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Whether you want to make your natural hair color look richer or stain your hair with an unnatural shade, the best color-depositing shampoos can help. These products alter the color of your hair without the need to use harsh chemical dyes.
Color-Depositing Shampoos: A Summary
People used to have to choose between uniquely-colored hair or healthy hair, but color-depositing shampoo has leveled the playing field. These options give you vivid locks while keeping your hair strong and shiny.
If you’re curious to try color-depositing shampoo, you’ll want to start with these top seven picks. They’re the best available and provide different options depending on your hair care needs.
Our Top Picks for the Best Color-Depositing Shampoo:
- Best Overall: oVertone
- Best for Moisturizing: Pure Blends Hydrating Color-Depositing Shampoo
- Best for Vibrant Colors:Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash
- Best for Natural Colors:Four Reasons Color Mask
- Best for Metallic Colors:Tressa Watercolors Intense Metallic Shampoo
- Best for Healthy Hair: Punky Color 3-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
- Best for Dry Shampoo:Keracolor Color Me Clean
With so many choices available, you might not know what you’re looking for in a color-depositing shampoo. Read on to find out why these products are the best we’ve found.
Why You Need a Color-Depositing Shampoo
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Color-depositing shampoos revitalize your hair between salon visits. For example, you can add an auburn hueto brown hair with a red color-depositing shampoo or elevate your blonde hair to “bronde” for fall with a brown shampoo.
These shampoos are healthier than using harmful bleach treatments. You can add more color and try other hues without damaging your locks.This shampoo maintains your shade without requiring expensive professional treatmentif you have dyed hair.
Best Color-Depositing Shampoo: Our Top 7 Picks
Whether you want to enhance your natural color, try something unique, or moisturize your previously-treated hair, there’s something for everyone. Here are our top picks for the best color-depositing shampoos.
1. oVertone
Best Overall
oVertone Haircare Semi-Permanent Color
Pros:
- Healthy alternative to harsh chemical dyes
- Has sample sizes to let you try different hues
- Offers a line of colors for dark brown hair
Cons:
- Expensive product
- Colors hair quickly, so you might get an intense hue
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oVertone is a quality brand that offers rich, saturated colors like purple, pink, blue, green, red, silver, brown, and black. You can buy a kit to transform your hair color or choose products for ongoing color maintenance.
Though oVertone is expensive, it dramatically affects your hair color. The shade sets fast, so you can leave it on for five minutes and have a rich hue. This intensity means the product will last a long time.
Read Next: Does oVertone Cover Gray Hair? and How Long Does oVertone Last?
2. Pure Blends Color-Depositing Shampoo
Best for Moisturizing
Pure Blends Color-Depositing Shampoo
Pros:
- All-natural ingredients
- Effective
- Helpful shade selector
Cons:
- Doesn't change much on darker hair
- Works best on already-dyed hair
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Pure Blends Hydrating color-depositing Shampoo comes in nine colors, including natural shades of red, brown, and blonde, plus violet and yellow.
The shampoo uses keratin, collagen, and coconut oil to add moisture to your hair with each use. Pure Blends includes a shade selector online to choose the right hue for your current color.
3. Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash
Best for Vibrant Colors
Pros:
- Keeps your color vibrant with repeated use
- Stains darker hair for a vivid tint
- Plant-based ingredients for a vegan product
Cons:
- Expensive product
- Watery texture is more likely to stain your shower
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Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash comes in every shade imaginable. You can choose natural colors like black, brown, blonde, amber, and champagne. If you want to try something intense, check out their offerings of pinks, purples, reds, blues, and teals.
If you’re blonde or previously dyed your hair an unnatural color, Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash enriches the color and adds shine. It keeps your hair soft and healthy and eliminates the need to re-dye it often.
4. Four Reasons Color Mask
Best for Natural Colors
Pros:
- Plant-based proteins nourish your hair
- Semi-permanent, lasting longer than many options
- Add vibrancy and shine to any hair
Cons:
- Doesn't make a difference on darker hair
- Gets too vibrant if you leave it on for more than five minutes
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Four Reasons Color Mask comes in over 20 shades, but the most popular are bronze, brown, pearl blonde, platinum, red, and rose gold. These colors illuminate your highlights to freshen your look.
Since this shampoo is semi-permanent, it lasts longer than many products on the list. You can also mix and match the colors to create a custom shade.
5. Tressa Watercolors Intense Metallic Shampoo
Best for Metallic Colors
Tressa Watercolors Intense Metallic Shampoo
Pros:
- Offers both natural and metallic colors
- Comes in dozens of different shades
- Very affordable option
Cons:
- Doesn't always deliver the promised color
- Can negatively impact salon colors
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Tressa Watercolors shampoos keep your hair healthy and enrich your existing color. If you’re using the product for a new shade, you get a temporary color for several washes.
You can choose natural colors, like brown, black, blonde, and red. These shades and the jewel tones come in regular and metallic finishes.
6. Punky Color 3-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Best for Healthy Hair
Punky Color 3-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Pros:
- Shampoo revitalizes your color
- Conditioner keeps your hair soft and shiny
- Most affordable option on the list
Cons:
- Users report it may stain skin
- Drips and makes a mess on your surroundings
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Punky Color is one of the most vibrant color-depositing shampoos that keeps your hair healthy in a single product. Lather the product like shampoo to revitalize your dyed hair or add a tint of color to untreated hair.
The product contains vitamin B and shea butter to condition your hair with each use. You’ll have vivid hair that’s shiny and healthy with each wash. Choose from shades of purple, pink, blue, red, and green.
7. Keracolor Color Me Clean
Best for Dry Shampoo
Pros:
- Add color without getting your hair wet
- Sprays on for a simple application
- Darken the shade by keeping the nozzle close to your hair
Cons:
- Doesn't saturate as strongly as liquid shampoo
- Washes out in your next shower
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Keracolor Color Me Clean is a temporary solution to revitalize your hair color between washings. You don’t have to get your hair wet to brighten the color.
You can change the intensity of the color by putting the nozzle close to your hair or holding it farther away. There’s no need to worry if you get too much because the color will wash out in your next shower.
Finding the Best Color-Depositing Shampoo
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When shopping for color-depositing shampoo, there are a few things to consider. Understanding how these factors impact your final results ensures you buy the right shampoo.
Current Hair Color
Consider your current hair color when you’re shopping for color-depositing shampoo. Many colors only look vibrant on light hair, while some brands have unique formulas for brown and dark hair.
If you’re not going to bleach or lighten your dark hair, you’ll want to find a formula that results in vivid color on darker strands. Check existing samples or customer photos on the brand’s review page so you have a clear picture of what to expect.
Desired Hair Color
Think about your desired results. Do you want vibrant red hair or just a hint of auburn? If you have bleached or silver hair, you might want a shampoo that eliminates yellow undertones.
You can use color-depositing shampoos that enhance your natural color or give you a jewel tone. Knowing your desired outcome helps you choose the right color-depositing shampoo.
If you’re not sure what hair color would look best on you, take our short quiz! Just answer a few questions and we’ll tell you a few colors that we think would be flattering to you. It’s a fun quiz!
Frequency of Use
Many products recommend daily use to keep your color vivid. Others say you shouldn’t use it more than two or three times a week to keep the right tone. Using it too often could enhance the color more than you intended.
Some color-depositing shampoos leave color in for a couple of weeks, while others fade in the next wash. If you buy a semi-permanent shampoo, follow the instructions to make it last longerso you don’t end up with the wrong shade or damage your hair.
Price
Price plays a huge part in finding the color-depositing shampoo that’s right for you. You don’t want to blow your budget on a product that might not deliver your ideal results. You also don’t want to pay a lot of money for a shampoo you need to use daily for the best color because the expense will quickly add up.
Consider the cost of each shampoo reviewed. You might love the color of one option but realize it’s too expensive for your tastes. If you shop around, you can find the right color-depositing shampoo at your ideal price.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You’ve learned about the best color-depositing shampoos. If you need more information, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.
What’s the best color-depositing shampoo?
The best color-depositing shampoo is Overtone because there are plenty of shades available. You can also buy special formulas for dark hair. The product gives you vibrant color in less than 20 minutes and keeps your hair healthy and smooth.
Does color-depositing shampoo work?
Yes, most color-depositing shampoos work on various hair types. They’re especially great for lighter hair because the shades show up vibrantly. However, many brands offer treatments for dark hair colors that stain the strands with a beautiful hue.
What’s better, color-depositing shampoo or conditioner?
Color-depositing shampoo is better than conditioner because it has more pigment. Since conditioner smooths hair, keeping the pigment on your strands long enough to allow the color to saturate can be tricky.
Do you use color-depositing shampoo on wet or dry hair?
You can apply color-depositing shampoo on dry hair and let it sit for ten minutes to allow the color to saturate your strands. You can wash your hair with more color-depositing shampoo when you get in the shower to add vibrancy.
How long does color-depositing shampoo last?
Color-depositing shampoo can last anywhere from a few washes to several weeks, depending on the brand and strength of the color. Many people use shampoo twice a week to keep the colors vibrant.
The Best Color-Depositing Shampoo: Final Thoughts
We belive oVertone is the best color-depositing shampoo because it has vibrant light and dark hues. The colors last for several washes before you need to reapply it, so one tub of the product gives you vivid hair for months. However, there are 6 other products on this list worth considering. Happy shampooing!
FAQs
What shampoo changes your hair color? ›
Color-depositing shampoo is essentially an in-shower treatment that tints or tones your hair with pigments. They can either neutralize unwanted tones, enhance your natural color, brighten dyed hair, or deposit a temporary bold hue, like purple, pink, or blue.
What is better color depositing shampoo or conditioner? ›According to Hazan, who works with Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Jessica Simpson, favors color-depositing shampoos for reviving color. “Shampoos seem to have more pigment and can deliver better results,” she says. “Conditioner can sometimes have too much slip and don't deposit very much color.”
Does color depositing shampoo work on gray hair? ›Color Boost Black Color Depositing Shampoo is a specially formulated hair color shampoo that will cleanse your hair, while also adding temporary Black Color to help cover Grey Hair!
Does color depositing shampoo work on brown hair? ›If you have dark hair
In fact, there are many color-depositing shampoo formulas that are specifically made to enhance the already deep color, as well as tone the hair, especially if you're looking to neutralize any unwanted warmth or brassiness from highlights and/or coloring.
- GK Hair Moisturizing Color Protection Shampoo. ...
- Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure pH 4.5 Color Freeze Sulfate Free Micellar Shampoo. ...
- L'Oreal Paris Colour Protect Shampoo. ...
- Matrix Biolage Colorlast Color Protecting Shampoo. ...
- Wella Professionals INVIGO Color Brilliance Shampoo With Lime Caviar.
No-Ammonia formula:
No-ammonia hair colour doesn't sting or cause skin irritation. And you needn't tolerate the overwhelming pungent smell associated with ammonia. This makes Godrej Expert Easy Shampoo Hair Colour a safe option to do hair colour at home.
Apply to damp hair and distribute evenly with a wide tooth comb. Allow to remain in the hair for 20 minutes, shampoo, rinse and style as usual. Or you can use to touch up or tone down between coloring by adding 1 packette or 40 drops to 8 oz.
How often should I use color depositing shampoo? ›Use the duo up to three times a week when you notice unwanted brassiness. If you aren't blonde, other toning shampoo options include green shampoo (for red tones) and blue shampoo (for brassy brown hair).
How long do you leave in color depositing shampoo? ›Work a generous amount into the hair from scalp to ends, making sure the product thoroughly saturates the hair. Depending on the degree of color depositing desired, 3-IN-1 may be left on for 3 to 5 minutes. Longer than 10 minutes will deliver maximum color deposit. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
What colour covers grey hair best? ›Colors like butterscotch, light auburn and golden brown, or ash brown for those with a cool skin tone, are all versatile brunette shades that aren't too dark and are some of the best hair colors to hide gray.
What shampoo stops gray hair? ›
Introducing Reminex Anti Gray Hair Shampoo and Conditioner. Our incredible Proprietary Formula is designed to slow down the process of greying hairs, making you instantly look younger.
What color enhances gray hair the best? ›Neutral shades like soft blonde, mushroom brown, light copper, and caramel blonde balayage are the easiest to blend gray into (and maintain over time without wanting to shave your hair off).
Is there a shampoo that Colours your hair? ›A colour-depositing shampoo is a great option for refreshing your hair colour at home. While DIY colouring kits can be a great option for refreshing your hair colour at home, they're not for everyone. Which is where colour-depositing shampoos can come in.
What shampoo and conditioner is best for dyed brown hair? ›Enter blue shampoo. Similar to purple shampoos, which keep blonde hair bright, blue shampoos are specifically designed to color-correct dyed brunette hair, says Paul Cucinello, celebrity stylist and founder of Cucinello Studio NYC.
What happens if you use purple shampoo on brown hair? ›Purple shampoo works the same way to eliminate brassiness on brown hair as it does on blonde. It helps to prevent color fade, while emphasizing shine, keeping brown hair vibrant and rich. Using purple shampoo on brown hair regularly will take out any unwanted warm tones in your strands.
What shampoo do hair stylists use? ›- Pureology Hydrate Shampoo. 10 Reviews. ...
- Matrix Biolage Color Last Shampoo. 16 Reviews. ...
- Redken Volume Injection Shampoo. 1 Review. ...
- Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo. 5 Reviews. ...
- Redken All Soft Shampoo. ...
- Matrix Biolage Volumebloom Shampoo. ...
- Redken Extreme Shampoo. ...
- Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo.
- Revlon.
- Arctic Fox.
- BBlunt.
- L'Oreal Paris.
- Pravana.
- Matrix.
- Garnier.
- Streax.
Avoid shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and sodium chloride. Sulfate in shampoo can cause hair color to fade. You will find many well-known brand shampoos that contain sulfates. The purpose of adding sulfate as an ingredient in the shampoo is for deep cleansing your hair.
Do color protecting shampoos really work? ›Not only do color-safe shampoos work to preserve your dye job, but they also help mask any damage by making strands feel softer and smoother, too.
What should you avoid in shampoo for color-treated hair? ›What ingredients should you avoid if you have color-treated hair? The most important part of caring for color-treated hair involves avoiding the following ingredients, as shared by pro colorist Richy Kandasamy: sulfates (SLS or SLES), parabens, sodium chloride, and petrochemicals.
How long does a color changing shampoo last? ›
These products both contain color but they have totally different applications. Punky Colour is a semi-permanent color that lasts 20-30 shampoos; Punky Colour 3n1 is a color refreshing shampoo conditioner that is used to refresh color not replace it. It fades with several washings with regular shampoo.
What changes your hair color naturally? ›Changes in age, nutrition, temperature, sun exposure and various other factors can cause our bodies to change the amounts or types of hormones we make. The genes for making melanin might turn on or off over a lifetime, causing your hair color to change. Some animals change their hair color twice a year!
What shampoo ingredients strip hair colour? ›The two common not-so-good (and super bubbly) sulfates are sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate. That's because they can totally strip your hair of moisture and nutrients, causing your hair to become brittle—and brittle hair equals color fade.
Can shampoo make your hair darker? ›The name itself is self-explanatory: hair-darkening shampoos help your hair achieve a darker color. This happens because of ingredients that stain or deposit a darker color on light or graying hair. What is this? Unlike permanent hair dyes, these shampoos are usually formulated with natural ingredients.
Should you use color shampoo everyday? ›Shampoo Your Color-Treated Hair Less Frequently
To retain those natural oils that help condition your color-treated hair, shampoo just two or three times per week, and never more than every other day. This will help your color last longer and help maintain health in your colored hair.
Gray hair poses some unique challenges. It's coarser than your natural hair, and gray hair follicles make less oil, making it drier as well. This makes it harder for color to penetrate, so you may have to leave it on longer, which can cause more damage.
Should you go darker or lighter with hair color as you age? ›'As we lose pigment in our hair, we also lose it in our skin' she explains. 'It's a gradual process, so our hair colour should reflect this. ' Basically, as your skin tone lightens with age, so should your hair colour.
What foods can change your hair color? ›- Carrot juice. Try carrot juice if you want to give your hair a reddish-orange tint. ...
- Beet juice. ...
- Henna. ...
- Lemon juice. ...
- Coffee. ...
- Sage. ...
- Chamomile tea.
Hair color change.
With aging, the follicles make less melanin, and this causes gray hair. Graying often begins in the 30s. Scalp hair often starts graying at the temples and extends to the top of the scalp. Hair color becomes lighter, eventually turning white.
The actual purpose of the Dawn dish soap is to clean utensils and remove grease from them. However, this soap can also remove dandruff, grease, and oil from your hair. The dish soap also acts as a mild bleach and can remove or lighten hair color on your hair.
What shampoos to avoid for colored hair? ›
Avoid shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and sodium chloride. Sulfate in shampoo can cause hair color to fade. You will find many well-known brand shampoos that contain sulfates. The purpose of adding sulfate as an ingredient in the shampoo is for deep cleansing your hair.
Does vinegar help strip hair color? ›Many people use vinegar as a scalp cleanser, but it can also remove hair dye, so use caution if that's not your intent. If it is, you can mix white vinegar with warm water and apply it to your hair to remove hair color. Allow it to sit for ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse.
What shampoo makes GREY hair darker? ›Grisi Organogal Shampoo| Darkening Shampoo with Cactus Extract, Darkening Hair Product for Gray Hair; 13.5 Fl Ounces.
What naturally darkens hair? ›Coffee works great if you're looking to go darker, cover gray hairs, or add dimension to dark tresses. Simply brew a strong coffee (espresso works well), let it cool, and then mix one cup with a couple cups of leave-in conditioner and 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds.
What to do when hair is turning grey? ›- Don't pluck your grays! ...
- Use purple-based shampoos. ...
- Splurge on a new showerhead. ...
- Camouflage your grays with demi-permanent hair color. ...
- Hide grays in plain sight with highlights. ...
- 6. … or with lowlights. ...
- Go for an ombré ...
- Get the right cut.