According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (2024)

According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (1)

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

As anyone who dyes their hair knows (that includes a lot of us in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab!), colored hair requires special care. Most important? A top-quality shampoo — and matching conditioner — created for color-treated hair to keep your shade fresh and vibrant, whether it's brunette, black, blonde, red or a bolder hue. Not only do color-safe shampoos work to preserve your dye job, but they also help reduce hair damage by making strands feel and look softer and smoother.

“Shampoos for colored hair usually have lower concentrations of cleansing surfactants,” explains GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. “The formulas also use special conditioning agents that coat your hair’s surface to prevent dye molecules from escaping.”

To find the best formulas on the market, GH Beauty Lab scientists tested the latest shampoos for colored hair both in the Lab using technical instruments to determine which made color last longer and on consumer testers to gauge how they work in real life, tabulating 1,721 data points in total. Read on to delve into the rigorous evaluations behind the GH Beauty Lab's best-tested shampoos for color-treated hair (and all hair types and textures, including dry, oily and curly), plus recommendations from salon professionals.

Meet the experts:

  • Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Director
  • Chiara Butler, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst
  • Catharine Malzahn, Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant
  • Patrick Kyle, New York City hairstylist
  • Meri Kate O'Connor, a colorist at Salon Benjamin in West Hollywood, California
  • Michael Dueñas, New York City celebrity hairstylist

    1

    Best Overall

    Redken Acidic Color Gloss Sulfate-Free Shampoo

    According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (2)

    Pros
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (3)Reduced hair color fading for a month in Lab testing
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (4)Makes color look rich, shiny and vibrant
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (5)Effectively cleanses and softens hair
    Cons
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (6)Pricey

    For hair color that stays salon-level vivid and glossy long-term, look no further than this Redken formula and its corresponding conditioner, which won the GH Beauty Lab's most recent shampoo for colored hair test. Though they're a splurge, the products earned the best score for preventing hair color from fading over a month of simulated wear.

    They also came out on top for making color look shiny, richer and more vibrant. An impressive 100% of users agreed the set left hair clean and soft. “My hair color did not fade using these” and “they left my hair feeling silky and shiny,” two reported. Others noted that the conditioner was “thick” and “hydrating."

    Hair TypeAll
    Size10.1. fl oz.

    2

    Best Value

    Tresemmé Revitalized Color Shampoo

    According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (7)

    Pros
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (8)Reduced hair color fading over a month
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (9)Thoroughly cleanses hair
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (10)Strong conditioning effects
    Cons
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (11)Some testers thought the bottles were bulky

    Tresemmé’s drugstore shampoo with matching conditioner delivers a luxe shower experience — and real hair color-extending effects — at a bargain price (for a huge bottle!). In GH Beauty Lab testing, they performed almost as well as the winner at keeping color intact, plus got raves from users on their scent and cleansing.

    The products ranked near top for protecting hair color from fading for a month and tied for best at conditioning in Lab tests. They also rated highly for being simple to use (however some noted that the bottles were bulky and they'd prefer pumps for easier dispensing).

    A full 100% of testers agreed the shampoo created plentiful lather, made hair feel cleansed and didn’t irritate. “The lather was very foamy and satisfying,” one said. “My hair color stayed vibrant,” another added. Several commented on the “wonderful” scent and how shiny their hair was after use.

    Hair TypeAll
    Size28 fl. oz.

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    3

    Best for Dry Hair

    Dove Love Your Shine Color Care Shampoo

    According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (12)

    Pros
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (13)Highly conditioning formula
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (14)Fully cleanses hair
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (15)Softens strands
    Cons
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (16)Not as strong color protection

    This moisturizing Dove shampoo plus conditioner duo made with plant oils and glycerin was a winner in GH Beauty Lab testing for coddling dry processed hair. In addition to thoroughly cleansing, they excelled at effectively conditioning strands.

    The pair received the best score for conditioning in the Beauty Lab’s wet combing test and rated well among testers for leaving hair feeling both clean and soft. (Note that they didn’t perform as well as the other products tested at preventing color fading.) "My hair was actually shinier than when using my regular products,” a user marveled. A second echoed: “My hair is shiny and looks healthy.” Many testers said they would purchase or continue to use these.

    RELATED: Best Shampoos for Dry Hair

    Hair TypeDry, damaged, coarse, curly and textured
    Size13.5 fl. oz.
    Pros
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (18)Effectively conditions and smooths hair
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (19)Lathers well
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (20)Easy to use
    Cons
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (21)Not as strong hair color protection

    Give your hair color that signature Pantene silky smoothness with this bargain shampoo and its corresponding conditioner. They tied for the top score in GH Beauty Lab testing for conditioning hair and 100% of testers agreed the shampoo provided a lush lather. The products also scored highly for being easy to dispense.

    One drawback: They didn't perform as well at hair color protection. That said, testers praised the formulas. "Even on the most humid days, this left my hair smooth and sleek and eliminated my need for additional smoothing products," a user raved. "I had a luxurious blowout look without any of the time and effort!”

    Hair TypeCoarse, frizzy, dry
    Size10.4 fl. oz.

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    5

    Best Sulfate-Free

    IGK More Life Color Extending Gloss Shampoo

    According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (22)

    Pros
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (23)Second best at preventing hair color fade
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (24)Lathers well
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (25)Appealing scent
    Cons
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (26)Not as effective at conditioning

    Despite its lack of sulfates (which usually help give shampoos their suds), this IGK shampoo lathered richly and when used with its matching conditioner had powerful color-protecting effects in GH Beauty Lab testing. They came in second for stopping hair color from fading over one month in Lab evaluations.

    The duo's pleasant scent, which one user called "divine," also rated highly. While testers found they rinsed easily, be aware that these formulas didn't perform well at conditioning hair. "I actually got a lot of compliments on my color recently and this might be why," a tester noted.

    Hair TypeOily or fine hair
    Size8 fl. oz.

    6

    Best Volumizing

    Ceremonia Guava Color Protect & Damage Repair Shampoo

    According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (27)

    Pros
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (28)High score for color protection
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (29)Boosts shine
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (30)Leaves hair feeling clean and full
    Cons
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (31)Lowest level of conditioning tested, so may be better for fine hair

    Ceremonia's shampoo infused with plant extracts helps hair color resist fading without heavy conditioning that can deflate volume. In Beauty Lab testing with its conditioner, the two ranked highly at protecting color and making it shiny. They also made strands feel clean, but the "thin" formulas scored lowest for conditioning effects. Hair was "very full" and "lively" after using these, two testers commented.

    Hair TypeFine, oily
    Size8.45 fl. oz.

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    7

    Best Clarifying

    Nexxus Color Assure Radiant Color Care Shampoo

    According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (32)

    Pros
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (33)Purifies hair
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (34)Won't strip hair color
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (35)Lightweight
    Cons
    • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (36)May not lather as easily

    This protein-infused shampoo (and its conditioner counterpart) from Nexxus win the praises of color pros thanks to its ability to remove product buildup without stripping color. "It prevents fading on any color-treated hair and maintains hair health," says New York City hairstylist Patrick Kyle. One reviewer wrote that it takes a decent amount of shampoo to get a good lather, however.

    RELATED: 15 Best Clarifying Shampoos to Remove Buildup and Deep Clean Hair

      Hair TypeOily, fine
      Size33.8 fl. oz.

      8

      Best for Blonde

      Schwarzkopf BlondMe All Blondes Rich Shampoo

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (37)

      Pros
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (38)Gentle cleansing
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (39)Helps prevent color fading
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (40)Created for blonde hair
      Cons
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (41)Scent is polarizing

      Due to the bleaching process, blonde dyed hair can be even more prone to damage and dryness. Enter this Schwarzkopf shampoo formulated specially for blondes, which celebrity hairstylist Michael Dueñas raves "helps strengthen the hair internally."

      The castor oil ingredient leaves hair feeling incredibly soft and shiny, he adds. It's "also gentle with cleansing and retains your hair's natural moisture, ensuring you don’t strip away your artificial color," Dueñas says. The scent was polarizing among users, though; while some raved about the "clean" aroma, another user called it "overpowering."

      RELATED: Best Purple Shampoos

      Hair TypeDamaged, dry
      Size10 fl. oz.

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      9

      Best Oily Hair

      Shu Uemura Color Lustre Sulfate-Free Brilliant Glaze Shampoo

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (42)

      Pros
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (43)Not heavy on hair
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (44)Lightweight softening
      Cons
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (45)May not be rich enough for dry hair

      For a luxe sulfate-free option that increases vibrancy, check out Shu Uemura's color-protecting shampoo and conditioner, recommended by Meri Kate O'Connor, a colorist at Salon Benjamin in West Hollywood, CA. "These have refining lipids that help to protect the cortex of the hair, where the color goes, so your shade lasts longer — and hair is left shiny and soft," she explains. Those with dry scalps reported online that it felt less moisturizing, so oily hair types may benefit more.

      RELATED: Best Shampoo for Oily Hair

      Hair TypeOily, fine
      Size10 fl. oz.

      10

      Best for Dandruff

      Head & Shoulders Supreme Color Protect Shampoo

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (46)

      Pros
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (47)Made with flake-fighting active ingredient
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (48)Good value
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (49)Softens hair
      Cons
      • According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (50)May not be ideal for curly hair types

      From the gold standard anti-dandruff brand, this Head & Shoulders shampoo created for both color-treated hair and scalp care contains the flake-fighting active ingredient pyrithione zinc. Adding nourishment to the equation, the formula is also infused with manuka honey and argan oil.

      "It leaves my hair super shiny and soft, and the creamy formula lathers really nicely," says GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. However, online reviewers with curly hair — kinky textures, especially — noted that it wasn't as effective at detangling.

      RELATED: Best Dandruff Shampoos to Fight Flakes and Itching

      Hair TypeDry, itchy scalp; dandruff
      Size11.8 fl. oz.

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      How we test shampoos for colored hair

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (51)

      The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tests the latest shampoos for colored hair across price points alongside each product's matching conditioner in the Lab and on consumer testers at home. In the most recent test, experts narrowed down 97 new products to the top contenders based on claims and other factors.

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (52)

      In the Lab, scientists conducted a color fade resistance test: Human hair samples were dyed, washed and dried with each product 20 times and exposed to 19 hours of UV light to simulate a month of wear.

      Change in hair color was then calculated with the VeriVide DigiEye machine (below). Hair conditioning ability of the shampoo-conditioner sets was also determined using the Instron device, which measures the force needed to comb wet hair samples washed with the products.

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (53)

      Finally, the product labels were hidden to eliminate bias and distributed to consumer testers around the country, who used them for two weeks, then evaluated factors including ease of use, formula attributes, and the look of their color and the feel of hair after use. In the most recent shampoo for colored hair test, Lab experts tallied 208 technical measurements and 1,513 consumer survey responses to determine the winning formulas.

      What to look for in a shampoo for colored hair

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (54)

      Here are the GH Beauty Lab's top tips for buying the best shampoo for color-treated hair:

      ✔️ Check for specific color-protecting claims. Seek out trusted brands and specific claims about protecting hair color, advises GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. (An example: “provides long-lasting color vibrancy for up to 32 washes,” claimed by Redken Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner.) "Those types of claims, especially when made by a well-known brand, indicate a higher level of testing than very broad claims like 'helps keep hair looking vibrant' or 'for colored hair,'" she says.

      ✔️ Use the matching set. In GH Beauty Lab testing, "we always use the matching shampoo and conditioner set together because they are formulated to work the best together and are tested together during their development," Butler explains. "Claims about color protection are usually based on washing hair with both products in a set."

      ✔️ Don't worry about "sulfate-free." GH Beauty Lab color-protecting shampoo tests showed that sulfate-containing shampoos can actually perform better than sulfate-free formulas at preventing color fading," Butler reveals. "The overall formulation of the product is more important than the absence of a single ingredient."

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

      Do you really need special shampoo for colored hair?

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (55)

      Not necessarily, but it can't hurt (and could help). "The biggest contributor to color fading during your wash is actually the water, not the shampoo," Butler explains. "Hair science expert Dr. Trefor Evans describes in this article that dyed hair fades about the same whether it is washed with water and shampoo or just water." One way color-protecting shampoos help prevent fading is with special hydrophobic polymers that prevent the dye molecules in the hair strand from being washed away by water, she says. "You can also protect your hair color from fading by staying out of the sun, as UV light causes fading as well," Butler adds.

      Why trust Good Housekeeping?

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (56)

      Former GH Senior Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin worked closely with our Beauty Lab scientists to research and write this article. GH Beauty Director April Franzino most recently updated this story with the Beauty Lab's most recent shampoo for colored hair testing data and expert insights.

      GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler conducted the Beauty Lab's most recent test of shampoos and conditioners for colored hair and contributed commentary to the piece.

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (57)

      Jacqueline Saguin

      Senior Commerce Editor

      Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (58)

      April Franzino

      Beauty Director

      April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (59)

      Reviewed byChiara Butler

      Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst

      Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.

      According to Our Tests, This $6 Drugstore Shampoo Can Extend Colored Hair for a Month (2024)
      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Recommended Articles
      Article information

      Author: Arline Emard IV

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5858

      Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

      Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Arline Emard IV

      Birthday: 1996-07-10

      Address: 8912 Hintz Shore, West Louie, AZ 69363-0747

      Phone: +13454700762376

      Job: Administration Technician

      Hobby: Paintball, Horseback riding, Cycling, Running, Macrame, Playing musical instruments, Soapmaking

      Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.