Trying to find the best shampoo for coloured hair in the UK? You’ve come to the right place.
Coloured hair is never out of style. But as you already know, it also requires extra care. It’s important to find the right product, especially the right shampoo.
In this article, we discuss what you should look for in a shampoo for coloured hair. Then we give you our top recommendations, each with a detailed product description.
For a view of our top three picks, see table below or keep reading for the full guide…
Table of Contents
How Each Hair Colour Treatment Works
Colouring one’s hair has been considered one of the most fun ways to jazz up your look. Others colour their hair to enhance their natural colour. Below are three of the most common types of hair colouring.
Semi-permanent Hair Colour
Using colour molecules that coat the exterior of your hair. Although this is great for enhancing or refreshing your natural colour, the dye used here easily fades with constant shampooing
Highlights
This is one of the more popular methods of hair colouring. What it does is it removes pigment from one’s hair through oxidation. The oxidation agent that’s commonly used is bleach, or in some cases, hydrogen peroxide.
Permanent Hair Colour
This hair colouring method is what lasts the longest, but this also poses the highest risk of damage. It typically uses an oxidizer and ammonia mixed with the colouring agent.
Maintaining Colour-Treated Hair
Regardless of what treatment method has been used, the chemical affects the overall health of your hair. The most common effects of colour treatment are reduced elasticity, chances of breakage, dryness, and split ends.
The most important part of maintaining colour-treated hair is using the right shampoo. It has to be colour-safe and should have extra conditioning and restoring ingredients. This is to ensure that your hair stays hydrated and healthy.
Best Shampoos for Coloured Hair in the UK
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What makes coloured hair sensitive are constant washing, exposure to the sun, and other factors, such that after some time, your hair’s colour loses its shine and intensity. The new L’Oreal Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo contains formula that acts on three areas of your coloured hair: intensity, luminosity, and reflection. It contains ingredients that condition your hair so that its colour is preserved. The formula is enriched with UVA/UVB filters which protect the hair from external aggression so that it stays looking full of life. The nourishment in the shampoo also smooths the surface of your hair so that its shine is revived and the radiance is prolonged.
The laboratory testing conducted by this shampoo’s developers have proven that 80% of your hair’s colour is preserved even after 28 weeks of constant washing.
Pros:
- Works on all hair colours
Cons:
- Contains no milk ingredients as opposed to most shampoos
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The Plantur 39 250ml Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo has been specifically engineered for coloured and stressed hair. When your hair is coloured, it undergoes a significant amount of stress because of its exposure to the chemicals that the colouring agent contains. This shampoo aims to combat the effects of such chemical exposure-induced stress.
Additionally, this shampoo is meant for those who are over the age of 40, which is when hair tends to grow thinner and and may fall out. The caffeine content of the shampoo prevents premature exhaustion of hair growth.
Pros:
- Encourages strong hair roots and hair growth
- Fights effects of chemical exposure due to hair colouring as well as premature hair exhaustion
Cons:
- Requires regular, daily use for benefits to be observed
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The Matrix Biolage Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner is one of the most recommended shampoos by hair stylists to those who have just dyed their hair. It works on all shades, which is great especially for those who constantly change hair colour and would not want to keep looking for the right shampoo for each colour.
It has a protective, ultra-mild cleansing system which works very well with chemically processed hair, i.e. hair that has undergone colour treatment.
Ingredients used in manufacturing this product include extracts of chamomile, henna, nettles, and sunflower seed oil to help preserve the radiance of colour-treated hair, keeping it looking healthy.
Pros:
- Doubles as both shampoo and conditioner
- Protein-rich content which detangles and moisturises hair
Cons:
- Not ideal for bleached hair
- Contains sulphate which can dissolve all of the natural oils on your scalp, thus leaving your hair and scalp drier than normal
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This replenishing shampoo was developed with hair that’s been made sensitive due to colour treatment in mind, protecting it from damage, as well as preserving its glow and colour. The key contents of this shampoo are keratin, UV filter, and protein, each performing an important function in keeping coloured hair healthy and well-protected.
Upon application, the coloured hair is left softer and shinier.
The package comes with four bottles of 400 ml each.
Pros:
- Leaves a subtle pleasant smell on the hair
Cons:
- Not intended for adding volume to hair
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What this shampoo from Vision Haircare does best are two things: colour-preservation and moisturisation. It contains argan oil which is deeply hydrating. Argan oil is also proven to soften hair. It contains a high content of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, all increasing the hair’s elasticity and and restoring the hair’s shine.
It also contains bamboo extracts. Bamboo extract serves the purpose of clearing the hair ducts so that hair can grow and plays a role in removing the build-up of pollutants, body oils, and chemicals on the hair, bamboo extract can also add a natural shine and luster to your hair.
These two ingredients are what your hair needs for it to keep its colour and health.
Pros:
- One of the few sulphate-free shampoos for coloured hair
Cons:
- None reported
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What’s great about this shampoo is it also functions very effectively as a conditioner.
It contains gold mica which highlights brunette, copper, and red tones. So you won’t have to worry about losing your shade.
This shampoo and conditioner is formulated with sweet almond oil full of vitamin E for essential nutrients and antioxidants to reduce the formation of free radicals.
Additionally, it contains coconut oil which is rich in fatty acids for penetration, conditioning, and softening of coloured hair.
Other powerful ingredients include Amodimethicone which prevents static and flyaways for smooth and frizz-free hair.
Your coloured hair’s moisture is retained thanks to the Vitamin B5 in the shampoo and conditioner.
Pros:
- Works as both shampoo and conditioner that protects and preserve hair colour as well as keep the hair healthy and smooth
Cons:
- Great for preserving colour but not meant for protection against breakage and heat damage
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One of the things that people whose hair has been colour-treated dread is fast fading of the colour. The OGX Fade-Defying + Orchid Oil Shampoo is the answer to that. Specifically designed to protect and enhance the colour, it was formulated with a powerful blend of Orchid Oil, Grape Seed Oil and sun filter, ensuring that premature fading fading is avoided, resulting in long-lasting vibrancy. This replenishing formula with sulphate free surfactants will make everyday a bright and beautiful hair day.
Pros:
- Ideal for everyday use, works well with all hair types and colours
- Sulphate-free option for protecting and preserving hair colour
Cons:
- Some users have reported that though effective in preserving hair colour, it can leave the hair dry and unmanageable
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You can be assured that your hair colour and shine are maintained with this Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed Shampoo And Conditioner. Besides protection from premature colour fading, this solution also provides a lasting treatment to locks. It contains compounds that strengthen and firm the hair, fully conditioning and protecting the hair.
Besides the above, this shampoo also contains enriching Vitamin E and body-lifting sunflower oil which help remove residue and renew moisture.
Pros:
- Rich with shielding additives that naturally enhance the vibrancy and prolong the appearance
Cons:
- Contains sulphate which can dissolve all of the natural oils on your scalp, thus leaving your hair and scalp drier than normal
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Redken Color Extend Magnetics package contains both shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated to keep your coloured hair looking fresh and with preserved colour intensity. It nourishes your colour and leaves your hair soft and smoother.
Pros:
- Dermatologically tested to extend the life of your hair’s colour
Cons:
- This shampoo/conditioner is on the pricier side
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Wrap-up
Using the right hair product is very important to make sure that your hair colour is preserved, and also to protect it from the damaging effects of colour treatment. Among the shampoos listed here, our favourite is the No products found.. It addresses three areas of your coloured hair: intensity, luminosity, and reflection. Most importantly, it’s budget-friendly.