The best shampoos for coloured hair in the UK 2023

With a beautiful color comes hair that is weakened and needs special care. How do you get your hair fibers back to the way they were before and still have beautiful, shimmering color? We have a simple solution: a good shampoo for colored hair, preferably used with the same brand of hair care, if possible. Let's talk about it!

L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color

Best shampoo for colored hair L'Oréal Professionnel

L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color shampoo for colored hair protects and moisturizes your hair fiber while preserving your hair's color.

13,92 £ on Amazon

This shampoo for colored hair from L'Oréal Professionnel is part of the Vitamino Color line, which includes a mask, a multi-purpose spray and a cream that neutralizes false highlights. The main argument of this shampoo? Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that preserves the tone and shine of the color for up to 8 weeks. In other words, your color won't fade and will keep its shine.

Because it is primarily a shampoo for colored hair, this product will clean your hair well thanks to a concentrated formula. A few dabs of shampoo are enough for each wash. It also protects your hair from various aggressions, provides an immense softness to the touch and guarantees the most brilliant effect. And like all L'Oréal Professionnel shampoos, it makes styling easier by making your hair softer and healthier.

Dessange Precious Pink Color Alarm Clock 2
8/10

Best value

Dessange Precious Pink Color Alarm Clock

Best shampoo for colored hair Dessange cheap

If coloring has taken its toll on your hair fiber, especially the ends, use this Dessange shampoo for color-treated hair enriched with rose for repair and conditioning.

2,52 £ on Amazon

Designed specifically for hair that has been damaged by coloring, this repair shampoo will revitalize and regenerate your hair. Indeed, Dessange Réveil Color Rose Précieuse relies on the revitalizing virtues of the rose to treat your hair fiber and focus on your ends damaged by coloring. Although this shampoo for colored hair completes the products of the same range, you can associate it with other care products, like natural masks or creams of your choice.

In addition to its virtues on the hair, this shampoo for colored hair will also act on your coloring so that it is richer, more sustained and more brilliant. Your hair will become softer and easier to style. To release the active ingredients contained in this shampoo for colored hair, remember to lightly massage the scalp after application before rinsing with warm water.

Kérastase Réflexion - Color Protecting Shampoo 3
9/10

Best premium

Kérastase Réflexion - Color Protecting Shampoo

Best shampoo for colored hair Kérastase high end

This Kérastase shampoo for colored hair nourishes the hair fibers while preserving the color until a mirror effect and rich color is achieved for 40 days.

See price

Made to treat the effects of permanent coloring or highlights on very sensitive hair, Kérastase Reflexion shampoo intensely nourishes the hair, from the ends to the roots. Your hair fiber becomes softer and more supple for a healthy and natural effect. For best results, massage your head thoroughly after applying this shampoo for colored hair before rinsing.

Effectively fighting against the various aggressions that your hair undergoes, this shampoo for colored hair forms a protective barrier against UV rays and elements contained in water. Thanks to this, the richness of your color will be preserved for up to 40 days after using this shampoo for colored hair. It also contains substances that guarantee a beautiful shine with a mirror effect that can also last up to 40 days.

Energie Fruit Shampoing Soin 0% Sulfates 4
8/10

Natural and sulfate-free

Energie Fruit Shampoing Soin 0% Sulfates

Best shampoo for colored hair natural and sulfate free

This sulfate-free shampoo for colored hair is made with 95% natural ingredients. Nourishing, it does not grease or weigh down the hair!

3,20 £ on Amazon
Buying guide • November 2023

Best shampoo for colored hair

Any specific needs?

Best shampoo for colored hair L'Oréal Professionnel

Best shampoo for colored hair Dessange cheap

Best shampoo for colored hair Kérastase high end

Best shampoo for colored hair natural and sulfate free

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best shampoos for coloured hair

BEST CHEAP HIGH END NATURAL
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color 5
9/10
Dessange Precious Pink Color Alarm Clock 6
8/10
Kérastase Réflexion - Color Protecting Shampoo 7
9/10
Energie Fruit Shampoing Soin 0% Sulfates 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color
Dessange Precious Pink Color Alarm Clock
Kérastase Réflexion - Color Protecting Shampoo
Energie Fruit Shampoing Soin 0% Sulfates
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color shampoo for colored hair protects and moisturizes your hair fiber while preserving your hair's color.
If coloring has taken its toll on your hair fiber, especially the ends, use this Dessange shampoo for color-treated hair enriched with rose for repair and conditioning.
This Kérastase shampoo for colored hair nourishes the hair fibers while preserving the color until a mirror effect and rich color is achieved for 40 days.
This sulfate-free shampoo for colored hair is made with 95% natural ingredients. Nourishing, it does not grease or weigh down the hair!
Capacity
500 mL
250 mL
250 mL
250 mL
Main virtue
Moisturizer
Reparator
Nourishing
Nourishing
Benefit to staining
Color retention
Richer coloring
Shine and mirror effect
Color shine
Application
Pump
Dispenser
With or without sulfate

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - shampoo for colored hair

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How to choose your shampoo for colored hair

While colouring has the ability to lighten the complexion and brighten the face, it is not without consequences for the hair. Which shampoo for coloured hair should you choose to deal with the downside of colouring? Here are our criteria for choosing:

#1 - Washing agent in shampoos for coloured hair

Because colored hair is already weakened and sensitized by the chemicals contained in the coloring, the shampoo should not contain any aggressive agents. Today, manufacturers have changed their formulas and are able to offer shampoos for colored hair that include gentle surfactants.

For your information, surfactants are the ingredients that give shampoos their cleansing properties. Older formulas used sulfates, but these have been replaced by a material derived from coconut to wash hair without irritating the scalp. As such, many shampoos for colored hair now incorporate cocamidopropyl betaine or micelles to remove dirt and excess oil without harming the hair.

#2 - The colour of shampoos for coloured hair

Yes, shampoos for colored hair come in different colors. And they're paired with specific colorations.

  • Violet shampoo for colored hair: recommended for coloring or balayage blond hair. The pigments in this shampoo will prevent your hair from yellowing, but will preserve its shine. Note, however, that this shampoo for colored hair tends to dry out the ends: complete your ritual with a moisturizing mask.
  • Blue shampoo for colored hair: for those with brown hair. Sensitive to pollution, limescale and the sun's rays, brown hair relies on blue pigments to keep a glossy effect without unsightly red highlights.

#3 - The type of shampoos for colored hair

When it comes to shampoos for colored hair, there are 2 versions to choose from: the classic shampoo and the natural shampoo.

Classic shampoo contains chemical components, but these have been tested to suit a particular type of hair fiber. Let's be honest: you only have to read the label to see that shampoos for colored hair contain no less than 30 chemical ingredients, most of which are petrochemicals. However, they are singularly effective, with almost immediate results.

Natural shampoos, on the other hand, contain no petrochemicals, no chemical preservatives and no synthetic fragrances. This type of shampoos for colored hair is more respectful of the scalp and the environment, but you have to be patient to get results.

#4 - Effects of shampoo for colored hair

From shampoo for colored hair, we expect 2 things:

  1. nourishes the scalp and fibers that are already fragile from coloring;
  2. revives color so that it retains its brilliance and doesn't fade.

Sure, shades always fade slightly as you wash your hair, but permanent coloring never goes away completely, unless you get a trim. To meet these expectations, shampoos for colored hair should not contain any metallic salts (calcium chloride or magnesium bromide), as these will dry out the hair more and directly attack the colored pigments. We'll also stay away from all the aggressive sulfate derivatives that attack the hair fiber.

#5 - The capacity of each bottle

Unless you choose a travel-size shampoo for colored hair, you'll need to invest in a bottle that can last at least 1 month. Usually, they display a capacity of 250 mL. This should be enough for an entire month, or even much more depending on the length, volume and how often you wash your hair.

One final note: experts recommend that those with colored hair should not wash their heads daily. Two to three times a week is more than enough to avoid drying out the hair, especially the ends.

Shampoo for colored hair: choose natural ingredients!

Whether you choose shampoos for colored hair classic or organic, we recommend favoring products containing natural ingredients beneficial for coloring.

To soften and add shine to hair that's often made stiff and dry by dye, look for shampoos with argan oil or shea butter. If your hair color turns brown or one of its many variations, add henna to it. On the other hand, for blond hair and its variants, chamomile is recommended for its lightening virtues.

Often, after coloring, hair tends to feel rough to the touch, especially at the ends. In this case, use shampoos for colored hair that contain rice protein, which will soften and moisturize the hair fiber. Silk proteins also produce the same effect while providing a smoother, silkier look to your hair. Finally, don't forget about soy lecithin, well known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties.

The different types of shampoos for coloured hair

We will distinguish shampoos for colored hair according to their manufacturing process: some rely on chemical components for an immediate result, others rely on natural ingredients, even organic, to respect the hair.

Classic shampoo for colored hair

This is the most common type of shampoo for colored hair. With over 30 ingredients, it draws on petrochemicals to extract nourishing, repairing and conditioning elements. Of course, the result will be there: the effectiveness of the classic and traditional shampoo has never been in doubt. It is also worth remembering that this shampoo for colored hair may contain essential oils or natural ingredients, but in small proportions.

The components of traditional shampoos can be divided into 5 groups: surface-active substances for the washing aspect, foaming ingredients, preservatives (usually paraben), emulsifiers and additives (for detangling, for anti-scale care, perfume, etc.).

Benefits:

  • Effective, with targeted actions (hydration of dry hair, treatment of ends, etc.)
  • Different properties for specific results (smoothing effect, glossy, silky, etc.)
  • More affordable in terms of price.

Disadvantages:

  • Causes irritation,
  • Harmful to the environment.

Natural shampoo for colored hair

The natural shampoo for colored hair relies on natural ingredients to not aggress the scalp. This is also part of an ecological approach insofar as the components derive from products from organic farming and remain biodegradable. No synthetic perfume or artificial preservatives or even less foaming substances or GMOs!

However, it should be remembered that unless certified 100% organic or natural, this type of shampoos for colored hair has synthetic elements, especially those allowing to obtain the texture of a shampoo. However, the proportion of chemical substances does not exceed the 5% threshold. It is also important to understand that the claim to naturalness does not only concern the components of the shampoo, but the entire production chain: from design to packaging to distribution.

Benefits:

  • Does not irritate the scalp,
  • Ecological product,
  • Long-term effectiveness.

Disadvantages:

  • A limited range

Shampoo for colored hair: classic or solid?

Of course, we are used to shampoos for colored hair with a gel-like texture, supplied in bottles. Today, we can choose a solid shampoo, which is just as effective, but with a different packaging. Let's see it in more detail.

Shampoo for colored hair classic

For as long as anyone can remember, shampoos for coloured hair, like any other shampoo for that matter, have taken on the texture of a foaming gel. Supplied in bottles with a nozzle or pump, they are designed for ease of use on a daily basis. Indeed, this design is particularly practical, especially when you are in the shower.

Of course, in this form of shampoo for colored hair, there is always an environmental concern. What to do with the bottle which is usually made of plastic? How can it be recycled? What risk for the environment? In short, so many questions that led to the creation of an original version: the solid shampoo.

Solid shampoo for colored hair

In the interest of the environment, some purists have introduced solid shampoo for colored hair; a product that is just as effective, just as practical, but with less plastic waste. It takes the form of a soap, is applied as such, but is not the result of a saponification process and has a pH adapted to the scalp.

The solid shampoo for coloured hair contains around 15 ingredients, most of which are organically produced; consistency is a must! It combines plant-based surfactants, active plant ingredients (oil or butter) and, in some cases, perfume and essential oil extracts. In other words, you will have shampoos for colored hair that are practically natural and free of chemicals.

Verdict

The choice between shampoos for coloured hair in bottles and solid versions is a matter of commitment, preference and personal conviction. The traditional models are attractive because of their visible results from the first use, but they may contain irritating and ecologically unfriendly substances. Solid shampoos for coloured hair are more natural and more committed to the environment, with a zero waste objective.

Why buy a shampoo for colored hair?

From the moment you choose to color your hair and/or add highlights, you must remember that your hair becomes fragile. It therefore requires special care and this starts with good shampoos for coloured hair.

Shampoos for coloured hair protect your hair

When you colour your hair, you should know that the pigments and other components of the dye temporarily distort your hair to provide a permanent result. It goes without saying that this process weakens both the scalp and the hair fibre. With a good shampoo for coloured hair, however, you allow the process to take place while helping your hair to effectively fight against these aggressions. This protection extends to other aggressive elements, such as sunlight, limescale, etc.

Shampoos for colored hair nourish and moisturize your hair

In addition to the washing and foaming agents found in coloured hair shampoos, they also contain active ingredients with moisturising and nourishing properties. Because pigments dry out the hair and make the ends particularly rough, these elements intervene to make them stronger, healthier and more voluptuous.

Shampoos for colored hair restore the shine of your colors

Even if you choose permanent hair colour, it will lose its tone with each wash, unless you use a good shampoo for coloured hair. It contains substances that preserve and/or revive the colour pigments to prevent blondes from turning yellow and brunettes from developing unsightly red and dull highlights.

Shampoos for colored hair smooth the scales

During colouring, certain substances act on the scales to open them up and insert the pigments. So it's not surprising if the scales remain open or become rough after this process. Fortunately, shampoos for coloured hair contain ingredients that smooth and tighten the scales so that they look natural again.

Shampoos for coloured hair come in natural versions

With the success of the green movement and the return to organic, shampoos for colored hair are now available in natural versions. Also, you can truncate the chemical components against ingredients of plant origin and biodegradable packaging. It is even possible to find 100% organic shampoos for coloured hair or solid shampoos without packaging.

The best brands of shampoos for coloured hair

In our opinion, the best brands of shampoos for coloured hair in 2022 are :

Elsève
L’Oréal Professionnel
Frank Provost
Yves Rocher
Dessange

Elsève by L'Oréal Paris is a story that goes back to 1971 when the hair giant launched its first conditioner. Nearly a century later, the brand's products seduce with their diversity and effectiveness; like the shampoos for colored hair that satisfy women around the world.

This is the best known branch of L'Oréal. This department designs hair products for use in beauty salons, hence the name. However, L'Oréal Professionnel's shampoos for coloured hair can be used at home for a result worthy of the big salons.

The Franck Provost Provalliance group is one of the world's leading hairdressing brands. The quality-price ratio that accompanies its products makes it one of the most appreciated brands by women. The group also designs several ranges of shampoos for coloured hair designed for different types of colouring.

The French brand Yves Rocher has long been recognized in the world of cosmetics, perfumery and hairdressing. The cheapest shampoos for colored hair carry the logo of this brand.

Dessange International is the only high-end franchisor in the beauty world. It is also a manufacturer of cosmetics and hair care products that creates professional quality shampoos for coloured hair.

What is the price for a shampoo for colored hair

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
3 £ to 10 £
Mid-range
10 £ to 15 £
High-end
more than 15 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Don't use your shampoo for colored hair more than 3 times a week

Because the pigments in the coloring dry out the hair, the use of a shampoo for colored hair should be limited to 3 times a week at most. In fact, shampooing every day is not recommended, because in addition to drying out the fibers and making them brittle, it will end up dulling your color.

Combine shampoo for coloured hair with other products

To optimize the result of a shampoo for colored hair, consider also buying the range that comes with it: conditioner, mask, hair serum, styling cream, etc. Indeed, these related treatments are designed to complement the repairing, moisturizing and nourishing properties of the shampoos. Sure, buying a full line will cost more, but it's more than worth it.

Remember to cut your hair!

The use of shampoos for color-treated hair is still not enough to wipe out all the effects of coloring. In many cases, especially for those with long hair, the ends may become split and very damaged. It is in these cases that small cuts should be made every 8 weeks or so. Some products designed to protect the lengths and ends can be used to treat this concern though.

Supplement shampoo for coloured hair with a moisturiser

Whatever shampoo for colored hair you use, you can always make a natural moisturizing mask to maintain your hair. To do this, mix a banana with half an avocado, both ripe, and add a tablespoon of organic whole yogurt. When you have a smooth, even mixture, apply this mask to your clean, wet hair. Rinse with cool water after an hour.

How to choose the right shampoo for coloured hair for a holiday by the sea or pool?

For your seaside vacation or even your dips in the pool, use a sunscreen shampoo before applying your regular color-treated hair shampoo. This ritual will help you fight the effects of salt and chlorine on your hair with optimal hydration. Plus, it preserves the tone and shine of the color.

FAQ

Why a shampoo for colored hair?

There are many reasons why a shampoo for colored hair is useful, citing only protection, repair and hydration. In addition, it helps preserve the shine of your colors while stimulating hair growth, protecting the lengths and smoothing the scales. Basically, shampoos for colored hair are still a must whenever you opt for coloring.

How to wash colored hair?

You should already know that coloured hair should only be washed 2-3 times a week at the most to avoid drying out and further irritating the scalp. To wash your hair, use a shampoo for colored hair and complement it with other nourishing and moisturizing products, such as masks enriched with protein and vitamin E.

How to take care of your colored hair?

To care for your colored hair, focus on certain natural ingredients that tone your hair fiber, revive your color and protect your scalp. This includes shea butter, argan oil or chamomile, elements that boost your color; or various proteins that nourish and moisturize the hair. All these ingredients complement your shampoo for colored hair.

When to shampoo after colouring?

Wait at least 2 days after colouring to wash your head and use a shampoo for coloured hair, even if you don't like the smell of ammonia. This advice is especially true if you've opted for highlights or glossy effects that don't set as well as permanent hair color. This is because the shampoo may wash away most of the colour.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color 9
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color
Dessange Precious Pink Color Alarm Clock 10
Dessange Precious Pink Color Alarm Clock
Kérastase Réflexion - Color Protecting Shampoo 11
Kérastase Réflexion - Color Protecting Shampoo
Energie Fruit Shampoing Soin 0% Sulfates 12
Energie Fruit Shampoing Soin 0% Sulfates

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