Spring is finally here! While everyone is switching out their wardrobes and trading boots for sandals, you might be looking to make a more drastic change with your look — perhaps with your locks. While dyeing your hair is fun, the process can be pretty pricey and time-consuming. So, when you make a hair color change, you want to make it worth your while.
Keeping your hair color fresh can sometimes seem like an uphill battle, but with the help of the right products, your brand-new hue can go the distance. Some of the top hairstylists and colorists rely on these genius solutions to keep their clients' color looking brand-new between appointments, so we asked a few to share their favorites. Plus, we threw in a few of our favorite editor picks.
Best shampoos | Best conditioners | Best shampoo and conditioner combos | Best hair masks | How we chose | Meet the experts
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Best shampoos for color-treated hair
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Purple Shampoo
Size: 6.8 oz. | Best for: Blonde, bleached, highlighted or silver hair
Shop TODAY associate editor Emma Stessman says this budget-friendly purple shampoo is what keeps her blonde looking bright between appointments. It’s also a shopper-favorite with almost 12,700 verified five-star ratings.
Matrix Instacure Anti-Breakage Shampoo
Size: 10.1 oz. | Best for: Damaged color-treated hair
Sadé Stewart, a New York City-based hair colorist, suggests Instacure Anti-Breakage Shampoo if your hair is damaged by lightening services.
"That one is really good because it does have that bonding technology so once we start getting into lightening hair, balayage and a little more damage, you definitely want to pull for something that has some bond protection and some bond build up because that’s going to help to repair the hair more," she shares.
Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo
Size: 10.1 oz.| Best for: Color-treated hair
“For me, there are three tiers of needs," explains Stewart. "You have those people who are color-treated, they need protection, but their hair isn’t severely damaged. It’s just color-treated. I like just a simple, protective color-treated shampoo. One of my favorites for that is the Color Extend Magnetics from Redken. It’s nourishing, it’ll help keep it shiny, keep your color in.”
Stewart explains that for more damaged or severe color-treated hair, there are other products with bond building technology to consider.
Moroccanoil Color Care Shampoo
Size: 8.5 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair
Shop TODAY editorial assistant Shannon Garlin says she feels like this shampoo “gave her brunette a boost.” A recent launch from the brand, it boasts the ability to extend the life of your color, enhance vibrancy and promote healthier-looking hair.
Ouai Detox Shampoo
Size: 10 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair
Shop TODAY production associate Jill Ortiz enthusiastically calls this clarifying shampoo "the best shampoo ever." While not explicitly labeled for color-treated hair, Ortiz says it's color safe, adding, "It smells SO GOOD, lathers like no other and my hair feels so clean after I use it."
Redken Bonding Shampoo for Damaged Hair Repair
Size: 10.1 oz. | Best for: Damaged color-treated hair
This shampoo helps repair damaged hair, reinforcing weakened bonds. “When it starts to get into lightening services, I like Redken Acidic Bond Concentrate," shares Sadé Stewart.
Davines Alchemic Shampoo
Size: 9.47 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair
"I use Davines copper shampoo and conditioner and it has enhanced my color so much. I use it once or twice a week and it refreshes the color," says Shop TODAY social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo.
Plus, customers rave about how soft the shampoo makes their hair feel after just one wash.
Best conditioners for color-treated hair
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer
Size: 8.5 oz. | Best for: Styling color-treated hair
Stewart calls this leave-in a "one stop product," crediting its various uses. “It’s hydrating, and it also has heat protectant and UV filters," she says.
Keracolor Color Plus Clenditioner
Size: 12 oz. | Best for: Pinks, purples, blues; depositing color
“This is great for clients who are taking a jump on the wild side of color (so your pinks, purples and blues),” Nine Zero One master stylist Amber Maynard Bolt says. “But what is great about a product like this is that if you’re a brunette who turns unwanted warm all the time, you can use the silver or silver-blue to help tone between color sessions. It’s also great to help with fading redheads! So it’s not just for ‘fun’ color.”
Color Wow Color Security Conditioner
Size: 8.4 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair, detangling
“This conditioner has eight translucent conditioning agents that will not dull or change the color makeup of the hair,” says Gina Rivera, hairstylist, beauty expert and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. “It’s also perfect for detangling and smoothing color-treated locks. It strengthens the hair and prevents it from breaking.”
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3
Size: 3.3 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair, repairing damaged hair
"A concentrated at-home treatment is a must for all color-treated hair," said celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey. "This one from Olaplex helps to restore hair back to a healthy state, reverses damage and strengthens the hair structure, so you can continue to color your hair without fear of further damage."
Best shampoo/conditioner combos for color-treated hair
L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
Size: 8.5 oz. per bottle | Best for: Color-treated hair, dry hair
This affordable duo was Garlin's go-to for years and came recommended by her hairdresser. Both the shampoo and conditioner are infused with rosemary and, according to the brand, are designed to keep color pure for up to four weeks.
Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo
Size: 10.14 oz. | Best for: Blonde color-treated hair
Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Conditioner
Size: 6.8 oz. | Best for: Blonde color-treated hair
New York City-based hairstylist Kathleen Firth swears by Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde shampoo and conditioner. “For our blondies out there, this violet-tinted, color enhancing formula cools brassiness and eliminates warm tones, while also hydrating and adding shine. It’s great for blonde, white and silver tones,” she says.
Phyto Phytocolor Protecting Shampoo
Size: 13.5 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair
Phyto Phytocolor Color-Protecting Mask
Size: 5.29 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair
Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach is a fan of this shampoo and hair mask combo. "I use the mask as a conditioner since I only wash my hair two times a week and together, this combo keeps hair so shiny," she raves.
Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Shampoo
Size: 10.1 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair
Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Conditioner
Size: 8.5 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair, hydrating hair
“These products help target both moisture and protein-depleted hair, so they’re great on clients who use a lot of bleach/lightener,” Bolt says. “The key ingredient is the Quadra bond peptide complex that restores and repairs the hair’s natural layer. It allows for color longevity as well as reconstruction and hydration.”
Ouidad Tone It Away Purple Shampoo
Size: 8.5 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair, combatting brassy tones
Ouidad Curl Tone Anti-Brass Conditioning Mask
Size: 9 oz. | Best for: Color-treated hair, combatting brassy tones
Shop TODAY associate SEO editor Kamari Stewart has relied on this duo for the past few months. She admits that she doesn’t get her color touched up as often as she should, so this shampoo and conditioning mask keep her highlights vibrant and fresh until she can manage to get in the salon chair. She uses the mask as a conditioner for an added boost of hydration.
dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo
Size: 8.5 oz. | Best for: Brunettes, darker color-treated hair
dpHUE Cool Brunette Conditioner
Size: 6.5 oz. | Best for: Brunettes, darker color-treated hair
"I currently dye my hair darker than it naturally is and I live for this shampoo/conditioner combo," raves Shop TODAY commerce editor Julie Ricevuto. "I'm super lazy with scheduling my hair coloring appointments, and this duo helps keep my hair free from brassiness between treatments."
Ortiz is also a fan of this set.
Best hair masks for color-treated hair
K18 Mini Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask
Size: 0.51 oz. | Best for: Severely damaged color-treated hair
“I like K18 for severe damage," Sadé Stewart says, adding that the mask "goes even deeper" than other bond-building products. "So that’s like if someone is super damaged and needs some reversal.”
Bold Uniq Purple Hair Mask
Size: 6.76 oz. | Best for: Blonde, platinum, bleached, silver, gray hair
A natural brunette, Shop TODAY deals editor Rebecca Brown says she’s been highlighting her hair for decades. “Whenever it starts turning brassy, I use this mask and it’s as though I went to a salon and paid for a gloss/toner treatment,” she says. It’s a No. 1 bestseller and has almost 32,000 verified five star ratings.
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask
Size: 1.7 oz. | Best for: Bleached hair
Stessman likes to use this mask to counteract some of the damage from bleaching. She says it makes her hair feel "softer, less frizzy and overall more manageable." She's not alone. According to a clinical study conducted by the brand, 97 percent of women felt their hair was softer after just one use.
Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask
Size: 8.5 oz. | Best for: Moisturizing color-treated hair
“This mask helps strengthen and moisturize, which helps prevent color from fading quickly,” says hairstylist Stephanie Brown. “You should do a mask at least once every two weeks, or more if your hair is dry and damaged. Leave the mask on for at least 10 to 20 minutes to get the full benefits.”
Color Wow Money Masque
Size: 7.5 oz. | Best for: Hydrating color-treated hair
Ortiz says this hair mask made her hair feel ridiculously soft. "I almost cried the first time I used it," she jokes. According to the brand, it's a weightless formula that is deeply hydrating and suitable for all hair types.
Kerastase Resistance Strengthening Mask
Size: 6.8 oz. | Best for: Repairing or preventing damaged color-treated hair
Shop TODAY commerce editor Vivien Moon and NBC News commerce partnerships associate Klay Drageset are both fans of this hair mask from Kerastase that’s designed to restore damaged length, seal split ends and prevent future breakage, according to the brand.
“There are some products you use sparingly because you love them so much and this mask falls into that category. I rationed it because I didn’t want it to end,” Moon raves. “The scent, the way it made my hair feel and its powerful ingredients to deal with damaged hair make this mask my holy grail product.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in conditioner for color-treated hair?
"Once you’re heading over into conditioners, definitely something that is hydrating," Sadé Stewart says. "I always say when you’re looking for conditioners or leave ins, look for one of your first ingredients to be water. That way, it’s going to hydrate the hair first. You want something that’s water based.”
What should I look for in styling products for color-treated hair?
“Once you start getting into styling products, I always say look for something that has heat protection and UV filters. That’s going to help to continue the process of protecting your color," Sadé Stewart says.
What else can I do to maintain my color for longer?
“There’s little things you can do to protect your color as well as the integrity of your hair," Sadé Stewart says. "It’s a simple thing but you can use cooler water when you’re shampooing as opposed to hot water because that’s also going to further dehydrate the hair. So cool water is going to help to keep the cuticle nice and shiny."
Can sun exposure fade my hair color?
According to Sadé Stewart, high exposure to the sun can fade color-treated hair more quickly. She suggests using products with UV filters to help combat discoloration.
“UV filters are so important because excessive exposure to the sun is actually going to fade your color a lot, too. So that’s very helpful to have that extra layer of protection," she adds.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team spoke to professional hairstylists to better understand what ingredients make for the best shampoos, conditioners and masks to maintain color-treated hair. We used their recommendations and customer reviews to round up the best products for color-treated hair. Additionally, we asked our editors for their favorite picks they trust.
Meet the experts
- Kendall Dorsey is a celebrity hairstylist.
- Stephanie Brown is a master colorist at IGK Salon in New York City.
- Gina Rivera is a hairstylist, beauty expert and the founder of Phenix Salon Suites, a nationwide salon suite company with more than 250 locations.
- Amber Maynard Bolt is a celebrity hairstylist and master colorist at Nine Zero One Salon in Los Angeles.
- Kathleen Firth is a hairstylist at The Parlor NYC.
- Sadé Stewart is a hair colorist based in NYC.