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Has your hair been through the wringer throughout the pandemic? You may have gone months and months without knowing when you’d be able to book in with your hair colorist, which resulted in feelings of helplessness and frustration and not wanting to look in the mirror for extended periods of time.
Luckily for those who dye their hair on the regular, the best color depositing conditioners have become a revolutionary product for quick at-home fixes. While the average hair conditioner works to strengthen and nourish the hair, a color depositing conditioner transfers color pigments to it.
Even better, color depositing conditioners are only semi-permanent and act as a way to brighten and reinvigorate your colour between salon visits. Easy-to-use and potentially lifesaving before your next hot date, the best color depositing conditioners offer you the most efficient method for upkeeping your hairstyle.
How Does a Color Depositing Conditioner Work?
Let’s think about what we know about normal hair conditioners: they work to smooth, defrizz and detangle your hair, as well as fortify and reduce breakage. Impresively, color depositing conditioners do all of those things and add splash of color to your locks.
Another cool thing about using color deposit conditioners is that you don’t have to use them during every single wash. The semi-permanent hair color should last you anywhere from one week to several weeks, depending on how often you wash your hair.
Have you ever wanted blue or pink streaks but find you’re too apprehensive to commit to them? Color deposit conditioners allow you the freedom to play around with vibrant, trendy colors, without the fear of damaging your hair or falling out of love with the hur you choose.
How to Choose the Best Color Depositing Conditioner for You
Our hair can seem so precious. For a lot of us, it’s a security blanket or it makes us feel beautiful, even when our hair color isn’t looking the best. So when it comes to choosing the best color depositing conditioner for you, there are a few different things to watch out for:
Brand
Some of the best color depositing conditioners provide a boost of color, as well as nourishing, strengthening ingredients to repair damage if you can’t make it to the salon. The products are also targeted towards different hair types, for example, Oribe’s Silverati Conditioner, which is ideal for blondes and those with natural gray hair.
On the other hand, Morrocanoil’s Color Depositing Mask imparts extra moisture to dry scalps and brittle strands, whereas the Keracolor Color+ Clenditioner comes in a mix of natural and super bold shades for those who might not be sure of what they want color-wise.
Price
Price is always something to think about, especially when it comes to maintenance and care. Some of the most affordable color depositing conditioners include the CHI Color Illuminate Conditioner, which sells for $16.98, and the Kristen Ess Color Depositing Conditioner, which is priced at $14.
Some higher-end options include Overtone’s Coloring Conditioner which sells for $50. Keeping the price difference in mind, the good thing about the luxury hair care brands is that you won’t go through your supply too quickly if you’re looking for a quick blast of color.
Base Color
One thing to keep in mind when you’re thinking of trying out a colour deposit conditioner is your base colour and how it will affect your end result. For example, you should always read the instructions and fine print on every package because when they suggest that your hair will go a vibrant red or even a terracotta colour, it depends on the base colour that it’s working with.
Another great thing about color depositing conditioners is that they expect you have color-treated hair. So in the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re looking to play around with hair that’s been previously dyed or if you want to take the leap with your natural hair.
Staying Power
If you’re going to take the plunge and start using a color deposit conditioner, you want it to last a long time, right? For example, some color deposit conditioners, like the Color Depositing Conditioner from Kristin Ess, suggest that when used on dry hair, you’ll notice bold color pay-off.
Most color depositing conditioners have the potential to last a week or two as well, though it all depends on how often you wash your hair. Long story short, if you want your color to adhere for longer, it might be a good idea to invest in some dry shampoo.
10 Best Color Depositing Conditioners
Do you find yourself continually staring in the mirror at those pesky gray hairs peeking through? Using the best color depositing conditioners can be a great alternative to running to the hairdresser for an expensive treatment before you’re actually due. The dullness will be gone and you may even look as though you just sat in the salon chair for hours.
If you’re ready to try out a product for yourself, let’s dig into the 10 best color depositing conditioners on the market together.
#1 – Sachajuan Silver Conditioner
Why can’t blonde hair stay bright and beautiful for longer and not go brassy in a month? That is the eternal question, but the Sachajuan Silver Conditioner ($33) could be the answer.
If you have blonde highlights, this is one of the best color depositing conditioners to help counteract brassy or golden tones. The silver formula is also vegan-friendly, free from parabens and will help protect against harmful UV rays while it nourishes and strengthens.
#2 – Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask
Does your hair feature several different colours that are growing out or in desperate need of a boost? The Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask ($41) is a heavy-duty color depositing conditioner and mask that works specifically for hair that’s varied in colors and tones.
This once a week treatment has a luxurious creamy texture and works to remove brassy and yellow tones from formerly blonde hair. Plus, it revitalizes and nourishes strands at the same time.
#3 – Keracolor Color+ Clenditioner
The Keracolor Color+ Clenditioner (price unavailable) is a bit of a game-changer. This product comes in over 19 bold colours if you’re looking to have some fun with your dye job.
The Keracolor Color+ Clenditioner acts as a shampoo as well but it doesn’t lather, as it’s made without harsh chemicals. Bonus: this color depositing conditioner also retains your hair’s natural oils and moisture, which is great for naturally dry types.
#4 – CHI Color Illuminate Conditioner
CHI has been a trusted luxury haircare brand for several years, so it’s no wonder why the brand’s Color Illuminate Conditioner ($16.98) is so popular. Available in a vast array of shades from mahogany red to coffee bean, it’s the best color depositing conditioner if you want to play with intensity level.
As CHI instructs, the longer you leave it on your hair, the better the pay off with color payoff will be.
#5 – dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner
Seriously, why did the invention of the color deposit conditioner take so long? The dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner ($37) begs that question.
Appropriate for all hair types and colors, this formula comes in an assortment of shades. It also conditions your hair and brightens the color without stripping it, as it’s free of parabens, sulphates and phthalates.
Plus, depending on how long you leave the conditioner on your hair, it can potentially boost your color for up to 10 shampoos!
#6 – Oribe Silverati Conditioner
If your goal is to get rid of faded blonde strands, check out the Oribe’s Silverati Conditioner ($49). This product helps to rid your man of unsightly brassy tones like other silver conditioners, but it’s also the best color depositing conditioner for those with super white or even gray-toned hair.
Oribe’s signature complex of edelweiss flower, lychee, and watermelon mixed with shea butter and plant protein aids in the color fading and dehydrating process that can occur with color-treated hair.
#7 – Kristin Ess Color Depositing Conditioner
Hairstylist to the stars, Kristen Ess, came out with a hair care line a few years back but her Color Depositing Conditioners ($14) are new to the range. Known to be a cruelty-free brand, you can use this color deposit conditioner on both wet and dry hair.
As mentioned before, applying this product on dry hair results in extreme color pay-off, and the same goes for this conditioner. It also comes in some of the most original tones you can find, including celestial skies (a dark blue-black) and lavender smoke.
#8 – Overtone Coloring Conditioner
The Overtone Colouring Conditioner ($50) has to be one of the best color depositing hair conditioners in terms of color choice because it comes in almost every rainbow tone there is. You can take a risk with sky blue, royal purple, or even hot pink!
Made with coconut oil, shea butter and avocado oil, you can use this color deposit conditioner to revitalize dyed hair or to simply try out a little something new. Overtone recommends using this hair treatment on dry hair for the best results.
#9 – Morrocanoil Color Depositing Mask
Is frizzy, faded hair getting you down? The Morrocanoil Color Depositing Mask ($26) could be your ticket to tresses that are healthy and vibrant again. This product comes in seven different shades as well as mini sizes, and it allows you to invigorate your current shade between salon visits.
One of the best features of the Morrocanoil Color Depositing Mask is that it’s deeply moisturizing to correct and repair damage done by conventional dyes. If you bleach your hair, you’ll love the results you get with this mask.
#10 – Celeb Luxury Viral Colorditioner
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It turns out that it’s not just TikTok videos that can go viral – the Celeb Luxury Viral Colorditioner ($35) is one of the best color depositing conditioners for brunettes and blondes. The brand delivers a sweet pastel range for those who want something soft and delicate that’s still playful.
The name of the Luxury Viral Colorditioner says almost everything you need to know about the product, however, the formula also features a bond rebuilder which helps to overhaul dead ends.
Which color depositing conditioners are best for blondes?
Do blondes really have more fun? It depends on who you ask, because the answer might be no if their blonde hair is dull and brassy looking.
If you’re looking to revive golden or white tones that have gone yellowish, check out the Sachajuan Silver Conditioner. Also, the Morrocanoil Colour Depositing Mask in platinum lightens yellow shades while locking in moisture.
Which color depositing conditioners are best for brunettes?
One of the worst hair crises to deal with as a brunette is trying to cover up threads of grey that want to pop through a fresh dye job. The best color depositing conditioners for brown hair work to eradicate those strands, like Overtone’s Color Deposit Conditioner in chocolate brown.
The CHI Color Illuminate Conditioner happens to be super affordable at $17 as well, and it has shades of coffee bean and dark chocolate for brunettes.
Which color depositing conditioners are best for black hair?
For those who have black hair and are looking to stay sleek and dark, trying to keep your colour fresh between sessions can be a challenge. Luckily, there are color depositing conditioners that work miracles on super inky locks.
The dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color & Deep Conditioner comes in black, and the Overtone Rich Black Color Conditioner can get you back to that glossy jet black in just one treatment.
Which color depositing conditioners last the longest?
Nothing is worse than a product that promotes reinvigorated colour, but doesn’t last more than one wash. The best color depositing conditioners can withstand several washes. For example, the Silverati Conditioner from Oribe can last 2 to 5 shampoos.
Final Thoughts
For a lot of people out there, color depositing conditioners can not only save their dye job between appointments, but they can also be a gentle introduction to playing with color. You can go super bold with a wash of lavender or vibrant red one week and if you don’t like it, it can simply be washed out.
In the end, color depositing conditioners are easy-to-use, efficient, and fortifying for your hair.
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