Whether you're a redhead, blonde or brunette, if you colour your hair, chances are you'd like your new shade to stay put—particularly if you've spent a small fortune at the salon. If you're looking to extend the life of your hair then one key product you need in your routine is the best shampoo for coloured hair.
With brookie blonde and pastellisation proving to be some of the year's biggest hair trends, it's safe to say our love of hair dye is strong. No matter the season or trend, shampoo for coloured hair is always necessary for maintaining vibrancy and shine.
But where to start with so many shampoos out there? That's where we come in to break down the very best shampoos for coloured hair, including the best purple shampoo for blondes.
How to extend the life of your hair colour?
So, what should we do in the hair colour maintenance department to extend the life of our hair? We asked an expert.
"Make sure to have professional repairing treatments after colour and 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 is the cause of your hair colour fading. It's important to look for colour-safe, gentle shampoos, which have been tested for their colour-reviving properties. With all this in mind, we've hand-picked the best shampoos for colour-treated hair to seal your shade for as long as possible. Buh-bye, colour fade!
The 17 best shampoos for coloured hair—confirmed by our beauty editors
1. Color Wow Color Security Shampoo
Dionne Brighton, Freelance Beauty Writer says: "This is, hands down, the best shampoo for coloured hair in my opinion—even if the colour is just a few highlights. I swear by the Color Wow Color Security shampoo, which won Best Colour Shampoo at the 2024 Marie Claire UK Hair Awards. 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. Adwoa Beauty Blue Tansy Clarifying Gel Shampoo
Tori Crowther, Marie Claire contributor says: "A brilliant (and beautiful) clarifying shampoo that deeply cleanses while protecting the colour. The formula uses blue tansy flower oil, jojoba oil and bamboo extract to hydrate the hair, protect against and repair breakage and add shine to strands. The Blue Tansy Clarifying Gel Shampoo has been specially formulated for curly and coily hair, making it a great option for thoroughly cleaning the scalp without stripping any colour or hair's moisture levels."
3. Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Colour Protect Shampoo
Tori says: "Briogeo has so many brilliant products and this colour protection range is ideal for cleansing and protecting your shade. The formula contains a special kind of mushroom (as a protein alternative), bamboo and radish ferment to help maintain vibrancy, aid heat protection (you still need a heat protection spray!) and retain moisture. It's also paraben and sulphate-free if that's your thing."
4. Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo
Tori says: "The entire luminous colour range by Maria Nila is luxurious and hardworking. It's intensely hydrating for the hair, which not only helps to keep my brunette feeling rich and glossy but also makes it feel amazing and less knotty. Its scent isn't for everyone though (including me). It's very sweet and although it doesn't linger once hair is dried, I prefer more elegant scents. The results are enough to continue using it though."
5. Bleach London Reincarnation Shampoo
Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor 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. I bleach my hair every six to eight weeks (without fail), so naturally my lengths take a real battering and they show it. This shampoo (and the conditioner) works wonders at taking my straw-like strands and treating them with kindness, which in turn leaves them softer, glossier and makes my blonde pop. It's made with creatine and wheat proteins to build bonds from within the hair with every wash. "
6. 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."
7. TRESemme Revitalise Colour Shampoo
Tori says: "Repeat after us: affordable doesn't mean any less effective. Despite TRESemme Revitalise Colour Shampoo being one of the most affordable on the list, it ranks high with all its more expensive competitors. It promises to maintain vibrancy, help avoid fading from UV exposure and give hair a brilliant shine. It also comes in a huge tub and is regularly on offer, too. "
8. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Katie says: "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)."
9. Moroccanoil Color Care Shampoo
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. Its Color Care shampoo keeps my dyed blonde hair looking bright, with an unreal shine. Unlike the others on this list, this shampoo tackles dullness rather than vibrancy. It's infused with argan oil to nourish each strand, improving shine."
Tori says: "I agree with Valeza, it smells beautiful and leaves hair looking and feeling akin to a trip to the salon with incredible vibrancy and shine. It does a brilliant job at cleansing leftover product and grime from the hair without leaving it feeling stripped at dry."
10. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Colour Shampoo
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. Not only does it keep my colour from fading, but it's enriched with resveratrol (an anti-oxident complex), which protects and nourishes too. It delivers the ultimate silky finish."
11. Noughty Purple Reign Tone Correcting Shampoo
Tori says: "One of the best budget-friendly haircare brands is Noughty and the Purple Reign Tone Correcting Shampoo is no different. It has everyone you want from a regular shampoo: great lather, lovely scent and cleanses well with the additional bonus of expertly ridding brassy, yellow tones from blonde and grey hair. The formula is also cruelty-free and vegan, which is a bonus for many."
12. Aveda Pure Plant Blue Malva Shampoo
Katie says: "I love using it day-to-day thanks to its natural formula, which is kind to my dyed blonde hair. 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. Also, just so you know, I haven't lost my mind completely, I am aware of the price, but this bottle is huge. It can last me up to a year, as I only use this every third hair wash."
13. John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Colour Protecting Shampoo
Tori says: "This shampoo is one that I've had in my rotation for years and is a reliable formula to help maintain brunette vibrancy. This is one I use when I want to maintain a colour I've done at home or maintain my natural brunette hair colour. Definitely ask your colourist before using this at home because it can have a tendency to overpower any highlights and lighter tones that you may have in your brunette."
14. Eco Warrior Blue Shampoo Bar
Tori says: "Shampoo bars have come a long way since the first, rather drying formulas you might have tried. They're smarter and more elegant than ever, case in point: Eco Warrior's Blue Shampoo Bar. This one is specifically designed for brunette hair to help neutralise any brassy tones. It does a fantastic job at cleansing the scalp without it feeling stripped (make sure you follow up with conditioner) and although it won't deposit colour, it does help avoid fading; particularly compared to other solid formulas on the market."
15. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Silver Shampoo
Want to preserve your ashy grey tones? This silver shampoo is a bestseller for a reason. Formulated with magnesium (which counteracts any yellow tones and brassiness), it's perfect for grey, white or light blonde hair.
16. Bleach London Rosé Shampoo
Katie says: "This is a such a clever and simple concept and I recommend it often. If you have pink hair, this shampoo is going to refresh and make your colour pop. If you have blonde hair, like I do, this is a really fun (and affordable) way to add a temporary pop of pale pink. It's so easy to use, doesn't stain your hands and allows you to be playful with your hair without leaving the house"
17. Charles Worthington Enhancing Blonde Shampoo
Katie says: "Getting your hair dyed costs a lot of money, but thankfully there are some amazing products on the high street offering affordable aftercare to keep your hair looking its best. I think this Charles Worthington shampoo for brightening is one of the best blonde hair products. A few weeks after my appointment with my colourist, I use this (and the accompanying conditioner) and my blonde looks shinier, creamier and most certainly brighter."
