Best drugstore shampoo and conditioner for colored hair

Sulfate-free | Citrus | 8.5 oz | Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (bond rebuilder) 

“Color processing of any sort can damage the bonds of your hair,” explains Blackstone NYC colorist Patti O’Gara. “This sulfate-free shampoo will rebuild the bonds damaged through coloring, gradually transforming dry, broken, and brittle hair back to a healthier state.” Fred Connors, the owner and creative director of FRED Salon, adds that this “game changer” shampoo also eliminates frizz. And Jenny Jacome, a partner at the salon Fox and Jane in New Jersey, promises this “will repair, restore, hydrate, and add shine.” Although this product was originally intended for bleached hair, both O’Gara and Connors agree that Olaplex No. 4 is suitable for all hair types, especially those who are dealing with hair that feels compromised by chemical processing. It’s also a great choice for those who have gone a nontraditional route with their hair dye and are feeling the effects of turning their hair pink or lilac, which tends to be hard on the hair. For an additional boost of repair, O’Gara recommends pairing this with Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. Jacome agrees: “Olaplex No. 4 is intended to go hand in hand with the rest of the Olaplex bonding system.” (Olaplex is also a favorite of Strategist contributor Rio Viera-Newton, who relied on the No. 3 treatment to keep her double-processed hair healthy and happy.)

Sulfate-free | Rose | 13.5 oz | Coconut oil, murumuru butter

For those looking to inexpensively maintain their color in between appointments, Connors recommends the Love Beauty and Planet Blooming Color Shampoo. “This shampoo is formulated like much more expensive designer brands, with ethically sourced ingredients” such as Bulgarian rose and Amazonian murumuru butter, which nourishes hair and gives loads of shine. The formula is also vegan, plant based, and cruelty-free.

Sulfate-free| Powdery floral | 9.47 oz. | Roucou and sunflower-seed oil

Jacome calls Davines Oi Shampoo “perfect for folks who need to wash their hair every day” because the Roucou- and sunflower-seed-oil–infused formula is extremely hydrating and gentle. “It leaves your hair shiny and soft,” she says, while also giving “an iridescence to your color that makes it look freshly done.”

Sulfate-free | Floral | 9.3 oz | Purple-depositing pigment 

Blonde hair has a tendency to take on yellow or green tones over time. To protect blondes from getting brassy, Thompson’s go-to is Rahua Color Full Shampoo, which deposits violet color into the hair’s cuticle to counteract the brassiness. “It’s the purple shampoo you have been looking for,” she promises. The chemical-free and plant-based formula also gives a healthy lather that comes from a coconut oil surfactant rather than a drying detergent, “so it’s very gentle on the hair,” adds Anessa Daviero of Headdress Hair Salon.

Sulfate-free | Green tea | 8.5 oz | Macadamia nut oil

Gregorio Ruggeri of Salon Ruggeri loves this David Mallett shampoo for clients who have had a balayage treatment or are highlighted and need to add an extra dose of hydration after the extra stress of these services. “This whole range is as light as a feather but nourishes, heals, and revitalizes effectively,” he promises.

Sulfate-free | Fruity | 9.2 oz | Jasmine and mandarin oil, shea butter

If you’re regularly heading to the salon for heavy treatments, such as blonding (or keratin treatments), Siobhan Benson of CutLoose BK recommends a pH balance–restoring shampoo. This one from Mr Smith not only soothes her clients’ stressed hair but is also extremely “moisturizing to the scalp” — we shouldn’t forget that skin needs some TLC, too. Benson also finds the shampoo’s jasmine and mandarin scent “delightful.”

Sulfate-free | Citrus | 3.38 oz | Blue depositing pigment 

O’Gara typically tells her clients to wash once a week with a toning shampoo to “stay ahead of the brass that will naturally set in as the oxidation process unfolds in between color services.” She loves Fanola No Orange, a blue pigmented shampoo for brunettes struggling with unwanted orange tones. “One to two applications should subtly tone the hair, extending the life of those pricey highlights,” she adds. But it’s best to use such shampoos no more than once a week, as excessive use can not only dry the hair but cause an overload of purple or blue pigment that leaves the intended color looking drab.

Sulfate-free | Fruity floral | 10 oz | Musk-rose oil and antioxidant-rich goji-berry extract

“The most important thing for redheads is to ensure that the color pigment stays put and does not get washed out of the hair,” which can happen with products that have too many sulfates or too many detergents, says Ruggeri. He likes Shu Uemura Color Lustre because it’s infused with musk-rose oil and antioxidant-rich goji-berry extract to protect hair dyed red from fading. Stylist Mark Ryan is another fan, telling us the shampoo will not only enhance shine but “protect your color from fading for weeks.”

Sulfate-free | Fresh | 8 oz | Phytantriol, Proprietary Amino Cleansing Complex

O’Gara calls this her “go-to for dry hair” because it is formulated with a reparative compound that will “mend your frizz, leaving hair soft, shiny, and healthy.” While Living Proof Restore Shampoo also has a sulfate-free proprietary amino cleansing complex — which is typically synonymous with suds-free — it will still “work up a nice lather” for those who prefer the clean feeling that comes from a deeper cleansing without stripping. It also has phytantriol, which preserves color and reduces damage.

Non–sulfate-free | Fruity | 8.4 oz | UV protectant 

Sachajuan Colour Protect Shampoo can add serious shine to oily hair without weighing it down because the formula is designed to pump hair full of volume and nourishment. Jordan recommends it, adding the shampoo is also a “super-gentle cleanser that does not strip color” and is formulated with a UV protectant. Jordan tells us that while Sachajuan does use sulfates (and is the only shampoo on this list that does), the ingredients are produced in “small batches in Sweden” and give fantastic results, which is why she still recommends it. When I got my hair highlighted in the fall, this was the shampoo I began using (after Sachajuan was kind enough to send it to me), and I can say with certainty that Jordan did not overpromise: My color lasted for months and my hair looked great after each wash.

Sulfate-free | Fresh | 8.4 oz | Green-tea extract, oat protein

For fine, color-treated hair, Connors suggests Kevin Murphy’s Angel Wash. It contains green-tea extract, which “increases hair elasticity,” and oat protein, which “adds fullness while protecting color and gives fine hair body and shine,” he explains. As an added plus, the packaging is made from recycled ocean-waste plastic, making it beneficial for both your hair and the earth, he says.

Sulfate-free | Sage, vanilla | 10 oz | Coconut oil, shea butter, tamanu-seed oil, jojoba oil

For highly textured, curly, and coarse hair, Thompson suggests this Innersense shampoo. It contains a blend of coconut oil, shea butter, tamanu-seed oil, and jojoba oil to pump hair full of moisture, as well as sage and ylang-ylang essential oil to cleanse and balance the scalp.

Sulfate-free | Vanilla and cashmere | 8.8 oz | Wheat protein

If you want to preserve your salon-fresh color and add shine, Maria Elizabeth of deZEN salon suggests the pH-balancing Everlasting Color Wash. She says it “gently cleanses the hair close to the cuticle for a shine that helps lock in color,” while also stopping mineral accumulation, which may damage the hair. The result, according to Elizabeth, is a more vibrant color and a glossy sheen for healthier-looking color-treated hair.