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The Best Color Conditioners of 2024

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Written by Ashley Neese
Best Color Conditioner

One of the downsides of dyeing your hair is watching the color wash out little by little every time you shampoo. Some colors are more noticeable than others (like reds or vibrant neon colors), but all hair dyes fade more and more after every wash. Color conditioners are color-depositing dyes and conditioners combined– allowing your hair to stay moisturized and nourished but with a refreshed color! Color conditioners contain no ammonia or peroxide and only serve to replace dye pigmentation that comes out of your hair after washing it. We reviewed the best color conditioners, and our favorite is the Keracolor Clenditioner (color + cleanse + condition) because of its variety of colors, great pigmentation restoration, and keratin-infused formula.

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Buying Guide: Color Conditioners

Hair is an asset that has the power to make or break your overall appearance. But, we all have different hair color types and textures, and the products that might be best for some people may not necessarily be suitable for you. With the sheer amount of color conditioner brands available on the market, it can be intimidating (and sometimes downright scary) to make a choice. After all, you want to invest in a color conditioner that won’t damage your hair (I want that for you too) —right? Thankfully, there's no need to worry. We’ll guide you through the entire buying process to make sure you know what to look out for!

Why Do You Need Color Conditioner?

Having the same hair color all the time can be boring. Even if you love your natural hair color, with time it is bound to lose its glossiness and become dull. Many people suffer from graying hair which makes them look older than their actual age. All these problems can take a toll on your self-confidence and stress you out.

A good color conditioner solves all these problems by giving your hair the look you want. It restores natural shine and gives your locks a vibrant color. Meanwhile, for chemically treated hair, using a color conditioner in between salon appointments can increase the longevity of your new hair color.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Color Conditioner

Final Result

It is very important to keep the result you desire in mind while going through the process of buying a color conditioner. The result may depend on our individual hair goals. For instance, do you want to completely dye your hair, or just enhance the existing color? Do you want to add shine or neutralize the warmth? Once you have these questions answered, you can start to look for a color conditioner that promises your desired outcomes.

Most color conditioners contain semi-permanent dyes, so if you want to dye your hair completely, then it’s better to chemically alter your hair before buying a conditioner. This is because most conditioners don’t include ammonia or strong dyes. That being said, if you want to add longevity to your pre-colored hair and enhance its appearance, then a color conditioner may be the best choice. Always make sure to patch test the color conditioner on a strand of hair before applying it fully to ensure the desired result.

Closest Shade

No matter which brand you're opting for, it's always better to choose a shade closest to your natural hair color (or the color you’ve dyed it to). Keep in mind that color conditioners are meant to enhance your existing look and give it a natural finish. They seldom lighten hair or alter texture because they do not contain the strong ingredients that are included in permanent hair dyes. As a result, picking a color conditioner that closely matches your existing shade will increase its vibrancy and shine.

Ingredients

The ingredients of your chosen color conditioner must address your underlying hair care needs. Always read the ingredients at the back of the bottle before making your purchase. If your hair is prone to breakage and has weak roots, it’s better to buy a color conditioner that contains protein extracts, as it will help minimize breakage and increase strength.

Similarly, if your hair is dry and dull, a color conditioner with nourishing oils is a must. This is because the conditioner will moisturize your hair and enhance its overall softness. In general, though, it is highly recommended that you use a color conditioner with natural ingredients — it will lead to softer, bouncier hair.

Reviewing the Best Color Conditioners of 2024

1

Keracolor Color Conditioner

Pros

  • Increases longevity of hair color
  • Makes hair feel softer
  • Available in a range of colors

Cons

  • May not cover up grays completely
If you are a hair enthusiast and love to experiment with different styles and colors, then this product is for you. Apply it after freshly dying your hair to increase the vibrancy and longevity of the color. Even better, Keracolor’s Clenditioner color conditioner is lather-free and is designed to infuse color into your hair after every wash. It adds vibrant hues to your hair and brightens up the color in between salon appointments. For your convenience, this color conditioner comes in a pump, which makes it extremely easy to use. Just apply a generous dollop of the conditioner to your hair and massage it thoroughly. Once the product is evenly distributed, rinse it out. Because of its variety of vibrant colors and high-quality, lather-free formula, we’ve picked this color conditioner as the overall best.
2

Overtone Color Conditioner

Pros

  • Safe to use
  • Available in various shades
  • Works on all hair types and textures

Cons

  • Doesn’t guarantee gray hair coverage
Whether you have curly, straight, coarse, or silky hair, this color conditioner works on all hair types and textures. Available in a range of different shades, Overtone semi-permanent color conditioner provides an easy and safe way to attain a lovely color with vibrant hues. When it comes to hair, we all want ours to look the best that it can. That said, few of us are willing to take the risk in the fear of the damage it may ensue. If you share the same sentiments, then worry not! This color conditioner does not contain bleach or ammonia developers. So, instead of lightening or lifting your natural hair color, the overtone color conditioner only enhances its natural look.
3

Celeb Luxury Color Conditioner

Pros

  • Cruelty-free, vegan formula
  • Quick to use
  • Available in an array of shades

Cons

  • Pricier than other products
Infused with a bond rebuilder, this color conditioner provides a vivid color while maintaining and refreshing your hair at the same time. It not only moisturizes, but also repairs your hair from the damage done by previous exposures. Imagine preparing for a party, your hair is dull and messy, but there is no time for a salon appointment. Scary isn’t it? No need to fret, because Celeb Luxury Colorwash color conditioner has got you covered! Just apply this product to wet hair for two to five minutes, rinse it off, and voila, your hair is ready to conquer the day.
4

No Fade Fresh Color Conditioner

Pros

  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Maintains longevity of hair color
  • Helps recondition the hair

Cons

  • Only suitable for chemically treated hair
Fancy salon-styled hair color every day? Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Not anymore! With No Fade Fresh color conditioner, you can achieve your hair goals at home. Chemically treated hair often needs frequent salon appointments to keep the color looking fresh, but his color conditioner takes the step out of the equation. This is because it can be applied in between color applications to maintain the freshness of hair color. Apart from giving your hair the desired look, this color conditioner also comes with bond repair technology which minimizes breakage and heals hair inside-out. Best of all, this product isn’t only good for you, but is also kind to the planet. Completely vegan and paraben-free, this conditioner does not contain any harmful ingredients and guarantees a smooth, safe hair-coloring experience.
5

dpHUE Color Conditioner

Pros

  • Long-lasting formula
  • Ammonia and paraben-free
  • Leave a glossy finish

Cons

  • Some dislike its after smell
This color conditioner from dpHUE comes in a range of 11 different shades to choose from. It restores shine and color while nurturing your natural hair at the same time. Now you can become your own hair colorist by treating your hair at home in between those tiring salon visits. Instead of permanently dyeing the hair, this color conditioner is semi-permanent and gives your hair a temporary tint, maintaining its natural look. Even more, this color conditioner actually enhances your hair’s natural color while giving it a healthy shine and glossy finish. It stains your hair with safe, vegan pigment, leaving behind soft and healthy locks to show the world.
6

Biolage Color Conditioner

Pros

  • Extremely moisturizing
  • Very pigmented color deposits
  • Great for all hair types

Cons

  • Limited color range

One thing is abundantly clear when you massage the Biolage Color Conditioner into your hair: moisture reigns supreme. It's like giving your hair a tall glass of water. After each use, it hydrates even the thirstiest strands, leaving your hair feeling rejuvenated and silky smooth. Its highly pigmented color deposits breathe new life into dyed hair that needs a refresh and is suitable for all hair types. It’s also fast-acting, promising visible results in just 5 minutes.  It has a somewhat restricted color range; however, the available shades are undoubtedly stunning! This conditioner's vegan formulation means no furry friends were harmed in the quest for gorgeous hair.

People Also Ask

  • Q: What is a color conditioner?

    A:Color conditioner is a hair product designed to refresh hair color; it’s a hydrating conditioner that also contains hair dye color pigments.

  • Q: Will color conditioner cover my gray hair?

    A:Since color conditioners are made of semi-permanent dyes, they do not fully cover gray hair. That being said, they do help with blending gray hair into other colors which is useful for touch-ups between salon appointments.

  • Q: Can all hair types use color conditioners?

    A:Yes, most color conditioners are formulated to work on all hair types, including straight, curly, wavy, thick, and fine hair. The biggest decision is choosing a color conditioner with the exact pigmentation you'd like.

  • Q: Can I mix color conditioners with other hair products?

    A:It's best to use color conditioner as directed to achieve the desired results. Mixing it with other hair products may dilute its effectiveness or alter its performance.

  • Q: How long does the color from the color conditioner last?

    A:The longevity of color from a color conditioner depends on various factors, such as hair porosity, color intensity, and how often you wash your hair in general. However, you can expect the color to last through several washes before gradually fading.

Why trust Us

At Us Weekly, we aim to inform readers to make smart purchasing decisions, saving you both time and money. Our editors are obsessed with finding products in a variety of categories from fashion and beauty, to home and fitness.

We try various products, so we can recommend our favorites, and we also summarize feedback and data from other customers. Data, like product reviews and ratings, helps us recommend the best product choices for individual price points and needs.

On top of that, we highlight unique product features for special use cases, ingredients preferences, and more. We strive to make sure you are discovering new products that can make your life easier, while keeping you up to date with the best product choices for types of items you already know and love.

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