11 Best Color Safe Shampoos

I spend way too much money on my hair color not to protect it. There’s nothing worse than seeing that perfect balayage or vibrant red start to fade after just a few weeks. It feels like washing money right down the drain.

So I went on a mission. I talked to my stylist, read a million reviews, and tried a ton of color protecting shampoos myself. A good color safe shampoo has to do two things: gently clean your hair without stripping the color and add back moisture that the dyeing process takes out.

After all that, I can confidently say these are the ones that actually work. They keep my color looking fresh way longer, which means fewer trips to the salon.

What to Look For in a Color-Safe Shampoo

The biggest thing I look for is “sulfate-free.” Sulfates are harsh detergents that create a big lather, but they also strip color and natural oils from your hair like nobody’s business. Your hair feels squeaky clean, but your color pays the price.

I also look for nourishing ingredients. Things like proteins for strength (especially if you bleach), oils for moisture, and antioxidants to protect from fading. Anything that repairs damage is a huge plus, because coloring is tough on your hair. A good shampoo is the first step in keeping it healthy.

The Best Shampoos for Colored Hair

1. Color Wow Color Security Shampoo

This one costs $24. What’s wild about this shampoo is that it leaves absolutely nothing behind. No silicones, no conditioning agents, no junk that can build up and make your color look dull.

I was skeptical, but my hair felt so clean and light after using it. And my color looked brighter, not cloudy. It’s also safe for keratin treatments and extensions, which is a nice bonus.

The Downside: It’s not cheap for the size of the bottle, so I tend to save it for the first few weeks after a color appointment.

 

 

2. Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo

The Pureology Strength Cure is $37. If your hair is feeling weak and fragile from bleach, this is the one for you. My own colorist approved this for my bleach-heavy hair because it helps repair the damage while protecting the tone.

It makes my hair feel instantly softer and stronger. You don’t need to use a lot to get a good, creamy lather, and it smells amazing, kind of like a raspberry-floral scent.

The Downside: The formula is pretty concentrated and can feel a little thick if you use too much.

 

 

3. Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

For $29, this is a salon classic for a reason. Redken just gets color-treated hair. This shampoo is super gentle and really helps lock in your color so it doesn’t fade quickly.

It uses amino ions to form a seal around the hair fiber, which sounds scientific, but it basically just means your color stays put. My hair always feels soft and manageable after using it, never stripped.

The Downside: It doesn’t lather up as much as some other shampoos, which can take some getting used to.

 

 

4. Shu Uemura Color Lustre Shampoo

Okay, at $56, this is a serious splurge. But if you want to feel like you just left a high-end salon every time you wash your hair, this is it. The shine is just on another level.

It’s infused with musk rose oil and goji berry extract, which sounds fancy and feels even fancier. It cleanses without stripping and leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft and looking so glossy.

The Downside: The price is definitely steep. It’s a luxury item, for sure.

 

 

5. Pantene Illuminating Color Care Shampoo

You can grab this one for about $10. I was so impressed with this drugstore find! It’s sulfate-free and has biotin to help strengthen hair that’s been weakened by dye.

It does a fantastic job of cleansing gently while leaving my hair shiny and my color looking fresh. You really don’t have to spend a fortune to get good color protection.

The Downside: The scent is pretty strong. I like it, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance, you might want to sniff it first.

 

 

6. Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Olaplex No. 4 is $34 and worth every penny for damaged hair. Everyone knows Olaplex for its bond-building magic, and that’s exactly what this shampoo does. It helps repair the broken bonds from coloring and heat styling.

Even though its main job is repair, it’s completely color-safe and helps reduce breakage and frizz. My hair feels so much healthier and stronger when I have this in my rotation.

The Downside: It’s more of a repair shampoo than a pure color-extending one, so I usually alternate it with another shampoo focused on vibrancy.

 

 

7. L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Shampoo

This is another salon favorite, and it’s only $15. This shampoo is specifically designed to make your color pop and prevent it from fading for weeks. It uses resveratrol, an antioxidant, to protect against environmental aggressors.

It gives my hair a beautiful, glossy finish that makes the color look richer. It’s a workhorse shampoo that delivers on its promises.

The Downside: If you have very fine hair, it might feel a little bit drying. Following up with a good conditioner is key.

 

 

8. R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo

For $34, this shampoo is like a tall drink of water for thirsty, color-treated hair. The name “Gemstone” is perfect because it gives your hair this incredible, multi-dimensional shine.

It’s really hydrating and helps smooth out frizz without weighing my hair down. And the scent is amazing—a mix of citrus, eucalyptus, and mint that’s so refreshing.

The Downside: The fragrance is pretty distinct and lingers, which could be a pro or a con depending on your preference.

 

 

9. Innersense Color Awakening Hair Bath

This clean beauty option is $30. If you’re into natural and organic ingredients, Innersense is fantastic. It’s a “hair bath,” so it’s super gentle and low-sudsing, but it still gets your hair clean.

It uses coconut and pumpkin seed oils to nourish the hair and scalp. My hair feels healthy and revitalized, not coated in anything. It’s perfect for a gentle, effective wash.

The Downside: If you’re used to a big, bubbly lather, this will feel very different. It takes a bit more work to distribute through your hair.

 

 

10. Moroccanoil Color Care Shampoo

The Moroccanoil shampoo is about $30. This one is all about boosting shine and fighting the dullness that can happen to colored hair over time. And of course, it has that iconic Moroccanoil scent that is just heavenly.

It’s infused with argan oil to nourish and pomegranate extract to help protect your color. My hair is always incredibly soft and shiny after I use this.

The Downside: Because it’s so nourishing, it can be a bit heavy for people with very fine or oily hair.

Finding the right shampoo really does make a huge difference. You’re already investing in the color, so it just makes sense to invest a little in keeping it looking great.

A little pro tip my stylist gave me: wash your hair in cooler water. It helps keep the hair cuticle sealed, which locks in the color molecules. It’s not the most fun in the winter, but your hair will thank you for it.