15 Best Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair To Buy In 2024
Protect your hair color and your tresses without compromising your scalp health.
Rebekkah is a Master Stylist with over 7 years of experience. She specializes in the most popular colors and balayage and the most extravagant restyles. From managing a busy salon to working internationally with clients on their big days, she has gained knowledge in every aspect of her profession.
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Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
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It is important to find the best shampoo for color-treated hair that is suitable for your hair type. This will protect the color on your tresses without compromising the health of your hair and scalp. Yes, it can be a daunting task, and that’s exactly why we have got a list of the top 15 shampoos that can do the trick for you. We have selected the products after analyzing their formulations and checking the reviews that they have garnered on various forums. Keep reading to find your pick.
In This Article
15 Best Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair
Best Over-All:Biolage Colorlast Shampoo
One of the best professional-grade shampoos for colored hair is the Biolage Colorlast Shampoo. It is specially formulated to nourish, protect, and maintain the depth, tone, and shine of color-treated hair. The shampoo is inspired by nature’s fade-defying orchid and has a low pH. It gently cleanses, locks the color, and maintains the vibrancy even after multiple uses. This color-protect shampoo gives you a professional treatment at home! More importantly, it is free of harmful parabens.
The texture is smooth as silk, smells good, and lathers up quickly. It does not strip the hair of its natural moisture. It leaves your scalp clean and your hair soft with a shiny new hue and a pleasant smell. If you have extremely dry or damaged hair, try applying the Colorlast Conditioner. Here is an informative video detailing a reviewer’s experience with this product that tells you more about it.
- Does not strip color
- Maintains the depth and tone of the hair color
- Maintains vibrancy of hair color even after multiple uses
- Gently cleanses hair
- Makes hair soft and shiny
- Paraben-free
- Lathers quickly
- Soft texture
- Good smell
- Value for money
- Spillage-free packaging
- Contains sulfates
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 29,051 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
Best Value For Money:Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo
When you color your hair, you need all the hydration and moisturization to keep it healthy and shiny. The Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo provides exactly that without stripping the color. This is a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo, formulated with 100% vegan ingredients.
This anti-fade shampoo for colored hair contains a special anti-fade complex that keeps your hair color vibrant. The advanced Hydrating Micro-Emulsion Technology provides deep nourishment and moisturization to the hair shaft. This multi-tasking shampoo also strengthens and revitalizes dry and damaged hair, leaving it feeling shiny, smooth, and bouncy. The subtle smell, which is a signature aromatherapy blend of ylang-ylang, bergamot, and patchouli, is definitely a plus point (you will love how your hair smells!). For more information, click this video that features a tester’s experience of using this product.
- Advanced Hydrating Micro-Emulsion Technology hydrates and moisturizes hair
- Anti-fade complex locks the color
- 100% vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Revitalizes and strengthens dry and damaged hair
- Smells great
- Makes hair shiny and bouncy
- 95% of bottles are made from recyclable materials
- Bottles are 100% recyclable
- Good value for money
- Does not add volume
- Not for people with oily scalp
Pro TipBest UV Protection:amika vault Color-lock Shampoo
Dyed hair is prone to quick damage, and more so by UV rays. The amika vault Color-lock Shampoo prevents color fading and hair damage by protecting the hair from UV rays. This sulfate-free shampoo is filled with antioxidants that shield your hair from free radicals and keep the hair color vibrant for a long time.
The key ingredients of this shampoo are sea buckthorn berry, which is rich in vitamins C and A, antioxidants, and healthy omega fatty acids (including the essential omega-7). It also contains soybean oil that protects against color fading. The rich Amino Acid Blend has proven efficacy in strengthening the hair shaft, smoothing the cuticle, and boosting hair elasticity. The shampoo also contains betaine which is rich in humectants and helps retain moisture and shine. This shine-boosting shampoo for colored hair is cruelty-free, vegetarian, paraben-free, and free of other harmful chemicals.
- Enriched with antioxidants
- Vitamins C and A protect hair from UV damage
- Soyabean oil prevents color fading
- Amino Acid Blend strengthens hair shaft
- Prevents dulling hard water
- Smooths hair cuticle
- Boosts hair elasticity
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Hydrates and moisturizes hair
- Free of gluten, mineral oil, oxybenzone, MIT/MCI, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban, retinyl palmitate, aluminum, talc, phthalates, petrochemicals, sodium chloride, and artificial colors
- Safe for color-treated, keratin-treated, and Brazilian-treated hair
- Cruelty-free
- Expensive
- May cause frizzy hair if not followed with a conditioner
Pro TipBest Hydrating:Kerastase Reflection Bain Chromatique Multi-Protecting Shampoo
An effective smooth and soft hair shampoo for colored hair, the Kerastase Reflection Bain Chromatique Multi-Protecting Shampoo offers lasting vibrancy for your newly-colored hair and maintains its shine. It is specially formulated for color-treated hair. This shampoo neutralizes water particles to keep the hair color from fading quickly. It gently cleanses your scalp and keeps your hair shaft moisturized and healthy.
Most color-protecting shampoos have a sticky deposit that makes the hair uncomfortable to touch. Thankfully, this shampoo creates an anti-deposit effect on the hair fiber’s surface. Your hair will feel light and always smooth to touch. It also protects the hair shaft from UV damage and other harmful external aggressors. Check this video review to learn more about the product.
- Provides lasting vibrancy and shine
- Gentle
- Hydrating and moisturizing
- Neutralizes water particles and prevents hair color from fading
- Has an anti-deposit effect on the hair fiber’s surface
- Protects hair from UV damage and other external aggressors
- Contains sulfates
- Expensive
- May make hair greasy for people with oily hair
Best Gentle:Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo
The Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo extends the life of colored hair while making the hair glossy, hydrated, and healthy. It is infused with pure grapeseed oil and antioxidants.
This shampoo for vibrant color is gentle and protects the hair from oxidative damage, free radicals, and other harmful aggressors. A quarter-sized amount is enough to lather really well. It makes the hair shaft silky soft, smooth, nourished, and smell amazing.
- Infused with pure grapeseed oil
- Rich in antioxidants
- Protects color-treated hair
- Adds radiance and shine to the hair
- Value for money
- Contains sulfates
Best Smelling:Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
The Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo revitalizes and rejuvenates limp and lifeless colored hair. It washes away everyday build-up from chlorine, hard water, mineral deposits, dirt, and pollution. This weightless shampoo for colored hair contains argan oil and avocado oil that help hydrate the scalp and retain moisture without weighing down your hair.
The revitalizing shampoo is infused with nourishing ingredients like chamomile, lavender, and jojoba extracts and is enriched with keratin. This amber-colored color-protecting shampoo will leave your hair smelling great, shiny, bouncy, and feeling soft and silky to the touch. Many reviewers highlight how this shampoo makes their hair silky soft and removes all the impurities.
- Color-safe shampoo
- Argan oil and avocado oil hydrate and moisturize hair
- Washes off the daily build-up
- Keeps the scalp and hair weightless
- Infused with chamomile, lavender, and jojoba extracts
- Makes hair shiny, silky, and smooth
- Keratin-enriched
- Free of sulfates, phosphates, and parabens
- Smells exotic
- Expensive
- Not suitable for dry hair
- May contain other forms of sulfate
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 2,066 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
Best Hypoallergenic:Maple Holistics Argan Shampoo
If you have a sensitive scalp, the Maple Holistics Argan Shampoo could work best. It contains high-quality argan oil, which is hypoallergenic, sulfate-free, and gentle on all types of hair. The lightweight formula detoxifies the hair. It provides argan keratin treatment to the hair with the goodness of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and vitamins B1 and B2. Jojoba and avocado oils and peach kernel rejuvenate and nourish the scalp and eliminate frizz.
Other natural ingredients, like silk protein and phytokeratin, reduce the damage caused by color treatment and help repair hair for a healthy shine. More importantly, the growth bundle thickens and strengthens hair and prevents hair loss. This shampoo provides deep nourishment for flaky scalp and dry hair. Multiple Amazon reviews suggest that this shampoo not only moisturizes your hair but also helps repair your dry scalp.
- Color-safe shampoo
- Hypoallergenic
- Contains natural ingredients like high-quality argan oil, avocado oil, jojoba, peach kernel, silk protein oil, camellia seed oil, almond oil, and phytokeratin
- Moisturizes dry color-treated hair
- Gently cleanses hair
- Great for all hair types
- Makes hair super soft from the root to the tip
- Repairs damaged hair
- Prevents hair loss
- Suitable for sensitive scalp
- Reduces frizz
- Thickens and strengthens hair
- Make hair shiny, voluminous, and bouncy
- Provides nourishment to flaky scalp
- Sulfate-free
- BPA-free
- Cruelty-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Pocket-friendly
- May cause itchy scalp
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 5,360 reviews claiming its efficacy.
Best For Brunettes:Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
The Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo neutralizes the brassy tones in your newly-colored hair. It is one of the best color depositing treatments that balance blue and violet pigments and refresh your hair color by adding cool tones to your hair. The shampoo is especially good for brunettes or those with dark brown hair. Amazon reviews suggest that this shampoo is a must-have if you have bleached your hair blonde as it can remove the yellow, brassy tones while also providing nourishment to your hair.
- Neutralizes brassy tones
- Great for natural brunettes
- Refreshes the hair with cool tones
- Contains vitamin oils
- Smells good
- Contains sulfates
- May cause allergic reactions
- May add a slight blue color to blonde or bleached hair
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 2,257 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
Best For Dry And Damaged Hair:Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo
The Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo works best for dry, frizzy, and damaged color-treated hair. It hydrates and seals moisture and leaves you with ultra-soft, smooth, and glossy hair. It is formulated with signature Caviar Extract and Sea Silk and targets the physical, environmental, and natural signs of aging and stress. It also improves the health of dry and damaged hair.
It is perfect for all kinds of hair – straight, curly, wavy, coiled, or tightly coiled hair. This gentle hair wash prevents color fading and restores hair health. If you are up for a lavish and luxurious salon-at-home experience with every wash, this color protecting shampoo is for you. Reviewers love this formula and fragrance. They love how it provides an amazing cleansing experience to their hair while keeping it moisturized.
- Color-safe shampoo
- Formulated with signature Caviar Extract and Sea Silk
- Moisturizing and replenishing
- Sulfate-free
- Improves dry and brittle hair
- Restores hair health
- Suitable for straight, curly, wavy, coiled, or tightly coiled hair
- Gluten-free
- Provides luxurious salon-at-home experience with every wash
- Smells great
- Expensive
- May contain other forms of sulfates
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 1,746 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
Best For Fine And Curly Hair:Baebody Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
The Baebody Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo is formulated with gold standard Moroccan argan oil, olive oil, moisturizing shea butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, vitamin E, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, keratin, and coco betaine. This ultra-nourishing, repairing shampoo locks moisture, and strengthens and improves hair elasticity without stripping color. It reduces dryness and roughness in color-treated hair. It is suitable for fine and thick hair types. It is paraben-free, cruelty-free, and safe for most skin types.
- Dermatologist-tested
- Color-safe
- Hydrates and nourishes dry and frizzy hair
- Contains gold standard Moroccan argan oil
- Vitamins and minerals improve hair health
- Betaine improves hair elasticity
- Improves and restores shine
- Makes hair ultra-soft
- Great for fine and curly hair
- Repairs split ends
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Suitable for most skin types
- Non-greasy
- Smells good
- Has a watery consistency
- May make the scalp itchy
Best For Dry Scalp:Bingo Hair Care Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
The Bingo Hair Care Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo is a color-safe and moisture-rich healing Moroccan argan oil shampoo. It reduces flaking and dry scalp, promotes the growth of healthy, strong hair, and makes the hair soft and shiny.
This shampoo has a high content of antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids. These increase the hair’s elasticity and add luster to dull hair. Antioxidants protect from UV damage and neutralize free radicals. This gentle shampoo is suitable for all types of hair. This hydrating and moisturizing shampoo is a luxurious elixir for dry and damaged color-treated hair. It restores hair health and strengthens hair from the root. Multiple reviewers testify that this shampoo offers amazing moisturization, reduces frizz, and makes the hair appear fuller.
- Color-safe shampoo
- Sulfate-free
- Hydrating and moisturizing
- Contains luxurious Moroccan argan oil
- Contains vitamin A and vitamin E
- Contains essential fatty acids
- Protects from UV damage and free radicals
- Improves hair elasticity
- Reduces flaking and dry scalp
- Makes hair soft and shiny
- Heals dry, damaged, and dull hair
- Not for keratin-treated hair
- Contains other forms of sulfate
"This shampoo is great for my dry and frizzy hair. It also made my hair softer. It moisturizes my hair, especially the damaged strands that need regular maintenance. I often pair it with a hydrating conditioner to seal in nourishment."
Best For Chemically-Treated Hair:Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color
The Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color provides protection against the color-fading effects of the sun rays and environmental pollutants. The moisturizing ingredients help restore the soft and silky texture. The shampoo gently cleanses hair, minimizing hair damage and adding shine to the hair.
The bioflavonoids in the shampoo prevent color fading and discoloration. The baobab tree extract provides superior moisture to the driest areas in the hair shaft. The edelweiss flower extract from the Swiss Alps prevents drying, damaging, and color-depleting effects. The kaempferia galanga root extract provides natural UV protection. The watermelon extract from the Kalahari Desert provides natural protection against oxidative stress and the deterioration of natural keratin. The dermatologist-tested shampoo is paraben-free, extends the life of hair color, and keeps the hair color looking bright and always new!
- Color-safe
- Dermatologist-tested
- Moisturizes
- Cleanses gently
- Strengthens chemically-treated hair
- Protects against the sun and environmental pollutants
- Prevents drying of hair
- Keeps the hair color longer
- Paraben-free
- Great packaging
- Expensive
- Contains sulfate
Best For Shiny Hair:Paul Mitchell Color Protect Shampoo
The Paul Mitchell Color Protect Shampoo contains sunflower extract, which protects against sun damage. It gently cleanses the scalp, nourishes and moisturizes color-treated hair, improves hair health, strengthens hair, and makes it super soft and shiny. It is paraben-free and requires a small amount to cleanse and add life to dull and lifeless colored hair.
- Preserves color
- Protects against sun damage
- Strengthens hair
- Cleanses gently
- Hydrates and moisturizes
- Boosts hair shine
- Paraben-free
- Contains sulfates
- May leave a residue in hair
- Expensive
Best For Hair Fall:Davines Nounou Shampoo
The Davines Nounou Shampoo is formulated for dry, brittle, and damaged color-treated and chemical-treated hair. It locks moisture, restores shine, boosts hair health, and prevents hair fall.
It contains Fiaschetto Tomato that adds nourishment from the roots to the hair tips. This hydrating shampoo for colored hair is sulfate-free, and paraben-free, and makes hair healthy, shiny, and bouncy.
- For color-treated hair
- Heals dry, brittle, and damaged hair
- Hydrates and moisturizes
- Contains Fiaschetto Tomato for added nourishment
- Restores shine
- Makes hair healthy
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Expensive
- Not suitable for highly sensitive skin
Best For Deep Conditioning:Essential Oil Labs Argan Oil Shampoo
The Essential Oil Labs Argan Oil Shampoo rejuvenates dull, dry, damaged, and chemical-treated hair. It contains organic and natural Moroccan argan oil that hydrates dry hair.
Other nourishing ingredients like avocado oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, camellia seed oil, almond oil, and botanic keratin provide deep conditioning and make the hair smooth, silky soft, detangled, bouncy, and glossy. It is sulfate-free and paraben-free. All the ingredients are sourced sustainably and are free of chemicals, additives, and fillers.
- Color-safe
- Organic and natural Moroccan argan oil hydrates dry hair
- Contains avocado oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and almond oil
- Provides deep conditioning
- Adds instant shine and makes hair soft
- Restores hair health
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Sourced sustainably
- Free of chemicals, additives, and fillers
- Watery consistency
These are the 15 best shampoos for color-treated hair. Here is a checklist of what you should look for while buying a shampoo for colored hair.
How To Choose The Best Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair
To choose the best overall shampoo for color-treated hair, you must check the following:
- Color-Safe – Check the bottle to see if the shampoo is color-safe. Color-safe shampoos are specially formulated to prevent the stripping of color from hair. Such shampoos also prevent fading and keep the color vibrant for a long time.
- Moisturizing – Coloring often makes the hair dull, dry, and lifeless. Therefore, buy a shampoo that contains nourishing ingredients that keep the hair moisturized and shiny. It will make your hair soft to the touch and make it look super shiny.
- Protects From Sun Damage – Check if the shampoo contains antioxidants that protect the hair from UV damage. UV rays tend to strip color and cause fading. A good shampoo that protects from UV damage will make the hair color last longer.
- Smoothening – Along with softness, you need that extra dose of smoothening effect in your color-treated hair. It will help you brush your hair with ease and not cause hair fall due to tangles.
- Free Of Harmful Chemicals – Harmful chemicals, like parabens and sulfates, are a strict no-no. You must take care of your hair and scalp. Check the ingredients label for any skin irritants or those that you could be particularly allergic to. Avoid using shampoos that will potentially cause harm to your skin, instead opt for pH-balanced shampoos that are free of toxins.
- Budget-Friendly – This list provides drugstore to luxury shampoos for color-treated hair. Choose the one that fits your budget and can give you the results you want.
, Master Stylist, says, “If you’re spending the money on having your hair colored, you want to take care of it right? Aftercare is such an important part of taking care of your color. Washing with a shampoo designed for color-treated hair will not only stop your color from fading faster but always keep it looking healthy and vibrant. Opting for a sulfate-free shampoo will prevent the color fading, as sulfates dry out the hair which lessens the life of your color.
The Bottom Line
Regular shampoos do not work for color-treated hair. You need a special nourishing, fortifying, and protecting shampoo to make your hair color stay longer. Be it a drugstore shampoo or a luxury brand shampoo, buy a color-protecting and color-enhancing shampoo that hydrates, moisturizes, preserves hair health, and does not cause color fading. For instance, the BIOLAGE Colorlast Shampoo helps to maintain vibrancy and prevent fading. It also provides gentle cleansing without stripping the hair of its moisture. For vegan folks, the Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo is a perfect pick. For dry, limp-colored hair, try the Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo. You will be able to flaunt your hair color (and healthy hair) without resorting to a haircut or recoloring the faded parts. Pick your favorite from the list after scrolling through their reviews. Have a perfect hair day every day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is special shampoo necessary for color-treated hair?
Yes. Special shampoo or color-safe shampoos contain mild ingredients that keep the hair color vibrant and shiny. These color-retention shampoos do not strip the color from the tresses and make them look brassy. Also, special shampoos have conditioning properties that keep color-treated hair nourished and frizz-free.
What shampoo should not be used on colored hair?
Skip using a shampoo that contains sulfates. Sulfates or surfactants break through the cuticles, strip the hair, and are not salon-recommended. Also, avoid deep-cleansing, clarifying shampoos to retain the vibrancy and the luster of your colored tresses.
How often should I wash colored hair?
Wash your colored hair two or three times weekly to cleanse the scalp without wearing off the color.
Is sulfate-free shampoo good for colored hair?
Yes. Sulfate-free shampoos have color-enhancing properties. They gently cleanse your hair without fading the dye.
How do I make my hair color last longer?
• Skip washing the hair immediately after coloring the tresses. Instead, wait at least 24 hours for the color to settle in. Do not shower in hot water.
• Use color-safe hair care products and shampoos that contain alcohol and SLS.
• Add hair mask and conditioning treatment to your weekly routine.
• Skip heat styling the hair often.
• Step out in the sun by covering your hair with a scarf or hat.
• Avoid swimming in pools. The chlorine water tends to fade color faster.
Do shampoos for color-treated hair truly make a difference, or is any shampoo just fine?
Shampoos for color-treated hair prevent the cuticles from letting the color seep out. In addition, they have conditioning properties that add moisture and vibrancy to the colored hair. Regular shampoos usually contain harsh cleansing agents that fade the color and make the tresses appear dull and dehydrated. Therefore, color-safe shampoos make a difference.
Is baking soda a safe alternative to shampoo for color-treated hair?
No. Baking soda is highly alkaline. As a result, it damages the hair and fades the color. Therefore, baking soda is not a safe alternative to a color-safe shampoo.
Best Natural Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair
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Best Drugstore Shampoos and Conditioners For Colored Hair
Best Shampoos And Conditioners For Colored Hair
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