Mix a color-boosting conditioner and a hydrating hair mask to ramplify (ramp up + amplify) your hair color and deep condition yo’ mane at the same time.
I mean, why couldn’t I have discovered this genius tip years ago!? MIND BLOWN! I wish I could take credit for it, but I can’t. Shout-out to Chelsea from the comments for showing me the light!
Needs more moisture! PLEASE!!
I’ve tried quite a few hair color-boosting conditioners over the years, and even though I love how rich and refreshed my hair color looks after using them, they haven’t been moisturizing enough on their own. Consequently, I like the results, but I don’t use them consistently because I’d just rather skip right to a hydrating conditioner. My hair needs the extra moisture.
But by mixing a color conditioner and a mask, I get the best of both worlds — moisture AND rich color.
I’ve been doing this for the past couple weeks every Sunday night, which is when I take a longer shower to do the “special sauce” things I like to do to get ready for the week.
Get into the mix
After I’m done washing my hair (which, seriously, is such a job #longhairstruggles), I grab Aveda Clove Color Conditioner, and mix it with Pai-Shau Supreme Revitalizing Mask in the palm of my hand (about a 50/50 blend). Then I rake it through my hair from roots to ends.
Next, I comb through my hair using a wide-toothed comb (I love this pink one I got from Sephora years ago), just to make sure I’ve coated everything. At that point, if I still feel like my ends need more moisture, I’ll work in another dollop of the hair mask.
Buns and claw clips FTW
(Note: The following step is totally key if you have long hair!)
Then I put my hair up in a bun, and clip the bun into place with two hair claw clips.
Here I’ll do other things for a few minutes while I wait for the conditioner to do its thing, like maybe exfoliate, daydream, shave, or go to town on my heels with this foot cheese grater thingamabob I have.
Then I take the bun out, rinse away the conditioner, and run a comb through once more to further de-tangle. And when I’m done, my dark chocolate locks look extra chocolatey, shiny and conditioned. 🙂
Color conditioner recs?
I do like Aveda’s Color Conditioner (the shade I use is Clove), and Chelsea told me that she likes DPHue Color Boosting Gloss + Deep Conditioning Treatment, which I think I’m going to try after I finish my tube of Aveda. But do you have any color conditioner recommendations? Please let me know, because I’m on the market for a new one to love.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ahhh, I’m famous! I like to make my natural red hair as vibrant as possible! The problem with the ones for red hair is that they have a tendency toward leaving orange stains everywhere.
Hey Chelsea,
Seriously, this was such a life-changing tip for me. Thank you!
Can’t wait to try it!!
Great, Martha! I hope it works for you. 🙂
This is such a great tip!
Yes it is! Thanks to Chelsea for the heads up!
I dont think there are color boosting ror my bleached blonde locks, but ai love to do the mask in a bun thing and sometimes even sleep with the product in my hair.
The bun is the key! 🙂
This sounds like a good idea!
I don’t color my medium brown + silvery white hair, but have tried a purple shampoo and conditioner (Joico) to tone down any golden tones in my brown hair (there really aren’t any yellow tones in my white hair, I don’t think). I can’t tell that it really makes a difference, and the last time I used the shampoo, my scalp started to itch, and I felt the need to wash it out thoroughly with another shampoo, so I think I’ll skip it from now on! I’d like to try a clear gloss sometime, though.
Have you ever tried a pre-wash with coconut oil or Living Proof Nightcap? When my hair gets really dry in the winter, I find that either of those really helps! If I use the Nightcap, I like to leave it on overnight, but you also can use it like a styling cream. With coconut oil, I leave it on my hair for a half hour to two hours. I work a ton of coconut oil from the grocery store into my hair, put it in a topknot, cover with a shower cap, and then tie a plastic Target bag over that, and let my scalp sweat a little. It looks ridiculous, but all that heat and moisture seems to help the coconut oil penetrate into the hair.
While you’re between hairstylists would be a good time to try Living Proof Split End Mender, too — it can help prevent them.
Have you ever tried Olaplex? Since I keep my hair so long, I’m thinking of trying their No. 3 treatment for home use. Long greying hair only looks great if I keep it in excellent condition, and this stuff sounds like it really does something to keep your hair from falling apart due to wear and tear. It might be even better than the Split End Mender!
Hi Fran,
Yes, pre-washes are great! I haven’t used one for a while though. I have the Living Proof one and it’s fab. And I’m so with you on the Split End Mender… It’s gold!
I’ve never tried Olaplex but now I’m intrigued. Next time I’m at the salon I’ll ask about it, and if you try No. 3 and like it please let me know.
I just ordered some to try (free shipping from their website 🙂 )
I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Girl, I saw that free shipping today too and was soooo tempted!!! I wonder what it smells like…
It can be so hard to find the right conditioner that moisturizes but doesn’t weigh you down. Congrats on finding something that works for you! And, great rec from Chelsea. 🙂
I mix Pure Shampoo color deposit in Cocoa with Tweek-d Restore, a prewash, shamppo&conditioner(the ojon guy). My chocolate brown hair is getting harder to maintain now that those relentless gray roots are here ? I just started doing this combo out of desperation lol It does work! So glad to see your post that you do this too!
LUSH makes terrific henna hair conditioners and I *swear* to the effectiveness of H’suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment. You smell like salad dressing but leaves the hair completely soft.
I’ve been loving the Christophe Robin, It really pumps up the color of my hair without really depositing color. I have no idea how but it does. It’s also amazeballs for soft hair. It’s perfect for my fine wavy hair. I hate the smell and the price but the results can’t be denied.
I don’t really deep condition anymore, whoops. I just slather on regular conditioner whilst shaving my legs and that’s it.