If you're tired of your shampoo completely stripping away your colour, it's time to look into the best shampoo for coloured hair. Don't worry, we get it - there's nothing worse than watching the money you spent on your freshly dyed 'do wash down the drain. While the best shampoo and conditioner work to keep your hair looking healthy, the best shampoo for coloured hair works to keep dyed hair looking vibrant at the same time.
Most of the regular shampoos on the high street contain ingredients like parabens, silicones and more - so, basically all the nasty stuff - that strips your hair. As a result, these ingredients can lead to dry hair, breakage and fading colour in dyed tresses. If you want to avoid that from happening, then you'll be glad to know we've selected the best shampoo for coloured hair.
heat's best shampoo for coloured hair at a glance:
Hair colour shampoo works to protect, maintain and, at times, even enhance the shade of your dyed hair. Between colour protecting, colour toning and colour depositing - what option is right for you? If you're after platinum locks, then the best silver shampoo might be the best choice. But, we've also included a tonne of others just in case.
As well as tips and tricks on how to maintain lasting colour, like washing your hair less (don't worry though, the best dry shampoo will see you through) we've also assembled a guide on the best shampoo for coloured hair. Here are some of the best out there to protect, maintain and enhance your colour. Don't just take our word for it. Why not give them a go?
SHOP: Best shampoo for coloured hair
Best highly rated shampoo for coloured hair
The Pureology Hydrate Moisturising Shampoo for Colour Treated Hair is the most highly-rated shampoo that we could find. With an impressive amount of reviews, this shampoo earns a place for its hydrating sulphate-free formula that's been enriched with all the good stuff - like rose, green tea and multi-weight protein extracts to nourish. We're sold.
Pros
- Hydrates normal to thick colour-treated hair
- Contains natural and multi-weight protein extracts
- Reviews love that it is vegan-friendly and sulphate-free
Cons
- May not be the best for sensitive skin
Best shampoo for blonde-coloured hair
As the best toning shampoo for blonde colour-treated hair, the Bold Uniq Purple Shampoo just had to have a spot on our list. Over 50,000 reviews later, we're definitely trusting this shampoo to knock out any brassy tones from blonde hair with its purple pigment. Extend time between expensive salon visits and preserve colour with this toner that turns warm, yellow-toned hair to cooler, ash tones. Yes, please.
Pros
- We love that the formula has UV filters to protect from the sun
- Free from sulphates and parabens
- Vegan-friendly formula
Cons
- It has a powerful pigmentation so don't leave it on too long
Best value shampoo for coloured hair
At fab value, the Bed Head by TIGI Colour Goddess Shampoo has been formulated with dyed hair in mind. Containing vitamin E, keratin, sweet almond oil and coconut oil extracts to keep the hair conditioned, it has a gorgeous sweet toffee scent that's good enough to eat (but don't do that, please). Leaving the hair soft and shiny with volume, it'll be your new go-to.
Pros
- Now on offer, it's fantastic value
- Enriched with vitamin E, keratin and natural oils
- Reviews note it has an unreal sweet toffee scent
Cons
- Formula may contain sulphates, we're not sure
Best popular shampoo for coloured hair
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The formula of the L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Colour Shampoo is enriched with resveratrol, a potent antioxidant inspired by skincare to nourish the hair. Working to boost the radiance of colour-treated hair, it protects colour for up to eight weeks. Talk about getting the most out of your dye job.
Our heat review: "I won't lie, I noticed a big difference when I ran out of this shampoo and switched to other brands. This shampoo really does maintain the colour and gently cleanses rather than stripping the dye from your hair. The formula is a creamy consistency that feels really moisturising on your hair and it feels cleansing without being too harsh. I'd definitely recommend it."
Pros
- Reviews noted a big difference between the high quality of this shampoo and others
- Colour protection for up to eight weeks
- Enriched with antioxidants for health and hydration
Cons
- May cause build-up on the scalp
Best budget shampoo for coloured hair
For the best budget option, the OGX Fade-Defying Orchid Oil Shampoo is pretty bloomin' good. A sulphate-free formula and UV filters help to slow premature hair fading. While orchid oil and grape seed oil extracts work to add moisture to the hair. What's not to love?
Pros
- We love that it helps to hydrate and replenish colour-treated hair
- Orchid oil, grape seed oil and UV filters to protect
- Sulphate-free which is very important
Cons
- Thick consistency makes it hard to get out of bottle
Best salon-worthy shampoo for coloured hair
With salons everywhere recommending Wella, it comes as no surprise that the Wella Professional Invigo Colour Protection Shampoo is such a highly-rated pick. It's enriched with ingredients like vitamin E and histidine to control the oxidation process after colouring, protecting colour for longer. Get salon-worthy hair at a reasonable price and cut back on your appointments at the same time.
Pros
- Reviews note it is a fab choice for thin hair, and leaves it manageable
- Copper-encapsulating molecules maintain vibrancy
- Vitamin E and histidine control oxidation
Cons
- You'll need to purchase a separate pump for the bottle
Best celebrity-endorsed shampoo for coloured hair
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As loved by Love Island's Molly Marsh, the Colour Security Shampoo from Color Wow is currently a trending choice. With its amino-fortified complex, it works to prevent breakage and dullness, all while defending against fading colour. Free from sulphates, the gentle cleansing formula gets rid of any build-up on the scalp without stripping dye.
Pros
- Amino-fortified complex to help hair healthy
- Reviews praise its gentle cleansing formula
- Sulphate-free is an important bonus
Cons
- May not be best for all hair types
Best balancing shampoo for coloured hair
According to reviews, the REDKEN Shampoo For Coloured Hair is a long-lasting solution that protects the pigment in your hair. A little goes a long way with this mighty bottle, and its pH-balanced formula strengthens hair from the scalp to the tip. Gentle and conditioning, it works to boost vibrancy and breathe new life into dull, tired hair.
Pros
- The pH-balanced formula for scalp health
- Enhances hair colour vibrancy and shine
- Reviews state that the formula strengthens hair from root to tip
Cons
- May not be the best for sensitive skin
Best shampoo for red-coloured hair
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Enhancing shades of red hair, the John Frieda Radiant Red Boosting Shampoo is great for keeping up with the maintenance that comes with red hair. Don't worry, we know it all too well. With a combination of pomegranate and vitamin D extracts, it extends the life of red hair by infusing red tones with every wash.
Pros
- Formula preserves and enhances red shades
- Contains pomegranate and vitamin D extracts for hydration
- Reviews say it infuses red tones with every wash
Cons
- It does contain sulphates
Best shampoo for brunette-coloured hair
If you have brunette tresses and looking to enhance the colour, the John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Colour Vibrancy Shampoo might just be the one for you. This moisturising shampoo rehydrates and replenishes dry brunette hair. It helps maintain hair colour for any shade of brunette, wash after wash.
Pros
- Affordable price point and reviews note it is a big bottle
- Formulated with light-reflecting complex
- Reveals dimensional tones
Cons
- It does contain sulphates
FAQs
What types of shampoo are best for coloured hair?
Colour protecting: Using mild ingredients, unlike clarifying agents found in the best shampoo for oily hair, colour-protecting shampoo gently cleanses the hair without stripping it of its pigment. They work to preserve the colour by ditching harmful ingredients that cause the colour to fade.
Colour toning: These work to deposit colour throughout the hair to change or maintain the tone of your hair. Noticing your blonde hair is looking a little brassy? A purple colour toning shampoo will sort that right out. There are loads of different toning shampoos out there, so buy according to what you're after.
Colour depositing: In a similar sense, these shampoos work to deposit temporary pigment throughout the hair, but these are often used to maintain and enhance the shade of your current hair. They often come in the form of a shampoo or a hair mask.
How to care for coloured hair?
This goes out to all types of hair, whether it's been dyed or not. However, as we know, coloured hair does require a lot more maintenance. Not only should you invest in the right colour shampoo, but you should follow our guide on how often you should wash your hair. Honestly, your hair will thank you for it.
First and foremost, cut back on the heat. Whether that's the temperature of the water you're washing your hair with, to ditching the straighteners and curlers. Instead of using a hair dryer, allow your hair to air dry instead if you can. Always use a heat protectant spray.
Get rid of any of your shampoos that contain drying ingredients. Parabens, silicones, sulphates, you name it. The best dandruff shampoos and clarifying shampoos are harsh on coloured hair, so you should avoid these if you want to keep your colour from fading.
Instead, make sure that your hair has plenty of moisture. Using conditioner, conditioning hair masks and colour depository masks between your next date with your box dye (or your next salon appointment) will only help to keep your hair looking fresh.
Samantha 'Sam' Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at heat magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.