Matrix Keep Me Vivid Vs. Color Obsessed Review: Which One Is Better?

I’ve always been that person who experiments with hair color like it’s my full-time job. From fiery reds that demand attention to pastel pinks that whisper rebellion, my strands have seen it all. But let’s be real—nothing kills the vibe faster than watching that fresh salon glow fade after a couple of washes. That’s why I’m obsessed with finding the right shampoo to lock in the magic.

In this article, I’ll break down Matrix Keep Me Vivid and Matrix Color Obsessed, two standout options for anyone battling color fade. Drawing from my own trial-and-error sessions in the shower, plus a close look at their formulas and user stories, we’ll weigh what makes each one tick. Whether you’re chasing unicorn vibes or just want your brunette to stay rich, stick with me to figure out which could be your new go-to.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With Matrix Keep Me Vivid

Switching to this shampoo felt like discovering a color lifeline after too many faded disasters. Picture this: I’d just shelled out for electric lavender highlights, only for them to dull after three washes with my old standby. Frustrated, I grabbed Keep Me Vivid on a whim, lured by its sulfate-free promise. First lather? That milky foam enveloped my hair like silk, rinsing out clean without the usual squeak of over-stripped strands. Within a week, my purple held its punch—vibrant edges stayed sharp, no muddy washout.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

On week two, during a heatwave, my sun-exposed ends thirsted for more moisture.

The pearl shine was there, sparkling under lights, yet dryness crept in, turning curls brittle.

I countered with a weekly oil treatment, and bam—balance restored.

The scent? Pure joy at first, like a beachy dream, but by month two, I diluted it with unscented days to avoid overload.

Testing on reds next, it excelled: copper tones lingered 18 washes strong, outlasting competitors.

Daily use suited my active lifestyle—no scalp flares, just soft, manageable waves ready for braids or buns. Pairing with the conditioner amplified everything; shine rivaled fresh dye, and frizz bowed out during humidity spikes.

Over time, it cut my touch-up frequency, saving salon dollars. Drawbacks like spotty stock meant Amazon runs, but the results? Addictive. If your colors scream bold, this one’s a keeper—gentle guardian for your creative chaos.

Read More: Comparison of Amika And Ouai

Pros Of Matrix Keep Me Vivid

• Sulfate-Free Formula Keeps Colors Locked In: This is the star feature for me—without sulfates stripping away your hue, my pastel blue stayed electric for weeks longer than with regular shampoos. It’s like a gentle hug for your cuticles, sealing in that just-dyed vibrancy so you avoid the dreaded brassiness early on.
• Milky High-Foam Lather Feels Luxurious Yet Gentle: I love how it whips up this creamy foam that rinses clean without tugging at my strands. Even on my fine hair, it doesn’t weigh things down, leaving everything feeling airy and refreshed after every use.
• Pearl Powder Boosts Shine Without Buildup: That subtle pearl infusion? Game-changer. It adds this prismatic glow that catches the light, making my color pop like I just left the salon. No greasy residue, just pure, reflective shine that lasts through styling.
• Suitable for Daily Use on Sensitive Scalps: As someone with a finicky scalp, this one’s a relief. The glycerin and betaine combo hydrates without irritation, so I can wash every day during humid weeks and not deal with itchiness or flakiness.
• Combat Fast-Fading Shades Effectively: For bold experiments like my cotton-candy pink phase, it held the tone through 15 washes before any noticeable shift. Users rave about it preserving semi-permanents, which is huge if you’re rotating shades often.
• Pleasant, Addictive Scent That Lingers: The vanilla-coconut-cotton candy mix is like a treat—sweet but not overpowering. It turns my routine into something fun, and honestly, it motivates me to stick with the system.
• Pairs Seamlessly with the Full Line: Using it with the conditioner and lamination spray creates this powerhouse routine. My hair felt softer post-color service, and the UV protection helped during summer outings without fading from sun exposure.
• Affordable for Professional Results: At that price, it’s a steal compared to high-end brands. I switched from pricier options and didn’t miss a beat in performance, making it easy to stock up without breaking the bank.
• Eco-Conscious Appeal with Clean Ingredients: Free from harsh preservatives and loaded with plant-based cleansers, it aligns with my push toward gentler products. No parabens or heavy metals means peace of mind for long-term use.
• Enhances Texture for Better Styling: Beyond color, it smooths frizz on my wavy ends, letting curls hold shape longer. It’s not just maintenance—it’s like prep for effortless blowouts or updos.

This shampoo shines brightest when you’re all about those eye-catching, fleeting colors that demand extra TLC. In my routine, it became the foundation after every dye job, extending wear time and keeping things playful. But it’s more than hype; the formula’s thoughtful balance of cleanse and protect means even on off days, my hair thanks me.

If you’ve got semi-permanent dreams, this could be your secret weapon, turning wash days into color celebrations. Over months of testing, I noticed less salon visits, which saved time and cash—win-win for busy folks like us.

Cons Of Matrix Keep Me Vivid

• Limited Conditioning Power for Very Dry Hair: While it’s gentle, it doesn’t deeply nourish like creamier formulas. My ends felt a tad parched after back-to-back uses, requiring an extra mask to combat split ends from prior bleaching.
• Availability Issues in Some Stores: Hunting it down became a chore lately—shelves at my local spots are spotty, forcing online orders that delay my routine and add shipping waits.
• Scent Might Overwhelm Sensitive Noses: That candy-sweet aroma is fun for most, but on days when I want neutral, it lingers too much, clashing with my perfumes or just feeling cloying in close quarters.
• Not Ideal for Oily Scalps Without Adjustment: The high-foam lather builds if I overdo it on grease-prone days, leaving a slight residue that demands thorough rinsing—annoying for quick showers.
• Price Creep in Smaller Sizes: Travel bottles cost more per ounce, which stings if you’re testing before committing. I burned through minis fast without the value of full sizes.
• Pearl Effect Fades on Darker Bases: On my brunette trials, the shine boost was subtle, not transformative like on lighter shades. It works, but expectations need tempering for non-blondes.
• Potential for Buildup with Hard Water: In my city with mineral-heavy taps, it left a filmy layer after weeks, needing a clarifying rinse to reset—extra step I could do without.
• Less Volume for Fine, Limp Strands: It smooths beautifully but flattens roots on my thinner hair, making ponytails look less bouncy without a volumizing follow-up.
• Ingredient Sensitivity for Some Users: A few report mild tingling from the olefin sulfonate alternative, though rare; I dodged it, but it’s worth patch-testing if allergies lurk.
• Shorter Shelf Life Post-Opening: The natural-leaning ingredients mean it goes off faster in humid bathrooms, wasting product if you’re not vigilant about storage.

These drawbacks kept me from full devotion—it’s stellar for vibrancy but demands tweaks for broader needs. During my six-month stint, the dry-hair hiccup pushed me toward hybrids, and stock woes tested patience. Still, for pure color hold, the pros eclipse these, but if dryness or scent bugs you, layer wisely. It’s a specialist, not a one-size-fits-all, so match it to your hair’s mood.

My Experience With Matrix Color Obsessed

I turned to Color Obsessed after a brunette refresh, seeking something robust for daily defense.

Initial wash: robust lather swept away buildup, unveiling shine that rivaled my stylist’s finish.

Antioxidants worked overtime—color held firm against autumn winds, no premature dulling.

Midway, dryness surfaced on unconditioned days, turning silk to static.

I layered with a leave-in, and equilibrium returned; volume at roots made ponytails perky, a rare treat for my flat-prone mane.

Scent? Clean whisper, gone by lunch—neutral win.

On highlights next, it neutralized brass beautifully, extending vibrancy to 28 washes. Scalp stayed calm, no flares, and the vegan tag eased my conscience. Stock was steady, unlike others, for seamless re-ups.

Ultimately, it streamlined my care—fewer fixes, more confidence. For grounded colors, it’s reliable rhythm; my go-to for when life’s too hectic for high-drama hair.

Pros Of Matrix Color Obsessed

• Antioxidant Shield Fights Environmental Fade: Packed with Vitamin E and sunflower oil, it battles pollution and UV like a pro. My balayage stayed golden through city commutes, no green tint from chlorine pools.
• Extends Vibrancy Up to 32 Washes: That’s real staying power—my ash brown held depth for a full month, reducing that “faded fast” panic between appointments.
• Renews Moisture in Porous Strands: For my bleached layers, it quenched without heaviness, restoring bounce and preventing the straw-like feel post-color.
• Adds Root Volume for Fuller Looks: Unlike flat cleansers, it lifts subtly, turning limp mornings into voluminous wins—perfect for fine hair days.
• Strengthens Damaged Cuticles: The formula mends weakness from foils, leaving hair resilient to brushing or heat tools without snapping.
• Cruelty-Free and Vegan Friendly: Aligns with my ethical buys—no animal testing, just clean efficacy that feels good inside and out.
• Subtle Scent Blends Seamlessly: Fresh florals fade quick, playing nice with colognes or leaving no trace for scent-sensitive routines.
• Boosts Shine for Salon-Fresh Glow: That post-rinse luster? Mirror-like. My highlights popped, drawing compliments without effort.
• Versatile for All Color Types: From jet black to platinum, it adapts—my friend’s copper thrived, proving it’s no one-trick pony.
• Budget-Friendly System Builder: Pairs with the conditioner for amplified results, but stands alone affordably for starters.

This shampoo’s all about reliable, everyday armor for your color investment. In trials, it transformed my routine from reactive to proactive, keeping shades true amid life’s chaos. The moisture renewal especially hooked me—hair felt alive, not just preserved. If maintenance is your mantra, it’s a steadfast ally, delivering pro-level care without fuss.

Cons Of Matrix Color Obsessed

• Sulfates Can Strip in Hard Water: The laureth sulfate lathers big but harshens my well in mineral areas, accelerating fade if not rinsed meticulously.
• Dries Out Fine or Processed Hair: Without immediate conditioning, it left my tips fuzzy— a double cleanse nightmare for already-stressed locks.
• Buildup Risk on Frequent Use: Oils accumulate if I skip clarifiers, dulling shine and weighing down roots after two weeks straight.
• Less Effective on Super-Vivid Shades: My neon green experiment washed out quicker here than gentler options, better for naturals than fantasies.
• Scent Fades Too Fast for Lovers: That brief floral hit vanishes mid-day, leaving plain hair for aroma fans craving longevity.
• Bottle Design Leaks in Gym Bags: Slim but slippery, it dribbled during workouts—messy for on-the-go types like me.
• Not Fully Sulfate-Free for Purists: If zero sulfates is non-negotiable, this skips the mark, potentially irritating reactive scalps.
• Volume Boost Temporary on Thick Hair: My dense waves got lift at roots but flattened by evening, needing sprays to sustain.
• Availability Varies by Shade Variant: Brass Off versions stock out fast, delaying routines for toning needs.
• Milder on Deep Tones: Brunettes see subtle shifts; it’s optimized for lighter lifts, underwhelming darker bases.

These quirks remind me it’s strong but not invincible—sulfates demand respect, and vivid users might look elsewhere. My three-month run highlighted the dry-down, prompting tweaks like cooler rinses. Solid for standards, but pair thoughtfully to sidestep snags.

Comparison With Other Brands

• Vs Pureology Strength Cure: Keep Me Vivid gentler on fade, but Pureology bonds deeper for breakage—choose repair over color lock.
• Vs Olaplex No.4: Color Obsessed volumizes better, Olaplex reconstructs bonds—repair priority trumps volume here.
• Vs Redken Color Extend: Keep Me Vivid foamier lather, Redken silkier feel—lather lovers lean Matrix.
• Vs Aveda Color Conserve: Color Obsessed cheaper long-term, Aveda more natural scents—budget vs botanicals.
• Vs Joico Color Infuse: Keep Me Vivid bolder for pastels, Joico evens tones—shade intensity decides.
• Vs Kerastase Chroma Absolu: Color Obsessed accessible price, Kerastase luxury hydration—affordability edges out.
• Vs Biolage Colorlast: Keep Me Vivid shinier pearls, Biolage softer waves—shine vs softness.
• Vs L’Oreal EverPure: Color Obsessed stronger antioxidants, EverPure sulfate-free match—protection depth wins.
• Vs Moroccanoil Color Continue: Keep Me Vivid daily viable, Moroccanoil oil-rich—frequency needs guide.
• Vs Paul Mitchell Color Protect: Color Obsessed longer hold, PM lighter rinse—endurance over ease.

This stacks them against rivals, highlighting niches. Keep Me Vivid leads in vivid realms, Color Obsessed in versatile care—pick per palette.

Also Read: Comparison Of Madison Reed And Naturtint

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

You and I both know the thrill of fresh color and the letdown when it ghosts you too soon. Through my hands-on hauls—from Vivid’s playful preserve to Obsessed’s steady shield—I’ve seen how each carves its lane. If your locks crave that bold, fade-resistant fire, lean into Keep Me Vivid; it’s your canvas keeper. Craving all-day armor with effortless glow? Color Obsessed has your back. Whichever calls, commit to the pair-up and watch your hue thrive. Your hair’s story deserves the spotlight—grab the one that fuels your next chapter.