As a cosmetologist, I often receive questions about color care shampoos, their functions, pros, cons and why exactly they're important. Although some may feel like a shampoo created for color protection is unnecessary, it should absolutely be a key component to your hair care routine if your hair is colored with either bleach, permanent color, demi color, highlights/lowlights of any kind, ombre or funky fun colors - basically any kind of colored hair should be kept up with a professional color care shampoo. Many times color clients will wonder why their color seems to change, fade quickly, or not hold like it was meant to. Issues with color can range from damaged hair to being out in direct sunlight however all of these issues are improved upon by using a color protecting shampoo product. I'll cover the best of the best for each type of colored hair.

Why aren't non-brand/mass retail store brands the same as professional brands?: Many times, unprofessional brands of shampoo may say "color care" on the label, but are made with cheap emollients that still tend to strip color due to the poor quality of the cleansers in the actual shampoo. It may be more color friendly than the rest of the types of shampoo that regular store brand offers, but unfortunately the quality of ingredients is around about the same, and won't really do too much to truly keep your color in. Professional brands include everything from gemstone hair color shields to orchid extract, all proven to actually hold your color in your hair strand longer without weighing down the hair or changing the hair texture. Most regular brand shampoos at mass retail chains just slap "color care" on the label, and take out the obvious things like tea tree oil, or eucalyptus that are known to fade color, but really don't ADD anything to actually help KEEP your color in.

Where should I purchase my color care shampoo? Purchase your color care products at a licensed, professional salon or boutique. People hate to hear this, they don't want to spend20$ on a shampoo bottle. However, they'll spend 50-100$ on shoes they wear once. You wear your hair everyday! Invest in it, and chances are your color regime won't cost as much, or your hair should significantly look better when you need a retouch. Anyone can get a hold of "professional" products these days that can easily be counterfeit, or discontinued for a reason. A professional licensed carrier of can not only help you when choosing a shampoo fit for your colored hair more accurately, but usually they provided a returns policy so you can find the color care product that works for you, ACTUALLY helps your color stay vibrant, and isn't some sort of counterfeit concoction.


With that being said here are my picks for best color care shampoos depending on the hair issue, color and result!


Best Basic Color Care Shampoo: Biolage by Matrix Color Care Shampoo
What it is: This shampoo covers all kinds of hair color types from blondes to red heads to fun and funky vivid tones. If you are unsure of where to start check out this natural brand of shampoo infused with Orchid extract due to the Orchid's color preserving properties. Doesn't leave hair feeling heavy or weighed down. Natural subtle scent.
For what kind of color hair?: Any! This is a great color care shampoo for anyone unsure of where to start with a color care regime.
Manufacturer's Description: An ultra-mild cleansing Systeme specially formulated to preserve the longevity and radiance of color-treated hair. Formula contains pure extract of bee pollen, kelp and quillaja (soapbark tree extract) and cleanses without stripping. Hair color stays truer, absolutely brilliant. Gentle enough for daily use. Recommended for use with Biolage Color Care Conditioner.
Price: About $25.00 a bottle but most salons also offer packages if you wish to purchase shampoo and conditioner.

Best Color Care Shampoo for Split Ends: DesignLine Cashmere Kera-Fotre Shampoo: What it is: This shampoo repairs hair as it protects your color. And it smells AMAZING. Doesn't leave hair heavy, and visibly leaves hair feeling smoother, healthier, moisturized and your color looking fantastic. Perfumey scent, vanilla undertones.
For what kind of color hair?: Damaged-Normal hair. I would not use this product on hair that tends to get overly greasy. My hair is normal, and I used this when it feels a bit fried or dry. I've also used it when my hair was damaged with great results.
Manufacturer's Description: Provides nutrients for dry hair. Smoothes the cuticle. Protects and maintains moisture balance. Protects against color loss and damage caused by heat-styling.
Price: About $10.00 a small bottle but most salons also offer packages if you wish to purchase shampoo and conditioner.

Best Color Care Shampoo for Grey/Aging Hair: Nano Works Shampoo by Pureology 
What it is: This natural shampoo helps clients who have a hard time covering their greys, keeping their hair color from fading out, or have aging colored hair. This brand is natural, formulated without sulfates and leaves your hair feeling better than ever without sacrificing your color. Vegan! Natural subtle scent.
For what kind of color hair?: Aging hair, grey hair, hair that seems not to properly retain color.
Manufacturer's Description: Help aging colour-treated hair retain its fresh-from-the-salon vibrancy with ZeroSulfate® shampoos containing the exclusive AntiFadeComplex®. Our 100% vegan, ultra restorative formulas offer extraordinary colour protection, dramatically improved condition and renewed shine. Advanced Restoring Micro- Emulsion Technology.
Price: About $54.00 a bottle, which may shock some buyers. However these bottles last forever and are seriously the best shampoos I've ever used. Not a single bad product from this brand!

Best Color Care Shampoo for Natural Hair, and Sensitive Scalps: Designline Olive Oil Shampoo
What it is: This moisturizing shampoo is light yet nourishing and great for sensitive scalps that seem to get build up, or dandruff. Protects against environmental damage, shields your color from the elements. This product also works perfectly for anyone with natural hair. Won't weight down hair and smells great, subtly fruity yet not overpowering. Natural scent.
For what kind of color hair?: This shampoo works perfectly for any color hair, especially with individuals suffering from scalp problems but still wish to keep their color vibrant.
Manufacturer's Description: Intensely moisturizing, DESIGNLINE Olive Oil Shampoo rehydrates your hair, leaving it naturally nourished and visibly healthier. For silky and healthy hair use DESIGNLINE Olive Oil Shampoo as part of your daily routine. Rich in Vitamins E and K it helps to organically protect your hair from environmental damage.
Price: About $18.00 for a larger bottle.

Best Color Care Shampoo for Chemically Damaged Hair: Biolage by Matrix Keratindose
What it is: Free of sulfates, parabens and harsh salts! This shampoo repairs years of damage while keeping your color looking fresh.
For what kind of color hair?: Damaged hair, Chemically Processed Hair, Bleach Blondes, Fried Hair
Manufacturer's Description: Damaged, over-processed hair can be brittle, dull and lifeless. Formulated with Pro-Keratin and Silk, our keratin shampoo provides targeted reinforcement for over-processed, weak or fragile hair. When combined with the keratindose Conditioner and Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray, formulas provide cleansing while locking in moisture to help fight frizz. Restore over-processed hair. 90% more conditioned after one application*.Our first advanced system designed to restore lost essentials. Formulas with Pro-Keratin + Silk provide targeted reinforcement and moisture balance* to over-processed hair. Hair thrives with movement and shine. Restore protein and moisture balance to over-processed hair. No Sulfates, parabens and harsh salts system.*When using the system of keratindose Shampoo and Conditioner treatment and Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray vs. a non-conditioning shampoo.
Price: About $26.00 a bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Funky, Vivid, Fun colored hair: Pravana Chromasilk Vivids Color Protecting Shampoo
What it is: This shampoo is created by the leaders in permanent funky fun colors for those of us who wear and love them! Keep your shade fade free with this shampoo designed for an array of rainbow tones.
For what kind of color hair?: Specifically for BRIGHT tones ( red, purple, pink, blue, green, pastels, ect..)
Manufacturer's Description: An innovative 3-part VIVIDS regimen to gently cleanse, thoroughly hydrate and effectively seal hair, ensuring long lasting color protection to keep ChromaSilk VIVIDS color as vibrant as ever. A sulfate and salt-free formula that seals in color as it cleanses. Enriched with gentle ingredients derived from natural coconut and palm kernel oils within a PH-controlled treatment to protect color as it cleanses.
Price: About $17.00 a bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Volume: Goldwell Dualsenses Ultra Volume Boost Shampoo
What it is: Goldwell is known for it's lasting color products. This shampoo is intense enough to give you a great voluminous effect yet protective on your color.
For what kind of color hair?: Any
Manufacturer's Description:  Designed to deeply cleanse the hair and remove residue and product build up on the hair, this Dualsenses Ultra Volume Boost Shampoo from Goldwell is an innovative shampoo that really works. Boasting the Smart Boost Complex, this shampoo improves your hair's volume and adds bounce to the body, creating a fuller, voluptuous look. Infused with enhancing Tapioca Starch, Ultra Volume Boost Shampoo also works to retain the hair's moisture levels, ensuring your hair is in perfect condition. Your locks will be left with a healthy shine that lasts and lasts.
Price: About $17.00 a bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Curly Hair: Curly Sexy Hair Color Safe Curl Defining Shampoo
What it is: This shampoo works wonders for curly hair while also protecting your locks and your color. Define your curls while you keep your shade fresh and healthy.
For what kind of color hair?: Any!
Manufacturer's Description: Curly Sexy Hair Color Safe Curl Defining Shampoo is a super hydrating and strengthening shampoo specifically designed to gently cleanse, support and deliver extra moisture to curly hair. Style Primed With: Jojoba Oil, Panthenol & Proteins.
Price: About $16.00 a bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Blondes: Redken Blonde Idol Shampoo
What it is: This shampoo is perfect for blondes, platinum shades, or heavily highlighted hair. Specifically formulated to rid your hue of brassiness, unwanted gold tones and environmental damage. This brand of shampoo from Redken comes in two different tones. One for COOL or ASH toned blondes, and one for Golden toned blondes. Ask your stylist which best suits your specific haircolor for the best results.
For what kind of color hair?: Platinum Hair, Blonde Hair, Heavily Highlighted Hair
Manufacturer's Description: No brassiness. Guaranteed* Redken knows that no two blondes are alike so we offer customizable care to bring out the best in every blonde! New Blonde Idol with the exclusive Kera-Bright System balances, brightens and beautifies to keep your blonde brilliant and idol-worthy between salon visits. *Blonde Idol Custom-Tone daily conditioner for cool or platinum blondes
Price: About $30.00 a bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Noticeably Thinning Hair: NIOXIN Hair System 4 Shampoo for Fine, Noticeably Thinning, Chemically Treated Hair 
What it is: This shampoo is specifically for chemically treated hair that is also thinning or extremely fine. Treats thinning issues without fading color.
For what kind of color hair?: Fine hair, thinning hair, balding clients with chemically treated hair.
Manufacturer's Description: Revitalize and volumize limp, thinning hair with NIOXIN. Dedicated to delivering fuller looking hair while refreshing the scalp and providing moisture balance. This Shampoo has been specially formulated to intensify fullness and restore moisture balance in fine, noticeably thinning, chemically treated hair. Uniquely fortified with advanced technologies, the shampoo with thickening BioAmp™ and scalp rejuvenating Glyco-Shield™ helps remove follicle clogging sebum, fatty acids and environmental residues that accumulate daily on the scalp and hair. Deeply cleansing, the innovative formula will leave your hair full, thick and strong.
Price: About $29.00 a bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Brittle, Dry Hair Moroccan Oil Hydrating Shampoo
What it is: Brought to you by the number one name is moisturizing oils, this shampoo will definitely give your colored hair shine and hydration while protecting color and repairing hair.
For what kind of color hair?: Any type of hair except those with thinning/volume issues because it may be too much for thin hair.
Manufacturer's Description: Moroccan oil Hydrating Shampoo - Moroccan Oil Hydrating Shampoo is a gentle cleansing shampoo that infuses dry hair with antioxidant-rich argan oil, Vitamins A and E and red algae—for hair that looks and feels healthier, with increased elasticity and vibrancy. Gentle enough for daily use, Moroccan Oil Hydrating Shampoo provides optimal hydration for both normal and color-treated hair. Color-safe, sulfate, phosphate and paraben-free and nutrient-rich.
Price: About $19.00 for a smaller bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Frizzy Hair: Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo
What it is: This smoothing shampoo tames frizzy unruly hair while moisturizing it and retaining your shade.
For what kind of color hair?: Frizzy, thick unmanageable hair of any shade
Manufacturer's Description: Use for hair that is deeply moisturized and boasts a mirror-like shine, the Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo will make great additions to your daily routine. The Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo penetrates through your hair layers to give a sustained glossy finish while working to reduce breakage and improve manageability. Formulated with rich coriander, camelina and apricot oils to smooth hair cuticles, boost shine and cleanse the hair from the root to the tip. Color safe
Price: About $20.00 a bottle

Best Color Care Shampoo for Redheads: Pureology Reviving Red Shampoo
What it is: This sulfate free color care formula is specifically created for vibrant red shades!
For what kind of color hair?: Red hair shades, vibrant red colored hair ( not for COPPER shades, or more orange shades. If your hair resembles the bottle, this is for you! )
Manufacturer's Description: Pureology Reviving Red Shampoo - Concentrated, oil-infused, ZeroSulfate formula maintains vibrancy and replenishes hair’s protective lipid layer to seal the cuticle and help reduce colour bleeding.
Pureology Reviving Red Shampoo maintain hair color's vibrancy even after 30 washes. 86% of consumers agreed that copper red hair was visibly more vibrant and shiny when treated with the Reviving Red system.
Price: About $54.00 a bottle, which may shock some buyers. However these bottles last forever and are seriously the best shampoos I've ever used. Not a single bad product from this brand!

Best All Natural Color Care Shampoo: Aveda 'Color conserve' Shampoo
What it is: This natural shampoo is perfect for the Eco-conscious client who still wants their shade to stay vibrant and true to hue.
For what kind of color hair?: Any!
Manufacturer's Description: Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo contains natural, organic ingredients babassu, peppermint and ylang ylang. These plant-infused ingredients work together to resist fading. Not only does Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo protect hair from the sun, it also shields colour treated hair from other daily stresses. With 100% pure aroma, Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo leaves hair feeling revitalized while making it look shiny and luxurious. 
Price: About $20.00 a bottle

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