You just spent three hours in the chair. The foils are out, the toner has worked its magic, and your bank account is definitely lighter. Then you go home and wash it with whatever is sitting in the shower. It’s a tragedy, honestly. If you’re serious about keeping that expensive salon glow, you’ve probably heard of the Matrix Color Obsessed shampoo and conditioner duo. It isn't flashy. It doesn't have the minimalist, "quiet luxury" packaging of the $60 boutique brands. But it works.
Stylists keep it at the backbar for a reason.
Hair color is a chemical investment. When an oxidative dye enters your hair shaft, it hitches a ride on your protein structures. The problem? Every time you soak your hair in water—especially the hard, mineral-heavy water found in most city pipes—those cuticles swell. They lift. The pigment literally slides right out. Matrix Color Obsessed shampoo and conditioner is designed to address that specific "leaking" problem by keeping the pH low and the cuticle sealed tight.
What’s actually inside the bottle?
Most people think color-safe just means "no sulfates." That's a bit of a marketing myth. While harsh surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) can definitely strip color, they aren't the only villains. Antioxidants are the real heroes here. Matrix uses Vitamin E—listed as Tocopherol—which is basically a shield against environmental "rust." Think about how an apple turns brown when left out. Your hair color does the same thing through oxidation.
The shampoo is creamy. It’s not that clear, watery stuff that leaves your hair feeling like straw before you even reach for the conditioner. It uses a blend of silicone and glycerin to provide immediate slip. Some people freak out about silicones, but if you have color-treated hair, you kind of need them. They act as a raincoat. They keep the moisture in and the color-fading water out.
The conditioner is where the heavy lifting happens. It’s surprisingly lightweight. If you have fine hair, you know the struggle of finding something that preserves color without making your head look like a grease slick by noon. It focuses on porous areas. Color-treated hair is naturally more porous—it has holes in the structure. This formula fills those gaps so light reflects off the surface rather than getting absorbed. That’s how you get that "glass hair" look.
Why your water is killing your expensive balayage
Let’s talk about the shower. Most of us are washing our hair in water that is too hot. Heat opens the cuticle. If you combine hot water with a high-pH soap, you’re basically asking your color to leave.
Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed is formulated to be slightly acidic. This is crucial. Your hair and scalp have a natural pH of around 4.5 to 5.5. Many drugstore shampoos are way too alkaline. When you use an alkaline product, the hair shaft swells up like a pinecone. Matrix Color Obsessed shampoo and conditioner keeps the pinecone scales lying flat.
Flat scales = shiny hair.
Open scales = dull, frizzy, faded hair.
I’ve seen people use this on vivids—pinks, purples, blues—and the difference in the rinse water is noticeable. When you use a generic "moisturizing" shampoo, you’ll see the suds turn the color of your dye. When you use the Color Obsessed line, the suds stay mostly white. That is the visual proof that the pigment is staying where it belongs.
The Sunflower Oil Factor
You might notice Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil on the ingredient list. That’s just a fancy name for sunflower seed oil. It’s not just there to sound "natural." Sunflower oil has a high concentration of linoleic acid.
- It provides a natural UV filter.
- It's incredibly light.
- It prevents the "crunchy" feeling that often follows a heavy bleach session.
If you’ve ever felt like your hair was "mushy" when wet but "brittle" when dry, your protein-moisture balance is off. This system doesn't overload you with protein, which is a common mistake in "repair" shampoos. Too much protein makes hair snap. This is more about protection and hydration.
Breaking down the scent and texture
Look, if you want your bathroom to smell like a high-end French perfumery, this might not be it. It smells "clean." It’s a very classic salon scent—a bit floral, a bit fruity, but it doesn't linger for three days. The shampoo lathers well. You don’t need a palm-sized glob to get a decent foam, which is nice because it means the bottle actually lasts.
The conditioner has a "clean" rinse. You know that feeling when you've been rinsing for five minutes and your hair still feels slimy? You don't get that here. It detangles almost instantly. If you have curly or coily hair that’s been lightened, you’ll appreciate the slip. It makes the wide-tooth comb transition much less painful.
Is it better than the "Bond Builders"?
This is the big question. Everyone is obsessed with Olaplex, K18, and the bond-building revolution. Are they better than Matrix Color Obsessed shampoo and conditioner?
They are different.
Bond builders are like internal surgery for your hair. They fix the broken disulfide bonds. But they aren't always the best at maintaining the surface of the hair or preventing color molecules from washing away. In fact, some people find that using bond builders exclusively makes their hair feel a bit stiff.
A lot of pros recommend a "sandwich" approach. Use your bond builder treatment once a week, but use Matrix Color Obsessed for your regular washes. It provides the daily maintenance and environmental protection that bond builders sometimes skip. It’s about the "outer shell" versus the "inner core." You need both, but you don't need to spend $30 every time you wash your hair.
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Common misconceptions about Color Obsessed
"It's only for redheads." Wrong. While red is the hardest color to keep (the molecules are literally larger and fall out faster), this works for blondes and brunettes too. For blondes, it helps prevent that weird "muddy" look that happens when environmental minerals build up. For brunettes, it keeps the rich, chocolatey tones from turning into a brassy orange.
"I need to use it every day." Actually, please don't. Even the best shampoo in the world shouldn't be used every single day if you have colored hair. Every time you wet your hair, you’re risking fade. Try to push it to every 2-3 days. Use a dry shampoo in between. When you do wash, that's when you bring out the Color Obsessed.
"It’s exactly the same as the stuff at the grocery store." It isn't. The concentration of active ingredients—the antioxidants and the pH balancers—is higher in professional lines like Matrix. Drugstore brands often use cheaper "fillers" that can build up on the hair, making it look dull over time.
Realistic Expectations
Let’s be real. No shampoo is going to keep your hair looking "day one" forever. Oxidation is a law of nature. Sun exposure, chlorine, and even the oxygen in the air will eventually shift your tone.
However, using a dedicated system like this can genuinely extend the life of your color by 30% to 50%. That might mean going to the salon every 8 weeks instead of every 6. Over a year, that's a lot of money saved.
If you have extremely damaged hair—like, "my hair is breaking off in chunks" damaged—this isn't a miracle cure. You’ll need a protein-heavy treatment like the Matrix Instacure line instead. But if your hair is relatively healthy and you just want to keep that color vibrant, this is the workhorse of the industry.
Professional Tips for Best Results
- The Double Wash: If you use a lot of styling products or dry shampoo, wash twice. The first wash breaks down the gunk. The second wash actually cleanses the hair and allows the antioxidants to do their job.
- Wring it out: Before putting on the conditioner, squeeze the excess water out of your hair. If your hair is soaking wet, the conditioner just slides off. You want it to penetrate.
- Cool rinse: If you can stand it, rinse the conditioner with cool water. It helps "shock" the cuticle into a closed position.
The Verdict on Matrix Color Obsessed
It’s reliable. It’s affordable compared to the "prestige" brands. It addresses the science of color fading without unnecessary fluff. It’s a "blue-collar" hero in the hair world—it shows up, does the job, and doesn't demand a standing ovation.
If you’re tired of seeing your money go down the drain every time you shower, it’s a solid switch. Just remember that hair care is a system. The shampoo and conditioner are your foundation, but how you treat your hair outside the shower matters just as much.
Next Steps for Your Hair Care Routine
Stop using scorching hot water immediately; switch to lukewarm to preserve the lipid layer of your hair. Check your current shampoo for "Sodium Chloride" (salt)—it's often used as a thickener in cheap brands and can be incredibly drying for color-treated strands. If you are struggling with brassiness specifically, consider alternating the Color Obsessed conditioner with a pigmented toning mask once a week to keep your specific shade on point. Finally, always apply a heat protectant before using a blow dryer or flat iron, as heat is the fastest way to oxidize your new color.