Keeping colored hair looking vibrant and fresh between salon appointments is a constant battle. Regular shampoos can strip expensive dye jobs, leading to faded, dull tones before you’ve gotten your money’s worth. Investing in a high-quality shampoo specially formulated to care for compromised, porous colored hair is the key to longer-lasting luminosity.
In this blog, we compare the top shampoos for maintaining color vibrancy at home. Whether you’ve gone blonde, brunette or bold with a fantasy hue, discover shampoos that lock in color, boost moisture and repair damage for next-level brightness, dimension and longevity. From salon favorites to drugstore heroes, these color care shampoos are your freshly dyed strands’ new best friends.
The Nexxus Color Assure shampoo and conditioner set is specially formulated to cleanse colored hair gently while helping to maintain vibrant hair color for up to 40 washes.
The Nexxus Color Assure set stands out with its protaminoTM technology that actively works to lock in hair color and prevent fading. The shampoo cleanses gently without stripping color while the conditioner provides intense moisture. This set will keep colored hair looking vibrant and healthy.
This shampoo and conditioner set from Bed Head’s Colour Goddess line is specially designed for cleansing and caring for colored hair. The gentle sulfate-free formulas help maximize color vibrancy.
What makes the Bed Head Colour Goddess set stand out is its sulfate-free formula that cleanses hair gently without stripping color. It also contains a smart color locking system to actively prevent fading so hair color looks vibrant for longer. This is an excellent maintenance regimen for colored hair.
This shampoo and conditioner set from COLOR WOW contains a unique formula to cleanse colored hair gently while sealing in hair color for extraordinary vibrancy and shine.
The Color Security set from COLOR WOW stands out for its exclusive formula that seals the cuticle to actively lock in color molecules. This prevents fading or dullness. The rich lather cleanses effectively but gently so hair color remains brilliant while the conditioner provides intense hydration.
This Luseta shampoo and conditioner set is specially formulated with keratin proteins to provide hydration and smoothing for dry, damaged colored hair. The formulas are free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals.
This set from Luseta stands out for containing reparative keratin proteins along with hydrating oils that smooth the hair cuticle for long-lasting softness and frizz control. This makes it excellent for keeping colored hair healthy and vibrant. The formulas are very gentle despite thorough cleansing and conditioning.
This shampoo from Olaplex’s bonding-building haircare line contains the brand’s patented active chemistry to repair and protect the bonds in colored hair that lead to damage and fading over time.
The Olaplex No.4 shampoo stands out for its exclusive active bonding building ingredient that works to repair the underlying structure of colored hair. This prevents breakage, frizz and color fading by restoring hair health from within. It’s an ideal maintenance product for colored hair.
This shampoo and conditioner set from L’Oreal Paris is free from harsh sulfates and formulated with rosemary extracts to deliver intense moisture for colored hair.
This L’Oreal Paris set stands out for its sulfate-free cleansing system enriched with antioxidant rosemary to deliver a mega moisture and hydration boost without weighing down colored hair. It leaves hair with enhanced shine and color vibrancy from protected moisture levels.
These gentle shampoo and conditioner from Keranique are specially formulated without sulfates to cleanse colored fine hair thoroughly yet gently to preserve moisture, vibrancy and shine in colored strands.
This Keranique Color Care set stands out for its exclusive sulfate-free system designed specifically for fine, colored hair that needs extra gentle care and hydration. The formulas replenish moisture, smooth the cuticle for shine and provide UV filters to prevent fading from exposure.
This shampoo from Paul Mitchell’s Color Protect line is designed to thoroughly yet gently cleanse colored hair. The rich lather formula moisturizes and smooths hair strands to boost color vibrancy.
Paul Mitchell’s Color Protect Shampoo stands out with its exclusive blend of gentle cleansers, hydrating agents, color locking filters and multi-tonal pigments that fill gaps in hair structure to prevent fading and keep color looking freshly done. This shampoo is a specially formulated cleanser for maintaining color brilliance
The Wella Professionals ColorMotion+ shampoo contains a color-protecting formula enriched with natural linseed extract to gently cleanse colored hair while strengthening strands and enhancing vibrancy.
This ColorMotion+ shampoo really stands out for its reparative formula containing linseed extract that conditions strands while creating a protective barrier on the cuticles to lock in color pigments for extraordinary vibrancy and multi-tonal shine. This is an ideal maintenance shampoo.
This Vitamino Color shampoo from L’Oreal Professionnel is specially formulated to cleanse colored hair gently while locking in hair color and preventing fading through damage prevention and cuticle sealing.
The Vitamino Color shampoo really stands out for its ACS antioxidant complex containing UV filters that create a protective barrier on each strand while locking in color and moisture. This keeps color vibrant and prevents fading from porosity-causing damage over time with consistent use.
This shampoo, conditioner and weekly treatment set from Pantene is designed to gently cleanse, condition and care for colored hair. The formulas contain color-locking technology to boost vibrancy and shine in between salon visits.
Pantene’s Radiant Color Shine trio really stands out for its Pro-V formula that adheres active ingredients onto hair fibers for long-lasting color lock in and damage prevention benefits. This set provides a complete at-home maintenance routine to keep colored hair looking it’s vibrant best in between appointments.
This sulfate-free color care shampoo from Aveeno contains antioxidants from blackberry and quinoa extracts to gently cleanse while actively strengthening damaged, colored hair and enhancing vibrancy from within the strands.
Aveeno’s blackberry and quinoa shampoo really stands out for nourishing and repairing damage in colored hair with antioxidants while gently yet thoroughly cleaning hair. This restores strength and smoothness to reveal fuller, brighter color dimension. It’s an ideal daily care shampoo for colored hair.
This shampoo and conditioner set from Nexxus contains the Color Assure formula to cleanse and care for colored hair gently while locking in hair color with advanced coloring ingredients for extraordinary vibrancy and shine that lasts for weeks.
Nexxus Color Assure shampoo and conditioner stands out with its protaminoTM complex that fills gaps in hair structure to actively seal in color pigments while protecting against UV rays that cause fading over time. This set provides a complete color care regimen for salon-fresh color at home between appointments.
This shampoo from Herbal Essences contains a plant-powered formula to gently yet thoroughly cleanse colored hair without stripping vibrant pigments. The antioxidants help boost shine and smoothness.
Herbal Essences Color Me Happy shampoo stands out as an affordable, naturally-powered option containing antioxidants to protect hair color from fading while cleansing gently and thoroughly. The pleasant scent also provides a mood boost! It’s a great drugstore shampoo for maintaining colored hair.
This hair coloring and conditioning shampoo from KINGMING contains a natural honey herbal complex to color and nourish gray hair, blending away stubborn grays while smoothing texture for easy color coverage at home between salon appointments.
KINGMING’s Dark Brown hair coloring shampoo really stands out as a convenient, affordable option for blending away grays between permanent root touch ups. The honey herbals gently cleanse and condition strands while safely adding temporary color for full coverage when you need it.
Product | Key Features |
---|---|
Nexxus Color Assure 2 Count | ProtaminoTM technology, prevents fading, hydrating |
TIGI Bed Head Colour Goddess | Sulfate-free, color-locking, hydrating |
Color WOW Duo Set | Seals cuticles, prevents fading |
Luseta Keratin Set | Keratin, frizz control, hydrating |
Olaplex No.4 Shampoo | Repairs bonds, prevents breakage |
L’Oreal Paris EverPure Set | Sulfate-free, rosemary antioxidants |
Keranique Color Care Set | Sulfate-free, UV protection, volumizing |
Paul Mitchell Color Protect | Color locking filters, anti-brassiness |
Wella ColorMotion+ | Natural linseed extracts, sealing shine |
L’Oréal Vitamino Color | ACS complex, damage prevention |
Pantene Radiant Set | Pro-V color lock-in technology |
Aveeno Blackberry Quinoa | Blackberry antioxidant complex |
Nexxus Color Assure 13.5 oz | ProtaminoTM, multi-dim color, UV filters |
Herbal Essences Color Me Happy | Antioxidants, paraben-free |
KINGMING Dark Brown | Temporarily covers grays, honey herbals |
When looking for a shampoo to maintain colored hair between salon appointments, it is important to choose a formula designed specifically for colored hair, not a regular shampoo which can cause fading. Ideal color care shampoos contain gentle cleansers like sulfates that won’t strip color while providing enough lather to deeply cleanse. Look for added oils, antioxidants and humectants that boost hydration and smoothness since porous, damaged colored hair needs extra moisture.
Active ingredients like keratin, color-locking polymers, UV filters and optical brighteners help seal the cuticle to prevent color fading over time. Avoid shampoos with parabens, fragrances and other unnecessary additives.
Focus on hydration and damage repair. Try shampoos with reparative natural oils and butters like coconut, jojoba, shea and cocoa which sink into the strands. Protein-rich ingredients strengthen while gently cleansing and softening.
For custom vibrancy, temporary color depositing shampoos boost tone, shine and coverage between permanent treatments while still caring for strands.
Look for shampoos that complement your hair color and concerns like brassiness or ashy tones. Ask your stylist for product recommendations. Sample travel sizes to find your best match before investing in larger bottles for home care.
Gentle Daily Cleansing Shampoos: These are sulfate-free, nourishing shampoos for frequent use. They cleanse gently to preserve color without stripping strands. Ideal for daily maintenance.
Intense Hydrating Shampoos: These shampoos contain rich butters, oils and humectants that provide an intense moisture surge to replenish dehydrated colored strands prone to dryness. Use weekly.
Strengthening & Repairing Shampoos: Formulas contain proteins and amino acids that reinforce the hair structure to reduce damage and porousness which makes color fade faster.
Color Depositing Shampoos: Also called toner shampoos, these products deposit temporary color pigments as they cleanse to boost vibrancy, cover roots and correct tones between salon appointments.
Anti-Brassiness Shampoos: Specialized purple shampoos neutralize unwanted brassy, orange tones in blonde and gray hair between toner appointments. The violet pigments counteract warmth.
Volume Boosting Shampoos: These lightweight shampoos contain body-enhancing ingredients like wheat protein to thicken each strand without weighing fine, limp colored hair down.
Follow your stylist’s at-home care recommendations. Don’t overwash colored hair. Limit cleansing to 2-3 times a week max to prevent stripping color, more drying and potential breakage.
Use cooler water when shampooing to prevent cuticles from opening and color fading out. Rinse with cool water as well. Avoid hot showers.
Apply shampoo to mid-lengths and ends first then work up to roots only as needed. This prevents over-cleansing the most porous areas.
Limit repeat shampooing. Once is generally enough with high quality color care shampoos. Repeat washing risks over-stripping.
Use your hands, not nails, to gently massage shampoo through hair when cleansing. Scrubbing too aggressively can cause additional damage to already compromised hair.
Comb conditioner through ends with a wide-tooth comb or wet brush to evenly distribute without tugging or breaking strands.
Limit other chemical processing like permanent blow outs or relaxing that require frequent root touch-ups which overload hair’s capacity for chemical services. Let your colorist know before making any changes.
Use a heat protectant before hot tool styling to minimize thermal damage leading to brittle, breaking strands which then fade faster. Limit use of hot tools overall.
Wear a hat outdoors to shield hair from sun exposure which oxidizes color molecules and causes faster fading. Look for shampoos with UV filters.
Limit washing to 2-3 times weekly max. Over-cleansing risks stripping color. Prioritize hydration with daily conditioner.
Yes. Infrequent washing with shampoos made for colored hair allows time for the cuticle to close tightly so color molecules remain safely sealed inside the strands longer.
Sun exposure, heat styling damage, over-washing, brushing wet hair roughly, not conditioning, swimming and failure to follow proper at-home maintenance all accelerate color fading.
It’s best to use professional shampoos made just for colored hair. The formulas cater to the particular needs of compromised, porous strands versus regular shampoos which may strip color.
Avoid washing immediately, touching with bare hands, using hair ties or clips, heat styling, full sun exposure, swimming, conditioning roots only, vigorous brushing or combing and repeating chemical services too soon.
Caring properly for freshly colored hair is crucial for protecting your investment and keeping expensive dye jobs looking their absolute vibrant best. Use a shampoo made specifically for colored hair rather than regular shampoos which can cause stripping and accelerate fading. Look for gentle yet effective cleansing combined with strengthening and smoothing ingredients that fortify compromised strands, seal in color molecules and combat color-zapping oxidative damage from UV exposure, chlorine and heat styling over time. Consistently using a restorative, color-locking shampoo helps boost the longevity of your fresh hue so you can rock dazzling color dimension for weeks longer compared to washing with an average shampoo not formulated for the particular needs of colored hair. Invest in maintaining mega watt vibrancy and say goodbye to lackluster tones!
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