When it comes to maintaining your expensive highlights or color, you should invest in quality products. Just as you would dry-clean an expensive dress rather than running it through your washing machine (even on the gentle cycle), it's worth spending a few extra dollars on quality shampoos and conditioners for your hair. Here, we rundown the best products on the market for color-treated hair and tell you why it's worth your buy.
More on hair color:
Kerastase's Bain Miroir shampoo has made it onto many "best" lists over the years, including InStyle Magazine at least two years in a row.
Specially formulated for color-treated hair, Bain Miroir works by coating strands, which protects them from the stripping some cheaper shampoos may cause. Bain Miroir also protects from UV rays and pollutants.
Another great (and less expensive) shampoo for color-treated hair: Matrix Biolage colorcaretherapie. Artec also makes a good shampoo. Go to L'Oreal's website to buy.Buy from Amazon »
Another popular shampoo on the best lists, John Frieda Collection Shampoo comes in three different versions: Sheer Blonde, Brilliant Brunette and Radiant Red. Why it's so popular: Your bathwater likely contains both chlorine and oxidized minerals which can strip hair of color. John Frieda Collection Shampoos are gentle cleansers that removes damaging elements, preventing for example, blonde hair from turning green, while keeping highlights bright and not brassy. Even better, this shampoo won't alter your hair color.Buy from Amazon »
Redheads can benefit from shampoos formulated with henna in them. Brighten locks between colorings with ShiKai's inexpensive Henna Gold Shampoo, formulated just for redheads. Contains natural red henna for a rich color boost.
See photos of gorgeous red hairstyles for inspiration. Buy from Amazon »
A favorite among stylists (yes, stylists), you'll love this kit because it's known to cover gray hair and fades naturally. Bonus: It moisturizes while adding color.Buy from Amazon »
Got chunky blonde highlights? Make them 'piecey' and pretty with this product which shapes and highlights blonde hair with micro-crystalline gold dust particles. A favorite among celeb stylists.Buy from Amazon »
A favorite conditioner for color-treated hair, this creamy product helps maintain color, it doesn't strip like other cheaper conditioners on the market. It also has 'light-reflecting' qualities specially formulated for color-treated hair.
A great cheaper conditioner: Dove Moisture Rich Color Conditioner, which you can purchase at any drugstore.Buy from Amazon »
More on hair color:
- My best blonde hair color tips & tricks
- Get inspired by 20 gorgeous shades of brown hair color
- Photos of gorgeous hair color
- How to pick the perfect hair color
•Best Department Store Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Kerastase Bain Miroir
Kerastase's Bain Miroir shampoo has made it onto many "best" lists over the years, including InStyle Magazine at least two years in a row.
Specially formulated for color-treated hair, Bain Miroir works by coating strands, which protects them from the stripping some cheaper shampoos may cause. Bain Miroir also protects from UV rays and pollutants.
Another great (and less expensive) shampoo for color-treated hair: Matrix Biolage colorcaretherapie. Artec also makes a good shampoo. Go to L'Oreal's website to buy.Buy from Amazon »
•Best Drugstore Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: John Frieda Collection Shampoo
Another popular shampoo on the best lists, John Frieda Collection Shampoo comes in three different versions: Sheer Blonde, Brilliant Brunette and Radiant Red. Why it's so popular: Your bathwater likely contains both chlorine and oxidized minerals which can strip hair of color. John Frieda Collection Shampoos are gentle cleansers that removes damaging elements, preventing for example, blonde hair from turning green, while keeping highlights bright and not brassy. Even better, this shampoo won't alter your hair color.Buy from Amazon »
•Best Mid-Price Shampoo: Matrix Biolage ColorCare Therapie Shampoo
Another popular favorite, Matrix Biolage ColorCare Shampoos have stood the test of time. Pick the one that best fits your hair color and enjoy the price (about $20 -- cheaper than the high-end Kerastase, but in a better range than the John Frieda shampoos).Buy from Amazon »•Best Shampoo for Redheads: ShiKai's Henna Gold
Redheads can benefit from shampoos formulated with henna in them. Brighten locks between colorings with ShiKai's inexpensive Henna Gold Shampoo, formulated just for redheads. Contains natural red henna for a rich color boost.
See photos of gorgeous red hairstyles for inspiration. Buy from Amazon »
•Best Do-It-Yourself Highlights: Clairol Nice'n Easy Highlights
Want blonde highlights, but not sure you want to pay upwards of $100 for them? Try Clairol's highlighting kit, which has combs that allow you to comb in the light streaks for natural-looking highlights.Buy from Amazon »•Best At-Home Semi-Permanent Color Kit: Clairol Natural Instincts
A favorite among stylists (yes, stylists), you'll love this kit because it's known to cover gray hair and fades naturally. Bonus: It moisturizes while adding color.Buy from Amazon »
•Best for Highlights: John Frieda Spun Gold Highlighting Balm
Got chunky blonde highlights? Make them 'piecey' and pretty with this product which shapes and highlights blonde hair with micro-crystalline gold dust particles. A favorite among celeb stylists.Buy from Amazon »
•Best (Pricey) Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair: Kerastase Reflection
A favorite conditioner for color-treated hair, this creamy product helps maintain color, it doesn't strip like other cheaper conditioners on the market. It also has 'light-reflecting' qualities specially formulated for color-treated hair.
A great cheaper conditioner: Dove Moisture Rich Color Conditioner, which you can purchase at any drugstore.Buy from Amazon »
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 Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair: Kerastase Reflection){kind=link}