Best Liquid Hair Color Developers of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

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Liquid hair color developers are essential products for achieving vibrant and long-lasting hair color. These developers work by activating the hair dye and allowing it to penetrate the hair shaft. They come in different strengths, including 10, 20, 30, and 40 volume, allowing for varying degrees of lift and color deposit. Additionally, some developers include conditioning agents to help maintain the health and integrity of the hair during the coloring process. Liquid hair color developers are a must-have for anyone looking to achieve professional-level hair color results at home or in a salon.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer Cover #TOP 1
COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer
ftb score rating icon 9.9
RefectoCil Liquid Oxidant Cover #TOP 2
RefectoCil Liquid Oxidant
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer 40 Volume Cover #TOP 3
Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer 40 Volume
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Liquid Hair Color Developers

COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer

Color Charm
White
COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer Cover
COLORCHARM Cream Hair Color Developer | 20 Volume | For Optimal Gray Blending and Rich| Multi-Dimensional End Results| 32 Fl Oz

The COLORCHARM Cream Developer is specially formulated to deliver vibrant and multi-dimensional hair color results. With its 20 volume strength, it offers just the right amount of lift, making it perfect for use with various WELLA COLORCHARM products. You'll appreciate how it enhances gray blending, ensuring a natural finish that looks seamless. The creamy texture allows for easy application, whether you prefer using a bottle or a bowl and brush. Plus, its fragrance-free formula means you can color your hair without any unpleasant smells. This developer is also a vegan choice, free from animal-derived ingredients.

What We Like
Deep color penetration
Natural gray blending
Easy application
Fragrance-free
Vegan formula
#TOP 2

RefectoCil Liquid Oxidant

0501044
RefectoCil Liquid Oxidant Cover
Refectocil Liquid Oxidant (3.4 oz)

RefectoCil Oxidant is a hair coloring agent by RefectoCil. This 3.38 oz liquid oxidant is perfect for enhancing your hair color. The RefectoCil brand ensures quality and reliability in hair color developers. With this product, you can easily achieve your desired hair color at home. The liquid oxidant simplifies the coloring process, making it convenient for users to get professional results without leaving their house.

What We Like
Enhances hair color
Quality brand
Convenient at-home coloring
#TOP 3

Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer 40 Volume

SUPER STAR
mar15-16-oz
Black, Blue, Pink
Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer 40 Volume Cover
Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer 40 Volume - 16 Oz

The Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer 40 Volume is a hair color developer that offers easy, precise, and fast highlighting/dimensional hair coloring. Its cream formula ensures that it will not run or drip, making it a better substitute for liquid peroxide. Manufactured in the USA, this beauty product comes in a package with dimensions of 2.4"L x2.4"W x7.9"H.

What We Like
Fast and easy highlighting/dimensional hair coloring.
Cream formula prevents running or dripping.
Can substitute liquid peroxide with gel consistency.
#TOP 4

Yutika Professional Hair Color Developer 20 Volume

Yutika
20 Volume (6%)
White
Yutika Professional Hair Color Developer 20 Volume Cover
Yutika Professional Hair Color Developer Activator Cream for Hair Color Lightening & Lifting Hair Dye Color Depositing Liquid for Permanent & Semi Permanent Color - 20 Volume (6%), 8.45 Fl Oz

The Yutika Hair Color Developer is designed to meet your hair coloring needs with its professional strength options. You can choose from 20, 30, or 40 volume levels, allowing you to achieve the precise color lift you desire. With its effective two-level lifting action, you can enhance vibrancy for both subtle and bold looks. This versatile developer works well for both permanent and semi-permanent hair colors, ensuring beautiful color enhancement and deposit. Plus, its lightweight formula makes application easy, providing smooth mixing with hair color for even coverage and stunning results.

What We Like
Multiple volume options
Effective two-level lift
Suitable for various color types
Lightweight and easy application
Generous 8.45 Fl Oz size
#TOP 5

COLORCHARM 40 Volume Hair Color Developer

Color Charm
White
COLORCHARM 40 Volume Hair Color Developer Cover
COLORCHARM Cream Hair Color Developer | 40 Volume | For Optimal Gray Blending and Rich| Multi-Dimensional End Results| 32 Fl Oz

The COLORCHARM 40 Volume Developer offers a powerful solution for achieving vibrant, multi-dimensional hair color. With its 40 volume formula, this developer maximizes lift, making it perfect for use with various WELLA COLORCHARM products. You’ll appreciate its ability to blend gray hair seamlessly, giving you a more natural look. The creamy texture allows for easy application, whether you prefer using a bottle or a bowl and brush. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, ensuring a comfortable coloring experience. This vegan-friendly developer is also free from animal-derived ingredients, making it an ethical choice for your hair coloring needs.

What We Like
Maximum lift for vibrant color
Natural gray blending
Smooth, easy application
Vegan-friendly formula
#TOP 6

SUPER STAR Cream Peroxide 40 Volume

SUPER STAR
SG_B00FKVYCHQ_US
B00FKVYCHQ
SUPER STAR Cream Peroxide 40 Volume Cover
Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer 40 Volume - 32 Oz

SUPER STAR Peroxide Developer is a stabilized cream peroxide developer that offers easier and more precise application. This gel-like consistency product can be substituted for liquid peroxide, providing you with a smoother hair coloring experience. The stabilized formula ensures consistent results every time you use it, making it a reliable choice for at-home or salon use. With SUPER STAR Peroxide Developer, you can achieve your desired hair color with ease and accuracy.

What We Like
Stabilized formula
Easier application
Substitute for liquid peroxide
#TOP 7

Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer - 20 Volumes

Superstar
666425502040
B0002Z92AW
Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer - 20 Volumes Cover
Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer with 20 Volumes

Super Star Cream Peroxide Developer is a gel-based hair color developer that helps to highlight and color hair quickly, easily, and precisely. Unlike liquid peroxide, this product will not run or drip, making it a mess-free option. It is also manufactured in the United States and is considered a top beauty product in the hair color developer category.

What We Like
Mess-free application
Helps to highlight and color hair quickly, easily, and precisely
Gel consistency
#TOP 8

Super Star 20v Creme Developer

SUPER STAR
mar13-32-oz
B00FKW57CO
Super Star 20v Creme Developer Cover
Superstar Super Star 20v Creme Developer, 32 Ounces

Super Star 20v Creme Developer is a stabilized cream peroxide developer that can be used as a substitute for liquid peroxide with a gel consistency. It keeps its strength longer than other products and is available in a 32 ounce size. Customers have praised its effectiveness and affordability, with some noting that it works just as well as salon products.

What We Like
Keeps its strength longer than other products
Affordable
Works just as well as salon products
#TOP 9

Yutika Professional Hair Color Developer 20 Volume

Yutika
20 Volume (6%)
White
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Yutika Professional Hair Color Developer 20 Volume Cover
Yutika Professional Hair Color Developer Activator Cream for Hair Color Lightening & Lifting Hair Dye Color Depositing Liquid for Permanent & Semi Permanent Color - 20 Volume (6%) 16.90 Fl Oz

The Yutika Hair Color Developer is designed for those seeking professional-quality hair color results. With options for varying strengths, you can easily select the right volume for your desired level of lightening or color depositing. Its unique 2-level lifting action enhances vibrancy, making it a great choice for both subtle and dramatic looks. The lightweight formula ensures smooth mixing with hair color, allowing for even coverage and beautiful results. Whether you're doing highlights or a full color transformation, this developer offers the versatility needed for both permanent and semi-permanent applications.

What We Like
Multiple volume options
2-level lifting action
Lightweight, easy application
Versatile for various colors
#TOP 10

Super Star Creme Developer 50 Volume

Super Star
SG_B00FKW2BHI_US
B00FKW2BHI
Super Star Creme Developer 50 Volume Cover
Super Star Creme Developer 50 Volume, 128 Ounce

The Super Star Creme Developer 50 Volume is a hair color developer that allows for faster, easier and more precise highlighting and dimensional hair coloring. With a gel-like consistency, it won't run or drip and can even be used as a substitute for liquid peroxide. Made in the USA, it is a top-rated beauty product in the Hair Color Developers category.

What We Like
Precise and fast highlighting and dimensional hair coloring
Gel-like consistency won't run or drip
Can be used as a substitute for liquid peroxide
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our liquid hair color developer research, we found 48 liquid hair color developer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 39,974 customer reviews through our big data system to write the liquid hair color developers list. We found that most customers choose liquid hair color developers with an average price of $6.84.

The liquid hair color developers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of liquid hair color developers, including Color Charm, RefectoCil, SUPER STAR, Yutika, Superstar. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.