These Are the *Only* Shampoos I’ll Use on My Color-Treated Hair

Coming from someone who has literally been dyeing their hair since sixth grade, including with at-home hair colors and dyes, I'll be the first to tell you that upkeep is probably the most important part of a new hair hue. Even if a product is labeled as one of the best "sulfate-free" shampoos (i.e., it doesn’t have the same harsh, stripping cleansers as your dish soap), it does not mean it’s the best shampoo for color-treated hair. Yeah, that's because dyed hair requires even more TLC than you’d assume, and your match made in shampoo heaven totally depends on what color and texture you’re working with.

"When you go in the sun, color-treated hair is more susceptible to damage. When you use hot tools like flat irons or curling irons, your hair could be damaged more," says Sophie Gutterman, celebrity hairstylist. Which hair color you have matters, and specific, regular upkeep is essential to prevent the dreaded lifeless and dull color. Since I've likely tried out more formulas than the average human, I figured I might as well drop some of my knowledge on all of you too. Along with Gutterman, hairstylists Bridget Kinney, Kimberly Cannon, Richy Kandasamy, Daisy "Daze" Henson, April Story, Nunzio Saviano, and Clariss Rubenstein gave us allll the deets we need for picking the right shampoo.

Our top picks for the best shampoo for color-treated hair in 2022:

Ahead, I rounded up the 23 very best color-safe shampoos out there, from an apple cider vinegar formula that gently clarifies to a pre-shampoo treatment that locks in your dye job. Trust me: If you want your color to last, you gotta be using one of these babies.