When it comes to color-treated hair, there’s nothing better than the day or two post-salon appointment. Your color is fresh, shiny, and perfectly camera-ready. What’s not so great, however, is what happens a few weeks later. Your color slowly starts to fade, your once bright hair appears lackluster, and brass starts to set in.
Luckily, for those of us who need a bit of a hue refresh between scheduling touch-ups, some top hair care brands offer a solution: color depositing conditioner. These hydrating, color-toning, non-committal formulas are a must-have for any color care routine.
Want to learn all about color depositing conditioner? Read on for everything you need to know, including how to find the best color depositing conditioner for your mane.
What is a color depositing conditioner?
Like color depositing shampoos, color depositing conditioners offer many of the same toning benefits. These products contain pigments that brighten, tone, or enhance your current hue while tacking on the extra benefits of hydrating and softening your strands. If you have blonde hair, for example, a purple color depositing conditioner contains violet pigment that can neutralize brass while nourishing your mane.
Not only are they a go-to for refreshing your hair color, but some formulas can also be used to temporarily transform your hue without the commitment of a permanent hair dye. (Note: If you’re using color depositing conditioner to experiment with hair color, the longevity of your hue will depend on the formula you use, the porosity of your hair, and how often you apply the product.)
Does color depositing conditioner wash out?
You can rinse color depositing conditioner from your hair the same you would any other conditioner. After shampooing, apply the formula throughout your hair and let it sit for three to 10 minutes, depending on the intensity you’re after. If you’re wondering how long you should leave color depositing conditioner on your hair, always refer to the directions on the packaging.
Can I put color depositing conditioner on dry hair?
To achieve the best results, most brands recommend applying color depositing conditioner to wet hair immediately after cleansing.
What is the best color depositing conditioner?
If you’re shopping for a color depositing conditioner, you should know that there’s no one “best of” pick that applies to every mane. You should choose a formula that suits your specific needs, whether that’s a brass-busting formula for blondes or one that will give you a temporary color change.
Need a little help deciding? Below, we’ve rounded up 10 of our best color depositing conditioner formulas.
Our Best Color Depositing Conditioners To Try Now
Biolage Professional Cinnamon Color Depositing Conditioner
Create warm, cinnamon tones with this vegan temporary color depositing conditioner.
Biolage ColorBalm Cinnamon Color Depositing Conditioner
Get your spice-inspired color fix without committing to the real thing with Biolage ColorBalm Cinnamon Color Depositing Conditioner. These temporary, color-depositing conditioners work for every hair type and texture (color-treated or not). The vegan, paraben-free formulas provide a temporary wash of color that’s formulated to gradually fade over time, all while leaving your strands hydrated.
Pro tip: Leave the product on your hair for five to 10 minutes, depending on the desired color intensity.
Biolage Professional Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a cool red luster and dimension with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage ColorBalm Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner
Whether you’re looking to add some red tones throughout a dark brunette base or enhance your already fiery hue, you’ll love the Biolage ColorBalm Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner.
Biolage Professional Saffron Red Color Depositing Conditioner
Add bold copper tones to light brown and warm red hair with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage ColorBalm Saffron Red Color Depositing Conditioner
Pick up the Red Poppy shade of Biolage’s ColorBalm Color Depositing Conditioners to quickly create bold copper tones throughout your mane. This formula is ideal if you’re starting out with light brown or warm red hair.
Biolage Professional Lavender Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a temporary violet tone with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage ColorBalm Lavender Color Depositing Conditioner
Best for very light to medium blonde shades, this formula temporarily coats your strands with violet tones while hydrating your hair.
Biolage Professional Earl Grey Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a light silver tone to light bases with this vegan temporary color-depositing conditioner.
Biolage ColorBalm Earl Gray Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a temporary light silver tone to your strands with this color depositing shade.
Biolage Professional Chai Tea Color Depositing Conditioner
Create ashy tones with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage ColorBalm Chai Tea Color Depositing Conditioner
This formula infuses blonde hair with ashy undertones that will gradually fade over time.
Biolage Professional Clear Color Depositing Conditioner
Give your locks a boost of shine with this clear vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage ColorBalm Clear Color Depositing Conditioner
Give any hair color a major shine boost with this clear color depositing conditioner.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair
A purple toning shampoo to prevent brass in blonde hair.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Conditioner for Blonde Hair
A purple, brass-busting conditioner for fragile blonde hair.
Redken Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Conditioner
If there’s one thing blondes need to know, it’s that purple conditioner is just as important as purple shampoo. With it’s purple tint, the Redken Color Extend Blondage Conditioner helps prevent brassiness while detangling and softening your strands. We recommend using it as a complete system with the Color Extend Blondage Shampoo.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Conditioner
A strengthening and toning conditioner for damaged, lightened hair.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo
A sulfate-free strengthening and toning shampoo for damaged, lightened hair.
Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Conditioner
Refresh your blonde while strengthening your mane with this multi-tasking conditioner. The formula fortifies damaged hair while purple orchid toning pigments work to eliminate brassy and yellow undertones. Prior to conditioning, start your routine with the Pureology Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo.
Color Extend Brownlights Conditioner
An essential color-depositing blue conditioner to help tone and get rid of brassiness in highlighted, balayaged, and natural brown hair.
Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo
An essential color-depositing blue shampoo to tone and neutralize brassy orange tones in highlighted, balayaged, or natural brown hair.
Redken Color Extend Brownlights Color Depositing Conditioner
Brunettes deal with brass just as much as their light-haired counterparts—which is why formulas like Redken Color Extend Brownlights Color Depositing Conditioner are a must-have between color touch-ups. This blue toning conditioner deposits the perfect balance of blue pigment with every use to keep brunette shades free of brassy and orange undertones while moisturizing hair. To achieve the best results, pair this conditioner with the matching Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo.
Color Extend Graydiant Conditioner for Gray Hair
A color-depositng conditioner to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo for Gray Hair
A color-depositing shampoo to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
Redken Color Extend Graydient Color Depositing Conditioner
Those with gray and silver hair deal with the same brassiness that blondes do. A color depositing conditioner like Redken Color Extend Graydient Conditioner delivers at-home toning via violet pigments while leaving your mane softer and more manageable. Use after shampooing with the Color Extend Graydient Shampoo once or twice a week.
Searching for more hair products? Shop the best salon-quality products at Hair.com.
Biolage Professional Cinnamon Color Depositing Conditioner
Create warm, cinnamon tones with this vegan temporary color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a cool red luster and dimension with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Chai Tea Color Depositing Conditioner
Create ashy tones with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Saffron Red Color Depositing Conditioner
Add bold copper tones to light brown and warm red hair with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Clear Color Depositing Conditioner
Give your locks a boost of shine with this clear vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Earl Grey Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a light silver tone to light bases with this vegan temporary color-depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Lavender Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a temporary violet tone with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Purple Shampoo for Blonde Hair
A purple toning shampoo to prevent brass in blonde hair.
Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Conditioner for Blonde Hair
A purple, brass-busting conditioner for fragile blonde hair.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Conditioner
A strengthening and toning conditioner for damaged, lightened hair.
Strength Cure Best Blonde Purple Shampoo
A sulfate-free strengthening and toning shampoo for damaged, lightened hair.
Color Extend Brownlights Conditioner
An essential color-depositing blue conditioner to help tone and get rid of brassiness in highlighted, balayaged, and natural brown hair.
Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo
An essential color-depositing blue shampoo to tone and neutralize brassy orange tones in highlighted, balayaged, or natural brown hair.
Color Extend Graydiant Conditioner for Gray Hair
A color-depositng conditioner to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo for Gray Hair
A color-depositing shampoo to tone and nourish gray and silver hair.
