7 Best Shampoos For Natural Red Hair – 2024
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Khamis Maiouf is a professional barber who graduated from Hinckley College in England with a degree in barbering. He has also won several barbering contests and successfully operated a barbershop for the last two decades. As a skilled hair stylist for 20 years, his goal is to teach others how to achieve a beautiful appearance through their hairstyles.
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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: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
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Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
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Only 2% of the world’s population have natural red hair. This hair color has more of the pigment pheomelanin than the dark pigment eumelanin. The best shampoos for natural red hair maintain the vibrancy and intensity of this hair color. Red hair color is most prone to fading and looking dull or lifeless, all thanks to water quality, sun damage, styling treatments, and products.
Even those that are redheads by choice, to maintain the color of your mane, you must invest in quality red hair essentials that are safe for color-treated hair, especially vibrant red hair. To help you maintain the fiery vibrancy of your red hair, we have put together a list of the best shampoos for natural red hair. So, go ahead and take a quick look!
In This Article
7 Best Shampoos For Red Heads Available On Amazon
1. Best Overall:Davines Alchemic Shampoo Copper
Whether you are a natural redhead or have your hair dyed in fiery shades of red or copper tones, the Davines Alchemic Shampoo Copper is the one for you. This color-safe shampoo for red hair health has a vitamin B-enhanced formula that moisturizes your hair and scalp and protects your hair color. It also enhances shine and keeps your mane looking vibrant and fresh.
Pros
- Moisturizing
- Adds shine
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- None
2. Best For Long-Lasting Color:John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo
Rock that red color on your hair for longer than usual with the John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo. Its anti-fading technology works beautifully for natural redheads too! The formula is enriched with pomegranate extract and vitamin E to boost softness and smooth the hair with every wash. Use this regularly or once a week to gently clarify your scalp while preserving your hair color vibrancy. Although this popular product has many positive reviews, before buying, have a look at this video of a reviewer’s experience for more details.
Pros
- Softens the hair
- Adds shine
- Anti-fade technology
- Budget-friendly
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 6,275 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
3. Best Sulfate-Free:Tressa Watercolors Color Depositing Shampoo Fluid Fire
This 3-in-1 formula by Tressa Watercolors cleanses, conditions, and refreshes your hair color in one step. Use this shampoo to maintain the natural vibrancy of your red hair and prevent the color from fading away. This Fluid Fire is best suited for people with medium to darker auburn red hair. The rich foaming formula is not tested on animals, and nourishes human hair strands and adds shine to them.
This shampoo generally washes away easily without setting roots and if you want a subtle retouching of the redness in your curly hair, mix it with your regular shampoo.
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Nourishes
- Adds shine
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- None
Quick TipUse a shampoo with UV protection. Red hair is more susceptible to sun damage, so shampoo with UV protection can help keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy.
4. Best Moisturizing:CHI Color Illuminate Shampoo – Red Auburn
Maintaining that salon-fresh hair color is no longer a big deal! The CHI Color Illuminate Shampoo enables color preservation and color balance in just a step. This paraben-free shampoo for red hair directly deposits rich red auburn tones in a single wash. The moisturizing formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients like Silk Amino Complex, which contains ceramic, silk, and amino acids. This hair product reaches deep into your hair cuticles to moisturize your strands and leave them well-nourished.
Pros
- Deep moisturization
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- None
5. Best Shine Enhancement:Shikai Color Reflect Shampoo Warm
This extra-mild shampoo by Shikai has a plant-based formula that gently cleans your colored hair with each wash. The water-soluble red henna extracts add a highly reflective tinted coating to your strands to make them shine. This pH-balanced shampoo intensifies the red color of your hair, while the natural sunflower extract (Heliogenol™) and a UV filter make the color last longer than usual. This gentle shampoo for natural red hair has a non-greasy formula that relieves dry scalp and is also suitable for damaged hair. It has proven efficacy according to several online reviews.
Pros
- Adds brilliant shine
- pH balanced
- Non-greasy
- Extra-mild
- Low-detergent
- Budget-friendly
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
6. Best Color-Replenishing Formula:Quantum Riveting Reds Color-Replenishing Shampoo
Refresh and brighten all shades of red with this daily-use nourishing shampoo for red hair. The formula is enriched with Vitamin E, sunflower seed extract, silicone, and wheat protein. It also contains Equalizer 4 Color Protection Complex that protects your hair color from fading. This mild color-enhancing shampoo is recommended for daily use for all redheads. Embrace this specially formulated nourishing daily use shampoo for red hair to refresh and brighten your locks.
Pros
- Color-replenishing
- Mild formula
- Moisturizing
- Value for money
Cons
- Expensive
Quick TipRed hair tends to be dryer than other hair types, so using a deep conditioning treatment once a week will keep your hair hydrated and healthy.
7. Best Anti-Fade:Kerastase Bain Chromatique Reflection
The Kerastase Bain Chromatique Reflection shampoo has UV filters and vitamin E to protect your strands from oxidative aggressions that cause color fading. The Système Capture Advanced in the formula captures pigments in the fiber to protect your hair color for 40 days. The zinc gluconate in the formula locks the color deep within the hair fiber, while the linseed oil polishes and smoothes the hair fiber leaving it smooth and shiny for maximum light reflection.
Choose the Kerastase Bain Chromatique Reflection shampoo for its advanced formula, which incorporates UV filters, vitamin E, and anti-fade technology. Experience the benefits of this exceptional shampoo as it protects your hair color, locks in pigments, and polishes your hair fiber, leaving you with vibrant, glossy, and long-lasting hair color.
Pros
- Prolongs the color
- Nourishing
- Makes hair supple
- Adds shine
Cons
- None
Whether your hair is naturally red or is chemically treated with lush red color, there are a few factors you would want to consider while choosing a shampoo to keep the brightness and your hair healthy. Red hair is one of the easiest shades to fade. So, along with minimizing your time under the sun and using the right strategies, it is also vital that you choose a shampoo that cleanses your scalp well yet keeps your hair color vibrant. Here are some essential factors when choosing a shampoo for natural red hair.
How To Choose The Best Shampoo For Natural Red Hair
- Hydrating Formula
Everyday styling and environmental aggressors can leave your hair dull and brittle and affect volume and thickness. Therefore, choose a shampoo infused with hydrating ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, or argan oil. They refresh and replenish moisture in your dry hair, protect your red hair, and promote effective scalp care. Opt for shampoos with nourishing ingredients that provide professional-grade restorative care.
- Stay Away From Harsh Chemicals
Regular shampoos contain harmful chemicals like silicones, drying alcohols, parabens, and sulfates, which hinder the vibrancy of your hair. When choosing a shampoo, ensure it does not have any ingredients to preserve your natural red hair color.
- Added Vitamins
Look for a shampoo with antioxidant-rich vitamins like vitamins A, B, and C, which boost hair thickness and strengthen and prevent your hair from damage. Strong hair ensures your strands are protected against irritation, damage, breakage, or fading.
- UV Protection
The harmful UV rays of the sun can take a toll on your hair’s health and leave your red color looking dull. Instead, choose a shampoo infused with black Spruce bark or sweet almond oil, which can naturally nourish your frizzy hair while protecting it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. You can also go for shampoos that are infused with built-in UV protection formulas as well.
- Damage Repairing Ingredients
Look for shampoos that are infused with damage-repairing ingredients. For example, certain ingredients like coconut milk, aloe vera, and plant-based oils restore the shine and volume of bleached hair. These ingredients also reduce the chances of hair breakage or split ends and promote frizz control.
Infographic: Key Ingredients In Shampoos For Natural Red Hair
If your hair is natural or dyed red, it is important to use the right red hair care products. Smooth and shiny red hair reflects light and looks vibrant. However, it is prone to damage by sun, water, and harmful chemicals. Therefore, you will need shampoos infused with potent ingredients to gain luscious-looking red tresses. Check out the infographic below to know about these ingredients.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Our hair is a big part of our physical identity, no matter what length or color we choose to wear it. If you belong to the rare group of people that have natural red hair or are a redhead by choice, we suggest you invest in shampoos specially formulated to maintain the color of your strands. Look for quality products that are devoid of chemical formulations and are sulfate-free. For instance, the Davines Alchemic Shampoo Copper is designed to enhance and extend the vibrancy of red hair, while the John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo infuses a boost of color and helps preserve its intensity. Additionally, the CHI Color Illuminate Shampoo – Red Auburn offers a gentle cleansing experience that enhances red and auburn shades while nourishing the hair. The products listed here are all moisturizing shampoos that not only maintain the red of your hair but also add shine and life to your tresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need special shampoo for red hair?
Yes, it is advised that you use a special shampoo that protects your colored or natural red hair.
How often should redheads wash their hair?
It is best to wash your hair once a week to protect the color, but if you are using the correct shampoo, you can go up to three washes per week.
Does red hair change with age?
Yes, natural red hair fades with age and changes color.
What happens if you put purple shampoo on red hair?
Purple shampoo is designed to neutralize brassy tones in blonde or gray hair, not red hair. Using it on red hair might dull the vibrancy and could potentially create a muddy color, but it’s unlikely to make a dramatic difference.
What does red hair look like when it ages?
Yes, red hair can change with age, typically becoming darker, grayer, or white as a person gets older.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach who is also passionate about hair care. After thorough research and going through multiple reviews and user feedback on online forums, she has listed these best shampoos for natural red hair. These are all chosen based on factors like the absence of harmful chemicals, nourishing properties, and their ability to maintain the natural vibrancy of the red hair color.
Read full bio of Khamis Maiouf
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Read full bio of Medha Deb
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