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Do you want to go from blonde to brunette? Or do you want to add a shock of purple to your locks? You want to try every single hair color in the rainbow. But you also don't want to deal with split ends and want your hair to fall out or break off. After all, color-treated hair is prone to a wide array of issues, from intense dryness to excessive oiliness. To keep your hair looking healthy and strong while you're experimenting with color, it's important to use a shampoo that's specially formulated for color-treated hair. These shampoos contain ultra-hydrating ingredients that work with color-treated hair to replenish lost moisture and revitalize overall health.
Needless to say, by adding one of these bottles to your shower caddy, you can say goodbye to all the brassiness that comes with color treatments. However, finding a shampoo suitable for your color-treated hair is hard. You need something that's gentle but still effective, easy on your pocket, and without too many chemicals. So, what should you do? Well, we've reviewed below some of the highest-rated shampoos for color-treated hair of 2024 that'll cleanse and nourish every strand of hair and make it soft, shiny, and vibrant again.
Our Picks of the Hottest Shampoo for Color Treated Hair
Framesi Shampoo for Color Treated Hair — Best Overall
Framesi color-treated shampoo, with its mild formula and Color Lover Complex, is the perfect addition to your hair care routine. It is designed to restore vitality and radiance in your hair by providing deep moisture for dry, damaged hair. It is specially infused with plant-based ingredients such as quinoa, aloe, meadowfoam seed oil, and shea butter that restore the moisture of hair and strengthen them.
It is mainly formulated with grape stem cells to protect your hair from UV rays that are the sworn enemy of color-treated hair. Most importantly, it is enriched with vitamins like B5, E, and C that work to soothe your scalp while cleansing your hair of dirt, oil, and buildup without stripping away its natural moisture. The result? Cleaner, shinier hair that retains its vibrant hue—and looks and feels good too! It has an amazing floral scent that adds to the overall experience, making it the best shampoo on our list.
Pros
- Restores overall hair health
- Rich in antioxidants
- Cleanse hair and add shine
Cons
- Some may find the smell pungent
BIOLAGE Shampoo for Color Treated Hair — Editor's Pick
Finding the right shampoo to keep your color looking healthy and vibrant can be a real chore. Well, stop searching! BIOLAGE shampoo for color-treated hair adds luster, shine, and hydration to your treated hair. With a low pH formula, it helps keep your color looking vibrant and prevents fading by protecting the hair from UV rays.
It has a unique blend of ingredients that penetrate deep into the hair follicles to transform them to their healthiest state. Because it doesn't contain harsh ingredients that might strip your hair of its color, this shampoo is safe to use every day as part of your regular hair care routine. Its blooming orchid smell will add a breathtaking fragrance to your hair.
Pros
- Low pH formula to protect hair from UV rays
- Enhances the texture of hair
- Can be used on pre-lightened hair
Cons
- A bit overpriced
Pureology Shampoo for Color Treated Hair — Suitable for Vegan
Pureology will give you a smooth, tangle-free experience while providing enough hydration to your hair. Made to improve elasticity and boost shine, this one-of-a-kind shampoo contains an optimal blend of jojoba, green tea, and sage which collectively nourish both your hair and your scalp, leaving you with smooth and shiny locks that are easy to style.
Formulated with zero sulfate and 100% vegan ingredients, this shampoo not only cleanses your hair of dirt and grime—it also helps maintain the vibrancy of your hair color for up to 40 washes, so you can go longer between touch-ups. The inclusion of bergamot and patchouli give this shampoo a unique scent, which is rounded out by the soothing scent of lavender. Every time you use this shampoo, you're getting a high-performance treatment that leaves your hair feeling silky smooth and smelling like a dream.
Pros
- Reduce color fading and breakage
- Vegan and sulfate-free formula
- Fresh floral scent
- Enhances natural oil production
Cons
- Overpowering scent
L'Oreal Paris Shampoo for Color Treated Hair — Honorable Mention
If you are tired of lifeless, limp hair, your hair will thank you for using Loreal Paris Hair Expertise Ever Pure Full Volume Shampoo. Unlike traditional shampoos that strip color from your hair, this revolutionary product has anti-fade and UV filter technology that neutralizes the yellow hues and keeps your hair color vibrant and gorgeous for longer than ever before.
The key ingredient in this miracle shampoo is salicylic acid which washes away dirt and oil while strengthening each strand of hair. It's also free of parabens and dyes so that you can be confident that your hair is in good hands. On top of that, it has a fresh aromatic fragrance with notes of rosemary and eucalyptus that not only adds vitality to hair but also leaves them smelling fresher than ever.
Pros
- UV filter technology
- Add luster and radiance to hair locks
- Paraben and sulfate-free
Cons
- Might not add much volume to thin, flat hair
Redken Shampoo for Color Treated Hair — Suitable for All Hair Types
If you've been looking for an easy way to extend the life of your hair color and keep it looking fresh and new, Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo for color-treated hair is exactly what you need. It has an exclusive blend of amino acids and oils that strengthens your hair from root to tip without stripping your hair of its natural oils. This gentle yet effective formula is also infused with iron oxide and protein extract—which help to extend color retention and neutralize brassy yellow or orange tones.
The best part? It works with all types of color-treated hair, so even if you've gone a little overboard on the bleach and managed to destroy your strands… no worries! This shampoo can handle it all. Plus, it's sulfate-free, so it's gentle on your strands while still being powerful enough to leave hair shiny and manageable.
Pros
- Exclusive blend of acids and oil to nourish hair
- Free from harsh chemicals
- Repels environmental pollutants
- Prevents color fade
Cons
- The lather might be difficult to rinse out
Finding the Right Shampoo for Color Treated Hair: A Buyer's Guide
Dyeing your hair can be a strenuous, expensive, and time-consuming process. Regular shampoo can fade the color quickly, requiring you to visit the salon more frequently. Using shampoos for color-treated hair can help you keep your dye work fresh for longer. Some color-treated shampoos also have a slight pigment that enhances the hair’s vibrancy and color. But choosing the shampoo that works best for your hair can be challenging. That’s why we have put together this handy buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
How to Choose Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair?
Know your hair type
Make sure to think about the type and texture of your hair when you choose shampoo and conditioner for your color-treated hair. If you have fine hair, you should look for ingredients like collagen and hydrolyzed wheat protein to make your hair look thick and full. Additionally, root extracts are also good for those with thin hair. It will be easier for you to manage your hair and keep it moisturized if you use a shampoo with oils, hydrolyzed protein, and shea butter. If your hair is thick and coarse, look for a creamy shampoo with hydrating and moisturizing properties.
Consider the color used
There are a lot of shampoos and conditioners that are made with the color and tint of your hair in mind. Non-sulfate shampoos are better for dark colors like black and brown. Shampoos that remove brassy and yellow undertones and brighten the color are good for people who have dyed their hair a light blonde or a beautiful gray.
Examine your scalp type
You should know whether you have normal, oily, or dry scalp because there are different shampoos for different scalp conditions. A moisturizing shampoo won’t be a great choice for people with oily scalp because it will make your hair more greasy. You should choose a non-milky and clear shampoo that doesn’t have any pigment to ensure that it won’t irritate your scalp. On the other hand, if you have color-treated hair and dry scalp, shampoos that contain coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, or tea tree oil are the best choice.
How Much Do Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair Cost?
The price range of shampoos for color-treated hair varies depending on the ingredients used, the quantity of the product, and the brand’s value.
Cheap
You should expect to pay $6 to $12 for a bottle of 8 to 10 ounces of color-treated shampoo. Most shampoos in this price range have color-safe ingredients like UV protectants and color hydration. The only drawback is that you have to struggle to find sulfate-free shampoos in this price range.
Mid-range
You will find shampoos in this price range from $21 to $25 for a 30-33.8 ounces bottle. Products in this price range offer great value for money. And you will find some renowned salon brands that enhance the color potential.
High-end
If you want to get specialty products with unique formulae from a high-end brand, expect to pay $25 to $50. These are from high-end brands and contain luxurious ingredients for a spa-like experience.
Tips to Preserve Your Hair Color:
Leave the hair color for up to half an hour before shampooing
After you’ve done dying your hair, give it some time to set before washing it off. This is because the cuticles of your hair may open up during hair coloring, leaving it more susceptible to fading. It’s not a good idea to wash your hair right away after getting it dyed. The color will last longer if you wait until the cuticles are fully closed.
Wash your hair with lukewarm water
Hair that has been washed in hot water may lose color more quickly because the cuticles are more exposed. Because hot water removes moisture and important oils from the hair shaft, your hair may become dry and frizzy. To preserve the quality and color of your hair, wash it with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your hair daily
Washing your hair daily with strong shampoos or simply rinsing with water can quickly fade the hair color. So, you should wash your hair twice or thrice a week to retain the hair color for a longer period.
Avoid using heat styling tools
Give some time to your hair to repair the damage done by harsh chemicals, bleach, and hair color. Avoid using a hairdryer, and air dry it for the best results. Moreover, you can use volumizing sprays rather than blow-drying your hair.
Cover your roots
When your natural hair starts to grow, the roots will show no matter how well you care for your hair color. If you need to touch up the roots of your hair, you can go to a salon or do it yourself at home. You can also use a cover-up spray that masks the roots when none of these alternatives is an option. These root concealing sprays come in handy when you don’t have time to wash your hair in between uses.
