The right hair color can cost hundreds of dollars, so the last thing you want to do is wash it down the drain. That’s why color-treated hair requires special attention—including shampoo formulas that cleanse, nourish strands, and won’t strip away color.
“Look for sulfate- and paraben-free shampoos,” says Stephanie Brown, Master Colorist at IGK SoHo in New York City. “And in general shampoos that say ‘color-safe’ will help keep color lasting longer.” But, Brown reminds, upkeep takes more than just swapping out your shampoo. “As a general reminder, cooler showers, less hot tools, and protection from the sun” help preserve color. To help extend the life of your hair color, we rounded up 11 of our trusted favorites—including formulas targeted to blondes, brunettes, and redheads.
“I love the Davines Minu line,” says Brown, who adds that the brand “also has shampoos and conditioners for each color.”
Although not technically formulated for color-treated hair, Brown says this sulfate-free formula “is a great all-around shampoo for everyone.”
This sulfate- and silicone-free shampoo is specially formulated to rinse out sans any residue, leaving behind cleaner, glossier, brighter hair.
Depending on how much you wash your hair, this purple rice water shampoo can be swapped in for your regular shampoo once or twice a week for extra color-boosting and strengthening properties.
Shades of blonde, while, and silver need a little extra TLC so they don’t turn brassy, dull, or dry out. Unlike some other purple shampoos, this one won’t leave a hair with a lavender tint if you leave it on a minute too long, either.
Like purple for blondes, blue shampoo helps neutralize orange or brassy tones in shades of brunette. Even better, this formula is safe to use on both natural and not-so-natural hues.
Redheads know how easily the hue can fade, but this color-depositing shampoo keeps it looking vibrant long after your trip to the salon. Leave it on for up to three minutes for extra oomph.
Being waste-free doesn’t mean you can’t have your brightest blonde: This shampoo bar contains chamomile oil to neutralize brassiness, and each bar can last up to three times longer than a traditional bottle of shampoo.
With vitamin E and antioxidants to help with color oxidation, this pH-balanced shampoo can protect your dye job for up to seven weeks—and is great for fine hair.
With color-treated hair, it’s just as important to find something that coddles strands as much as it keeps them looking vibrant. This shampoo helps fortify the hair from the inside-out, so it will feel as healthy as it looks.
This super-gentle clean cleanser helps return moisture to dry strands (common among color-treated hair), and conveniently comes in three sizes.