The 13 Best Color-Depositing Conditioners of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Hair Type: Natural, color-treated hair | Size: 6.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

True to its name, this hybrid formula imparts high shine and tons of smoothing and softening benefits. It comes in 12 natural-looking colors, including plenty of options for blondes, brunettes, and redheads. It can also be used to refresh allover color, as well as to tone highlights or lowlights. Plus, it’s a simple application that doesn’t require mixing—just apply directly to your hair—however we recommend using gloves to prevent staining your hands. Our tester used the light brown shade and didn’t notice a drastic change to her hair color, though her hair looked smoother and healthier.

Katy, tester with 2A hair: “The hair gloss definitely made my hair look and feel healthier. It added a nice shine and hydrated texture after using.”

Hair Type: Normal, color-treated, blonde hair | Size: 10.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A favorite of Team Byrdie, 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 15 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.

Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly, coily | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. The oat milk works to soothe and create a soft texture, while the camellia oil (a great hair oil for blondes) nourishes hair. Our tester loved how it gave her salon-like shine at home.

Katherine, tester with 2A hair: “Immediately after applying, my hair felt softer and had just the right amount of shine to it. Normally after washing and conditioning my hair, it feels and looks dull. I have only ever noticed shine like this after treatments at the salon. I do think this product helped to hydrate my hair, mainly noticed at the ends.”

Hair Type: All hair types | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Blondes may have more fun, but bleaching hair can lead to damage as well as unwanted brassy tones. To tone down yellow and orange tones, use a purple-toned mask like this. “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. In addition to the violent pigments, this mask features hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower to hydrate and nourish chemically-treated hair. Byrdie’s News and Deals editor Jordan Julian has been using this mask for years to keep her bleached hair icy cool and healthy.

Jordan Julian, News and Deals editor: “I immediately noticed a difference in my hair texture as I was rinsing it—it was so soft that my brush glided effortlessly through the tangles, as if I had used a deep conditioning treatment. The increased softness was noticeable after drying my hair, too, as well as a lightweight, voluminous look and feel.”

Hair Type: Brown hair | Size: 6.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While it can be harder to notice a difference in color in rich brown hair, Byrdie writer Iman Balagam was impressed with how shiny and softer this conditioner left her hair. The glaze comes in four brunette shades as well as three shades to enhance highlights. It’s not just the color that’ll improve, the babassu oil in the formula will help soften your locks. Another benefit? The effects will last for up to 10 washes.

Iman Balagam, Byrdie writer with curly, color-treated hair: “Glaze’s Super Gloss exceeded my expectations, especially because it’s more affordable than other hair gloss options that I’ve tried in the past. Not only does my hair appear shinier, but it feels much softer, even after a few washes.”

Hair Type: Brown and black hair | Size: 8.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It may not seem like dark brown or black hair is prone to color-changing issues, but it is. Meet this option from Davines, which is 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.

Hair Type: All | Size: 12.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: N/A

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 coarser.

Hair Type: All (best for redheads, though) | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. Joico’s option brings out the red hues (users said they could extend the time between salon visits) and lasts up to 12 washes. Red pigments and green tea extract mix in the formula to produce vibrancy and color protection.

Hair Type: All | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This well-known color-depositing conditioner comes in—wait for it—30+ shades. Yes, you have basic brown options, but there’s also a large variety of on-trend hues (thin: teal and magenta). Also nice: There are many colors specially formulated for 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.

Hair Type: Dry, colored hair | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Not only does this multitasking formula deposit semi-permanent color and condition but it also gently cleanses. The pigment lasts several 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, too. This three-in-one product will color, cleanse, and condition your hair so you can extend the time between salon visits—making your hair look great and saving money.

Hair Type: Colored, bleached, highlighted hair | Size: 8.45 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Buriti oil, almond oil, and shea butter give this mask its luscious consistency—it’s a fantastic choice for anyone with hair that needs a little extra TLC and a color refresh at the same time. It comes in different shades, all of which are specially formulated to reduce color fading. This product will make your existing color look refreshed and richer, hopefully extending the time between salon visits.

Beth, tester with 2A hair: “The gloss made my hair feel slightly softer with a bit more shine. After air-drying, I noticed that it was a bit less frizzy and also appeared a bit less brassy.”

Hair Type: Depends on the shade you choose | Size: 7.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 large and mini sizes, which is a great choice if you 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 coloring. FYI, it’s meant to be applied on towel-dried hair and left on for three minutes before rinsing.

Hair Type: Normal | Size: 8.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sometimes, when a product produces rich colors, it’s easy to forget that its job is to condition the hair, too. Well, not with this product. It deepens and darkens a wide range of brunette shades in the most natural way possible, leaving hair extra soft and smooth. Your hair will look and feel incredible, thanks to primrose oil and cocoa extract. There’s a version for redheads, too.