The 14 Best Shampoos For Colored Hair of 2024

Whether youve got a full head of highlights, a simple single process, or rainbow hair, color-treated strands need extra TLC. Beyond regular salon visits, you need to treat your tresses to weekly deep conditioning masks, take proper precautions when heat styling, and above all, carefully select a shampoo.

Whether you’ve got a full head of highlights, a simple single process, or rainbow hair, color-treated strands need extra TLC. Beyond regular salon visits, you need to treat your tresses to weekly deep conditioning masks, take proper precautions when heat styling, and above all, carefully select a shampoo.

It can be a challenge to find a color-enhancing shampoo that checks all your boxes. Maybe you’re a blonde that needs a purple shampoo that doesn’t strip your bleached mane. Or perhaps you’re in dire need of a clarifying shampoo, one of the most difficult color-safe products to find. We combed through all the options and consulted with four hair experts to help you find the best shampoos for color-treated hair, so you can wash with care and extend time between salon appointments.

Best Overall

K18 Peptide Prep pH Maintenance Shampoo

K18 Peptide Prep pH Maintenance Shampoo

Sephora

What We Love: This formula features clinically-proven bond-repairing technology to repair damage deep within the hair shaft.

What We Don’t Love: Because this doesn’t contain many hydrating ingredients you’ll need to use a conditioner post-cleanse to ensure hair stays soft.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a colorist these days that won’t sing the praises of K18’s peptide-packed line, including this shampoo, which works in two ways: The product is designed to prevent the hair follicle from swelling, which can cause color fade, as well as tangles and breakage. The brand’s signature K18 molecule also helps penetrate strands to repair broken bonds, making hair more resilient and healthy. Additionally, because it’s pH-balanced, you’ll experience healthier hair overall.

“It gently cleanses without taking away all your scalp’s natural oils,” says New York-based colorist Madison Garrett. Celebrity colorist Sharon Dorram adds that “it’s great for color-treated hair because it restores the texture to [make it] healthy and shiny.”

If you have fine hair and prefer not to condition every time you cleanse, you may want to reserve this formula for a once-weekly wash. Color-treated hair really needs moisture and that seems especially true after using this formula. Because it blocks hair from absorbing excess water, your mane may feel a little dry post-cleanse. Incorporating a conditioning treatment (either a rinse-out or leave-in formula) will help you achieve the best results from this product.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 8.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, peptide complex | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Budget

L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo

L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love: This is a rare budget-friendly color-safe shampoo that’s free of sulfates.

What We Don’t Love: Though it leaves hair feeling soft and moisturized, it doesn’t have any other added benefits, which may be disappointing for some.

Affordable shampoos formulated without sulfates aren’t the easiest to find, but this L’Oréal product is both sulfate-free and lathers beautifully, making for a sudsy and satisfying shower experience. 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.

While this product does a great job cleansing and moisturizing to help you maintain your color, it won’t provide any other overarching benefits, like boosted volume or extra shine. However, regardless of hair type or texture, if you already have a voluminous mane or shiny strands, this budget-friendly formula will be right up your alley.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 8.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Rosemary extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo

Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo

Bloomingdale's

What We Love: A very small amount of this sophisticated shampoo goes a long way to protect your dye job and enhance vibrancy.

What We Don’t Love: The packaging makes this shampoo messy to use.

Beauty editors and hair colorists alike have been singing the praises of this fancy formula for years, including Dorram. “It’s the most luxurious shampoo — it imparts mega luster and volume,” she says. The ingredient list is lengthy and impressive, boasting hair-strengthening amino acids, conditioning panthenol, and nourishing shea butter, just to mention a few.

Aside from the ingredients, the packaging makes this pick standout from others on our list. Rather than a traditional bottle, the thick formula is housed in a small jar. Don't let the size deter you, though, because just a small dollop goes a long way to deliver a rich lather and thorough wash that will leave your hair beautifully bouncy and glossy.

Another word on that jar: Although compact, it's not the easiest to open with wet hands. We recommend unscrewing the top before hopping in the shower. Trust us, the quality of the formula is worth this minor inconvenience.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 3 oz | Key Ingredients: Amino acids, panthenol, shea butter | Sulfate-Free: No

Best Drugstore

Maui Moisture Color Protection + Sea Minerals Shampoo

CVS Maui Moisture Color Protection + Sea Minerals Shampoo

CVS

What We Love: This affordable formula is shockingly luxurious and the jumbo bottle will last a long time.

What We Don’t Love: The square-shaped container isn’t the most ergonomic and can be a challenge to squeeze.

Don’t be surprised if you open this shampoo and second-guess the formula — at first glance it looks like a conditioner due to the creamy, indulgent texture. Rest assured that a quick lather diminishes all doubts and you'll wonder why anyone spends an exorbitant amount of money on color-safe shampoo.

With a blend of hydrating and nourishing extracts, including mineral-rich marine plant algae and kelp, the formula fortifies hair while removing excess sebum from the scalp. The inclusion of seawater goes one step further to wash away heavy oils, leaving your hair bouncy and fuller-looking while enhancing color vibrancy in the process.

This is a nitpicky thing, but if you have a weak grip or mobility issues, you may struggle with the square-shaped bottle, which is harder to squeeze than those with a round footprint. If this sounds like you but you still want to reap the rewards of this shampoo, try removing the cap entirely and pouring it out to avoid any issues.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 13 oz | Key Ingredients: Aloe, algae extracts, seawater | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Clarifying

hOURS Day 7 Clarifying Shampoo

hOURS Day 7 Clarifying Shampoo

hOURS

What We Love: The gentle yet fully cleansing formula feels refreshing on the scalp and won’t dehydrate hair.

What We Don’t Love: We wish we got more lather from this shampoo.

If you’ve ever scoured the shampoo aisles in search of a clarifying formula that’s safe for color-treated hair, you know what a challenge that can be. It is a true rarity in the haircare world, which makes sense considering clarifying shampoos are designed to provide a deep clean and can ultimately dull color.

This one from hOURS isn’t only color-safe, but it’s also cruelty-free, ideal for keratin-treated hair, and formulated without additives like sulfates or parabens. The stylist-developed shampoo also features peppermint oil to refresh and invigorate the scalp, and vitamin E to condition hair.

Keep in mind that this is a low-lather formula, which is purposeful — it prevents over-stripping to keep your hair moisturized and shiny — but may be a slight disappointment to those who appreciate the sensorial experience of a foamy cleanse. However, for those who are in need of a clarifying shampoo that’s actually good for your color, that’s a small price to pay.

Best for: All hair textures, oily hair | Size: 8 oz | Key Ingredients: Babassu oil, hydrolyzed pea protein, avocado oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Blondes

Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Shampoo

Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love: This formula can extend your time between salon visits by a few weeks.

What We Don’t Love: The scent is very strong.

Those who want to go blonde often need to have their existing color lifted to achieve the lighter hue (and in some cases, the hair has to be bleached significantly). This causes hair to become more porous, which makes it further susceptible to color fade — so you’ll need a purple shampoo, like this one from Moroccanoil, to maintain the hue.

Garrett says that this shampoo tones down brassiness and prevents dulling so quickly that your friends may ask if you’ve just visited your colorist after a single cleanse. The purple tones cancel out the yellow tinge that can develop from water mineral buildup, restoring your bright, cooler blonde back to its full glory. Argan oil in the formula also helps keep hair soft and silky.

If you’re a fan of Moroccanoil’s signature scent — a heady blend of vanilla, musks, and florals — you’ll love the fragrance in this shampoo. On the other hand, those who are scent-averse may want to limit use to once a week, as the perfume can be overpowering for some.

Best for: All hair types, especially those with blonde hair | Size: 6.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, argan oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Redheads

Pureology Smooth Perfection Shampoo

Ulta Pureology Smooth Perfection Shampoo

Ulta

What We Love: This deeply nourishing shampoo will prevent bright red hues from fading.

What We Don’t Love: It may be too rich for fine, oily hair.

Quick science lesson: When it comes to hair dye pigments, red features the largest molecule size. Because of this it can’t penetrate as deeply into the hair strand, making it more prone to fading quickly. Don’t let this fact deter you from going red, though: “Making sure you are using a moisture-focused shampoo will maintain the vibrancy for longer,” says Garrett, who notes that hydrating formulas will also help seal the cuticle to prevent color loss.

This Pureology Smooth Perfection Shampoo uses camellia and shea butter to keep hair silky soft, conditioned, and glossy, protecting your color while making red hues pop.  This makes the formula intensely conditioning, so it may be too heavy on fine and oily strands, at least for everyday use. We suggest having two shampoos on rotation in your shower — one clarifying and one conditioning, like this one — to ensure you’re getting the clean, fresh, and healthy hair you’re aiming for without weighing down your strands.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 9 oz | Key Ingredients: Camellia, shea butter | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Brunettes

Not Your Mother’s Triple Threat Brunette Blue Shampoo

Not Your Mother’s Triple Threat Brunette Blue Shampoo

Not Your Mother's  

What We Love: This vibrant blue formula delivers serious color-correcting powers to maintain brown tones.

What We Don’t Love: Be sure to rinse thoroughly lest you want blue-tinged ears and fingers.

While blondes use purple shampoo to cancel out yellow tones, brunettes should opt for blue formulas to combat orange tones. This shampoo effortlessly diminishes orange brassiness without breaking your budget. In addition to toning blue pigments, it features blue tansy oil, a soothing form of chamomile that balances and comforts your scalp, and water-locking glycerin. The result is seriously shiny, smooth, and frizz-free hair that rivals a salon refresh.

The blue pigments in this shampoo are more intense than other brunette-correcting formulas we’ve tried, so be sure to rinse your hair and hands thoroughly after lathering. Don’t forget your ears, either — shampoo residue tends to build up in there which, with this product, will lend you a less-than-desirable Smurfish quality.

Best for: All brunettes and adjacent shades | Size: 8 oz | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, blue tansy oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Fine Hair

Virtue Full Shampoo

Virtue Full Shampoo

Virtue

What We Love: This formula will repair and condition fine hair, and leave it fresh and clean for days.

What We Don’t Love: If you have excessively oily hair, this deeply moisturizing product may weigh strands down.

Dorram loves the Virtue Labs range, not just for her clients, but also for herself. She says that fine hair can easily get weighed down by color-safe formulas due to their nourishing properties, but this one delivers light moisture to keep hair soft and frizz-free, all without leaving hair limp. This shampoo also features the brand’s signature alpha keratin, which plumps each strand while repairing damage for a healthier, thicker-looking mane with every wash.

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).

Best for: Fine hair, straight hair | Size: 8 oz | Key Ingredients: Phospholipids, panthenol, alpha keratin | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Dandruff

IGK Legendary Shampoo

IGK Legendary Shampoo

Sephora

What We Love: This formula contains prebiotics to balance the scalp and ward off dandruff.

What We Don’t Love: Be aware that this shampoo contains silicones, which can weigh down fine hair.

If you have dandruff and regularly dye your hair, you'll need to take extra care of your scalp as dyes and peroxide may irritate it even further. We love this cleverly designed formula from IGK because it uses prebiotics to support a healthy scalp microbiome. This will help keep the delicate skin balanced, defending against flakes and dryness while also combating excess oil production for happier and healthier-looking hair. Aside from the prebiotics, red sea algae promotes shine and bounce while boosting hydration levels as you cleanse.

In addition to caring for the scalp, this works to tame frizzy hair thanks to the silicones in the formula that leave strands silky smooth. Finer hair types may find that this ingredient weighs down their hair and cuts down on volume. If you fall into this category, we recommend something a bit more lightweight, like the K18 Peptide Prep pH Maintenance Shampoo.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 8 oz | Key Ingredients: Prebiotics, red sea algae, panthenol | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Sulfate-Free

Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color

Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color

Sephora

What We Love: This ultra-luxe formula gently cleanses without stripping for longer-lasting color.

What We Don’t Love: For the best results we suggest double-cleansing, so you may burn through the bottle quickly.

Sulfates can quickly strip color, so it’s important to use a sulfate-free shampoo whenever possible to maintain your dye job — and this indulgent pick from Oribe is a fan-favorite.

The low-lather formula gently washes away oil buildup without fading color or weighing down hair, leaving strands glossy, bouncy, and touchably soft. Bioflavenoids block color fade, while baobab tree extract draws moisture into hair, and edelweiss flower helps combat free radicals that can cause keratin damage.

Because this shampoo doesn’t have much lather (sulfates are what deliver a foamy cleanse), you’ll want to wash your hair twice to get the cleanest and freshest results. This also means you’ll probably finish a bottle faster than other shampoos. This is something to be aware of when you’re on a budget — but if you don’t mind investing in your hair, this is worthy of the splurge.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 8.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Bioflavenoids, baobab tree extract, edelweiss flower | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Dry Hair

Matrix Food For Soft Hydrating Shampoo

Ulta Matrix Food For Soft Hydrating Shampoo

Ulta

What We Love: This shampoo seriously quenches ultra-dry hairs’ thirst.

What We Don’t Love: It isn’t sulfate-free.

Color-treated hair is at high risk for drying out due to the harsh experience of processing — all those chemicals can wreak havoc on hair’s health — but we love how this hydrating shampoo transforms straw-like strands. It features water-loving hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as well as nourishing avocado oil, to draw and seal moisture into your hair, preventing dehydration and promoting softness and shine.

At first, we are a little disappointed to see sulfates on the ingredient list, especially considering the brand offers other shampoos developed without sulfates, but it seems as if the intensely moisturizing formula counteracts the dryness associated with this ingredient category. Plus, we have to admit, we love a rich lather, and this shampoo creates an impressive one.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 10.1 oz | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, avocado oil, glycerin | Sulfate-Free: No

Best for Oily Hair

Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Ulta

What We Love: This formula balances the scalp while keeping strands nourished and strong.

What We Don’t Love: It's very thick and can be difficult to work into the hair.

Finding the right balance between hydration and cleansing is challenging in a color-safe shampoo, but this one from Olaplex fits the bill. It fully clarifies the scalp without irritation, while reviving dehydrated dyed strands. This is thanks to the brand’s signature patented ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, which works to repair broken bonds within the follicle to help fortify damaged and brittle hair and restore it to a healthy state — exactly what you need in a shampoo for damaged hair.

Because of the reparative technology, this shampoo is very thick, which can make it a challenge to work into the scalp (and if you have a lot of hair, wash day can feel a little fatiguing as a result). You will have to put extra effort into rinsing your hair to make sure there is no residue left behind.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 8.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Curly Hair

R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo

Amazon R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love: The product delivers body and shine to all hair textures, including curly hair.

What We Don’t Love: The perfume-like fragrance is strong and will not appeal to everyone.

Curly hair is at a heightened risk for breakage — and this intensifies when you add harsh color treatment into the mix. Luckily, this body-building, strand-strengthening formula helps keep hair in good health. Even those with coily hair will experience added shine and body, and smoother hair with each wash. Glycerin and babassu seed oil are to thank for the television-worthy results: They work in tandem to draw water into the hair and seal it in, deeply conditioning without weighing hair down.

Like many R+Co formulas, this shampoo has a strong fragrance. It features the brand’s Dark Waves scent, which has notes of cardamom, tangerine, lavender, and blonde woods. It’s a warm and romantic smell and there’s a good chance you’ll love it, but if you’re scent-averse, keep this characteristic in mind before committing.

Best for: All hair types | Size: 8 oz | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, babassu seed oil, juniper berry extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes

What to Keep in Mind

Hair Type

Your hair type should be top of mind when shopping for a color-safe shampoo because what works for one hair texture won’t work for another. For example, “using a very rich sulfate-free shampoo may do wonders on someone with thick, strong, long hair, while on someone with fine, shorter hair it may leave it weighed down and lacking volume,” says Dorram.

Oily hair can be the most challenging hair type to deal with when you have color-treated strands — your instinct will be to wash your hair daily, but doing so will put the vibrancy at risk. Start by looking at the consistency of your shampoo, which will help you determine if it’s a good fit. “Some shampoos have a creamy consistency, while others are clear. For those with more oily hair, I’d recommend a clear shampoo,” says Gratzer.

Nearly all hair that’s been color-treated gets dry, so once you determine your hair type, look for nourishing formulas that won’t weigh it down. “Dry and damaged hair can make the color appear duller, so making sure you're taking care of hair health is important,” says New York-based hairstylist Vennela Chamarti. “When the hair gets damaged, the hair cuticle chips away, making it rougher.” Using a formula that can actually repair hair damage like K18 Peptide Prep pH Maintenance Shampoo will help the cuticle lay flat, making it look smooth and glossy.

Be sure not to over shampoo — cleansing too much will strip moisture from your hair and leave it frizzy, which you already know if you have curly or natural hair. Try to shampoo sparingly using a moisturizing formula like R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo, which contains nourishing babassu seed oil and glycerin to keep the hair hydrated and smooth.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to have several shampoos in your shower. “It’s important to rotate your products,” says Dorram. “Hair reacts differently over time.” If you keep multiple products on hand, you’ll be able to make sure your hair has exactly what it needs, when it needs it.

Ingredients

Above all, color-treated hair needs moisture. Garrett recommends seeking out shampoos made with natural oils, especially grapeseed, jojoba, coconut, or sunflower seed oils. “They are rich in antioxidants that help repair and restore moisture,” she says, adding that sunflower seed oil can be especially soothing on the scalp for those whose skin gets irritated easily from permanent color. We love the nourishing blend of oils in hOURS Day 7 Clarifying Shampoo, which include avocado and babassu seed oils. For added hydration, you can use a shampoo with aloe; you’ll find it in Maui Moisture Color Protection + Sea Minerals Shampoo.

Perhaps a controversial take, but you might also want to look for a product that contains silicones. “They bind to the hair to give structure and help the cuticle look smoother,” says Chamarti. Many people are against the idea of silicones because they’re chemicals (spoiler alert — water is also technically a chemical), but others don’t like them because they can weigh down hair and create buildup. It’s really about what works for your hair, and finding out what’s best for you will take some trial and error.

You’ll absolutely want a formula that contains a gentle surfactant, a type of ingredient that lathers to remove oils. The most common type of surfactants are sulfates, which most colorists strongly advise against using. “Strong sulfates lift and strip debris from the hair, leaving hair color dull, faded, and eventually leave hair brittle,” warns Dorram, who also advises against using formulas with parabens, sodium chloride, alcohol, mineral oil, and fragrance for the same reason. “Synthetic fragrances can cause irritation to the scalp,” adds Garrett.

Hair Color

When selecting a color-safe shampoo, you’ll want to keep your hair color in mind. Not all colorists will agree on this topic, but you may want to invest in a tinted shampoo that will tone your color in between appointments. Blondes are at high risk for color change — if you have ever watched your hair turn green after a dip in the pool, you know what we’re talking about. “Natural elements such as salt water, chlorine, and minerals in water can cause yellowing or discoloration in blonde hair,” confirms Garrett. “Having a purple shampoo on hand to use every few washes is good.” She likes Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo, which will help rebalance hair color and soften strands.

You can also cocktail your go-to shampoo with a purple formula. “I always tell my blonde clients to mix a little bit of purple shampoo into their regular shampoo for some extra brightness between appointments,” says New York-based color specialist Courtney Gratzer. “Purple shampoo is meant for those beachy and baby blonde clients, but if used too often, it can dry out the hair — which is why it’s good to mix it into your regular shampoo.”

Redheads have the hardest challenge when maintaining the hue of their hair, as the pigment molecules of red dye are larger than any other color. Keeping your hair moisturized will help prevent fading while adding shine that enhances your red; try Pureology Smooth Perfection Shampoo.

Brunettes have the worst of both worlds — the color fade of redheads with the brassiness of blondes. “Some colorists recommend blue shampoo for brunettes to cancel out orangey-red, brassy tones,” says Chamarti. Not Your Mother’s Triple Threat Brunette Blue Shampoo features blue pigments to color correct these shades. But it’s important to use any tinted shampoo as sparingly as possible, she adds. “They can dry out the hair or deposit unwanted tints,” she says.

It’s for this reason that Dorram advises against using color-depositing shampoos. (You especially shouldn’t use them without the supervision of your colorist.) “I am not a proponent of shampoos that change hair color — I like to have full control of my clients’ hair,” she says.

Your Questions, Answered

Do I need a special shampoo for colored hair?

The answer is undoubtedly yes. You cannot use any old shampoo on colored hair. “Color-treated hair has a different porosity than virgin, non-chemically treated hair, so it requires extra special care,” says Dorram. That porosity may leave it weak, and color treating is inherently damaging, so you’ll need to use a shampoo intentionally designed to support your strands.

“Color-protectant shampoos are formulated to contain special oils and other ingredients to help repair and moisturize color-treated hair,” says Garrett. “Healthy hair allows for vibrancy and longevity with color.”

What shampoos should those with colored hair avoid?

We’ve mentioned this already, but the one thing that all of our colorists advised against using is a formula with sulfates. “If you have any chemical at all in your hair — a single process with or without peroxide, highlights, or a keratin treatment — you must look for shampoos that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate,” says Dorram. This ingredient will strip your color faster, especially if you don’t have support from a solid conditioner.

But perhaps more important than your shampoo selection is your wash day frequency, as well as how often you condition your hair. “The more frequently you shampoo, the more the water washes away the color,” warns Dorram. Using a good conditioner in tandem with a quality shampoo will extend the lifespan of your color. “The conditioner is what basically locks in the color,” Dorram confirms.

If the idea of dirty hair stresses you out, Gratzer recommends seeking out a trustworthy dry shampoo, which will help you stretch the time between washes. “If you’re used to washing every day, it may take some time to train your hair,” she says, adding that doing a double cleanse on wash days will provide extra insurance against oily roots.

Why Shop With Us

Emily Orofino is a beauty writer, editor, and consultant with more than a decade of experience in the industry. She has been color-treating her hair for several years, and discovering the magic that is blue shampoo was a revelation. For this piece, she interviewed four hair pros: Master colorist Madison Garrett at NYC’s Spoke & Weal; Sharon Dorram, owner of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger in New York; Courtney Gratzer, colorist at Blandi on 5th in NYC; and Vennela Chamarti, stylist at Blandi on 5th. They all provided invaluable insights into color-treated hair and how to find the best color-safe shampoo for all hair types.

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