Top 10 Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair
Meet The Beauty Industry's Leading Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair

Protecting color-treated hair can be difficult. Harmful factors like UV rays, damaging deposits found in our water supply, styling products, and hair tools can all cause the color to fade. Since scheduling another trip to the salon shortly after going isn’t ideal and neither is letting the color fade away prematurely, what does one do to help maintain color-treated hair in between appointments?
Our advice? Don’t go straight for the box dye to add additional shine and vibrancy. Instead, invest in a shampoo that's specifically formulated to prevent color from fading, hydrate chemically dried hair, and add back shine. Lucky for you, we've done the research for you to find the best shampoos on the market for preserving color jobs while also providing hair with nourishing and strengthening ingredients. Take a look at our list of the Top 10 best shampoos for colored hair for 10 ways to keep the color alive and your hair happy.
How We Found The Best Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair
As always, our Top 10 lists are generated by our unique algorithm. Factoring in rave reviews, editor recommendations, and social media buzz, this proprietary tool finds and ranks the best products out there. From a cult-favorite by Olaplex to an impressive under-$20 find by Amika, the list ahead contains the beauty industry's leading shampoos for color-treated hair. Scroll on to shop the roundup and find the one that's best for you.
Next up, check out the 10 Best Conditioners For Color-Treated Hair. Opening image: sephora.com
March 15, 2022
Written By:Rank & Style
Product Expert:Georgia Jones
Top 10 Lists serve as unbiased shopping guides to the most trusted product recommendations on the internet. Products are scored and ranked using an algorithm backed by data consumers find most valuable when making a purchase. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
The Rankings
Amika Vault Color-Lock Shampoo
Overall Score
4.4
10
Amika Vault Color-Lock Shampoo
4.69
4215 User Reviews
3.3
Best Seller
4
Industry Recognition
0
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Packed with amino acids, soybean oil, and Sea Buckthorn, this antioxidant-rich shampoo creates the perfect environment for color to thrive. It forms a shield around each strand, protecting against environmental aggressors like UV rays, hard water, and free radicals and keeping color "locked" as long as possible.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: It's also sulfate- and paraben-free, so it cleanses without stripping the hair of much-needed moisture.
Cruelty Free
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Color Shampoo
Overall Score
4.45
09
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Color Shampoo
4.66
1995 User Reviews
3.2
Best Seller
5
Industry Recognition
0
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO IT'S FOR: If you need a good hair detox but want to keep that color intact, Paul Mitchell has you covered with its Tea Tree shampoo formulated specifically for color-treated hair. With a blend of tea tree, peppermint, and lavender, it provides a serious clean and an invigorating and tingling sensation to the scalp, all while keeping your strands as vibrant as can be.
USER REVIEW: "My colored hair is shiny and soft and my scalp feels tingly. I love this for my red hair. It's not drying, and it’s great as a shaving aid. A little expensive, but if you’ve gone to the expense of color you need this to protect it."
Cruelty Free
ColorWow Color Security Shampoo
Overall Score
4.55
08
ColorWow Color Security Shampoo
4.75
4435 User Reviews
3.3
Best Seller
5
Industry Recognition
0
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO IT'S FOR: Scalp feeling a little weighed down? Reach for ColorWow's Color Security Shampoo. Sulfate- and silicone-free, it's specially formulated to rinse out residue and leave behind cleaner, glossier, brighter hair.
USER REVIEW: "I’m a hairstylist, and the past salons I’ve worked at have sold this brand and the shampoo. I decided to try it for myself, and I LOVE IT!!! It smells amazing, and it makes you feel clean after using it. The best part is that it’s sulfate free, and it will not strip your hair color out. I’m super glad Sephora is now selling the brand, and I couldn’t be happier. I highly recommend this shampoo if you’re looking for a color-safe and sulfate-free shampoo."
Cruelty Free
Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo
Overall Score
4.6
07
Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo
4.78
3834 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
4
Industry Recognition
0
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHAT IT DOES: Gentle, plant-infused, and complete with a 100% organic fragrance, this formula keeps hair color vibrant longer and protects it from the damaging effects of the sun, water, and environmental stresses. The best part? You won't be able to get enough of the softness and shine it provides.
USER REVIEW: "You can count on Aveda color conserve shampoo to do a great job protecting your color-treated hair from the sun and damaging elements. It leaves your hair soft and shiny, but the best part is: the shampoo smells fantastic."
Cruelty Free
R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo
Overall Score
4.65
06
R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo
4.68
771 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
5
Industry Recognition
0
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Thanks to a unique blend of lychee extract, okra seed extract, vitamin E, and sunflower sprout extract, this formula is made to keep color as vibrant and polished as possible for up to 10 washes. R+Co understood the assignment.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: In addition to prolonging your color, this shampoo also helps to balance the scalp, tame frizz, and repair damage.
Made In Usa
Cruelty Free
Verb Ghost Shampoo
Overall Score
4.75
05
Verb Ghost Shampoo
4.4
3248 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
5
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHAT IT DOES: This gentle shampoo takes your hair back to its once luscious form. It's formulated with moringa seed oil to smooth frizz and uses quinoa protein to repair and coat damaged hair.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: This product is vegan-friendly, made from recyclable packaging, features a lovely grapefruit and oatmeal scent, and in addition to being a great option for colored hair, it works wonders when it comes to controlling oil production.
Cruelty Free
Biolage Colorlast Shampoo
Overall Score
4.8
04
Biolage Colorlast Shampoo
4.78
29116 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
4
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Inspired by the anti-fade properties of the vibrant orchid, this shampoo is formulated to help protect, balance, and restore your color's vibrancy.
USER REVIEW: “I recently got a balayage and the salon washed my hair with this shampoo. I loved how my hair felt even days after the treatment so I bought myself a bottle. My hair feels clean and soft even three days after the original wash!”
Oribe Shampoo For Beautiful Color
Overall Score
4.8
03
Oribe Shampoo For Beautiful Color
4.6
1605 User Reviews
3.2
Best Seller
5
Industry Recognition
5
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHAT IT DOES: Featuring high-tech ingredients that target damaged areas, this intensely moisturizing formula shields your hue from environmental pollutants and their color-depleting effects. Plus, it smells divine.
HELPFUL TIP: Pair it with the conditioner to hydrate and prevent fading.
Made In Usa
Cruelty Free
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Overall Score
4.9
02
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
4.63
22784 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
5
Industry Recognition
4
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHAT IT DOES: Keeping color-treated hair looking its best is no easy task. This sulfate- and paraben-free formula contains ingredients like jojoba, green tea, and sage to leave your color in tip-top shape between appointments.
WHY IT MADE THE LIST: If your hair is color-treated, you’ll want to reach for a shampoo that will keep your dye job vibrant, all while nourishing to keep dryness and damage at bay. This shampoo does all that and more. It protects color, strengthens and repairs damage, and restores moisture.
Cruelty Free
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Overall Score
5
01
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
4.66
50947 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
5
Industry Recognition
5
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Whether you're battling dry hair, frizz, flyaways, or breakage, this cult-favorite shampoo and its conditioner counterpart are the holy-grail solution.
WHAT IT DOES: This shampoo repairs damage by relinking broken bonds, and it's been proven to reduce breakage and strengthen hair of all types and textures.
Made In Usa
Cruelty Free
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