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Using the best shampoos and conditioners for color-treated hair is a foundational step for ensuring your pricey bleach-and-dye treatments (or complicated at-home color jobs) maintain their salon-fresh vibrancy. Whether you've lost count of how many times you've dyed your hair or just colored it for the first time, you might be aware that not every shampoo and conditioner will be kind to your tinted strands, which is where these color-friendly cleansers (many of which are sulfate-free) and conditioners step in.
Long story short, color-safe shampoos are formulated to provide a gentle cleanse to get rid of buildup, flakes, and oil, without stripping your faux pigments away. And, while their main job is color preservation, their counterpart conditioners are infused with additional moisture-replenishing ingredients to ensure your strands feel as good as they look post-wash. Below, check out the best shampoos and conditioners for colored hair protection, many of which also have stamps of approval from our favorite professional colorists.
Our Top Shampoos and Conditioners for Color-Treated Hair
- Best Overall: Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, $76
- Best for Blondes: Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner, $52
- Best for Graying Hair: Roz Foundation Shampoo ($39) and Mask ($48)
- Best for Oily Hair: K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo, $39
- Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, $18
- Best for Fine Hair: Kevin Murphy Everlasting Color Shampoo ($45) and Rinse ($47)
- Best for Chemically-Treated Hair: Oribe Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color, $101
- Best for Dry Hair: Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner, $20 each
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- 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 like it: Whether you have just a touch of subtle highlights or a full head of faux color, Pureology’s Hydratrate Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner is 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 formulas 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.
Tester feedback from Allure 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: Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
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Biolage
Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
Amazon
Why we like 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.
Tester feedback from 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. Its quality is unmatched, and every moment of applying this product screams salon luxury. 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, 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: Rôz Foundation Shampoo and Mask
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RŌZ
Foundation Shampoo and Mask
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Mask)
Why we like 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. The Rôz 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 Rôz 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 grays, 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 Allure 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 Oily Hair: K18 Peptide Prep Clarifying Detox Shampoo
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K18
Peptide Prep Clarifying Detox Shampoo
Amazon
Sephora
Why we like it: K18’s Peptide Prep Clarifying Detox Shampoo effortlessly removes any dirt, oil, and product buildup lingering on your scalp and strands without disturbing your hair's natural pH—and therefore improves color retention. As activated charcoal absorbs oil, salicylic acid and plant-derived surfactants break down product buildup and flakes. The brand’s star ingredient, a proprietary form of elasticity-boosting peptides, supports broken bonds along the hair shaft, minimizing bleach-, chemical-, and heat-related damage and all their unwanted effects (read: brittleness, dullness, brassiness). K18 doesn't have a dedicated conditioning counterpart for this formula, but the Damage Shield Protective Conditioner defends hair against UV rays, breakage, and environmental aggressors for up to three days.
Tester feedback from Allure contributor Jennifer Hussein
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“I’m very prone to flakes and oil, so when my faux-blonde hair needs a deeper buildup-busting cleanse, I whip out this shampoo. It has a similar gel-like texture to the dandruff shampoos I’ve sworn by when my hair was in its virgin state, and it gives my scalp the deep cleanse it needs without leaving my hair dry and brittle afterwards. No parched strands here!” —Jennifer Hussein, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: K18 peptide, activated charcoal, salicylic acid, plant-derived surfactants (sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate)
- Sulfate-free: no—does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) but does contain sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate
- Who it's for: anyone with any form of hair damage
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 like it: When it comes to drugstore darlings for color-treated hair, we can't fail to mention L'Oréal Paris's EverPure Moisture Shampoo—and New York City-based colorist Nikki Ferrara agrees. While it's powerful enough to remove product buildup at the roots, this gentle formula lathers beautifully and is infused with rosemary oil for its color-preserving, antioxidant-rich benefits, giving higher-end formulas a run for their money. And since it actively moisturizes hair, it leaves 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 like it: If you need a lightweight shampoo and conditioner that won’t weigh down fine hair, 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 duo for its hydrating and color-preserving properties and its lightweight, easy-to-rinse texture. “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
Why we like it: Oribe 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, D.C.-based colorist and owner of Navy Hair Studio. “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
Best for Dry Hair: Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner
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Nexxus
Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner
Ulta Beauty (Shampoo)
Ulta Beauty (Conditioner)
Why we like it: Imagine washing your hair (and conditioning it, of course) 40 times after coloring it and still seeing the same vibrancy and richness after stepping out of the shower. It seems far-fetched, but it's exactly what the Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner do. The formulas center on elastin protein and quinoa, a combo that helps retain your color's vividness. Amino acids, which are known to protect and fortify our hair strands’ natural bonds for strength and softness, are the structural blocks of the elastin proteins. You happen to lose some of your hair’s natural supply of the molecule during the coloring process, so consider this as your shine and smoothness insurance.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: elastin proteins, quinoa extract
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Who it's for: people with weak or breakage-prone hair
Frequently Asked Questions
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, NJ, 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
- Abby Haliti, a New York City-based hair colorist
- Ian McCabe, a Washington, D.C.-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, NJ
- Matt Rez, a Los Angeles-based colorist and Redken brand ambassador
- Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist
- Kristina Cheeseman, a St. Louis, Missouri-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.
