10 Best Conditioners For Color Treated Hair: 2023 Reviews & Guide

While many of us know the importance of using a high-quality shampoo for color treated hair, are you following it up with the proper conditioner?

Let’s face it, nobody likes to spend a fortune on their hair at the salon only to have the color fade away within a couple of weeks. If you think it’s unnecessary to invest in a good, cleansing conditioner for color-treated hair, you’re watching your money go down the drain after every wash.

If you’re in a hurry, here’s our recommended conditioners for color treated hair.

 

Best Conditioners for Color Treated Hair

The purpose of the conditioner specifically formulated for color-treated hair is to prolong the color by lessening the amount of dye that comes out after each wash.

At the same time, it should also deliver the same moisturizing benefits as a regular conditioner. Many formulas are also loaded with extra hydrating, smoothing, and softening ingredients to help reverse the damage caused by your color treatment or bleach.

So, if extending your hair’s color and vibrancy sounds appealing, then you’re in the right place. We’ve sought out the top 10 best conditioners for color treated hair in 2023 and reviewed them for you. This complete guide contains everything from vegan and anti-brassiness to color depositing conditioners and more.

1. BiolageColorlast Conditioner – Best Overall

This incredibly popular formula is our absolute favorite when it comes to the best conditioner for color-treated hair. Its luxurious formula delivers botanicals to every strand, softening and extending the life of your color for up to nine weeks between salon appointments or dye jobs. Its low pH level is also incredibly hydrating and helps reverse damage caused by bleach and color.

Specs:

• Brand:Biolage
• Hair type: Colored
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 13.5 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Made with exotic orchid flower which has powerful anti-fade properties
• Deeply conditions hair for even more softness and shine
• Detangles and repairs dry, damaged hair that is prone to breakage
• Leaves your hair with a fresh floral scent
• Vegan formula that is free of parabens

Cons:

• Not incredibly budget-friendly
• Formula is not sulfate-free

 

2. OGX Fade-Defying Orchid Oil Conditioner – Runner Up/Best Budget Option

If you’re looking for all of the benefits of a high-quality conditioner at a fraction of the price, you’ve found it. This formula also has fade-defying ingredients like orchid extract and grape seed oil. We’re also loving the fresh floral scent that we notice all day long after conditioning.

Specs:

• Brand: OGX
• Hair type: Colored
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 13 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Extends color by protecting hair from fading due to sun damage
• Easily smooths and detangles unruly hair
• Has a nice floral aroma
• Very affordable for shoppers on a budget
• Formula is sulfate-free

Cons:

• Doesn’t prevent brassiness in blondes
• Some users report that it can weigh down oily hair if you use too much

 

3. Oribe Conditioner for Beautiful Color – Best Splurge

If you’re in the mood to splurge on the best conditioner for colortreated hair, this is one of the most luxurious that money can buy. Created by celebrity stylist Oribe Canales, its main job is to revive overprocessed hair without stripping it of color between salon visits. It’s formulated with beneficial ingredients like jojoba and sweet almond oil to protect and moisturize dry, breakage-prone strands.

Specs:

• Brand:Oribe
• Hair type: Colored
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 6.8 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Provides color protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays
• Extends the life of your hair dye
• Delivers intense hydration and silkiness to the shaft of the hair
• Free of parabens, sulfates, and sodium chloride
• Has been tested by dermatologists
• Formula is vegan and gluten-free

Cons:

• High price point
• Bottle is not overly large

 

4. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Infinite Color Hold Shampoo & Conditioner – Best Set

Looking for the ultimate 2-in-1 set? Alterna has formulated its shampoo and conditioner specifically to protect colortreated hair from physical and chemical damage, as well as fight the process of natural aging. This duo will soften and invigorate your hair without stripping it of color.

Specs:

• Brand: Alterna
• Hair type: Chemically treated
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 8.5 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Revives chemically and color-treated hair of all types
• Protects hair from fading during sun exposure
• Omega-3 fatty acids help retains color longer and improves elasticity
• Protects hair from future color damage
• Seasilk deeply nourishes and hydrates dull, dry strands

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly
• Some users report the scent is nothing special

 

5. Beauty and Planet Blooming Color Hair Conditioner – Best Plant-Based Conditioner

Are you vegan or simply looking for an all-around great plant-based product? If so, then you’re going to love this fade-resistant formula. It delivers soft, tangle-free tresses and never weighs down your hair like other natural products.

Specs:

• Brand: Beauty and Planet
• Hair type: Colored
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 32.3 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Works to naturally prevent fading in colortreated hair
• Coconut oil moisturizes while adding gloss and shine
• Murumuru butter gently detangles and softens strands
• Free of parabens, phthalates, dye, and silicone
• Ingredients are vegan and ethically sourced
• Larger bottle makes the price budget-friendly

Cons:

• May not be suitable for people that are sensitive to fragrances
• Some users report pump doesn’t dispense much conditioner at one time

 

6. Redken Color Extend Magnetics Conditioner – Best Sulfate-Free

If you’re after soft, healthy hair, Redken does not disappoint. This sulfate-free formula gently detangles your strands and smooths split ends. However, what fans rave about most is that it does extend your color and preserve the vibrancy for four weeks longer or more.

Specs:

• Brand:Redken
• Hair type: Colored
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 8.5 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Formula is sulfate-free
• Keeps your color-treated hair shiny and vibrant for longer
• Packaging is made with eco-friendly materials
• Delivers extreme softness to counteract damage from bleach and dye
• Some users report to extends their hair color up to three months

Cons:

• Formula is not alcohol-free
• Does not prevent brassiness in blondes

 

7. Celeb Viral Colorditioner – Best Color Depositing Conditioner

Not only does this conditioner maintain your color, but it also distributes dye back into your hair after each use. With everything from red to silver, there’s a perfect color match for almost everyone. In addition to intensifying your color, this vegan formula also strengthens, softens, and repairs damaged hair.

Specs:

• Brand: Celeb
• Hair type: Colored
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 8.25 fluid ounces

Pros:

• BondFix complex rebuilds bonds and strengthens hair 3x more
• Achieve bright colors with blonde hair and jewel tones with darker hair
• Reduces and prevents breakage while hydrating strands
• Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free formula
• Free of parabens, sulfate, gluten, and ammonia

Cons:

• It will not work on black hair
• Similar to freshly dyed hair, you have to be careful to fully rinse your hair so the color doesn’t run
• Not budget-friendly

 

8. L’Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Anti-Brassiness Purple Conditioner – Best for Blonde Hair

If you have lighter hair and you’ve never tried a purple conditioner, then you need this in your life. The color-correcting formula works wonders for eliminating brassiness for blondes and highlighted brunettes. And the best part is, it doesn’t break the bank.

Specs:

• Brand:L’Oreal Paris
• Hair type: Blonde
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 5.1 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Neutralizes yellow and orange tones in lighter hair
• Only requires one use per week to keep brass away
• You notice results instantly after one wash
• Smells nice and doesn’t leave a chemical scent like some purple conditioners
• Very affordable price

Cons:

• Only suitable for blondes or hair prone to brassiness
• Some users report it’s not as moisturizing as some conditioners

 

9. John Freida Radiant Red Boosting Conditioner – Best for Redheads

There’s nothing worse than having fresh red color fade to dull pink after only a few washes. This red boosting conditioner will have you visiting the salon or hair dye aisle less and enjoying your radiant color for longer. We love how hydrating it’s and how it’s gentle enough for daily use.

Specs:

• Brand: John Freida
• Hair type: Colored, red
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight: 8.3 fluid ounces

Pros:

• Distributes red back into natural and dyed hair
• Vitamin E and pomegranate boost hair health and shine
• Minimizes frizz and smooths strands
• Has a pleasant, fresh scent that isn’t overpowering
• Affordable price for customers on a budget

Cons:

• It will not change the color of your hair, only extend the life of your current color
• Not sulfate- or silicone-free

 

10. Pro:Voke Touch of Brunette – Best for Brunettes

This brunette-boosting formula helps you maintain a salon-fresh look. Not only does it magnify shine, but it also helps restore your hair’s natural oils without weighing it down. Pro:Voke claims its conditioner reduces breakage up to 90%, and we were floored to see that the formula lives up to the name!

Specs:

• Brand:Pro:Voke
• Hair type: Colored, dry/damaged
• Item form: Cream
• Item weight:Fluid ounces

Pros:

• Hydrating formula deeply nourishes dry strands
• Inca Inchi oil prevents breakage and split ends in damaged, color-treated hair
• Vegan-friendly and free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones
• Smooths away frizz
• Deposits brown color to cover grey hair in between salon visits
• Preserves vibrant brown look in brunettes

Cons:

• Can stain your hands a bit if you’re not using gloves
• Slightly higher price point than other color-distributing conditioners

 

Buyer’s Guide – What to Consider Before Buying the Best Conditioner for Color Treated Hair

Price – Let’s face it, conditioners for colortreated hair aren’t cheap. If you want to preserve the health and color of your hair, then be prepared to spend a bit more. With that being said, we have included a few of the best conditioners for colortreated hair for shoppers on a budget. If you’re looking to spend less than $10, then we recommend looking for a reputable brand to get the most out of your money, like the formulas reviewed here.

Hair Color – There will always be a conditioner that is best for your particular hair color. If you can find the right color distributing formula, then you can be sure to get the most out of your color treatment for longer.

Chemicals – The fewer chemicals, the better. Sulfates and silicones can be harsh on the hair and strip your strands of color. Not to mention, colored hair is often dry and damaged, which is aggravated even further by sulfates. If your hair is damaged from the salon, we recommend trying out an all-natural hydrating conditioner that reverses damage and won’t weigh your hair down.

 

Tips for Preserving Vibrancy in Color treated Hair

Frequency of Washing – To keep your hair vibrant for longer, skipping washes is always a good idea. Every time you shampoo and condition, the natural oils are removed from your hair, taking your color along with it. We recommend skipping as many days as you can get away with. Try using a color-friendly dry shampoo in between washes if you have oily hair.

Sun Protection – Harmful UV rays can not only damage your hair but cause it to fade as well. When you spend time in the sun, it’s always a good idea to cover your hair or make sure you’re using high-quality sun-protective shampoo and conditioner.

Heat Protection – When it comes to colored hair, heat is not your friend. Similar to the sun, regularly using heat on your hair can cause it to fade faster as well. When styling, always use a good heat protectant spray or serum to preserve your color for longer. Also be sure to shower in lukewarm water rather than hot, which can cause more dye to bleed out when you wash.

Keep Hair Moisturized – The more moisturized your hair is, the longer you’ll be able to enjoy your color. That’s why it’s so important to invest in the best conditioner for colortreated hair. It’s also a great idea to regularly use colorsafe hydrating oil and deep conditioning treatment on your hair to help it hold onto the color for longer.