10 Best Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair, Vetted by Hairstylists

The best shampoos for colored-treated hair are a game changer for my auburn hair. Learn from my mistake: The first time I ever dyed my hair, my fresh hue got washed right down the drain because I didn’t use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. (No exaggeration, I had to go back to the salon to get my hair redone two weeks later.) I’ve come a long way in maintaining my color since then, and now I’m able to keep my strands extra vibrant for months thanks to the correct hair care products.

“If you’re investing time, money, and care into your color, it only makes sense to preserve it,” says celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance. “Regular shampoos can strip color molecules and fade your shade faster. Color-safe shampoos are designed to hydrate, nourish, and protect without compromising the integrity of your color. Think of it like skin care—after a facial, you’d use products that support the results, not undo them. Same goes for your hair.”

After speaking with professional stylists and testing dozens of formulas, we found the very best shampoos for colored hair. With any of these picks, your color will stay so vivid, you might just be able to skip your next salon appointment—or at least push it off by a few weeks.

The best shampoos for colored-treated hair, at a glance

• Best Overall: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, $37
• Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo: Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo, $27
• Best for Shine: IGK More Life Color Extend Shampoo, $32
• Best for Fine Hair: Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Respect, $44
• Best for Damaged Hair: Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color, $49
• Best Drugstore: Herbal Essences Pure Grapeseed Color Nurture Shampoo, $10

Best Overall: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

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Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

$90

Amazon

$37

Sephora

• Key ingredients: Rose extract, green tea extract, multi-weight proteins
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 33.8 oz., 9 oz., and 1.7 oz.

Don’t be fooled by the name of this shampoo—while it was specially formulated to replenish dry hair, two of our experts say this multi-tasker also works to completely revive colored hair. “It’s full of antioxidants and is ultra-moisturizing, making it a go-to for keeping color vivid and strands soft,” says Ballance.

Hair dye naturally dries out hair, and if you bleach your strands, brittleness is almost guaranteed—unless you use this. The combination of proteins and rose extract softens, boosts shine, and intensely hydrates hair, so your mane can maintain near-virgin health, even if you’re heading to the salon every few weeks.

Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo: Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

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Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

$54

Amazon

• Key ingredients: Cranberry oil, citric acid, glycerin
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 33.8 oz., 10.1 oz., and 1.7 oz.

If you dye your hair, it’s incredibly important to use a moisturizing shampoo that’s sulfate-free, says Ballance. While sulfates function as cleansing agents to help wash away dirt, oil, and buildup, they can also strip color and cause dryness. So, when Ballance is advising his clients on how to maintain their hue, he always recommends this pick from Redken. “Along with being sulfate-free, this is packed with proteins that strengthen your hair while giving it that clean, glossy finish,” he says.

Best for Shine: IGK More Life Color Extend Shampoo

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IGK More Life Color Extend Shampoo

$32 $29

Amazon

• Key ingredients: Color-locking polymers, botanical gloss complex, squalane
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 33.8 oz. and 8 oz.

You’ve probably heard of glass skin but how about glass hair? This is when hair is so shiny, smooth, and frizz-free, it reflects light like a mirror. My hair practically sparkled after one wash with this shampoo.

“This was developed by stylists who live and breathe color every day,” explains Ballance. “It hydrates, protects, and leaves your hair feeling salon-fresh between appointments.” Beyond adding a professional gloss-level shine, the hydrating ingredients and special color-locking polymers help extend the vibrancy of my dye job. I typically refresh my red mane every five weeks, but with this, I’ve been able to push off my regular appointment by two extra weeks. Plus, the conditioner doubles as a nourishing hair mask.

Best for Damaged Hair: Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color

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Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color

$46

Sephora

• Key ingredients: Ginger root extract, baobab tree extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 33.8 oz., and 8.5 oz.

Sad truth: Consistent coloring can result in some major harm to your hair, especially if bleach is a regular part of your routine. If you’re not ready or willing to revert back to your natural color and are looking for an easy solution to remedy breakage, Korab says that Oribe’s restorative shampoo can reverse damage and prevent fading. After using this for a few weeks, I can confirm the hefty price tag is totally worth it. Not only does my red hair feel silky soft, but my ends also look healthier and my auburn hue appears richer—so much so that I’ve been able to skip my reparative bond-building mask. Who knew just shampoo could make such a difference?

Best Drugstore: Herbal Essences Pure Grapeseed Color Nurture Shampoo

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Herbal Essences Pure Grapeseed Color Nurture Shampoo

$10

Walmart

• Key ingredients: Camellia oil, aloe leaf juice, grapeseed extract
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 13.5 oz.

When I first started dying my hair a decade ago, it was rare to find color-safe shampoos at the drugstore. All of the formulas touted for keeping colored hair soft and healthy were ridiculously expensive, then Herbal Essences came out with this affordable pick. For under $10, this lightweight yet nourishing shampoo improves vibrancy and offers color protection against UV rays (which can actually cause fading) all with plant-based ingredients. This shampoo features camellia oil, which is very similar to the natural oils our hair produces, and grapeseed oil, which creates a shield between your hair and those aforementioned UV rays. I also love that my mane smells like a blooming garden every time I wash with this.

Best for Blonde Hair: Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

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Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

$30 $22

Amazon

• Key ingredients: Violet toning agents, coconut oil derived-surfactants, citric acid
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 33.8 oz., and 8.5 oz.

Blonde requires more upkeep than most other hair colors. You’ll probably find yourself scheduling more frequent touch ups unless you have a trusty color-depositing purple shampoo in your shower caddy to keep your hue looking icy and fresh. Don’t let the deep violet shade of this Olaplex pick scare you—the color neutralizes brassy tones to keep all shades of blonde extra bright. Plus, this is chock full of Olaplex’s bond-building complex to deeply repair damaged hair (even bleached strands!) from the inside out.

“I recently dyed my hair to a dark chocolate shade and rely on a blue shampoo, but when I used to get balayage highlights, I would push back my hair appointments thanks to this purple shampoo. It minimized the appearance of orange hues. The purple is potent but don’t worry it doesn’t stain,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.

Best for Silky Hair: L’Oreal Paris Ever Pure Glossing Shampoo

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L’Oreal Paris Ever Pure Glossing Shampoo

$10

Ulta

• Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, citric acid
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 6.8 oz.

You can transform dull, dry colored hair with a quick lather and rinse when you have this affordable shampoo. Giannetos loves using this on clients because it “gives an instant glossy, shiny look.” You probably know glycolic acid as an effective exfoliator in skin care products, but in this formula it infuses strands with essential moisture to smooth out cuticles and boost shine. When strands are smoother, the pigments will be able to better reflect light and appear more vivid.

Best Clarifying Shampoo: Ouai Detox Shampoo

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Ouai Detox Shampoo

$32

Amazon

• Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, chelating agents, hydrolyzed keratin
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 10 oz.

It’s really tricky to find a clarifying shampoo for colored hair, mainly because many formulas are so harsh they can strip away pigments in a flash. Ouai’s Detox Shampoo utilizes gentle detoxifying ingredients, including apple cider vinegar and chelating agents, that break down product buildup, dirt, and oil without messing with your color. It also includes hydrolyzed keratin to soften and strengthen hair so you’re not left with straw-like strands every time you’re in need of a deep clean.

Glamour Calle recently went back to dark brown hair color and adds this shampoo to her haircare routine. “The consistency is on the thicker side so I suggest parting sections of your hair. I have thick, wavy hair so I have to distribute it all around before scrubbing. It has an average lather but the post-wash cleanse is very noticeable particularly on my scalp.”

Best for Brunettes: Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo

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Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo

$21

Amazon

• Key ingredients: Neutralizing dyes, vitamin E oil
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 33.8 oz., and 10.1 oz.

Brassiness isn’t just an issue for blondes—those who dye their hair brown also need a good toning shampoo to prevent coppery hues and preserve rich chocolate pigments. This blue shampoo from Matrix simultaneously neutralizes unwanted tones while also hydrating strands with vitamin E oil, a lightweight moisturizer that’s suitable for all hair types.

Best for Fine Hair: Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Respect

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Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Respect

$70

Amazon

• Key ingredients: Amino acid, lactic acid, centella asiatica
• Sulfate-free: Yes
• Size: 16.9 oz. and 8.5 oz.

While many shampoos designed for colored hair are extra rich and nourishing to offset the damage hair dye causes, those formulas often end up being way too heavy for people with fine hair. This lightweight yet hydrating shampoo—which comes recommended by Korab—is the exception, and still manages to intensely hydrate, repair, and seal in color thanks to a combination of botanical extracts and strengthening acids.

All your color-treated hair questions, answered

How are shampoos for colored hair different from any other shampoo?

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Just like how certain shampoos are designed for fine, oily, or curly hair, selecting a shampoo made for colored hair can make a meaningful difference in the overall health of your strands.

“Shampoos designed for color-treated hair are typically free from harsh sulfates and chemicals that strip color,” explains Ballance. “They’re formulated to cleanse gently without drying out hair or dulling your tone, helping your color stay vibrant and glossy for longer.”

Celebrity hairstylist & colorist Dimitris Giannetos adds that if you can’t find a formula specifically for colored hair—good thing you’re reading this!—you can also opt for a shampoo that’s sulfate-free. “Sulfates will cause your color to fade more quickly,” he says.

How can you keep your hair color from fading?

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There are quite a few ways you can prolong your color, and one of the best ways is adjusting your shampoo routine. Beyond using a shampoo for color-treated hair, Ballance says his number one rule is avoiding washing your hair for “at least two days after your color treatment.” This allows the color to settle in and seal properly. When it comes time to cleanse, he recommends shampooing less than you usually would—about two to three times a week max. “Shampooing too frequently strips your natural oils—and your color. Use lukewarm or cool water instead of hot, too, because hot water opens the hair cuticle and dulls your color.”

Professional colorist Jennifer Korab adds that once you’re out of the shower, small hair care tweaks help. Be sure to use a heat protectant when heat styling your hair to keep your hue vibrant. “Sun exposure can also dull your color, so wear a hat or use UV-protectant hair products when outdoors,” she says. And if you feel like your color is looking a little lackluster, Giannetos recommends incorporating an at-home gloss into your routine. “It adds beautiful shine and is a great pick-me-up in between your professional color appointments.”

How often should you wash color treated hair?

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Every expert agrees that the less you wash your hair, the better. “Ideally, wash your color-treated hair two to three times a week,” says Ballance. “This preserves the color vibrancy and keeps your strands healthy.” Keep in mind that your lifestyle plays a major role, too. If you find that your scalp produces a lot of oil, try to use a dry shampoo to extend the time between wash days. It will be better for your color (and wallet) in the long run.

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