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There’s nothing quite like leaving the salon with glossy, freshly colored hair. While fading is inevitable over time, using the best shampoos and conditioners for color-treated hair can help extend the life of your meticulously crafted shade between salon visits. These gentle, often sulfate-free formulas cleanse away oil, flakes, and product buildup without stripping pigment so that your pricey balayage, bleach-and-dye treatment, or at-home color job continues to look as good on day 30 as it did on day one.
Regular shampoos aren’t necessarily formulated with color-treated hair in mind. Many, like sulfate-filled or clarifying shampoos, contain strong cleansing agents that can strip away color, which can ultimately cause your fresh color to fade faster and lose its shine. Long story short: “Using a shampoo made for color-treated hair helps protect your investment, keeps the color looking fresh longer, and helps maintain shine and overall hair health between appointments,” says Sierra Kener Mehl, a hairstylist based in West Hollywood. Color-safe conditioners, for their part, also help keep your strands feeling moisturized and healthy, which is especially important after a dye job when they might be especially dry, damaged, and in need of a little extra TLC.
Our Top Shampoos and Conditioners for Color-Treated Hair
- Best Overall: Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, $76
- Best for Blondes and Bleached Hair: Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner, $52
- Best for Graying Hair: Rōz Foundation Shampoo ($39) and Mask ($48)
- Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, $18
Whether your color is fresh from the salon or courtesy of an at-home dye kit, upgrading your wash-day routine with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner set is one of the easiest ways to keep things looking vibrant. After months of testing, these are the duos worth adding to your shower.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What shampoos should you avoid for color-treated hair?
- How often should I wash color-treated hair?
- What causes hair color to fade?
- What are sulfates, and are they bad for color-treated hair?
- How is shampoo for colored hair different than "regular" shampoos?
- Which shampoo is right for my hair color?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
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Pureology
Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon
Why we love it: Whether you have just a touch of subtle highlights or a full head of faux color, Pureology’s Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner are up for the task. This Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning duo is one of our all-time favorite in-shower combos for its brass-busting lavender tint and creamy, jojoba oil-powered formulas that leave hair impressively smooth. Both the shampoo and conditioner also contain antioxidant-rich green tea and sage extracts to hydrate strands while supporting scalp health. Keep in mind that the original formula might be too heavy for finer hair types, but no sweat: Pureology also makes lightweight options specifically for thinner hair.
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen before using the Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Sarah Kinonen
Kinonen after using the Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Sarah Kinonen
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“As someone who washes their hair once a week, my shampoo-and-conditioner selection is super important. I have long, fine, color-treated hair, so it has a lot of needs: hydration, damage control, and color protection. This Pureology duo does all of the above and more with an earthy (shampoo) and minty (conditioner) scent that lingers long past the last rinse. I typically double- (and sometimes even triple-) shampoo because of how dirty and oily my hair gets during the week. I love that this one lathers fast—I’m pro suds (and sulfates)! As for the conditioner, I like to use it as more of a mask, raking it through my mids to my ends, and then letting it marinate while I shave my legs. The result is always soft, shiny, and super-clean hair.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba oil, green tea extract, sage extract
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Who it's for: all hair types
Best for Blondes and Bleached Hair: Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
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Biolage
Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
Amazon
Ulta Beauty (Shampoo)
Ulta Beauty (Conditioner)
Why we love it: Biolage’s Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner features moisturizing soybean oil and stearic acid, an ingredient that acts like a lightweight barrier over your strands to protect color from fading. Together, they maintain your color’s luster for weeks, making it a bit more feasible to stretch out the time between your salon appointments—no wonder it won an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2025. As its key ingredients seal in much-needed moisture and assist in preserving color, its formula gently washes away dirt, oil, and buildup as you lather. Though it’s not a purple shampoo, our blonde-haired testers found that this duo amps up brightness without leading to brassiness or stripped color, making it a great option for lighter hair colors.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han before using the Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
Sarah Han
Han after using the Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I've put my hair through the wringer, a.k.a. double-bleached it many times throughout the years, and it shows in how dry and brittle it gets. I used to use a color-depositing shampoo every other wash, which is too often because it doesn't do a great job of actually hydrating my hair. This Biolage duo leaves my hair feeling soft post-shower and my pink surprisingly intact—and thank goodness. My color also looks overall brighter, which is the cherry on top!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Tester feedback from global senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick
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“This Biolage shampoo-and-conditioner combo has become one of my absolute staples. It provides a thorough clean and deep-conditioning, smells amazing, and brightens my blonde almost instantly. As someone who has been actively trying to delay my highlights appointments, I can visibly see this product extending the life of my color over time.” —Lexi Herrick, global senior director of commerce audience and analytics
More to know
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- Key ingredients: soybean oil, stearic acid
- Sulfate-free: no
- Who it's for: blondes and lighter hair colors, dry hair
Best for Graying Hair: Rōz Foundation Shampoo and Mask
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RŌZ
Foundation Shampoo and Mask
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Mask)
Nordstrom (Shampoo)
Nordstrom (Mask)
Why we love it: This duo isn't necessarily billed for color-treated hair, but we've found that the sulfate-free (and Best of Beauty Award-winning) shampoo and reparative mask work wonders for color-treated hair, too—and Mehl agrees, adding that it also performs well on medium hair types in particular. It’s a “great choice for clients looking for a cleaner beauty option that still performs really well on color-treated hair,” she says. The Rōz Foundation Shampoo relies on coconut-derived surfactants to dislodge grime and oil, while ceramides keep both scalp and strands soft and comfortable.
The silicone-free Rōz Foundation Mask, meanwhile, hydrates and repairs hair from mid-lengths to ends, thanks to a base of vitamin E-rich coconut oil and strengthening rice bran extract. Both can be critical for those with gray hairs, which tend to be coarse, dry, and even wiry. That said, our tester recommends subbing the conditioner in for the mask if you have fine or thinning hair, since the mask might be too heavy for daily use.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“My long hair is balayaged into a blend of gray and blonde—and it looks and feels so smooth when I use this shampoo and mask. It's not billed as a combo for color-treated hair but it's gentle and moisturizing so certainly fits the bill. The shampoo sudses up beautifully (I usually do two) and a dollop of the mask is enough for my currently almost-bra-strap-length hair (I usually comb it through and leave it in a couple minutes before rinsing). The citrus-y, fig-y scent is a joy in the morning, and the packaging is chic and understated without trying too hard to be sleek and fancy. I'm not saying I worked my recent bathroom reno around this duo; I'm just saying that light blue does look great in my new shower.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, coconut oil, rice bran extract
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Who it's for: those transitioning to gray or with color-treated gray hair
Best for Brunette Hair: Wella Ultimate Color Shampoo and Conditioner
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Wella Professionals
Ultimate Color Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Ulta Beauty (Shampoo)
Ulta Beauty (Conditioner)
Why we love it: Rich brunette shades and vibrant reds can lose their glossiness faster than you’d like, which is why Mehl recommends Wella’s Ultimate Color Shampoo and Conditioner. “I recommend it for anyone with color-treated hair, but I especially love it on brunettes and reds because those shades tend to fade a little faster and lose that rich, glossy look between appointments,” she says. The shampoo gently removes oil and buildup without stripping your color, while the conditioner replenishes moisture to leave hair noticeably softer, smoother, and shinier.
Formulated with metal purifier (which helps detoxify water by removing metals that can distort or dull color or alter brunette dye), glycine, and vitamin B5, this duo helps to shield hair from free radical-induced damage, lock in moisture, and improve the look and feel of brittle, overprocessed strands. “The metal purifier technology is definitely a bonus because it helps protect the color from minerals in your water that can cause fading or unwanted tone shifts,” Mehl adds, noting that the duo allows her clients’ color to stay richer and shinier for longer.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: metal purifier, glycine, vitamin B5
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Who it's for: highlighted hair, glosses, red hair, brunettes
Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
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L'Oréal Paris
EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon
Walmart
Why we love it: No need to splurge to keep your color looking salon-fresh. When it comes to drugstore darlings for color-treated hair, we can't fail to mention L'Oréal Paris's EverPure Moisture Shampoo. New York City-based colorist Nikki Ferrara is also a fan of the sulfate-free formula, which is strong enough to lift away oil and buildup at the roots but gentle enough to avoid stripping freshly-colored strands. Infused with antioxidant-rich rosemary oil, the shampoo helps support color longevity while leaving hair feeling clean, but not stripped to the point of squeakiness. The shampoo is moisturizing all on its own, but the matching conditioner further seals in hydration, smooths the cuticle, and boosts shine, leaving strands delightfully soft and shiny.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: rosemary oil
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Who it's for: people with dry hair, or those looking for extra shine
Best for Fine Hair: Kevin Murphy Everlasting Color Wash and Rinse
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Kevin Murphy
Everlasting Color Wash and Rinse
Amazon (Wash)
Amazon (Rinse)
Why we love it: Fine, color-treated hair can be tricky to care for—you need enough hydration and moisture to keep strands healthy, but not so much that your roots fall flat or look oily. If that sounds familiar, New York City-based colorist Abby Haliti suggests swapping your usual in-shower duo with Kevin Murphy’s Everlasting Color Shampoo and Rinse. She shouts out this sulfate‑free pairing for its hydrating and color-preserving properties in particular. “Botanical extracts and antioxidants work together to lock in pigment and improve overall hair condition,” she says. “Their lightweight formulas ensure smooth manageability without dulling shine, making it a reliable choice for color‑treated routines.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: phytic acid, rice extract, hydrolyzed quinoa extract
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Who it's for: fine and thinning hair types
Best for Chemically-Treated Hair: Oribe Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color
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Oribe
Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color
Amazon
Nordstrom (Shampoo)
Nordstrom (Conditioner)
Why we love it: Oribe’s Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color duo is perfect for those with color-treated hair and other forms of chemical treatments like keratin straightening and perms, according to Ian McCabe, a Washington, DC-based colorist. “This is a great option as it is sulfate-free and safe for those with a keratin treatment,” he says. That’s all thanks to its lightweight, non-stripping formula that’s boosted with the brand’s Signature Complex, a blend of antioxidant-rich watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts. For added hydration, both formulas also contain baobab tree extract. “It smells amazing and leaves the hair so shiny,” adds McCabe.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Oribe Signature Complex (watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts), baobab tree extract, bioflavinoids
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Who it's for: all hair types
Frequently Asked Questions
What shampoos should you avoid for color-treated hair?
When you’re looking for a shampoo for color-treated hair, it’s important to prioritize gentle, cleansing formulas—which, for one, means steering clear of harsh cleansing agents that can strip away your fresh color, such as sulfates, according to Mehl. If you have oily hair or a lot of product buildup that needs deep cleansing, that doesn’t mean you need to skip clarifying shampoos entirely: They “definitely have their place, but they shouldn’t be your everyday shampoo if you’re trying to maintain your color,” she adds.
Instead, Mehl recommends seeking out sulfate-free formulas, as well as shampoos and conditioners that contain amino acids, antioxidants, ceramides, and lightweight proteins; these can help boost the health of your strands. “Color-treated hair tends to be more fragile and porous, so keeping the cuticle healthy is really important,” she explains.
How often should I wash color-treated hair?
It depends on your scalp, your hair, and your lifestyle, so it’s best to ask your hairstylist or colorist what they recommend. But as a general rule, “the less often you wash, the longer your color tends to stay vibrant,” says Mehl, who adds that two to three times a week should suffice for most people.
What causes hair color to fade?
Extra care is a must for your dye job since there are a number of contributing factors when it comes to your color fading. Watch out for exposure to hard water, the overuse of heat-styling tools (and hot shower temperatures), and even UV rays. "The sun bleaches color out of everything, including your hair," St. Louis-based colorist Caitlin Ford tells Allure. "If you're going outside for extended periods of time, protect your scalp and hair with a hat," she adds. We also like to spritz on a little hair sunscreen to make sure we've covered all of our bases.
What are sulfates, and are they bad for color-treated hair?
Sulfates are cleansers that trap oil-based dirt so it can be rinsed away from skin or hair with water. They also happen to be the additives behind the lather and bubbles in shampoos, toothpastes, and soaps. Overall, the jury is still kind of out on whether they're harmful or not, but this group of ingredients is definitely known for its color-stripping effects.
While sulfates are usually given the side-eye—for example, they're a no-go, according to our very own Clean Best of Beauty seal—they aren't necessarily as bad for preserving your hair pigment as they're made out to be. Cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller previously told Allure that water is as damaging as any cleanser. "When your hair gets wet, it swells, the hair shaft opens, and some color leaches out," says Schueller, who tested sulfates against other surfactants and didn't see any notable differences in terms of fading color. (This is why many experts suggest washing your hair less often and spritzing dry shampoo to buy you extra time in between.)
However, the case against sulfates is still pretty valid, especially if you want to err on the side of caution. Not only are they irritating to the skin, but they are also capable of "stripping the [scalp] of its natural oils" a little too well, Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rutherford, New Jersey, previously explained to Allure. In other words: Sulfates are a pretty slippery slope, leading to dryness and flaking.
How is shampoo for colored hair different than "regular" shampoos?
Like many experts, Ferrara is a fan of brands with sulfate-free offerings, as she says they will "extend the shelf life of your hair color and prevent fading." Los Angeles-based colorist and Redken brand ambassador Matt Rez previously shared that using sulfate-free shampoo will keep hair as hydrated as possible. Adding to the chorus is cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, who told Allure that sulfates can dry hair out, which can be especially damaging after coloring. They'll also make your eyes burn if they accidentally slip in, which is a universally unpleasant experience.
All to say: Your best bet, when it comes to preserving your color, is to switch your regular shampoo with one that's specially formulated for color-treated hair. (Please, no clarifying shampoos.)
Which shampoo is right for my hair color?
We'll have to dabble in the color wheel theory to answer this question. Basically, complementary colors—or colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel—neutralize each other. Therefore, you can use tinted shampoos, hair masks, and conditioners to balance brassy tones and dullness. "To counteract yellow hues, you need to use something that has violet in it; to counteract orange tones, you'll need to use blue hues," St. Louis, Missouri-based colorist Kristina Cheeseman previously told Allure. For minimizing brassy tones, a purple shampoo for blondes and a blue shampoo for brunettes are always your best bets.
Meet the experts
- Sierra Kener Mehl, a West Hollywood-based hairstylist and co-owner of ESKÉ Salon
- Abby Haliti, a New York City-based hair colorist
- Ian McCabe, a Washington, DC-based colorist and owner of Navy Hair Studio
- Nikki Ferrara, a New York City-based hair colorist
- Danita Hampton, a North Carolina-based hairstylist and Covet & Mane Lead Educator
- Caitlin Ford, a St. Louis-based hair colorist
- Randy Schueller, a cosmetic chemist
- Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rutherford, New Jersey
- Matt Rez, a Los Angeles-based colorist and Redken brand ambassador
- Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist
- Kristina Cheeseman, a St. Louis-based hair colorist
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of shampoos for colored hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair colorists—many of whom have or have had color-treated hair. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
