5 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make If You’re Using Color-Depositing Shampoos

There are a few things you can do to preserve your hair color in between trips to the salon: Wait to wash your hair at least 72 hours after getting it colored. Use the right haircare products that are made specifically for colored hair. Don’t wash your hair too much. Avoid high heat. And you can also try color-depositing shampoos and conditioners.

“Color-depositing shampoos and conditioners have pigment in them that deposit on the hair to help neutralize any unwanted tones, or to add subtle temporary color,” explains Alex Brownsell, co-founder and creative director of Bleach London. Colorist and #mydentity brand founder, Guy Tang, adds that they can help your hair look fresh.

Now, you don’t have to use the color-depositing shampoos and conditioners right after you get your hair colored. Because they have pigments in them, you wouldn’t want to have them mess with your fresh dye job. “The best time to use them is right when you notice your color starting to fade, this will help keep the vibrant longer,” Tang says.

He recommends using them up to three times a week or as needed. And before you start to use the products, you’ll want to be aware of a few common mistakes, which Tang and Brownsell highlighted below.

1. Applying them to the wrong hair color: “Biggest mistake is applying to too dark of hair,” Tang says. “Make sure to follow the directions and apply to the level of hair recommended.”

2. Not applying enough product: “You must apply a generous amount of the conditioner to saturation the hair evenly,” Tang says.

3. Applying too much product: Brownsell says another common mistake is overusing a purple or blue shampoo on blonde hair. “The pigments can build up, making your blonde look too ashy and sometimes duller and darker,” she says. “If you overdo toning, you can use Just Like Honey to neutralize and add warmth back into your hair.”

4. Not following the timing instructions: Another mistake is not leaving it on for the right amount of time.”It is important to leave the conditioner for the recommended time to let the color deposit onto the hair,” Tang says.

5. Going hard on the heat styling: “To help maintain the tone, keep heat styling and sun exposure to a minimum, wash your hair less frequently and rinse in lukewarm water to help retain the color and keep your hair healthy,” Brownsell says.

If you’re ready to try these formulas, take a look at some of our favorite options below.

Tang recommends his color depositing conditioners, saying, “They deposit pigment while conditioning and last up to 10 washes.”

Brownsell recommends the Rosé option of her Bleach London products because it’s most versatile: “We have it available in a few formats—the original Super Cool Colour; the Shampoo and Conditioner duo to maintain the tone, and this year we launched it in a plastic-free Shampoo Bar format too. Not only will it make light blonde hair a pastel pink, but if you’re fading out a blue or green color from the hair, it will help to color correct to a violet and help the fade-out process.”

For black and dark brown hair, try this green shampoo from Matrix. It neutralizes the red undertones and leaves a glossy finish.

Both a semi-permanent hair color and conditioner, this product deepens and enhances the color. It’s available in 11 different shades, from light blonde to black.

This shampoo contains natural cocoa and evening primrose to revive brunette hair color. It works on both natural and color-treated hair.

It’s safe to use this brightening shampoo daily on blonde or gray hair. It works to correct brassiness and yellow tones, while also enhancing color and vibrance.

In just five minutes this product will temporarily deposit color and deeply condition your hair. It works for all hair types and textures, even if it hasn’t been color-treated.

Celeb Luxury’s Colorwash shampoos both cleanse the hair and revives its color. It also leaves your hair hydrated and strengthened. One reviewer wrote, “It is amazing! Such a game changer. Truly extends and revives your color between salon visits.”

Made with vegetable protein, hydrolyzed quinoa, shea butter, and pro-vitamin B5, this shampoo-conditioner combo works to intensify color while also promoting shine and strengthening the hair. You can leave it on for three to five minutes, or for 10 minutes for maximum color.

Pureology’s purple conditioner tones and neutralizes brassiness, while also strengthening lightened hair and reducing any damage. The formula contains sunflower seed, a UV filter, and vitamin E to protect against environmental damage.

Formulated specifically for gray and silver hair, Redken’s shampoo has purple pigments to tone and brighten the hair. It gets rid of any yellow, brassy tones to reveal hair that’s more radiant and nourished.

Overtone’s coloring conditioner is a dark brown hue with rich gold undertones. It works on all hair types and textures—just leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse. The conditioner comes in eight other shades, too.

Formulated for warm red hair, this conditioner will intensify both natural and color-treated hair. It protects and hydrates the hair, revealing healthier strands.

Kristin Ess’s conditioners gently deposit pigment and moisturize the hair so it’s softer. You can apply it to wear hair, but if you want even more intense color, try adding it when your hair is fully dried.

Not only will this shampoo deposit color and help maintain a hair’s shade, but it will also hydrate and keep the hair healthy, thanks to ingredients like coconut oil, lemon, eggplant, marigold, cherry bark, collagen, and keratin.

The cool thing about Aura’s conditioners (and all of its products) is they’re all customizable to fit your specific hair needs. You can add a temporary hair color or neutralizer to your formula. Next: Celeb Colorists Told Us Their Most Strategic Tips for Healthy and Youthful Hair