11 Best Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair, Tested by Experts
Whether you're a blonde, brunette or redhead, keep your dye job from fading with these top picks.
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Your latest dye job doesn't simply end once you leave the salon — using a top-rated shampoo that's intended for color-treated hair is key to keeping your shade fresh and vibrant, whether it's brunette, black, blonde, red or an even bolder hue (hello, purple and rose gold!).
To put together this list of the best shampoos for colored hair, we consulted our beauty editors and beauty scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute for their top-tested picks, as well as professional hair stylists.
Our top picks:
Shampoos of any kind are designed to clean away oil and dirt, and color-protecting formulas use the same basic cleansing ingredients but also aim to minimize the amount of dye that runs down the drain each time you wash. Not only do color-safe shampoos work to preserve your dye job, but they also help mask any damage by making strands feel softer and smoother too.
At the end of this guide, you can read more about how we test color-safe shampoos. If you're looking for more top-rated shampoos, check out our guides to the best custom shampoos for a personalized wash, volumizing shampoos for fine hair and the best shampoos for blue hair and grey hair. Plus, consult our round-up of best at-home hair color products you can buy, like hair bonding treatments and root touch-up products.
Meet the experts:
- April Franzino, Good Housekeeping Beauty Director
- Patrick Kyle, New York City hair colorist
- Meri Kate O'Connor, Cooper Salon colorist in West Hollywood, CA
- Daniel Reboh, Femme Coiffure master hairstylist in Florida
- Rachel Bodt, New York City celebrity colorist and Matrix brand ambassador
- Clariss Rubenstein, Los Angeles celebrity hairstylist
- Michael Dueñas, New York City celebrity hairstylist
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
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