You spend hundreds of dollars at the salon to have your hair colored, only to use a shampoo that strips it away after a few washes. That’s why it’s important to buy a shampoo created specifically for dyed hair. Whether you’re covering up grays, highlighting, or going blonde, the feeling of fresh coloring is exhilarating. But the thrill can diminish quickly if you use products that strip the color prematurely and leave hair looking dull. Not just any regular shampoo will do. Dyed hair craves something that can protect its color, offer nourishment, and ensure longevity. The options available can be confusing, so we scoured beauty websites to create the ultimate list of the best shampoos for dyed hair.
Dyeing hair is more than a beauty routine for many; it’s a part of their identity. This is reflected in a study showing that a significant portion of women between the ages of 42 and 57 don’t recall their natural hair color, with about 32 percent revealing that even their partners are clueless about their true hue.
Beauty experts say the ideal shampoo for colored hair is sulfate-free, includes UV protectants to shield against sun damage, and is enriched with natural oils and hydrating elements. Additionally, avoiding shampoos with high alcohol content and unnecessary additives is crucial. Other tips include cold water rinses to seal the hair cuticle, reducing the frequency of washes, and limiting heat styling.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend as much on these shampoos as you may on your dye job. There are many affordable options on our list. We combed through reviews from nine beauty experts to come away with the best color-safe shampoos to keep your hair looking fresh from the salon. Did we miss one you love? Let us know in the comments below.
The List: Best Color-Safe Shampoos Most Recommended by Experts
1. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
You can find this brand proudly displayed in salons everywhere. “Few formulas come close to the bond-repairing powers of this shampoo, which is why it earned an Allure Best of Beauty Award back in 2021 and, more recently, a Readers’ Choice Award in 2023,” writes Allure. “It is spiked with Olaplex’s star ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, to repair broken disulfide bonds at the molecular level. The results: shinier, smoother hair with intense color vibrancy after each and every wash.”
Why is it important to invest in something that is color-safe? “Color processing of any sort can damage the bonds of your hair,” explains Blackstone NYC colorist Patti O’Gara in New York Magazine. “This sulfate-free shampoo will rebuild the bonds damaged through coloring, gradually transforming dry, broken, and brittle hair back to a healthier state…Fred Connors, the owner and creative director of FRED Salon, adds that this ‘game changer’ shampoo also eliminates frizz. And Jenny Jacome, a partner at the salon Fox and Jane in New Jersey, promises this ‘will repair, restore, hydrate, and add shine.'”
According to Byrdie, “Our product tester tried out Olaplex’s Bond Maintenance System Kit (which includes the Bond Maintenance Shampoo along with the Bond Maintenance Conditioner and Hair Perfector mask) and gave it a perfect five-star rating, noting that the shampoo thoroughly cleansed her hair without leaving it feeling stripped and kept her hair feeling fresher, longer.”
2. L’Oreal Paris EverPure
Purple shampoos are especially beneficial for lighter tones like blonde or grey hair. InStyle says, “This is a rare budget-friendly color-safe shampoo that’s free of sulfates. It’s gentle enough for daily use and won’t weigh down hair despite being chock full of botanicals — like rosemary — that help to replenish dry strands. Dual-acting rosemary also purifies the scalp while adding a refreshing tingle that’s truly delightful on hot, sticky days or after an intense workout.”
Plus, it’s packed with nourishing ingredients. “While it’s powerful enough to remove product buildup at the roots, this gentle formula lathers beautifully and is infused with rosemary, juniper berry, and jasmine for an uplifting shower experience that gives higher-end formulas a run for their money,” according to Allure. “And, since it actively hydrates hair, it leaves strands with impressive softness and shine.”
Byrdie loves the Ever Strong version of this shampoo. “Sulfate-free, it cleanses beautifully (and foams up great!), while the formula also helps to boost volume. The minty-rosemary scent is fresh and invigorating—great for sleepy mornings—and we’d be remiss not to mention the affordable price, too.”
3. Davines Minu Shampoo
Singer and hair-color enthusiast Billie Eilish used this professional-approved pick in her hair care routine. “I use a lot of Davines,” she previously told Harper’s Bazaar. “Specifically the Minu shampoo and their Naturaltech collection.”
If you need to wash your hair every day this is the shampoo experts say you should use. Salon owner Jenny Jacome told New York Magazine, “It leaves your hair shiny and soft, while also giving an iridescence to your color that makes it look freshly done.”
Is all the hype true? “You really can’t go wrong with any of the shampoos or conditioners from the Italian company Davines, but their Minu shampoo and conditioner is specifically made to help maintain color without drying out your hair or making it feel too heavy,” professional hairstylist Connor Daniels tells Marie Claire. “This is one of my go-to products whenever I am washing colored hair.”
4. Wow Color Security Shampoo
There are plenty of benefits behind this shampoo. “This pick is free of not only sulfates but also is also formulated sans silicones, oils, and parabens (just to name a few),” writes Byrdie. “It leaves behind not even a trace of residue, so you’re never left with any build-up, works on all hair types, and is keratin- and extension-safe, too.”
According to Harper’s Bazaar, “It’s formulated to rinse clean without lingering residue, leaving behind shinier hair and brighter color. One satisfied customer writes, ‘Brings out the highlights. Rinses out better than other color-treating shampoos. I use Wow conditioner with it I’ve found it helped to make it more manageable.'”
Forbes says you’ll love the “ultra-lightweight feel and the shiny, silky finish.” It also protects against fading from UV exposure.
5. Love Beauty and Planet Blooming Color Sulfate-Free Shampoo
This gets a vote as the best budget shampoo to keep your color locked in. Byrdie notes, “The sulfate-free formula keeps hair super shiny, so the color looks bright and fresh. It also has plant-based detangling ingredients to ward off snarls and add a glossy sheen, leaving color-treated hair soft and manageable. But honestly, the best part may be the rose fragrance that elicits tons of compliments every time we use it.”
For those looking to inexpensively maintain their color in between appointments, salon owner Fred Connors recommends the Love Beauty and Planet Blooming Color Shampoo. He tells New York Magazine, “‘This shampoo is formulated like much more expensive designer brands, with ethically sourced ingredients’ such as Bulgarian rose and Amazonian murumuru butter, which nourishes hair and gives loads of shine. The formula is also vegan, plant-based, and cruelty-free.”
Forbes Vetted updates writer Claire Epting has used this wallet-friendly shampoo for years to keep her dyed auburn hair fresh between colorings. “I especially like the silky, non-drying formula and uplifting rose scent,” she says.
6. Virture Labs Recovery Shampoo
Allure calls this the best luxury shampoo for color-treated hair. Chicago-based hairstylist Alex Brown tells the magazine, “It works to repair dry, damaged hair by depositing keratin back into the broken pockets of the hair strands that are caused by bleach, heat, and other chemicals.”
This shampoo also makes your hair easier to handle. “This shampoo is notorious for cutting frizz and making hair manageable,” according to Forbes. “A favorite of Jennifer Garner (who is a brand partner), this formula has a long list of overachieving ingredients that go being making it color-safe. Hydrolyzed quinoa enhances shine, grapefruit extract revitalizes the scalp, and baobob seed oil acts as an emollient to smooth the hair cuticle. It’s also formulated with the company’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku, a human keratin protein that’s designed to bind to hair and repair damage. Reviewers say it banishes frizz and makes hair shiny, bouncy, and soft.”
If you have fine hair, InStyle loves the Full version of this shampoo. “The conditioning properties in this formula are just right for those with fine hair, but if your hair leans oily, you may find that you need to wash daily to keep your strands looking clean. However, for every other hair type, one wash is enough to maintain fresh-looking strands for several days, which is a lifesaver when trying to preserve color (and save money at the salon).”
7. Kérastase Chroma Absolu Shampoo
Allure says this formula is a “must for anyone who colors their hair.” The magazine goes on to say, “It utilizes a trifecta of acids — amino, lactic, and tartaric — to target and smooth hair damage while retaining color and keeping brassy tones at bay. And it’s surprisingly lightweight, making it a good match for fine or thinning hair, and even contains Centella asiatica (also known as cica) to help hair recover post-treatment.”
The formula of this shampoo designed for thicker hair is called Bain riche Chroma Respect, and Us magazine says it’s “designed to be very rich so it can permeate into the thick strands to nourish your hair.” In addition, “It also aids thick hair by combatting frizziness while providing intense hydration to smooth your strands. This shampoo supports your newly color-treated strands by restricting color fading to ensure your locks remain vivid.”
If you highlight your hair, Forbes loves the Blond Absolu Hydrating Illuminating version of this shampoo. “Highlights are a great way to add dimension to your hair color, but they can leave strands feeling dry and brittle over time. To combat this drying effect, this shampoo from Kérastase is formulated with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps bind water molecules to hair strands. Another standout ingredient? Edelweiss flower extract, which has been known to promote thicker, stronger locks. This shampoo isn’t sulfate-free since it contains sodium laureth sulfate, which Rexroat approves of for cleansing hair without stripping color. Just keep in mind that it’ll be extra cleansing and will require follow-up hydration with a conditioner.
You may also be interested in:
- Best Shampoos For Dandruff
- The Best Natural Shampoos
- Best Dry Shampoo
- Best 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Sources:
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.