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

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

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

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

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

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

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.