Collection: Shampoo for Coloured Hair

Fine coloured hair: Fine hair is more vulnerable to colour damage because the cuticle layer is thinner. Look for lightweight, volumising formulas that protect colour without weighing strands down. Avoid heavy oils and butters that can make fine coloured hair look flat and dull.

Medium coloured hair: Medium hair types benefit from balanced formulas that provide both moisture and protection without being too heavy or too light. Choose a shampoo for coloured hair that is specifically designed for medium-density hair to help maintain colour vibrancy and hair health.

Thick or coarse coloured hair: Thicker hair can handle richer formulas. Look for a shampoo for coloured hair with nourishing oils and proteins that penetrate the thicker cuticle to lock in moisture and colour. Argan oil, macadamia, and hydrolysed keratin work well for this hair type.

Curly or wavy coloured hair: Curly hair is naturally more porous, which means colour fades faster and hair dries out more quickly after processing. Choose ultra-hydrating, sulphate-free formulas that define curls while sealing in colour. Avoid anything that creates friction or strips natural oils.

Bleached or heavily lightened hair: Bleaching opens the cuticle dramatically, making hair extremely porous and fragile. You need a deeply restorative hair shampoo for colored hair with bond-building ingredients like hydrolysed keratin, amino acids, and plant proteins to rebuild strength from the inside out.

Colour fading too fast: If your colour washes out within weeks, your shampoo is likely to blame. Regular shampoos often contain harsh sulphates that strip colour molecules from the hair shaft and accelerate colour fading, especially with frequent use. Switch to a gentle, sulphate-free formula and wash with cool or lukewarm water to seal the cuticle and lock colour in. To prevent colour fading from frequent use, try alternating with a colour-depositing shampoo designed to maintain vibrant, dyed hair and limit washing to every other day if possible.

Dry, brittle strands after colouring: Chemical processing lifts the hair cuticle and removes natural moisture. The result is dry, straw-like hair that snaps easily. Look for shampoos with hydrating botanicals like kakadu plum, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid that restore moisture without fading your colour.

Brassiness or unwanted tones: Blonde, silver, and light brown colours are prone to turning brassy or yellow over time, especially with sun exposure and hard water. A purple or blue-toning shampoo used once a week can neutralise warm tones, but your everyday shampoo should still be gentle and colour-safe.

Scalp irritation after colouring: Chemical processing can leave your scalp sensitive, itchy, or flaky. Choose a shampoo for coloured hair with soothing ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, and niacinamide that calm irritation while protecting your colour investment.

Sulphate-free: This is non-negotiable for coloured hair. Colour-treated hair is more porous, making it more susceptible to colour fading, which is why sulphate-free shampoos are essential. Sulphates (SLS, SLES) are the number one cause of premature colour fading. They strip colour molecules from the hair shaft along with natural oils. Gentle alternatives like coco-glucoside and decyl glucoside cleanse effectively without touching your colour.

Low pH: Low pH shampoos help to seal the hair cuticle, which is important for colour retention and preventing colour from fading too quickly.

Natural and botanical: Plant-based ingredients like kakadu plum (the world's richest source of vitamin C), rosemary, chamomile, and green tea provide antioxidant protection that shields colour from UV damage and environmental fading. Botanical formulas are gentler on processed hair than synthetic alternatives.

Vegan and cruelty-free: Choose brands that are certified cruelty-free with no animal-derived ingredients. Plant proteins like rice protein and quinoa protein strengthen coloured hair just as effectively as animal-based keratin.

Silicone-free: While silicones can make coloured hair feel smooth temporarily, they build up over time and create a barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating. This leads to dry, dull-looking colour underneath. Silicone-free formulas let your colour shine through naturally.

For maintaining vibrant colour, consider adding a colour-depositing shampoo to your routine, as it helps preserve hair colour and keeps dyed hair looking fresh between salon visits.

For most people with colour-treated hair, washing 2 to 3 times per week is ideal. Over-washing can strip away natural oils and cause your colour to fade faster, especially if you have fine hair or dry hair. If your hair tends to get oily quickly, as is often the case with fine hair, you might need to wash a bit more frequently, but always use a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo specifically designed for coloured hair.

Always use lukewarm or cool water when shampooing. Hot water can open the hair cuticle, allowing colour molecules to escape and leaving your hair looking dull. A cool rinse at the end of your wash helps seal the cuticle, locking in both colour and shine.

A sulphate-free shampoo is a must for anyone with dyed hair. Sulphates and other harsh cleansing agents can strip away colour and moisture, leaving hair dry and prone to breakage. Instead, look for colour-safe shampoos packed with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, and amino acids. These key ingredients help provide moisture, repair damage, and protect your colour from fading.

After every wash, use a colour-protecting conditioner to help seal the hair cuticle and lock in both moisture and colour. For best results, leave the conditioner on for a minute or two before rinsing. If you have coarse hair or hair that feels especially dry after colour treatments, a weekly hydrating mask can deliver an extra boost of nourishment and keep your colour looking vibrant.

If you're blonde or have lightened hair, brassy tones can creep in over time. Incorporate a purple shampoo into your routine once a week to neutralise unwanted warmth and keep your shade looking cool and fresh. Just remember, your everyday shampoo should still be a gentle, colour-safe formula.

Fine hair may need lighter, volumising formulas to avoid weighing strands down, while coarse or curly hair benefits from richer, more hydrating options. If you have sensitive skin or a sensitive scalp, opt for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic shampoos to avoid irritation.

Even the best shampoo can leave residue over time, especially if you use a lot of styling products. If your hair starts to feel heavy or looks dull, use a gentle, colour-safe clarifying shampoo once every few weeks to remove buildup without stripping your colour.

Heat tools can accelerate colour fade and damage the hair cuticle. Try to air dry when possible, and always use a heat protectant if you do reach for your straightener or curling iron.

Not all colour-safe shampoos are created equal. Look for formulas that are paraben-free, free from harsh sulphates, and packed with nourishing, hydrating ingredients. By establishing a shampooing routine that's tailored to your hair type and colour treatment, and by choosing gentle, colour-safe products, you'll keep your hair looking healthy, shiny, and vibrant between salon appointments.

This is the golden rule of colour care. After a salon colour or at-home dye, your hair cuticle is still open and the colour molecules are still settling into the cortex. Washing too soon literally rinses your fresh colour down the drain.

Wait at least 48 hours, ideally 72, before your first wash. When you do wash, use a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo for coloured hair to help maintain shine and softness. Colour-safe shampoos are specifically formulated to protect and maintain colour vibrancy, and even just one wash with the right shampoo can make a noticeable difference in how your hair feels and how vibrant your colour looks. Always use lukewarm water to give your colour the best chance of bonding fully to the hair shaft for longer-lasting results.

Every wash, no matter how gentle, removes some colour. The less you wash, the longer your colour lasts. For most coloured hair types, washing every 2 to 3 days is the sweet spot between freshness and colour preservation. Two to three times per week is generally sufficient for washing colour-treated hair.

On non-wash days, use a dry shampoo at the roots to absorb oil and extend your style. When you do wash, focus your shampoo for coloured hair on the scalp and roots only, letting it rinse through the lengths rather than scrubbing colour-treated ends directly.

Hot water opens the hair cuticle, allowing colour molecules to escape with every rinse. Lukewarm water is warm enough to cleanse effectively without lifting the cuticle. Finish every wash with a cool rinse to seal the cuticle shut and lock colour in.

This one simple change can extend your colour by weeks. It also adds shine, as a smooth, closed cuticle reflects light better than a rough, open one.

Coloured hair needs more moisture than untreated hair. The colouring process removes natural lipids from the hair shaft, leaving it porous and prone to dryness. A colour-safe conditioner applied from mid-lengths to ends after every wash helps seal the cuticle, lock in moisture, and prevent colour from bleeding out.

Once a week, use a deep conditioning mask or treatment to restore hydration and repair damage. Look for formulas with hydrolysed keratin, argan oil, or plant-based proteins that strengthen without weighing hair down. For damaged or colour-treated hair, consider adding a bond builder treatment to your routine. Bond builder products help repair and strengthen hair by targeting broken bonds within the hair structure, making them an excellent option for maintaining healthy, vibrant coloured hair.

UV exposure is one of the biggest causes of colour fading in Australia. The sun's rays break down colour molecules and oxidise pigments, turning vibrant shades dull and brassy. Use a leave-in treatment with UV protection before heading outdoors, and wear a hat during extended sun exposure.

When heat styling, always use a heat protectant spray. High temperatures from straighteners and curling irons open the cuticle and accelerate colour loss. Keep your tools at 180 degrees or below, and limit heat styling to 2 to 3 times per week where possible.

The truth: While sulphate-free is essential, it's not enough on its own. Some sulphate-free shampoos still contain harsh alcohols, high salt concentrations, or strong surfactants that can strip colour. The best shampoo for coloured hair combines gentle cleansing agents with colour-protecting ingredients like antioxidants, UV filters, and cuticle-sealing botanicals. These gentle cleansing agents are mild, sulphate-free surfactants that effectively clean hair without stripping colour or moisture.

Always read the full ingredient list. Look for gentle cleansers like coco-glucoside or decyl glucoside paired with nourishing actives that actively protect and extend your colour.

The truth: Coloured hair always needs conditioner. Chemical processing permanently alters the hair's structure, making it more porous and less able to retain moisture on its own. Even the most hydrating shampoo can't replace the cuticle-sealing, detangling, and protective benefits of a proper conditioner.

Apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends after every wash. For heavily processed or bleached hair, a leave-in conditioner adds an extra layer of protection and hydration throughout the day.

The truth: This is a holdover from early sulphate-free formulas that genuinely didn't lather or cleanse well. Modern colour-safe shampoos use advanced gentle cleansing agents that produce a satisfying lather and remove oil, dirt, and product buildup just as effectively as traditional shampoos, without stripping colour.

If your colour-safe shampoo doesn't feel like it's cleaning properly, you may need to double shampoo (two quick washes instead of one long one) or try a different formula. The right sulphate-free shampoo should leave your hair feeling clean, not filmy.

The truth: Colour fading doesn't stop after the first few washes. It's a gradual, ongoing process that happens every time your hair is exposed to water, UV light, heat, and environmental aggressors. Using regular shampoos, even occasionally, can be harsher and less suitable for colour-treated hair, often leading to dryness or colour fading. In contrast, colour-safe shampoos are specifically formulated to preserve hair health and colour vibrancy over time.

For the longest-lasting colour results, use a dedicated hair shampoo for colored hair every single wash, not just in the first week after colouring. Consistency is what makes the real difference in how long your colour stays vibrant.

The truth: Price doesn't guarantee colour protection. What matters is the formulation: no sulphates, no harsh alcohols, no high salt content, and the inclusion of genuine colour-protecting and hair-repairing ingredients. Many salon brands still use silicones and synthetic fillers that coat the hair rather than truly nourishing it.

Look at the ingredient list, not the price tag. A well-formulated botanical shampoo with genuine actives will outperform an expensive salon brand filled with synthetic ingredients every time. When choosing a shampoo, also consider the product experience, as some shampoos may have a strong scent, which can be either appealing or overpowering depending on your personal preference.

Sulphates are aggressive detergents that strip colour molecules from the hair shaft every time you wash. They're the single biggest cause of premature colour fading. A sulphate-free shampoo for coloured hair uses gentle surfactants like coco-glucoside that cleanse effectively without disturbing colour bonds. Additionally, low pH shampoos help to seal the hair cuticle, which is important for colour retention and keeping your hair vibrant.

Studies show that sulphate-free formulas can extend colour vibrancy by up to 40% compared to traditional sulphate-based shampoos. The transition is simple: just swap your regular shampoo for a colour-safe alternative and you'll notice the difference within your first colour cycle.

For maximum colour longevity, wash every 2 to 3 days. Every wash, even with the gentlest shampoo, removes some colour molecules. The less you wash, the longer your colour stays vibrant.

Between washes, use a dry shampoo at the roots to absorb oil and extend your style. When you do wash, focus your shampoo on the scalp and roots, letting it rinse through the lengths. Avoid scrubbing your colour-treated ends directly as this accelerates fading and causes mechanical damage.

The best shampoo for coloured hair contains ingredients that protect colour, repair damage, and add moisture. Look for:

• Antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, kakadu plum) to shield colour from UV and environmental damage
• Plant proteins (quinoa, rice, keratin) to rebuild and strengthen processed hair
• Natural oils (argan, jojoba, macadamia) to seal the cuticle and lock in colour
• Hydrating botanicals (aloe vera, chamomile, panthenol) to restore moisture lost during colouring
• Bond builder ingredients to help repair and strengthen damaged hair after chemical processes

Avoid sulphates, high salt content, harsh alcohols, and strong clarifying agents that strip colour with every wash. Opt for low pH and colour-safe shampoos to help seal the cuticle and retain colour.

Yes, significantly. Hot water opens the hair cuticle, allowing colour molecules to escape with every rinse. This is one of the most common and easily preventable causes of premature colour fading.

Wash with lukewarm water (not cold, just not hot) and finish with a cool rinse. The cool water closes the cuticle, sealing colour molecules inside and adding shine. This one change can extend your colour by several weeks.

It's not recommended. Even one wash with a sulphate-based shampoo can strip a noticeable amount of colour. The damage is cumulative, and once colour molecules are washed out, they don't come back until your next colour appointment.

For the best results, use a dedicated hair shampoo for colored hair every single wash. If you travel or forget your colour-safe shampoo, co-washing (using conditioner only) is a better alternative than reaching for a regular shampoo.

Australia's intense UV index is particularly harsh on coloured hair. UV rays break down colour molecules and oxidise pigments, causing vibrant shades to turn dull, brassy, or ashy. If you spend time outdoors, UV protection for your hair is just as important as sunscreen for your skin.

Hard water in many Australian regions contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that build up on the hair shaft, creating a dull film over your colour and making it look flat. A chelating or clarifying wash once a fortnight can remove mineral buildup and restore your colour's vibrancy.

Yes. Whether you have permanent colour, semi-permanent colour, balayage, highlights, lowlights, or a full head of bleach, a gentle sulphate-free shampoo is the safest choice. The gentler the formula, the less colour it removes with each wash.

Bleached and heavily lightened hair benefits the most from colour-safe formulas because the cuticle is more open and porous, making it more vulnerable to both colour loss and moisture loss. Look for bond-building and deeply hydrating formulas for this hair type.

Wait at least 48 to 72 hours after colouring before your first wash. During this time, the colour molecules are still oxidising and bonding to the hair cortex. Washing too soon disrupts this process and can result in patchy or quickly fading colour.

When you do wash for the first time, use lukewarm water and a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo for coloured hair. Be extra gentle with your hair during this first wash as the cuticle may still be slightly raised from the colouring process.

To keep your colour looking fresh, consider using a colour-depositing shampoo that adds pigment and helps maintain vibrancy. These shampoos are especially useful for red, copper, or vivid shades, and can help extend the life of your colour between appointments.

If you experience dandruff, choose colour-safe shampoos that are compatible with dandruff treatments. Look for formulas containing ingredients like zinc pyrithione or salicylic acid, which help manage flakes and soothe the scalp without stripping your colour. This way, you can address scalp health while preserving your hair colour.