Quick Facts – Shampoo for Color Treated Hair
- Sulfate-free shampoos are much gentler on color treated hair.
- Look for formulas made for dyed hair to slow fading and dryness.
- Olaplex No. 4 helps repair damage and support weak strands.
- TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color calms frizz and protects color.
- L’Oreal EverPure and Redken Color Extend help keep color rich and shiny.
- Matrix Unbreak My Blonde is great for blonde and lightened hair.
- Love Beauty and Planet, Biolage Color Last, and Kérastase Chroma Respect suit everyday care.
Tired of watching your fresh color rinse down the drain after only a few washes? The shampoo you use makes a big difference. Harsh cleansers strip natural oils and dye molecules, leaving hair flat, rough, and dull.
This guide covers the best shampoos for color treated hair, all sulfate-free or low in harsh surfactants. They are made to:
- Clean gently
- Help your color last
- Keep your hair soft and easy to manage
If your hair is also very dry or damaged, pair your shampoo with a mask from best hair mask for dry damaged hair. For bleached or highlighted hair, tone and refresh with a pick from best toner for bleached hair.
How to choose a shampoo for color treated hair
Before you pick a bottle, think about both your color and your hair type.
1. Check the label: is it made for color?
Look for phrases like “color care,” “color safe,” or “for color treated hair.” These formulas are usually:
- Less harsh
- Designed to reduce fade
- Often include conditioners or protective ingredients
2. Go sulfate-free
Sulfates (like SLS and SLES) create a rich lather but can be rough on dyed hair. Sulfate-free shampoos:
- Clean without stripping oils
- Help your color stay rich longer
- Are kinder to dry or fragile strands
3. Match your hair type and concern
Ask yourself:
- Is your hair fine or thick?
- Is your scalp dry, normal, or oily?
- Is your hair blonde, red, brunette, black, or fantasy color?
Pick a shampoo that matches these needs. For example:
- Very dry or damaged hair → nourishing, bond-building formula
- Oily scalp → light, balancing formula that still says “color safe”
- Bleached hair → products that mention blonde, lightened, or fragile hair
If you wear locs and also color your hair, look at best shampoo for locs for gentle cleansers that suit that style.
4. Scan the ingredients
Avoid shampoos with:
- Strong sulfates
- High levels of drying alcohols
- Fragrances or plant oils you know you react to
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Best for: damaged, over-processed, or frequently colored hair
Olaplex No. 4 is a sulfate-free bond maintenance shampoo that targets broken bonds inside the hair shaft. It uses a patented ingredient (Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate) to help support hair structure while it cleans.
Why it’s a strong choice for dyed hair
- Helps hair feel stronger and less brittle
- Works on straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair
- Cleans without stripping color or leaving hair rough
- Pairs well with other Olaplex steps, but still useful on its own
If your hair feels fragile after lightening, double-processing, or frequent dye sessions, this is a good place to start.
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo
Best for: frizz control and color care on a budget
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color is a sulfate-free shampoo made to:
- Protect color
- Calm frizz
- Add shine
It contains keratin and other smoothing agents to help the cuticle lie flat.
Good for you if
- Your hair is prone to frizz or puffiness
- You want a drugstore price with salon-style results
- You like a smooth finish that still moves
Use with a matching conditioner for better slip and control when you style.
L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture Shampoo
Best for: affordable moisture for dry, color treated hair
L’Oreal EverPure Moisture is a sulfate-free line made for colored hair that needs extra softness.
What it offers
- Gentle cleansing without rough sulfates
- Helps dry strands feel softer and smoother
- Leaves hair with a light, glossy look
It’s a good everyday shampoo if your budget is tight but you still want to protect your color. Follow with an EverPure conditioner or a deep treatment from best hair mask for dry damaged hair once a week.
Redken 5th Avenue NYC Color Extend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Best for: salon-level color care at home
Redken Color Extend Magnetics is often used and recommended in salons. It is sulfate-free and focuses on keeping color rich between appointments.
Key points
- Cleans gently without dulling the shade
- Adds softness and shine
- Works for most hair types, from fine to thick
If you invest in salon color and want to protect that spend, this is a solid choice.
Matrix Total Results Unbreak My Blonde Shampoo
Best for: blonde, highlighted, and lightened hair
Unbreak My Blonde is made for hair that has been lightened, not just natural blondes. It is sulfate-free and supports fragile strands.
Why blondes like it
- Helps reduce breakage after lightening
- Keeps blonde and balayage looking bright
- Cleans without leaving hair stiff or straw-like
Use it with a bond-supporting conditioner or mask, and tone when needed with a pick from best toner for bleached hair.
Love Beauty and Planet Sulfate-Free Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo
Best for: softer, scented wash with a “green” angle
This shampoo is sulfate-free and made with murumuru butter and rose. It targets dry, color treated hair that needs extra care.
What you get
- Gentle cleanse for dyed hair
- Murumuru butter for softness and moisture
- Rose notes for a light floral scent
- A formula that aims to be kinder to the environment
If you like natural-inspired branding and a soft feel, it’s a nice everyday option.
Biolage Color Last Shampoo
Best for: keeping salon color bright and glossy
Biolage Color Last is a long-time favorite for dyed hair. It is formulated to help slow fading and keep hair shiny.
Benefits
- Gently cleans color treated hair
- Helps color stay rich for more washes
- Leaves hair soft and smooth rather than rough
It works well for many shades, from brunette to red, and suits medium use through the week.
Kérastase Bain Riche Chroma Respect Shampoo
Best for: medium to thick color treated hair that needs extra care
Bain Riche Chroma Respect is a higher-end, sulfate-free shampoo made for medium to thick, sensitized hair.
Why it’s worth considering
- Deeply nourishing while still color-safe
- Leaves hair soft, smooth, and easy to detangle
- Helps maintain shine and depth of color
If your hair is dense, coarse, or very dry from color and heat tools, this formula offers a more indulgent option.
Final tips for keeping color treated hair vibrant
Shampoo is just one part of the puzzle. To help your color last:
- Wash with lukewarm water, not very hot water.
- Limit washing to a few times a week if you can.
- Use a color-safe conditioner after every wash.
- Add a mask from best hair mask for dry damaged hair weekly for extra care.
- Use a heat protectant before blow-drying or styling with hot tools.
With the right shampoo and a few simple habits, your color can stay bright and your hair can feel soft and strong.
FAQ
There is no single best shampoo for everyone. Still, popular picks include Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance, TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color, L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture, Redken Color Extend Magnetics, Matrix Total Results Unbreak My Blonde, Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose, Biolage Color Last, and Kérastase Bain Riche Chroma Respect. All are gentle and made for dyed hair.
Sulfate-free shampoos tend to be milder and less likely to strip natural oils and dye molecules from the hair shaft. This helps your color last longer and reduces dryness and roughness, which are common after coloring.
Most people with color-treated hair do well washing two to four times per week. Washing less often can help the color last longer, especially for red and fashion shades that fade faster. Use dry shampoo between wash days if needed.
Olaplex No. 4 is a good choice if your hair feels weak or brittle after lightening or frequent coloring. It is sulfate-free and includes a bond-strengthening ingredient that helps hair feel stronger over time while gently cleaning.
Matrix Total Results Unbreak My Blonde is a strong option for blonde, highlighted, or lightened hair. It supports fragile strands and helps reduce breakage. You can pair it with a toning product from the best toner for bleached hair to keep your shade fresh.
Yes, many sulfate-free shampoos work for curly or coily hair, especially nourishing options like Olaplex No. 4, L’Oréal EverPure Moisture, and Kérastase Bain Riche Chroma Respect. Always follow with a rich conditioner or mask to keep curls soft and defined.
Use lukewarm water instead of hot, wash less often, choose a sulfate-free shampoo, and always use a color-safe conditioner. Add a weekly mask from [best hair mask for dry damaged hair] and protect your hair from heat tools and intense sun when possible.
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