What are color-depositing conditioners?

“ Color-depositing conditioners are conditioning treatments that add shine, enhance the hair’s natural color, or neutralize brassy, unwanted tones,” explains Luza. They do this by adding a pure color tone to the hair, adds Fleming. Like a top coat for your hair color.

How often should you use color-depositing conditioners?

“ The frequency of use depends on the shade, purpose of use, and how often someone washes their hair,” says Fleming, who adds that she typically recommends that people use them every five washes or so. That being said, redheads or newly-colored brunettes may want to increase the frequency in order to prevent fading, she says. Another good rule of thumb: Use one every three shampoos if you want to maintain your color and richness, and every five to seven shampoos if you’re trying to neutralize unwanted tones, Fleming advises. But regardless, these definitely aren’t meant to be an everyday type product.

Do color-depositing conditioners work for all hair types?

Yes, although keep in mind that if your hair is on the finer or more porous side, it could absorb more of the color and appear darker, notes Luza. Similarly, if your hair is damaged or overly-porous, it’s a good idea to combine the color-depositing formula with a reparative (non-colored) conditioner in order to lessen the pigment’s intensity, notes Fleming.

The 13 Best Color-Depositing Conditioners of 2023

If you've gone a while between salon visits or your hair color is simply looking a little lackluster, a color-depositing conditioner offers an incredibly easy, fast, and foolproof way to refresh your hue. This isn’t an at-home color that you have to mix and painstakingly apply yourself (with the potential of goofing up). These are exactly what they sound like—conditioners with pigments that are left behind on your hair for a subtle brightening and color-enhancing effect.

You really can’t mess these up since the color is very minimal and ultimately washes out, and it’s a product that pretty much anyone could use. “Anyone who would like to add shine, enhance their existing color, or cool down yellow or brassy tones can benefit from using a color-depositing conditioner,” says colorist Giselle Luza, founder of Giselle Luza Studio. The point is, they work to combat brassiness in your blonde highlights, enhance your brunette base, or revive your all-over red. Plus, a color-depositing conditioner is also great for experimentation if you want to try a tone without committing to permanent dye. And yes, you use them exactly as you would any other conditioner, simply letting the formula sit on the hair for a few minutes longer to reap the benefits. Swap one out for your usual conditioner a few times per week, or use it whenever your hue needs a little help.

Read on for the best color-depositing conditioners.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Maria Nila Colour Refresh at Amazon

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Best Overall, Runner-Up:

dpHue Gloss+ at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Conditioner at Amazon

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Best Shade Range:

Overtone Coloring Conditioner at Amazon

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Best for Blondes:

Kerastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Mask at Amazon

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Best for Brown Hair:

IGK Mixed Feelings Toning Drops at Amazon

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Best for Black Hair:

Davines Alchemic Conditioner in Chocolate at Amazon

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Best for Redheads:

Biolage ColorBalm Color Depositing Conditioner at Amazon

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Best for Gray Hair:

Hair Biology Silver Conditioner at Hairbiology.us

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Best Multitasker:

Keracolor Color + Clenditioner at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie?

4.2

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Marianila.com

What We Like

Great shade range
Softening formula
Long-lasting results

What We Don’t Like

Difficult to wash out

A favorite of former Byrdie Editorial Director Faith Xue, this pick deposits a soft wash of color onto the hair. It straddles the line between color-depositing conditioner and demi-permanent color, given that the pigment lasts for anywhere from four to 10 washes. The formula is packed with softening argan oil as well as a color guard complex. There are 17 shades to choose from, ranging from more standard options to fun tones like pink and violet if you want to temporarily change up your look.

Price at time of publish: $33

Active Ingredients: Argan oil | Hair Type: Color-treated | Size: 10.1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

dpHue Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner

Dermstore

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Ulta

What We Like

Great shade range
Works on solid color and tones highlights
Adds shine

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

True to its name, this hybrid formula imparts high shine and tons of smoothing and softening benefits. It comes in 11 natural-looking colors, including plenty of options for blondes, brunettes, and redheads. It can also be used to refresh all-over color, as well as to tone highlights or lowlights.

Price at time of publish: $37

Hair Type: Coarse, color-treated, curly, dry, damaged, fine, balanced, oily | Size: 6.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Color Deepening Conditioner

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Very affordable
Great shade range

What We Don’t Like

Can be drying

There admittedly aren’t a ton of color-depositing conditioners to be found at the drugstore, making this pick all the more noteworthy. It deepens and darkens a wide range of brunette shades in the most natural way possible and leaves hair extra soft and smooth. There’s a version for redheads, too.

Price at time of publish: $12

Active Ingredients: Evening primrose oil, cocoa extract | Hair Type: Color-treated, dry | Size: 8.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Overtone.co

What We Like

Great shade range
Specially made for darker hair

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

This well-known color-depositing conditioner comes in—wait for it—40 shades. Yes, you have basic brown options, but there’s also a large variety of on-trend hues (think teal and magenta). Also nice: There are many colors specially formulated to be used on darker hair, which is important since brown hair picks up pigment differently than lighter hair. And per the conditioner part of things, the formula is loaded with hydrating oils—coconut, jojoba, avocado, just to name a few—plus other moisturizers such as glycerin and shea butter.

Price at time of publish: $32

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil | Hair Type: All | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Kerastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Mask

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Protects against damage
Prevents brassiness

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

Blondes may have more fun, but they can also be more prone to color fading and unwanted color changes. Enter the beauty of color-depositing shampoo—more specifically, a purple-toned one like this option. Why purple, you ask? Purple falls opposite yellow on the color wheel (remember that from elementary school art class?), so using this helps to counteract unwanted brassiness. “This is my favorite option for blondes who want to neutralize yellow tones,” says Luza. It’s especially nice to pair with purple shampoos, which can tend to be a little bit drying, she adds.

Price at time of publish: $40

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Hair Type: Lightened, highlighted, blonde | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Brunette Toning Drops

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Fragrancenet.com

What We Like

Customizable
Can be mixed with any conditioner
Offers built-in UV and heat protection

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

“These blue toning drops cancel out orange, brassy tones in brunette hair,” says Luza of another one of her picks. Because they’re meant to be mixed in with your regular conditioner, it’s a great more moisturizing option, and the amount of toning you need can be customized based on how many drops you add, she points out.

Price at time of publish: $29

Active Ingredients: Blueberry extract, artichoke extract | Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly, coily | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Davines Alchemic Conditioner in Chocolate

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Davines.com View On Ecosmetics.com

What We Like

Great shade range
Silicone-free

What We Don’t Like

Can be drying

It may not seem like dark brown or black hair is prone to color-changing issues, but it is. Enter this option, great for intensifying and enhancing these deep shades. And while it’s not as long-lasting as actual hair dye, it's a good way to temporarily camouflage unwanted grays that can be super noticeable on darker hair colors. Plus, it’s free of both silicones and parabens.

Price at time of publish: $35

Active Ingredients: Jojoba oil | Hair Type: Color-treated, brown, black, natural | Size: 8.84 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Biolage ColorBalm Color Depositing Conditioner

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Great shade range
Works quickly

What We Don’t Like

Can stain scalp and hands

Fun fact: Red hair color is the most prone to fading because the dye molecules are larger and more likely to slip out of the hair shaft. Enter the beauty of using a color-depositing conditioner whenever your hue needs a refresh. It comes in two red shades—saffron red and red poppy—and gets the conditioning and coloring job done in just five minutes.

Price at time of publish: $35

Hair Type: All | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Hair Biology

View On Hairbiology.us

What We Like

Improves tone and texture of gray hair
Great value

What We Don’t Like

Only good for gray hair

Those rocking silver hair are prone to the same issues as blondes—namely yellowing and brassiness that can make gray look dull and dingy. Again, a purple-based conditioner is a great option, but this one goes above and beyond the call of duty. Yes, it deposits violet pigments to counteract those discoloration issues, but it’s also specially formulated to address the unique needs of gray hair, which tends to be dryer and more coarse.

Price at time of publish: $10

Active Ingredients: Biotin | Hair Type: Gray | Size: 12.8 ounces

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Multi-purpose formula
Great value
Great shade range

What We Don’t Like

Doesn’t lather

Not only does this multi-tasking formula deposit semi-permanent color and condition, but it also gently cleanses. The pigment lasts anywhere from 10 to 15 washes, and ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, and keratin make the blend equal parts softening and strengthening. It comes in an array of 18 pretty shades.

Price at time of publish: $22

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, keratin | Hair Type: Dry | Size: 12 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Apply this formula onto dry hair for the best results.

Cristophe Robin

View On Sephora View On Christopherobin.com

What We Like

Works on solid color and tones highlights
Silicone-free

What We Don’t Like

Limited shade range

Buriti oil, apricot oil, and shea butter give this mask its luscious consistency—it's an amazing choice for anyone with hair that needs a little extra TLC and a color refresh at the same time. It comes in four shades, including two options for blondes and two for brunettes, all of which are specially formulated to reduce color fading.

Price at time of publish: $53

Active Ingredients: Buriti oil, apricot oil, shea butter | Hair Type: Coats, color-treated, curly, dry, damaged, fine, balanced, oily | Size: 8.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Skinstore.com

What We Like

Works quickly
Great shade range

What We Don’t Like

Must wear gloves when applying it

The eight shades of this color-depositing conditioner really do offer a little something for everyone, ranging from a light beige to cool brown (and everything in between). Also nice: The bottles come in both large and mini sizes, the latter a great choice if you just want to take the product for a test run. And no matter which hue you choose, the formula helps combat frizz and imparts tons of shade. FYI, it’s meant to be applied on towel-dried hair and left on for three minutes before rinsing.

Price at time of publish: $38

Hair Type: Balanced | Size: 7.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Clear Gloss

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta

What We Like

Long-lasting results
Adds shine

What We Don’t Like

Doesn’t have conditioning properties

Yes, we know, this isn’t technically a color-depositing conditioner so much as it is a clear gloss. But if you don’t color your hair but do want some added vibrancy to your natural hue, this formula is amazing. It works on all hair colors (and types and textures) and adds a mirror-like shine that lasts up to eight washes.

Price at time of publish: $35

Active Ingredients: Oat milk, camellia oil | Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly, coily | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

A color-depositing conditioner is one of the fastest (and easiest) ways to refresh your color, no trip to the salon is needed. The Maria Nila Colour Refresh (view at Maria Nila) and dpHue Gloss + Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner (view at Sephora) tie for our overall favorite because of their creamy, hydrating formulas with a nice shade range. Brunettes should consider the affordable John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Color Deepening Conditioner (view at Ulta) or customizable IGK Mixed Feelings Brunette (view at IGK) toning drops which can be mixed in with any conditioner, while the Kerastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Mask (view at Sephora) is a top choice for blondes. Redheads will appreciate the two red shades from Biolage ColorBalm Color Depositing Conditioner (view at Ulta).

Meet the Expert

Giselle Luza is a colorist and the founder of Giselle Luza Studio in New York City.

Kristen Fleming is the color director at Chicago's 3rd Coast Salon.

What to Look for in a Color-Depositing Conditioner

Consider the Final Outcome

“Identify what you’d like to accomplish, then look for the correct product—do you want to neutralize warmth, do you want to enhance your current color, or do you want to add shine?” says Luza. For example, if the goal is to neutralize unwanted tones, you want to choose a shade that’s opposite on the color wheel, adds Kristen Fleming, color director at Chicago’s 3rd Coast Salon. (Think: a violet conditioner to combat unwanted brassiness in a blonde.) On the flip side, if you are trying to enhance an existing shade, you should choose a conditioner that’s the same or desired hue, she adds.

A Shade Close to Your Own

To that point, if you’re simply trying to enhance your shade, don’t venture too far from your natural color, advises Luza. Stick within a shade or two of your natural hue, and keep in mind that these products won’t lighten hair, she adds. A color-depositing conditioner also cannot transform gray hairs. However, if you’re just wanting to conceal the few grays that have sprouted, a shade close to your own can help to blend them in better.

Conditioning Ingredients

It should go without saying, but you want to make sure the formula will still be able to do the conditioning part of things, and not just deposit color. Butters and oils will help hydrate the hair, keeping it soft and shiny, and making the color look even better.

FAQ

What are color-depositing conditioners?

“Color-depositing conditioners are conditioning treatments that add shine, enhance the hair’s natural color, or neutralize brassy, unwanted tones,” explains Luza. They do this by adding a pure color tone to the hair, adds Fleming. Like a top coat for your hair color.
How often should you use color-depositing conditioners?

“The frequency of use depends on the shade, purpose of use, and how often someone washes their hair,” says Fleming, who adds that she typically recommends that people use them every five washes or so. That being said, redheads or newly-colored brunettes may want to increase the frequency in order to prevent fading, she says. Another good rule of thumb: Use one every three shampoos if you want to maintain your color and richness, and every five to seven shampoos if you’re trying to neutralize unwanted tones, Fleming advises. But regardless, these definitely aren’t meant to be an everyday type product.
Do color-depositing conditioners work for all hair types?

Yes, although keep in mind that if your hair is on the finer or more porous side, it could absorb more of the color and appear darker, notes Luza. Similarly, if your hair is damaged or overly-porous, it’s a good idea to combine the color-depositing formula with a reparative (non-colored) conditioner in order to lessen the pigment’s intensity, notes Fleming.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s very particular about the tone of her blonde hair and refrains from using any type of at-home hair color products, so she relied on expert input and consumer review research to come up with the products on this list.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any color-depositing conditioners from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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