The Best Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair Professionals Swear By

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To maintain your look outside of the salon, using one of the best shampoos for color-treated hair is a not-so-secret weapon in preserving highlights or all-over color.

Since dye treatments can cause your hair to become drier than average, and even damaged in some cases, it requires extra special attention to nourish strands without stripping away color. It's no secret that top professional styles can cost hundreds of dollars, which is why the last thing you want to do is wash it all down the drain.

“Look for sulfate- and paraben-free shampoos,” Stephanie Brown, master colorist at IGK SoHo in New York City tells Bazaar, who counts celebrities like Kate McKinnon and Sophie Turner as clients. “And in general, shampoos that are expressly referred to as ‘color-safe’ will help keep color last longer.”

For a no-brainer approach to extending the life of your hair color—while boosting its shine and vibrancy—we've rounded up the best shampoos for color-treated hair worth adding to your rotation. We're betting these editor and colorist-approved formulas for bottle blondes, brunettes, and redheads will become your new holy-grail favorites after just a few washes.

Related: The Best Temporary Hair Dyes for a Salon-Level Look

Gemstone Color Shampoo

Notes of citrus, eucalyptus, green tea, tree moss, and amber combine to give this nourishing shampoo an earthy scent. It also uses sunflower sprout extract, vitamin E, and more to add moisture to dry hair while reducing frizz.

One satisfied customer writes: "Silky consistency! My hair and scalp felt nice and clean afterwards, and the fragrance is amazing. My color has stayed in longer than it has with other shampoos, too." —Kaylene C.

Color Lustre Sulfate-Free Shampoo

This sulfate-free shampoo not only cleanses hair and keeps color intact, but also helps balance scalp oil at the same time. Lipids in its formula help guard hair against damage from water in the shower, and environmental stressors when you're not.

Minu Shampoo

Brown counts herself as a fan of Davines's top-rated Minu Shampoo, which uses caper blossom extract to remove dirt and oil while preserving your shade of choice.

Singer and hair color enthusiast Billie Eilish also loves using this professional-approved pick in her hair care routine. "I use a lot of Davines," she previously told Bazaar, "Specifically the Minu shampoo and their Naturaltech collection."

Legendary Shampoo

Although it's technically not formulated just for color-treated hair, Brown says this shampoo's sulfate-free formula works for just about every hair type. And since its formula provides UV protection, you won't have to worry about sunlight altering your color.

One satisfied customer writes: "My hair type is thick, coarse, unruly and I have lots of split ends due to coloring my hair over the years. This IGK shampoo was extremely gentle on my hair and it was easy to wash and lather. It also made my hair feel soft but not limp. The light scent was pleasing and not overpowering. The only critique I have would be I wish the bottle was bigger." —Cheftoobe

Color Security Shampoo

Over 3,000 Amazon shopper are raving about this sulfate- and silicone-free shampoo. 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." —Lynette C.

Cool Blonde Shampoo

Shades of blonde, white, 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.

One satisfied customer writes: "It does what kits supposed to do; keeps my blonde bright. It has a nice subtle scent and doesn’t dry out my hair. Will definitely repurchase after I finish my current bottle." —Lacey

Blue Crush for Brunettes Shampoo

Like purple cleansers for blondes, this blue shampoo from the pros at John Frieda neutralizes orange, brassy tones for brunettes. And as an extra plus, this formula is safe to use on both natural and not-so-natural hues.

One satisfied customer writes: "Works great for highlights on dyed brown hair which can turn brassy and a bit orange over time. This blue shampoo is super concentrated and counteracts those changes after one use. I do this treatment a couple times a week. If the brassiness is really bad, I put it on dry hair for a few minutes before getting in the shower. This can really help to maintain highlights in dark hair. Worked better than purple shampoo for me." —Drew

Color Infuse Red Shampoo

Redheads know how easily the vibrant hue can fade, but Joico's 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.

One satisfied customer writes: "I love this red shampoo, it’s addicting! Just a drop of shampoo lathers up quickly and is enough for my long hair. My curly, frizzy hair turns out shiny, soft & manageable! I get so many compliments on the red color. The shampoo brightens up my hair also when overdue for my hair color appointment." —SM

EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Shampoo

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.

One satisfied customer writes: "I absolutely love this shampoo and conditioner! My hair was damaged from bleaching and coloring, and i tried and tried many different shampoo, nothing was working until this! My hair went from frizzy and dry and matted looking to soft silky glossy and revived! I wont go back to any other shampoo and conditioner! Can you please make a bigger size because my hair is super thick lol thank you L'Oréal! :)" —Sicilianmom32

Color Awakening Hairbath

This super-gentle clean cleanser helps return moisture to dry strands, and conveniently comes in three size options (two of which are already sold out). It uses a blend of ingredients, like coconut and pumpkin seed oils, plus shea butter, for ultimate hydration.

One satisfied customer writes: "I'm loving this shampoo after a few washes. It smells good and leaves my hair feeling clean. I have searched for a cleaner shampoo for some time but came up short when looking for something that was color safe. I regularly get full highlights so this was important to maintain that color. You won't regret getting this shampoo!" —Lauren M.

Colour Protect Shampoo

Here's a low-acidity pick from Sachajuan that's gentle on your hair and scalp. Its formula contains algae-derived proteins and minerals to brighten color while leaving hair its silkiest and shiniest.

One satisfied customer writes: "I love, love this shampoo. And it makes my hair silky and clean. The scent is amazing." —art momma

Which shampoos should not be used on color-treated hair?

Experts advise avoiding shampoos with harsh cleansing ingredients like sulfates (typically the main ingredient that creates a lather), which can be stripping to color-treated hair. Professionals also advise avoiding use of clarifying shampoos, as they can also cause color to appear less vibrant. Instead, opt for cleansers with pigment-depositing formulas and UV protection to enhance your go-to shade.

How do you keep color-treated hair healthy?

While it's a great first step, proper color upkeep involves more than just simply swapping out your shampoo. “As a general reminder, cooler showers, less hot tools, and protection from the sun help preserve color," Brown notes. And to keep your hair protected overnight, try sleeping with a satin bonnet or pillowcase to reduce snags and breakage.

Meet the Experts

• Stephanie Brown is a master colorist at the IGK SoHo in New York City.

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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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