Whether you're a redhead, blonde or brunette, if you colour your hair, chances are you'd like your new shade to stay put. And one of your must-haves to do so is the best shampoo for coloured hair.
The sun might be slowly slipping away seeing as we're now officially in autumn, but the UV rays can still peek through the clouds. We all know they aren't the best for maintaining coloured hair, so a shampoo for coloured hair is still necessary when it comes to autumn haircare. With balayage and the Scandi hair line proving to be some of this year's biggest hair trends, it's safe to say that our love for all things hair dye isn't going anywhere.
While blonde hair's freshness can be extended using the best purple shampoo and conditioner, it's also important to protect the hair colour overall. So, we asked an expert: what should we be doing in the hair colour maintenance department?
"Make sure to have professional repairing treatments after colour and in between colour appointments," says Jack Cunningham-Rose, Colour Educator at Aveda. "Looking after the health and condition of your hair is my top tip for maintaining your colour."
Having a trim on the regular is also essential to maintain your hair's look and overall health. "Maintain a sharp haircut with regular trips to the salon; this will improve the health of hair in the long-run by reducing split ends and further damage," Jack adds. It's also important to make sure you're using heat protection spray whenever you're using hot tools.
Above all, though, it's important to switch up your shampoo. With so many formulas containing stripping and drying ingredients, it could be that the shampoo you're using right now is making the state of your colour even worse. It's important to look for colour-safe, gentle shampoos which have been tested for their colour reviving properties. So with all this in mind, we've hand picked the very best shampoos for colour treated hair below to seal your shade for as long as possible. Buh-bye, colour fade!
The 10 best shampoos for coloured hair—confirmed by our beauty editors
1. Color Wow Color Security Shampoo
Color Wow's offering is probably different to any other coloured hair shampoos you've tried in the past. Made using their innovative LCD (Low Charge Density) technology, the formula prevents the cuticle from swelling, locking in moisture and - of course - colour.
Dionne Brighton, Freelance Beauty Writer says: "This is, hands down, the best shampoo for coloured hair—even if the colour is just a few highlights. I swear by the Color Wow Color Security shampoo. Formulated with a Japanese amino complex, this shampoo will make sure your hair looks bright after every wash and helps to prevent breakage. All while preventing colour fading and leaving strands super silky. I've been using this every wash since my highlights over three months ago and they still look freshly done, so it's a win for me."
2. Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Colour Protect Shampoo
Just because it's a shampoo for coloured hair, doesn't mean the cleanse has to suffer. It's what a shampoo is there for after all. This shampoo will give you the cleanse you need, while also stopping colour from fading. Formulated with mushroom, bamboo and radish ferment, it promises to protect hair from heat styling too, (although we would still use a heat protecting spray). Added vitamin B5 helps the hair retain moisture making your strands look silky.
3. Bleach London Reincarnation Shampoo
Dionne says: If you're searching for the best shampoo for coloured hair because you're suffering from post bleach damage, then this is the shampoo you have been looking for. "Bleach London says its Reincarnation Shampoo brings hair back to life, and I have to agree. Suffering from desert dry strands post colour? This will solve it. It's made with creatine and wheat proteins to build bonds from within the hair with every wash. My post holiday strands were the driest I've ever seen them, but this and the reincarnation mask genuinely brought my hair back to life."
4. Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo
Shannon Lawlor, Executive Beauty Editor says: Harnessing the power of plants, Redken's shampoo and conditioner duos are now completely vegan. This gentle formula is sulphate free and has a fruity scent that's hard not to love. "Whenever I've had my greys covered up, I reach for this shampoo. It feels super luxurious to use and prevents colour from turning flat." –
5. TRESemme Revitalise Colour Shampoo
Just because it's affordable doesn't mean it's not fantastic. Promising to cleanse as well as keep your post colour shine, the TRESemme Revitalise Colour Shampoo promises to keep colour looking vibrant for 12 weeks—and we can't disagree. Formulated with scalp and strand loving ingredients, including green tea and rosemary oil, if you've recently coloured your hair, this is one to add to basket.
6. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Coloured hair unfortunately tends to get quite dry the more you colour it, so a good hydrating shampoo is a must if this is you. Pureology's entire range is designed to care for coloured hair and the hydrating option is a dream. You'll fall in love with the fresh minty scent as much as we have. Not only does it feel luxurious and joyful to use, it leaves hair looking every bit as great (and glossy).
7. Moroccanoil Color Care Shampoo
Find that your dyed hair can get brittle and dull at times? While all the shampoos in this list work towards keeping your colour vibrant, Moroccanoil's offering also targets the dull appearance of coloured hair. It's infused with Argan oil to nourish each strand, improving shine.
Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor says: "Moroccanoil is probably one of my favourite haircare brands, not just because the products smell incredible, but also because they never fail to make my hair feel SO soft. Their Color Care shampoo keeps my dyed blonde hair looking bright, with an unreal shine."
8. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Colour Shampoo
Keep your dyed strands looking vibrant for longer and nourished with the L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color Shampoo. Not only will it keep your colour from fading, it is enriched with resveratrol which will protect and nourish the hair, too.
Shannon says: "I adore this shampoo—always have, always will. I've been dyeing my hair for years, and I rely on this formula to keep my super-long lengths looking glossy and healthy. It delivers the ultimate silky finish."
9. Aveda Pure Plant Blue Malva Shampoo
This bottle might be on the pricier side, but it includes an impressive 1000ml of product, so will last you absolutely ages.
Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor loves using it day-to-day thanks to its natural formula that's kind to her dyed blonde hair, stating: "This isn't the strongest of purple formulas - but that's actually the beauty of the product. No harsh ingredients lift your colour so you avoid damaging it in the long run." Read her full review in our purple shampoos roundup (linked above).