“I Tested the Best Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair (Real-Life Wins and Fails)”

I color my hair a lot. I’ve gone from dark brown to copper, then back to a soft honey. My ends are picky. My scalp? A little oily by day two. I live with hard water, so reds fade fast and blond turns brassy. Fun combo, right?

I bought all these shampoos myself and used each one for at least three washes (most for weeks). I wanted color that lasts, hair that feels soft, and no heavy film. Also, a good smell matters. I’m human.
I’m tracking every wash in a shared log on Add This Mark, so you can check real-time updates and even drop your own recommendations. If you want the blow-by-blow diary with every win and fail, the complete test notes live here.

Here’s what actually worked for me—and where I said, “Nope, not for my hair.”

My Hair and How I Wash

  • Fine, wavy, and colored
  • Wash 3 times a week
  • Blow dry sometimes, curl wand on weekends
  • Hard water at home, soft water when I travel

You know what? Water matters more than folks think. My copper fades twice as fast at home. When I visit my sister with soft water, it stays bright longer with the same shampoo. Wild.

What I Look For

I want gentle cleansers, no harsh strip, and help with shine. I like a creamy lather (not a bubble storm). I also want my day-two hair to not feel greasy. Easy ask? Not always. For a broader range of options, I often cross-check with Good Housekeeping's roundup of the best shampoos for colored hair, which confirms a lot of my picks.


Pureology Hydrate Shampoo — My Moisture Hero

First week with fresh copper, I used this every other wash. My color held for almost four weeks before I needed a gloss. That’s long for copper.

  • Feel: Thick and silky. A little turns into rich foam.
  • Scalp: A cool tingle from the mint. Kinda spa-like.
  • Result: Ends felt plush. No straw feeling.

Downside: It can feel heavy on my fine hair if I use it every wash. The scent is strong. My partner said I smelled like a mint garden. He meant it as a joke, but he wasn’t wrong.

When I use it: Winter, or after a heat-styling streak.


Redken Color Extend Magnetics — Light, Easy, and Safe for Color

This one is my travel buddy. After a beach weekend, my hair felt coated with salt, but I didn’t want fade. I used this, and my brown stayed shiny, not dull.

  • Feel: Light, airy foam. Rinses fast.
  • Result: Soft and bouncy. Color looked bright.
  • Scent: Light salon fruit-floral.

Downside: I need a good conditioner after, or my ends tangle. But for fine hair folks, this is a sweet spot.

When I use it: Spring and summer, or when I need a “safe” cleanse.


Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance — Strong Hair Days

After I bleached a face frame (yes, I caved), this helped with breakage. My brush had fewer little snaps. Color didn’t fade faster, which is rare for a bond shampoo.

  • Feel: Very concentrated. A dime-size is plenty.
  • Result: Feels sturdy and smooth.

Downside: My roots get oily faster with this one. By day two, I need dry shampoo. It’s also pricey.

When I use it: After color day, or when my hair feels weak.


Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Riche Respect — Glossy, Fancy, Worth It

I used this all winter on my rose-gold phase. My hair looked glossy, like I actually drank water and slept. The lather is creamy and kind.

  • Result: Shine and calm ends.
  • Scent: Floral, a bit luxe.

Downside: The price. Also, the scent lingers. If you’re scent-sensitive, heads up.

When I use it: Cold months, or before events.


Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color — Big Shine, Small Bottle

I brought this to a wedding weekend. Photos do not lie. My hair looked expensive. The smell is like fancy perfume. The foam is soft, not bubbly.

  • Result: High shine, no fade that week.
  • Feel: Plush, light, smooth.

Downside: The cost stings. The bottle runs out fast.

When I use it: Special days, or when I want that “I tried” look without trying.


Davines MINU Shampoo — Smooth and Calm

This has a gentle, fresh scent. The gel texture surprised me. After three washes, my color looked even, not patchy. My hair felt calm, almost flat—in a good way.

  • Result: Smooth cuticle, soft touch.
  • Bonus: A little goes far.

Downside: Can weigh down super fine hair if you use too much. Start small.

When I use it: When frizz flares or after a windy week.


L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture — Solid Drugstore Pick

I grabbed this at Target after I forgot my shampoo at the gym. It did not strip my copper. The rosemary scent is fresh, and the lather is light.

  • Result: Clean but not squeaky.
  • Wallet: Friendly, and often on sale.

Downside: With my hard water, it can leave my ends a bit rough unless I follow with a richer conditioner. But for the price, it’s a win.

When I use it: Gym bag, travel, or in a pinch.


Joico Color Balance Purple — Brass Be Gone (Use Lightly)

When I was blonde, this saved me from banana-yellow. Once a week was perfect. I left it on for 3 minutes. It cooled the tone without going gray. It’s basically the hair counterpart to my go-to whitening toothpaste for coffee stains—both kick out the yellow without going overboard.

  • Result: Bright, cool blonde.
  • Tip: Wear gloves if you can. It’s purple. It stains a bit.

Downside: It can feel dry if you use it too often. I always follow with a mask.

When I use it: Only once a week, not more.


Quick Picks (So You Don’t Scroll Forever)

  • Best for dry, colored hair: Pureology Hydrate
  • Best for fine hair: Redken Color Extend Magnetics
  • Best bond care: Olaplex No. 4
  • Best splurge shine: Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color
  • Best winter gloss: Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Riche Respect
  • Best budget: L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture
  • Best purple for brass: Joico Color Balance Purple

Little Things That Help Color Last

  • Cool rinse. Not ice-cold, just not hot. Helps seal things down.
  • Wash less. Dry shampoo on day two saves color.
  • UV care. A hat on sunny days keeps red from fading so fast.
  • Clarify, but rarely. If hair feels coated (hard water friends, hi), use a gentle clarifying wash once every 2–3 weeks, then a rich conditioner.

If you’re still shopping around, Glamour’s guide to the best shampoos for color-treated hair is another solid resource and includes a few budget-friendly finds.

Side note: I tried skipping shampoo for a week once. My scalp was not amused. I went back to three times a week, and my color still lasted.


My Final Take

If you want soft and safe, start with Redken Color Extend Magnetics. If your ends need a hug, Pureology Hydrate is lovely. For shine that pops in photos, Kérastase or Oribe makes hair look rich. On a budget? L’Oréal EverPure does the job and doesn’t wreck your tone.

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And because standing on my feet for salon visits and photo shoots can set off the pins-and-needles in my legs, I swear by these shoes that keep my tingling feet moving for all-day comfort.

Color costs time and money. Your shampoo should help you keep it—not fight you. Honestly, that’s the whole point.