Water is the deadliest enemy of hair color, thus the best thing you can do to protect your new color is to wash your hair as little as possible. 1 Having said that, when it comes to sudsing up, utilizing a color-safe shampoo is essential for retaining your color while also hydrating your hair and keeping your scalp healthy.
Color-safe shampoo, which is specially created not to peel color molecules, is a certain method to keep your strands bright and vivid while also extending the time between DIY dye treatments or salon sessions.
We got to work, researching the finest shampoos for color-treated hair and comparing them based on targeted outcomes, active ingredients, texture, and value. Our product testers used some of the top-rated goods for weeks at a time, recording the outcomes. To create this list, our staff coupled these findings with our own research and stylist-recommended items.
Find the finest shampoos for colored hair below.
GET TO KNOW THE EXPERT
Mark Debolt is a famous hairstylist and co-owner of Mark Ryan Salon. His areas of expertise include his own combination of foil highlighting, balayage, and specialist color placement methods. He is a protégé of famous colorist Marie Robinson. He is currently a Wella Professionals ambassador, trainer, and hair color specialist.
1. Overall winner: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex is a staple in the hair coloring industry, including both a reparative in-salon treatment that many colorists use when coloring and a popular at-home alternative. The shampoo works to repair the hair links that are disrupted during the coloring process, ensuring that the strands remain ultra-strong and healthy. That alone merits it first place on this list, but we can’t forget to note that, despite being sulfate-free—an important need for any sort of color-safe shampoo—it foams up wonderfully and rinses entirely clean.
Our product tester rated Olaplex’s Bond Maintenance System Kit (which contains the Bond Maintenance Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Perfector mask) five stars, stating that the shampoo properly washed her hair without leaving it feeling stripped and kept her hair feeling fresher for longer.
What We Like
- Repairs damaged hair.
- Formula that works
- Make a good lather.
What We Don’t Like
- It might be hydrating.
2. Color Wow Color Security Shampoo came in second place overall.
This selection is devoid of not just sulfates, but also silicones, oils, and parabens (just to name a few). It leaves no residue behind, so there is no buildup, it works on all hair types, and it is also keratin- and extension-safe.
What We Like
- Rinses thoroughly
- Hair is strengthened.
- The scalp is left feeling fresh and clean.
What We Don’t Like
- It has the potential to be a little drying.
3. Best Value: Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Shampoo by Love Beauty And Planet
The sulfate-free composition keeps hair incredibly glossy, allowing the color to pop. It also contains plant-based detangling agents to prevent snarls and impart a glossy shine to color-treated hair, keeping it smooth and manageable. But, honestly, the nicest element is the rose smell, which receives several praises every time we use it.
What We Like
- It smells fantastic.
- Color is preserved.
- There are no silicones.
What We Don’t Like
- It might be hydrating.
4. L’Oreal Paris EverStrong Thickening Shampoo is ideal for fine hair.
This selection is ideal for folks who color their hair yet are continually striving to bulk up delicate strands. It cleanses beautifully (and, yes, foams up well) while also helping to increase volume. The minty-rosemary aroma is fresh and invigorating—perfect for sluggish mornings—and we’d be remiss if we didn’t note the low price.
What We Like
- Increases volume and thickness
- energizing and revitalizing smell
- Inexpensive
What We Don’t Like
- It might be hydrating.
5. R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo is ideal for dry hair.
Use this sudser to keep your color vivid and your mane nourished. It has a slew of hair-loving components, including antioxidant-rich lychee extract, okra seed extract, vitamin E, and sunflower seed extract, and will help to add shine and battle frizz while conditioning and hydrating your color-treated strands. Just stating, we saw a considerable change after only one wash.
What We Like
- Frizz is reduced.
- Moisturizes
- Boosts radiance
What We Don’t Like
- Lathering may be tough.
6. GIRL+HAIR CLEANSE+ is ideal for natural hair. Sulfate-Free Water-To-Foam Moisturizing
Natural hair has a completely distinct cleaning and styling regimen, so use this ultra-gentle cleanser on colored kinky, coiled hair. It begins as water, then transforms into a thick foam, leaving curls that are naturally drier and more prone to damage than straight strands with ample of moisture. In summary, it does not remove natural oils or colors. It also contains shea butter and tea tree oil, which will nourish both your hair and your scalp.
What We Like
- Texture is rich and foamy.
- It relaxes the scalp.
- energizing and revitalizing smell
What We Don’t Like
- Not even Byrdie Clean
7. Living Proof Restore Shampoo is the best shampoo for damaged hair.
This brand’s secret component, a “Patented Healthy Hair Molecule,” was produced by MIT scientists, so you know it’s authentic. The composition attempts to heal dry and damaged hair cuticles immediately while also preventing future harm. Please, yes. Not to mention that it repels dirt and oil, allowing you to stretch out washes longer, which is very useful if you have colored hair.
What We Like
- hair is smoothed
- There are no silicones.
- Available in value size
What We Don’t Like
- May contribute to accumulation over time
8. Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo is ideal for blonde hair.
Blondes are more prone to color fading and alterations, particularly undesirable brassy tones that can make cooler blonde colors seem dull. Enter this alternative, a violet-based shampoo that quickly neutralizes those orange and brassy overtones and leaves any cool blonde hue renewed and revitalized. It’s also an excellent alternative for folks with gray hair.
What We Like
- Boosts and protects golden tones
- Vegan
- Boosts radiance
What We Don’t Like
- Strong odor
9. MoroccanOil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones is the best dry shampoo.
As previously said, the longer you can go between washes, the longer your color will last. That’s where an excellent dry shampoo, like this one, comes in. It utilizes rice starch to eliminate excess oil, but it’s also infused with argan oil, so it leaves the hair nourished and lustrous rather than dull. This one is designed for dark tones (don’t worry, it won’t leave a chalky residue), but there’s another one for light tones with delicate violet pigments that remove brassiness and keep your blonde looking fresh.
What We Like
- There is no residue.
- It smells fantastic.
- Hydrates
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for extremely greasy hair or scalp.
FAQ
What to Look for in Colored Hair Shampoos?
Formulations that are color-safe
When washing color-treated hair, celebrity colorist Mark Debolt emphasizes the necessity of using only products designed to extend the life of color-treated hair. This ensures that no potentially dulling or stripping substances are included in the composition.
Sulfates should be avoided.
Debolt also advises avoiding some sulfates, however it’s worth noting that not all sulfates are inherently detrimental for your hair. “Sulfates are frequently discussed in hair care, but it’s a complicated issue since there are varying grades of sulfates,” he explains.
“Salon-professional hair care products frequently contain sulfates that are fine for color-treated hair, but drugstore ones have stronger sulfates that can lose color.” What is our recommendation? Unless your colorist specifically recommends it, look for sulfate-free products.
Let’ check: Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo In 2023
Formulas with the words “clarifying” or “detoxifying” should be avoided.
Debolt also advises avoiding shampoos branded “clarifying” or “detoxifying.” “These products frequently include chemicals that remove artificial pigment from the hair,” he explains. Chamomile is another element to check for, since it is said to remove pigment from color-treated hair.
How often should color-treated hair be washed?
To keep color, wash your hair as little as possible. Allow your hair’s natural oils to condition color-treated tresses two to three times each week.
Is dry shampoo safe for color-treated hair?
Yes. It absorbs excess scalp oils in between washes, making it an excellent choice for color-treated hair. Certain dry shampoo compositions can also help to lighten your hair.
