Anyone who colors their hair knows that it can be a time-consuming, expensive and meticulous process. The last thing you want is to ruin a perfect single-process or fresh highlights by using the wrong hair products. The best shampoos for color-treated hair are nourishing and protective, and they won’t fade your signature shade. From our top pick the Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo to the best value L’Oréal Paris EverPure Shampoo, the products we’ve selected are designed to extend the life of your color while cleansing hair.
Whether we own up to it or not, many of us color our hair and spend money on high quality products to maintain it. There are a myriad of hue-safe shampoos found in the drugstore aisles and salon shelves alike that promise to hydrate, maintain vibrancy and protect your dye job from harsh cleansers. Below, we’ve rounded up the best shampoos for color-treated hair that cleanse and protect.
Best Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair Overall: Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo
Best Drugstore Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair: L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo
Best Luxury Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair: Oribe Shampoo For Beautiful Color
Best Shampoo For Fine, Colored Hair: Rene Furturer Okara Color Protection Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Dry, Colored Hair: Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Oily, Colored Hair: Sachajuan Colour Protect Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Curly, Colored Hair: Virtue Recovery Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Highlighted Hair: Kérastase Blond Absolu Hydrating Illuminating Shampoo
Best Shampoo And Conditioner For Colored Hair: Color Wow Security Shampoo And Conditioner Duo
Best Shampoo For Brunettes: DpHue Color Fresh Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair Overall
A Proven Winner For Fade Protection
Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Japanese musk rose oil, goji berry extract | Size: 10 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $5.50
This shampoo is at the top of stylists’ lists for maintaining color vibrancy. The paraben- and sulfate-free shampoo is also beloved by users for offering intense hydration. Its star ingredients include nourishing Japanese musk rose oil and antioxidant-rich goji berry extract that “helps prevent fading by fighting dryness, which causes color fading,” says Holly Rexroat, master stylist at Style House Salon Nashville.
What the experts say: “I love that it has a rich lather and cleans the hair gently,” says Nicole Henry, senior colorist at Warren Tricomi Salon. “The fragrance is light and not heavy for those sensitive to scents.”
What you’ll love:
- Hydrating
- Boosts shine
- Light scent
Keep in mind:
- Expensive
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Best Drugstore Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair
A Gentle, Cost-Effective Pick That Prevents Dullness
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Rosemary leaf oil | Size: 8.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $1.18
Maintain vibrance without making a special trip to your stylist. This affordable shampoo is formulated with rosemary oil (which gives it an earthy, clean smell), and it doesn’t contain harsh salts or surfactants that can fade color. While many sulfate-free options don’t create a full lather, users say this sudses well and doesn’t strip color, but some feel it isn’t super moisturizing so you may not want to skip the conditioner afterwards.
What our editors say: Fashion editor Molly Calhoun loves this budget-friendly pick. “It doesn’t cause the deep brown to fade or become mousey and dull, which can happen with some other shampoos,” she says. “It also has a satisfying lather that makes me feel like my hair is getting really clean.”
What you’ll love:
- Inexpensive
- Cleans gently
- Earthy, clean scent
Keep in mind:
- May not be as hydrating as others
Best Luxury Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair
Intense Hair Hydration
Oribe Shampoo For Beautiful Color
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 8.5 ounces | Key ingredients: Baobab tree extract, watermelon extract, lychee extract | Price per fluid ounce: $5.76
This cruelty-free formula is made with hydrating baobab tree extract so hair stays moisturized and shiny even if you color it often. Other all-star ingredients include watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower extracts, which work together to keep your hue from oxidizing and turning brassy. More benefits: It lathers well, doesn’t leave a heavy residue and has a light, not-overpowering scent.
What the experts say: “This shampoo preserves color and protects against the effects of environmental pollutants and sun with UV protection,” says Henry.“I love it right after color when hair is most in need of moisturizing.”
Calhoun is also a fan of this product. “I’ve used this shampoo on and off for years, which speaks to how much I like it. It has a nice, light scent and lathers well,” she says. “I do find, though, that I have to be really careful to rinse it out completely or it can leave my hair looking limp.”
What you’ll love:
- Moisturizing without a greasy feel
- Pleasing scent
- Provides added UV protection
Keep in mind:
- Expensive
Best Shampoo For Fine, Colored Hair
The Shampoo That Preserves Color Intensity
Rene Furturer Okara Color Protection Shampoo
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 6.7 ounces | Key ingredients: Okara extract, witch hazel extract | Price per fluid ounce: $5.07
French brand Rene Furterer is known for luxury plant-based haircare. The hero ingredient of this formula is okara extract, which is derived from soybeans and resembles the keratin found in human hair that’s intended to repair damage.
What the experts say: “It also contains witch hazel extract,” says Alexandre Chouery, owner of Maison D’Alexandre. “It helps capture and maintain pigment for longer lasting, vibrant color.”
What you’ll love:
- Makes hair silky
- Boosts shine
- Reviewers rave about the scent
Keep in mind:
- On the pricey side for the size
Best Shampoo For Dry, Colored Hair
A Restorative Hair Hero
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo
Hair type: Dry, damaged | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Keravis, astaxanthin | Size: 9 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $4.11
Dry hair can lose its shine quickly, but this shampoo maintains fresh-from-the-salon color and keeps your strands glossy. It has two key restorative ingredients: keravis, which is a strengthening protein, and astaxanthin, an antioxidant that helps to repair stressed hair, transforming it from crispy to silky. Reviewers love that it makes hair feel healthy, smoothes frizz and has a seriously satisfying lather. To note: A little goes a long way with this color-safe shampoo.
What our editors say: This is Calhoun’s favorite shampoo for her own color-treated hair. “It lathers really well and I find that it seems to keep my oily hair looking and feeling clean longer than others. It also leaves my hair shiny and moisturized, without a dull cast,” she says.
What you’ll love:
- Super hydrating
- Softens hair
- Has a pleasant scent
Keep in mind:
- Some say it can feel heavy after extended usage
Best Shampoo For Oily, Colored Hair
A Gentle Option That Keeps Hair Bouncy And Bright
Sachajuan Colour Protect Shampoo
Hair type: Fine, oily | Sulfate-free: No | Key ingredients: Irish moss extract | Size: 8.4 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $3.33
Cleansing hair and maintaining moisture without weighing it down can be a tricky balance. This product from Swedish company Sachajuan is the ideal solution for when you want to protect your color but your hair tends to get greasy quickly (translation: It doesn’t feel squeaky clean after washing). While it’s not sulfate-free, the formula contains low-acidity cleansers that help preserve color pigments. It’s also made with the brand’s proprietary Ocean Silk Technology—derived from algae rich in calcium, manganese, zinc and magnesium—that normalizes the scalp and boosts shine without compromising your beautiful color.
What you’ll love:
- Reduces excess oil around the scalp
- Boosts shine
- Antioxidant-rich formula
Keep in mind:
- Not sulfate-free
Best Shampoo For Curly, Colored Hair
Hydration For Curly Or Coiled Strands
Virtue Recovery Shampoo
Hair type: Dry | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed quinoa, grapefruit extract, baobab seed oil | Size: 8 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $5.25
This shampoo is notorious for cutting frizz and making hair manageable. A favorite of Jennifer Garner (who is a brand partner), this formula has a long list of overachieving ingredients that go being making it color-safe. Hydrolyzed quinoa enhances shine, grapefruit extract revitalizes the scalp and baobob seed oil acts as an emollient to smooth the hair cuticle. It’s also formulated with the company’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku, a human keratin protein that’s designed to bind to hair and repair damage. Reviewers say it banishes frizz and makes hair shiny, bouncy and soft.
What you’ll love:
- Lathers well
- Creates bouncy movement
- Helps repair hair damage
Keep in mind:
- Thick consistency
- Mild coconut scent
Best Shampoo For Highlighted Hair
A Hydrating Formula With An Illuminating Effect
Kérastase Blond Absolu Hydrating Illuminating Shampoo
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: No | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, edelweiss flower extract | Size: 8.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $4.94
Highlights are a great way to add dimension to your hair color, but they can leave strands feeling dry and brittle over time. To combat this drying effect, this shampoo from Kérastase is formulated with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps bind water molecules to hair strands. Another standout ingredient? Edelweiss flower extract, which has been known to promote thicker, stronger locks. This shampoo isn’t sulfate-free since it contains sodium laureth sulfate, which Rexroat approves of for cleansing hair without stripping color. Just keep in mind that it’ll be extra cleansing and will require follow-up hydration with a conditioner.
Despite its violet-hued bottle, this isn’t a purple shampoo. However, similar to a purple shampoo, it works to even out brassy tones and lock in shine for a luminous finish.
What you’ll love:
- Glossy finish
- Excellent at removing buildup
- Prevents brassiness
Keep in mind:
- Some say it wasn’t as hydrating as they had hoped
- Not sulfate-free
Best Shampoo And Conditioner For Colored Hair
A Dynamic Duo That Prolongs Vibrant Color
Color Wow Security Shampoo And Conditioner Duo
Hair type: Fine to normal | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Argan oil, hydrolyzed keratin | Size: 8.4 ounces (shampoo), 8.4 ounces (conditioner) | Price per fluid ounce: $4.52
If you’re searching for a color-safe shampoo, odds are you’ll also benefit from a complementary conditioner. This sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner duo from Color Wow works together to cleanse and hydrate your hair for optimal results (think silky, soft-to-the-touch locks). Both formulas are made with hydrolyzed keratin, which minimizes the damaging effects of sun exposure to maintain your hair’s vibrancy. In addition, the conditioner is fortified with argan oil, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that strengthens strands and boosts shine.
What our editors say: “This shampoo is a standout because of its lightweight feel, which leaves my hair bouncy, and I also like its light scent,” says Calhoun. “The conditioner is on the watery side, however, so it may not be ideal if you have thick hair.”
What you’ll love:
- Ultra lightweight feel
- Shiny, silky finish
- Protects against fading from UV exposure
Keep in mind:
- Some say conditioner consistency is thin
Best Shampoo For Brunettes
A Top Pick For Maintaining A Bold, Brunette Hue
DpHue Color Fresh Shampoo
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Kumquat extract, sunflower seed extract | Size: 8.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $3.06
Whether you’re covering up grays or bumping up your shade to something less mousy, preserving a rich brunette shade between salon visits can be a drag. DpHue’s formula is notoriously gentle, and it helps to preserve the intensity of your color between salon appointments. Co-founded by celebrity colorist Justin Anderson, this color-safe shampoo contains kumquat extract to pump up shine and sunflower seed extract to protect from UV damage.
What you’ll love:
- Free of sulfates, parabens and silicone
- Softens hair
- Boosts shine
Keep in mind:
- Some say it can be drying on the scalp
Best Shampoo For Blondes
A Game Changer For Color-Safe Shine
Matrix Unbreak My Blonde Shampoo
Hair type: Dry | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Citric acid | Size: 10.1 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $1.98
If you suffer from overprocessed, straw-like strands, you want to reduce breakage and revive hair. Matrix’s pH-balancing formula strengthens weakened bonds and delivers moisture with citric acid. Overall, reviewers say it lathers nicely, cleans well and smells good. To note: Despite being in a purple bottle, it’s not a purple shampoo.
What you’ll love:
- Good value
- Softens hair
- Users say it doesn’t weight hair down
Keep in mind:
- Some say the cap can leak during shipping
Best Shampoo For Red Hair
Eco-Conscious Option That Preserves Auburn Hues
Love Beauty And Planet Blooming Color Shampoo
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Murumuru butter, Bulgarian rose, coconut oil | Size: 13.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $0.67
This color-safe pick from Love Beauty And Planet is comprised of 93% naturally-derived ingredients including ultra-nourishing murumuru butter and hydrating Bulgarian rose. The addition of coconut oil further seals in moisture, leaving locks feeling bouncy and soft. The brand’s shampoos are fragranced with ethically sourced extracts; its commitment to sustainability is further evident in its use of recycled plastic bottles and cruelty-free testing practices.
What our staffers say: Updates writer Claire Epting has used this wallet-friendly shampoo for years to keep her dyed auburn hair fresh between colorings. “I love knowing it’s sulfate-free and made with natural ingredients, and the juicy, floral scent is such a bonus. I’ve also found it’s great at keeping my hair moisturized following a coloring session,” she says.
What you’ll love:
- Inexpensive
- Light floral scent
Keep in mind:
- Takes a lot of product to build a lather
Best Shine-Enhancing Shampoo For Colored Hair
Cleanses, Heals And Rejuvenates
Oribe Gold Lust
Hair type: All | Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Biotin, plant collagen, Mediterranean cypress extract | Size: 8.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $6.23
TheOribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo was our top luxury pick in thebest shampoos for dry hair, and for good reason. This gentle formulacontains Mediterranean cypress extract to nourish dry, color-damaged strands, plus the brand’s signature plant-based complex that protects hair from further deterioration. After cleansing, you can expect a glossy and moisturized finish.
What our editors say: Senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone prefers using the Oribe Gold Lust shampoo for her bright highlights and the shiny finish it gives. “The formula isn’t designed specifically for color-treated hair, but it’s safe to use on it and very hydrating, which helps combat the damage I have from years of bleaching my strands,” she says.
What you’ll love:
- Repairs damaged hair
- Glossy, hydrated finish
- Sulfate-free with plant-based ingredients
Keep in mind:
- Expensive
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written our way through dozens of haircare stories. Author Molly Calhoun is a regular contributor with experience covering a breadth of beauty topics.
- We consulted with professionals who know color-treated hair inside and out: Nicole Henry, senior colorist at Warren Tricomi Salon in Greenwich, Connecticut, Holly Rexroat, master stylist at Style House Salon Nashville and Alexandre Chouery, founder of Greenwich-based salon Maison D’Alexandre.
- Every iteration of this story was overseen by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming section.
- This article is regularly updated to ensure you have access to the top products on the market. In our March 2024 update, we added additional staffer feedback and included the Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo as our best pick for shine.
How We Chose The Best Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair
- To select the best shampoos for color-treated hair, we took into account each product’s active ingredients—we only recommended formulas designed to cleanse, nourish and strengthen dyed strands. We also asked experienced Vetted staffers to share their top recommendations.
- We diversified our picks to cover a variety of hair types, from curly to fine to dry. Hair shade was also taken into account, so you can easily find the right product whether your locks are blonde, brunette or auburn.
- Our experts chimed in with recommendations based on their own in-salon experiences, while customer reviews were examined for standout product traits. As everyone’s haircare budget looks a little different, we included both affordable and luxury options.
What To Consider In A Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair
When shopping for the best shampoo for color-treated hair, you want something that doesn’t cause fading, but you also want your hair to feel clean. Here’s what to consider.
Color-Safe Ingredients
Just buying any random shampoo at the drugstore or your favorite beauty retailer isn’t a good idea if you’ve invested in an expensive dye job. What are the color-friendly ingredients to scope out when scouring shampoo ingredient lists? “Look for shampoos that have a good humectant, like glycerin, in them because it’s nourishing, which is especially important for color-treated hair,” says Rexroat. “A humectant holds moisture in, and you want to see it in the first five or so ingredients.”
In general, ingredients that you should say no to include oxidizing agents like hydrogen peroxide and bromates as they can negatively impact your color. Another ingredient that’s a hard no? Formaldehyde. “You’d be shocked to find it’s still in some shampoos,” Rexroat says, “although most likely in ones you find at drugstores that maybe have older products.”
Sulfates
Color-safe shampoos are typically sulfate-free. “They don’t over cleanse the hair or remove the color molecule, allowing for hair color to last longer and resist fading,” says Henry. “Sulfate-free shampoo will continue to clean the scalp and hair of dirt, product residue and oils, just in a more gentle way.”
One sulfate that is sometimes still in shampoos and considered to be fine for color-treated hair is sodium laureth sulfate. “It will take the dirt and oil off the hair without stripping color,” says Rexroat, who points out that it’s important to remove product buildup when cleansing because otherwise your color will appear dull. Many professional lines in a salon are going to have some form of sodium sulfate, she says. Although if a shampoo is sulfate-free, odds are there is some kind of surfactant—like lauryl glucoside—in there that’s cleansing the hair of dirt and oil.
Clarifying Formulas
Think of a clarifying shampoo like a deep clean that removes product buildup and excess sebum from the scalp. They aren’t taboo for those with color-treated strands because they take away the dulling effects of things like layers of product, chlorine or hard water. Bear in mind, though, a clarifying shampoo is not something you’d want to use every day because it will fade your color more quickly. “I don’t recommend using one in the first two weeks after coloring hair,” says Rexroat.
Pigments
Some shampoos, such as the Matrix Total Results Brass Off Blue Shampoo and John Frieda’s Midnight Brunette Color Deepening Shampoo, are color-depositing, meaning they introduce pigments to hair as they clean it. Of course, you may not want to use light-colored towels on days you use pigmented shampoos as you may stain them.
How Do You Protect Color-Treated Hair?
After you leave the salon with fresh color, wait at least 24 hours before washing hair again, says Chouery. Also, keep in mind that less shampooing means less color fading. “I recommend to my clients who shampoo too frequently to just rinse or wet their hair and condition,” says Henry. “If your hair and scalp are not dirty, skip the shampoo.”
Rexroat says, “In a perfect world, you’d wash color-treated hair two, maybe three times a week if you’re active.” On those days in between washings, you can use a rice starch or charcoal-based dry shampoo to soak up excess oils—just try to avoid any formulas containing alcohol, as these can be overly drying. Sulfates should generally be avoided as well, because while they work to lift surface dirt and oils from the scalp and hair, they can be so strong that they strip color in the process. However, sometimes they are present in shampoos for colored hair.
To prolong the life of your hair color, you may also want to consider reducing your usage of heated styling tools such as flat irons and curling wands. “In particular, flat irons set at a high temp can alter your hair color,” says Henry, who suggests always prepping the hair with a heat protectant to shield from damage and color fade. “Vibrant colors are more impacted by heat styling, so if you want your hair color to stay true longer, turn down the heat,” says Henry. “Many heat protectants also have UV protection and SPF in them, which will help with color fading from the sun.”
What Kind Of Shampoo Should You Use For Color-Treated Hair?
When picking a shampoo for color-treated hair, opt for a formula that gently cleanses without stripping your strands of their moisture. In particular, search for products that are formulated with a humectant such as glycerin; this will ensure your hair stays moisturized as well as clean. Sulfate-free shampoos are ideal for color-treated hair as they tend to be less harsh on your locks, although certain sulfate formulas—such as the Sachajuan Color Protect Shampoo—can be safe and effective for cleansing oily hair. If your strands are feeling parched, however, you’ll want to check out our top pick for dry hair, Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo.
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