh treatment helps maintain your hair color in 2-5 minutes. This plant-based conditioner, whose hydrating formula rebuilds the bonds deep in the core of your hair fibers to give you 3x stronger and silkier, conditioned hair while also eliminating split ends and frizz. You can try out the Purple shade in this range to add a badass vibe to your look. This conditioner is available in 10 beautiful colors.
Pros
- Delivers quick results
- Fade-resistant
- Cruelty-free
- Plant-based
- Damage-free
- Ammonia-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Vegan
- PPD-free
Cons
- Can leave a waxy film on your scalp
- Does not work on virgin hair
5. Best For Hair Nourishment: Keracolor Color + Conditioner – Hot Pink
Color your hair while you cleanse and condition it! This dual-purpose product is designed to infuse color into your hair instantly with every wash. It adds stunning hues and maintains the vibrancy of your hair color without fading. It also adds strength, shine, and softness to your tresses. Its nourishing formula is enriched with keratin complex, coconut oil, shea butter, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil. This color lock conditioner works well on lighter hair. This multipurpose product is available in 19 colors. Try out the shade Hot Pink to channel your inner Barbie!
Pros
- Improves hair texture
- Long-lasting color
- Wide range of colors
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May stain the skin
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 12,075 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
6. Best For Dry Hair: Davines Alchemic Conditioner – Copper
This luxurious color conditioner is ideal for brown and warm red hair. It maintains and enhances the existing red tones in your hair. It also hydrates dry and rough hair. Its formula is infused with direct pigments that deposit color without an activator. It also contains hydrolyzed milk proteins that condition your hair and impart shine and silkiness to it. In addition, it prevents color fading and maintains your vibrant hair longer.
Pros
- Improves hair texture
- Adds shine
- Long-lasting results
- No side effects
Cons
- Slightly expensive
7. Best With Plant-Based Proteins: Four Reasons Color Mask Toning Treatment
The Four Reasons Color Mask Toning Treatment strengthens and nourishes your hair with plant-based proteins and amino acids. The ultimate effect is a brilliant cool pearl blonde tone on healthy hair. This color-enhancing treatment adds a beigey vanilla blonde pigment to light blonde hair, producing a soft neutral blonde tone as a result. The more light-colored your hair is, the stronger the vanilla undertone will be. It works well as a toner for keeping blonde hair bright and preventing yellow or brassy tones from developing. This color shield conditioner preserves the vibrancy of your hair color while also restoring its health. According to reviewers, this product offers amazing color to the strands and is also true to the advertised shades.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Adds shine
- Improves hair texture
Cons
- Slightly expensive
8. Best For Hair Growth: oVertone Coloring Conditioner – Vibrant Purple
This color-depositing conditioner from oVertone in the shade Vibrant Purple is perfect for adding a blue-violet hue to platinum to light blonde hair. The formula is loaded with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil to stimulate hair growth and encourage thicker hair and jojoba oil and avocado oil to prevent breakage. Other moisturizing ingredients, like glycerin and shea butter, offer anti-inflammatory benefits. This pigmented conditioner offers healthy hair and effortless color after every use. It is also available in a wide range of 40 shades.
Pros
- Offers quick results
- Prevents breakage
- Suitable for all hair types and textures
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Ammonia-free
- Artificial dye-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Wide range of shades
Cons
- Expensive
9. Best For Color Balance: CHI Ionic Color Illuminate Conditioner
The CHI Ionic Color Illuminate Conditioner is a color enhancing formula specially formulated for natural light brown color. Just in one step, it offers color balance and preservation. It contains Silk Amino Complex that penetrates the cuticle and deposits color while moisturizing the hair.This vibrant color conditioner maintains salon-fresh color on color-treated or natural hair color. It can be used weekly or more frequently, as desired. Multiple reviewer’s have raved about this product and its salon-quality results.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Can be used as desired
- Effective formula
- Covers grays
Cons
- None
10. Best For Medium Brown Bases : Biolage Colorbalm Color Depositing Conditioner
This color-depositing conditioner in cinnamon canelle shade enhances the look and shine of natural warm brunettes. It conditions hair 10X times more without causing any dryness or damage and works as a gentle detangler. This vegan formula is suitable for all hair types.
Pros
- Vegan
- Ideal for light to medium brown bases
- Easy to use
- Very conditioning
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- The color can be a bit less
Though color-depositing conditioners are convenient for refreshing your hair color, they come with their own set of pros and cons. Check them all out below.
Pros And Cons Of Color-Depositing Conditioners
Pros
- You can use a color-depositing conditioner to refresh and enhance your existing hair color when it starts to fade. With each use, it replenishes the color pigments and helps to maintain your shade between appointments. With the help of these conditioners, you need touch-ups less often and your hair looks freshly colored at all times. It works especially well for colors like red and purple that tend to fade quickly.
- It can be used to get unique hair colors on pre-lightened hair. You can completely change your hair color or just slightly tint your hair, depending on your preference. It is perfect for anyone who does not want a permanent change in their hair color. You can also mix it with a regular conditioner to create soft pastel shades.
- It eliminates brassy and yellow tones from bleached or blonde hair. The pigments present in these conditioners help to combat the dullness and unwanted warm tones that can appear in between salon appointments. If your base hair color is darker, it still works to cancel out unwanted undertones as well.
- It helps to enhance the shine and porosity of your hair. Most of these conditioners are enriched with nourishing ingredients that make your hair look healthier and shinier.
Cons
- The results of most color-depositing conditioners are only noticeable on hair that has been bleached.
- Not following the instructions properly while using color-depositing conditioners might stain your scalp and the skin around your hairline. This is because the pigments in them can be very intense.
- Some color-depositing conditioners may leave your hair dry. So, it is important to apply and make avail deep conditioner treatments to prevent hair damage.
Color-depositing conditioners are a gentle and effective way to refresh your hair color. But, you need to take certain precautions while using them to get the best results. Let’s have a look at them!
Precautions To Take While Using Color-Depositing Conditioners
- Though color-depositing conditioners are rich in moisturizing agents, hair may need more hydration. This happens because of the sulfates (cleansing chemicals) that are found in shampoo formulas not intended for color-treated hair. To prevent dryness, apply a leave-in conditioner to your wet hair after shampooing with color depositing shampoo, before you add a color-enhancing conditioner. Use one that also offers dandruff treatment to get rid of stubborn flakes and ensure optimum scalp care.
- If you have gotten a Brazilian blowout and keratin treatment, avoid color-depositing conditioner completely.
- Avoid sleeping on light-colored bed sheets after using these products on your hair as they can stain the sheets.
- Apply the conditioner while you are in the shower for maximum control. This will prevent unnecessary staining of clothes or skin.
- Most color-depositing conditioners contain strong pigments. In some cases, it may take only a minute or two to achieve your desired color. So, keep checking the color and what shade your hair has reached every few minutes to wash it off in time.
With the wide variety of color-depositing conditioners to choose from in the market, it can be confusing to pick the best one for your needs. Scroll down to check out the factors you need to consider while choosing the right conditioner for your colored hair.
How To Choose The Right Color-Depositing Conditioner For Your Hair – A Buying Guide
- Choose The Right Color
If you have light hair, the best option is to choose a tint conditioner that will enrich your hair color and neutralize the brassy tones. If you have dar hair, make sure that you choose a color depositing conditioner that explicitly states that it works on dark hair. A toning conditioner with reddish and orange tones is suitable if you already have a cool-toned color in your hair. It is also suitable for people with cooler skin tones.
- Check The Ingredients
Color-depositing conditioners should address your specific hair needs. You can do this by checking the list of ingredients on the packaging. For example, if your hair is fragile and prone to breakage, then it needs some silk protein and a professional-grade formula. If you have dry hair, consider buying a conditioner with nourishing oils and extracts. Always look for color-depositing conditioners that are infused with natural ingredients. This will keep the softness and bounce of your hair intact.
Are you ready to plunge in? In the next section, let’s learn a few tips on how to use color-depositing conditioners.
How To Use Color-Depositing Conditioner
1. Wash Your Hair
Always start the process with freshly washed hair. First, use your shampoo for color treated hair as you normally would in the shower. Then, after washing your hair, take a washcloth or towel and scrunch your hair to get the excess water out of your hair. This is because the pigments in the conditioner won’t bind to your hair if it is drenching wet.
2. Section Your Hair
Divide your hair into manageable sections. Use clips to secure each section of hair. This will make it easier for you to work with your hair.
3. Apply The Conditioner
Grab your favorite color-depositing conditioner and apply it generously to each section of your hair. If you are looking for a pastel finish, you can dilute it with your regular conditioner. Then, use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the conditioner more evenly through your hair. You can also do this with your fingers if you are wearing a pair of gloves.
4. Leave The Product On For Some Time
Leave the conditioner in your hair for at least 5-15 minutes. Check the instructions on the packaging for the recommended duration. Leave it on for as long as it takes to get the desired shade. Set a timer if needed.
5. Rinse Off With Cold Water
Rinse your hair thoroughly using cold water. Make sure that the conditioner has washed off completely. Otherwise, it might leave patchy streaks and uneven color once your hair dries.
6. Style Your Hair
Blow-dry and style your hair how you like it. Make sure you apply a heat protectant before using any heat styling tools to prevent the color from fading.
Note: Before applying a color-depositing conditioner on your hair, make sure you perform a strand test to ensure that the product you are using suits your hair color. It will also give you a better idea about how long you should leave the conditioner on your hair.
Infographic: Color Depositing Conditioners: Benefits & Key Ingredients
Color depositing conditioners offer an effortless, quick, and foolproof way to refresh your hair color. If you are still on the fence about purchasing one, go through the infographic below. It will help you learn about the benefits and the key ingredients in a good color depositing conditioner. Keep scrolling! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Color-depositing conditioners can be beneficial in maintaining your colored strands properly. You can use these conditioners at home and help amplify the color in your tresses within some minutes. The Evo Fabuloso Intensifying Conditioner is user-friendly, nourishing, and imparts shine to the strands, while the Aveda Color Conditioner – Clove cleanses, heals the scalp, and encourages healthier hair growth. The oVertone Coloring Conditioner – Vibrant Purple offers quick results and remains suitable for all hair types and textures. In order to look refreshing, these conditioners can skillfully neutralize the brassier tones that can ruin any look! Moreover, these color-depositing conditioners hydrate and soften the hair while rejuvenating your tresses. The gentle formula in these conditioners can be used to keep your hair colors fresh while properly conditioning the damaged ends of your locks. It is better to choose color-depositing conditioners that add more shine and cover up the tresses that are filled with faded hair color. You can even use these conditioners to enhance the color of your highlights.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal, the author of this article, is a hair care enthusiast. She loves trying out new products and reviewing them for her readers. Her recommendations on the best color-depositing conditioners are based on extensive research. She checked the product specifications and user feedback on different online platforms to shortlist the top-rated products for the list. The ones mentioned in this list are easy to apply and keep your hair color fresh and vibrant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can color-depositing conditioners lighten your hair?
Color-depositing conditioners cannot lighten your hair. Instead, they alter the pigment in your hair for a slightly lighter appearance.
How long should I leave the color-depositing conditioner in my hair?
You should leave a color-depositing conditioner in your hair for at least 5-15 minutes. Check the instructions given on the packaging for the recommended duration.
often should you use color-depositing conditioners?
The frequency of using a color-depositing conditioner depends on the selected product. On average, you can use it every 2-3 weeks.
Does color-depositing conditioner wash out?
Yes, the color you get from using a color-depositing conditioner will wash out after 10-15 shampoos.
Can you make your own color-depositing conditioner?
Yes, you can make your own color-depositing conditioner at home. Simply mix a conditioner with hair dye in a 1:1 ratio. Preferably use a white-colored conditioner. You can also mix hair dye with a deep conditioning mask and apply it once a week for a color boost and deep conditioning treatment at once.
Can I put color-depositing conditioner on dry hair?
Yes, you can apply color-depositing conditioner to dry hair.
Can I put conditioner in hair dye?
Yes, but you can only mix conditioner with semi-permanent hair colors. Permanent hair dyes that need a developer don’t mix well with any conditioner.
Read full bio of Becky Sturm
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