The top 10 best colour shampoos of the moment
- 7 min reading time
Coloured hair can completely change your look and boost your confidence. But if you've ever dyed your hair, you know how tricky it is to keep that beautiful colour looking fresh. After a few weeks, your hair colour often starts to fade, the ends become dry, and the shine seems to disappear. The right shampoo can make all the difference. In this blog, we dive deeper into shampoos for coloured hair. We explain which ingredients to look for, which to avoid, and share tips on the best products to keep your colour vibrant and radiant for as long as possible. Whether you have fiery red, cool blonde, or deep brown hair, we help you keep your coloured locks at their best!
What is a colour shampoo?
Colour shampoos are specially designed to maintain and enhance the intensity and shine of coloured hair. Unlike regular shampoos, they contain ingredients that help hold colour longer and prevent fading. Colour shampoos often use gentler, less harsh cleansers, which help the colour last longer. Regular shampoos can be more aggressive, causing colour to fade faster. Colour shampoos protect against negative influences like sunlight, heat, and washing. A colouring treatment opens the hair cuticles so the dye can penetrate. Regular shampoos open these cuticles further during washing than colour shampoos, leading to more colour loss and faster fading. That's why colour shampoo is so important. Colour shampoo opens the cuticles, but not as much as regular shampoo. Using a matching color conditioner is also recommended, as it fully closes the cuticles, adding extra shine and extending colour retention. This keeps coloured hair healthy, radiant and beautiful for longer.
What is the difference between a colour shampoo and a regular shampoo?
The main difference between a colour shampoo and a regular shampoo is the formulation. Colour shampoos are enriched with ingredients that protect hair colour and prevent fading. They often contain UV filters and antioxidants to shield colour from harmful external factors. Furthermore, colour shampoos are usually sulphate-free, meaning they dry hair out less and keep colour looking fresh longer. Regular shampoos mainly focus on cleansing and can sometimes contribute to colour fading due to harsh cleansers.
Who is a colour shampoo best suited for?
Colour shampoos are perfect for anyone with coloured hair wanting to keep their colour vibrant. Whether your hair is fully dyed, has highlights, or a balayage, colour shampoo helps maintain your colour’s beauty longer. It's especially suited for those with red, copper, or other bold colours that fade quickly, but also for people wanting to preserve the natural tone with a subtle colour.
How to choose the right colour shampoo for your hair type and colour?
When choosing the right colour shampoo it’s important to consider your hair colour and desired effect. For blonde hair, silver shampoos neutralise unwanted yellow tones and enhance cool shades. For red or copper colours, there are colour shampoos that help maintain warm tones and prevent fading. It’s crucial to consider hair texture. If you have fine or lifeless hair, choose a colour shampoo that adds volume.
What are the key ingredients to look for in a colour shampoo and which should you avoid?
Key ingredients to look for in a colour shampoo are sulphate-free formulas. Sulphates can fade your colour and dry out your scalp. Look for shampoos containing ingredients like benzophenones or titanium dioxide, which act as UV filters to protect your colour from UV rays. Other beneficial ingredients include:
- Argan oil, coconut oil, shea butter and jojoba oil to prevent dryness.
- Glycerine, panthenol (vitamin B5), aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, which help retain moisture in hair and prevent drying.
- Antioxidants like vitamin E and green tea extract protect against environmental damage.
- Hydrolysed proteins such as keratin, wheat protein or silk protein strengthen hair, reduce breakage and help repair damage.
Ingredients to avoid in a colour shampoo are:
- Sulphates, as mentioned earlier, can dry out hair and cause colour to fade faster.
- Sodium chloride is sometimes added to shampoos to improve consistency but can be drying, which affects colour. Sodium chloride is often used as a thickener so the shampoo doesn’t just slip off your hand easily.
- Alcohol – not all alcohols are bad, but certain types like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol can dry out hair and fade colour. Look for shampoos that avoid these, especially if they appear high on the ingredient list. Alcohols not harmful to hair include Lauryl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol and Myristyl alcohol and similar fatty alcohols, which are often used to soften hair and retain moisture.
- Parabens are used as preservatives but can be harmful to health and the environment. They can irritate hair and scalp. Prefer products with natural preservatives like citric acid or tocopherol (vitamin E).
- Silicones can build up on hair, leading to dull and heavy hair. Water-soluble silicones are the 'good silicones': these wash off with water from your scalp and hair. PEG before the silicone can indicate a water-soluble silicone and thus less harmful. Non-water-soluble silicones, however, are harmful to hair and scalp. Examples of water-soluble silicones include:
dimethicone copolyol, hydrolyzed wheat protein hydroxypropyl polysiloxane and lauryl methicone copolyol) or a volatile variant (cyclomethicone, cyclopentasiloxane and phenylpropyl dimethicone)
- Harsh detergents, ammonium lauryl sulphate and sodium chloride (salt) remove dirt and oil, but also colour pigments from hair.
- Artificial dyes and fragrances can cause irritation, especially on sensitive scalps and add nothing to hair care.
- Mineral oils and petroleum products (e.g. Vaseline) can saturate and suffocate hair, preventing moisture retention and making colour look dull.
What is the TOP 10 best-selling colour shampoo?
- MORE Haircare Color Shampoo
- L'Oreal SE Vitamino Color Resveratrol Shampoo
- Goldwell Dualsenses Color Shampoo
- Indola Color Shampoo
- REF Illuminate Color Shampoo
- Redken Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo
- Wella Invigo Color Brilliance Shampoo Fine/Normal Hair
- Schwarzkopf Bonacure Color Freeze Shampoo
- Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo
- Fanola Wonder Color Locker Shampoo
MORE Haircare Color Shampoo: The Best Choice for Coloured Hair
The MORE Haircare Color Shampoo is no coincidence a favourite and bestseller at haarspullen.nl. This shampoo offers excellent value for coloured hair. Free from sulphates, parabens, silicones and gluten, it helps keep your colour vibrant longer without drying out. Thanks to the UV-protective filter, your hair colour is shielded from the sun’s harmful effects, reducing fading. The mild formula cleanses gently without stripping natural oils and is suitable for all hair types and colours. Perfect for anyone who wants to keep their coloured hair radiant and healthy, and the product is also Vegan & cruelty free
