8 Best Shampoos For Red Hair
Looking For The Best Shampoos For Red Hair
Gingers, we love you. For some reason, popular culture loves to tease our fellow redheads, but why should they? Ron Weasley, Thelma & Louise, and Ariel are a few examples of how red tresses can dominate the Hollywood scene.
Of course, these Blockbuster role models have the help of off-screen editing to help maintain that coveted gloss, volume, vibrant color. But reality check — we aren’t blessed with a 24/7 Instagram filter, which is why we rely on the help of shampoos, treatments, and conditioners.
Compared to blondes and brunettes, red hair needs more attention and care. Color preservation and shine are usually the main values customers look for in products. Other must-haves include anti-frizz solutions to help tame unkempt roots. Of course, shampoo for red hair (natural or dyed) should also be clean of harsh chemicals in order to prevent damaged roots.
8 Best Shampoos For Red Hair
For those who aren’t sure where to start, we’ll feature some of the best shampoos for red hair. This guide is full of shower essentials, including the Redken Color Extend Magnetics solution and the Amika Vault Sulfate-Free treatment. At the end of this listicle, you’ll also find some helpful pointers to keep in mind when buying shampoo.
#1: Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Color-Protecting Shampoo
Joico’s company mission is wholesome. They want everyone to feel the ‘joi’ of healthy hair. Founded in 1975, this hair obsessed brand is best known for its collection of color treatments and styling tools.
They’re a coveted celebrity fav, with big-listers like Mila Kunis and Julianne Hough using their solutions to help maintain their red carpet looks. Currently, founder Steve Stefano is the face of Joico products, who is an acclaimed hairdresser situated in Culver City, California.
The product we’re featuring today is the Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Color Protecting Shampoo. This revolutionary treatment is specifically designed for color-treated hair, as it’s formulated to increase elasticity, shine, and strength.
As an added bonus, this cleanser comes with UV protection to help guard your tresses against sun damage. Ingredients include a blend of oils, with African Manketti and argan at the forefront, keratin, and the brand’s SmartRelease system. Together, these elements aid in nourishing and rejuvenating your mane.
For some people, the Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Color Protecting solution is considered the best shampoo for red hair on the market. According to hundreds of customer reviews, this in-depth cleanser proved helpful in hair softening, color maintenance, and hydration.
It’s worth noting that this special shampoo cannot be bought at the brand’s official website. But you can find it at other partnered retailers such as Walmart for $23.
Related: View our full Joico Shampoo Review
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Designed to maintain rich color
- Key in restoring hydration, elasticity, and shine
- Formulated with good-for-you ingredients
- Protects the hair from heat styling and the sun
- Best paired with Joico’s conditioner, treatment, and glossing oil
#2: John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo
Calling all aspiring Jessica Rabbits! The Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo is what you need to attain that voluminous auburn bounce.
This color-maintaining cleanser is one of John Frieda’s best-selling formulas, and if you haven’t heard — this brand is an acclaimed favorite for many hair enthusiasts. For instance, celebs such as Camila Mendes and Gigi Hadid use John Frieda products within their daily routines.
Let’s talk about the company first. Created by a famous British hairdresser by the same name, John Frieda made its official debut around 1989. At the time, there was a veritable lack of at-home hair products, which proved troublesome for women who couldn’t find the time to visit their local salon.
The brand created an opportunity for women to buy luxury shampoos, conditioners, and treatments without the need for a license.
Over the years, John Frieda launched several products, including the Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo. Designed specifically for auburn hair, working to boost red tones and highlights to help provide dimension and depth.
It’s a great product for those who deal with fading, as it preserves color with every wash. This is thanks to its blend of ingredients, which includes vitamin E and pomegranate extract to enhance shine and smoothness.
Available on Amazon for $10, the John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo has received lots of love online. It’s definitely a recommended fav for several redheads, as customers report that it’s useful in hair rejuvenation and color maintenance.
Unfortunately, some buyers weren’t satisfied with the product’s performance, as it didn’t offer much improvement after continued use. But again, the number of negatives is quite scarce on the internet.
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Specifically designed for red hair
- Prevents color fading
- Made to induce depth, shine, and vibrancy
- Infused with good-for-you ingredients such as vitamin E
- Gentle enough for everyday use
- Is not a color depositing shampoo
- Safe to use on color-treated hair
#3: Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo
Redken offers a touch of Hollywood glam in their hair care products, and the Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo is no exception. This cosmetic company is the work of Beverly Hills starlet Paula Kent, and her hairdresser, Jheri Redding, who was known for creating what we now use as conditioner.
In the spirit of maintaining her Blockbuster image, she decided to open her own beauty supply store in 1960. From there on, it’s history. Redken continued to grow rapidly as a business, as they introduced collections such as the Extreme line and the Shades HQ selection to the public.
The Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo is Redken’s latest product, and hoo boy — it’s definitely a crowd favorite. Designed specifically for color-treated hair, this solution induces shine, vibrancy, and scalp health to help you achieve that perfect ‘do.
It’s powered by the brand’s system that targets your hair color in multiple ways, preventing color fading and overall hair damage. Ingredients-wise, this Redken best seller is a bit acidic but don’t let that scare you. It works to balance the pH levels locked away in your cuticles.
You should know that the Extend Magnetics Shampoo cannot be bought on Redken’s official website. But you can find the 10.1 oz bottle on Ulta Beauty for a semi-affordable $23.
The feedback for the Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo is overwhelmingly positive. There are thousands of reviews posted on the company’s official page, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, and Influenster.
Customers rave about its smell, cleaning abilities, and usefulness in preserving color. It’s a luxurious product that provides that salon-like experience in the comfort of your own home. No wonder it’s considered the best shampoo for red hair.
Like the shampoos we’ve featured so far, the Color Extend Magnetics solution isn’t completely free of negative reviews. For instance, some customers found the cleanser extremely drying, greasy, and overall ineffective. But don’t let the negativity get to you. If it’s any consolation, there are a lot more positive things to say with Redken rather than complaints.
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Made for color-treated hair
- Key in improving shine and vibrancy
- Prevents color from fading
- Free from sulphates
- Helps in balancing the pH levels of your hair
- Recommended by redheads alike
#4: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo
Why should you use something as fancy as the Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo? It’s because you’re worth it. Offered by cosmetic giant L’Oreal, this best-selling cleanser works wonders in hair protection and rejuvenation.
There’s a good chance that you’ve heard of this brand before, as they offer a broad collection of makeup and skincare products that usually dominate drugstore aisles.
L’Oreal’s road to fame took root in a chemical lab operated by Eugène Schueller. In 1909, he began making hair dyes for Parisian hairdressers — and that quickly became the catalyst for the hundreds of products that would come after it
. From the ownership of Chairman François Dalle to current CEO Jean-Paul Agon, L’Oreal continues to play a huge role in beauty history.
Now, let’s talk about this Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo. You can say that it’s a hybrid of sunscreen and hair care, as this solution is formulated with UV filters to help prevent sun damage.
In terms of color maintenance, it’s designed to hold up for a max of 60 days, if you wash your hair a max of 4 days per week while using their conditioner. Blended with antioxidants and linseed elixir, the shampoo is a champion in hair growth and scalp health.
According to several positive reviews, the $5 Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo is a shower must-have. It’s a game-changer that does wonders in promoting softness, shine, smell, and hydration. Customers report that this L’Oreal product is effective in color maintenance, as several redheads rate it with a thumbs up.
With that being said, some unsatisfied users experienced fading and hair damage after continued application. But since it’s branded the best shampoo for red colored hair on the internet, you can take care knowing that these complaints are quite small in number.
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Boosted with UV protection
- Designed to last up to 60 days
- Formulated for color-treated hair
- Works to prevent fading by implementing shine and vibrancy
- Infused with antioxidants and linseed
#5: Four Reasons Color Mask Toning Shampoo
If Four Seasons is the top dog of luxury hotels, then Four Reasons is the headliner of professional-grade hair care products. Designed for ‘real customers’, this cosmetic company values diversity and inclusivity as part of its core company mission.
You won’t find any photoshopped models and sleazy slogans here, as Four Reasons prioritizes people, passion, authenticity, and you to help make beauty-shopping as accessible as possible.
Founded in 1997, this Helsinki-based brand produces all of its products in Finland. It’s currently led by CEO Jyrki Hakala and is passionately supported by a team of sales representatives, customer care employees, marketing executives, and more.
You should know that Four Reasons is an entirely vegan brand. They’re also big on sustainability, as 99% of the brand’s packaging is recyclable.
While there are dozens of best sellers on Four Reasons’ website, we’ll only be discussing the Color Mask Toning Shampoo for our redheaded community. Specifically formulated for auburn tresses, this gentle cleanser maintains color and vibrancy with every rinse.
It’s infused with pigments to help provide depth and dimension to your colored hair or highlights. Best of all, this product removes static electricity, which usually causes that unwanted frizz.
Offered at $27 on Amazon, the Four Reasons Color Mask Toning Shampoo is definitely one of the more affordable luxury cleansers on the market. Customers seem to love this product, as it holds over 739 reviews on Google. It offered amazing results, as users reported that it did well in color maintenance while promoting shine.
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Considered a color-depositing shampoo
- Formulated for red hair
- Prevents fading
- Made without sulfates
- Removes static electricity to prevent frizz
- The formula intensifies if left in longer
#6: Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color
We can’t talk about luxury hair care products without including Oribe within the mix. Founded by Daniel Kaner, Tevya Finger, and renowned Cuban hairstylist Oribe Canales, this brand only produces the finest shampoos, treatments, and conditioners for its clientele.
They’re situated in New York City and have been making products since 2009. Oribe definitely puts the luxe in deluxe, as the company is the first hair care brand to implement fragrances within their formulas.
The Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color isn’t blended with the Côte d’Azur fragrance, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less indulgent. Designed to shield the hair from environmental stressors, this super deluxe formula utilizes the power of five different ingredients.
It includes ginger root and baobab tree extract, the brand’s UV protection system, a vegetable protein enhancer, and Oribe’s signature complex — which contains a mix of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower. Together, these additives provide hydration, sun filtration, and anti-aging benefits to help you get that voluminous, vibrant bounce.
The Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color is recommended for damaged and chemically-treated hair. Due to its numerous benefits, this cleanser is one of the more expensive products we’ve featured so far. It retails for over $46 for a regular-sized bottle and $147 for an entire liter. But you can probably get away with a travel-sized container for just $16.
Despite its expensive price, customers report that the Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color is definitely worth the money. This gentle cleanser lathers beautifully, leaves behind a wonderful smell, and is key in boosting hydration. Not only is this solution considered the best shampoo for red hair for some, but it’s also effective for brunettes, blondes, and greys.
Related: To learn more check out our Oribe Hair Products Review
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Infused with several botanicals, including ginger root, baobab, and edelweiss
- Designed to preserve color and shine
- Made for damaged and chemically-treated hair
- Boosted with sun protection to prevent fading
- Very hydrating
#7: Davines Alchemic Red Hair Shampoo
Davines has been pioneering high-quality hair care since 1983. Heritage-owned by the Bollati family, this company grew from a research company to a renowned B Corp that’s known in over 90 countries.
Despite its ever-growing success, Davines still believes that sustainable beauty is the future of beauty. According to their most recent report, the brand states that a majority of their products are made out of naturally sourced ingredients.
The Davines Alchemic Red Hair Shampoo is no different, as it’s boosted with vitamin B to help protect and hydrate damaged tresses. It’s adapted for natural and chemically treated ‘dos, which makes this one of the best shampoo for dyed red hair so far.
Ethical shoppers will be happy to know that this product is formulated without the use of sulfates, parabens, or silicones. Designed to enhance auburn tones, this gentle cleanser can help you get that Ariel-inspired shade in no time. In addition, this solution is also key in hydration and shine.
Made to be used regularly, the Davines Alchemic Red Hair Shampoo clocks in at $30. It’s expensive, but worth the price. The reviews are not as impressive as other products we’ve featured, but it’s still considered the best shampoo for red hair according to its loyal customers. Based on several testimonials online, it’s helpful in color preservation, vibrancy, and hydration.
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Made specifically for red hair
- Formulated without silicones, sulfates, and parabens
- Designed to enhance red tones for natural or chemically colored hair
- Infused with vitamin B
- Very hydrating
#8: Amika Vault Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Like many industries, the hair care market is cold, corporate, and over-commercialized. Amika, on the other hand, ensures that customers feel a sense of diversity and inclusivity when shopping through their website.
Aside from its love of beauty, this cosmetic brand has been heavily involved in activist movements since 2020. For instance, they’re affiliated with Black Lives Matter and the Stop Asian Hate movement.
This New York-based company is still under the leadership of boss babe team Nir and Shay Kadosh, Vita Raykhman, and Chelsea Riggs. Since 2007, Amika has produced hundreds of best-selling products, such as the Vault Sulfate-Free Shampoo.
Formulated to lock in color, this advanced solution is enhanced with soybean oil and a blend of amino acids, working together to increase hydration and hair elasticity. One of the reasons why this cleanser is considered the best shampoo for red hair is that it’s color safe and free from sulphates. On top of that, it also provides UV sun protection to prevent fading.
The Vault Sulfate-Free Shampoo is offered at four different price points: $55 for one liter, $19 for 300 ml, and $16 for 236 ml or $9 for 60 ml. It’s definitely worth trying out, given that there are dozens of positive reviews online.
Customers stated the cleanser has a wonderful scent, provided lots of hydration, and a coveted shine. In terms of color preservation, you can take care knowing that this Amika shampoo is free from false advertising.
Related: For more information view our Amika Hair Products Review
Why It’s Good for Red Hair
- Suited for color-treated hair
- Offers sun protection
- Boosted with soybean oil and amino acids
- Keratin safe
- Devoid of gluten, sulfate, parabens, and minerals
- Prevents color fading
What Are the Benefits of a Shampoo for Red Hair?
Compared to regular shampoo, color-treated solutions work to preserve the vibrancy of your hair. You still get the benefits of a traditional cleanser, but most of these formulas come with color-depositing pigments and specific ingredients in order to prevent fading.
One of the most common causes of dull hair is sun exposure. According to experts, UVA/UVB rays tend to expose remaining natural pigments, which can lead to brassy tones.
As you’ve probably already noticed, the best shampoo for red hair usually includes color protection and hydration. Some professionals state that these treatments are generally milder than leading alternatives, which help reduce frizz and overall damage.
How Often Should Redheads Wash Their Hair?
We get it — that ‘fresh out of the shower’ feeling is something worth looking forward to at the end of the day. Unfortunately, daily hair washing comes with its own set of disadvantages. For one, it can strip away natural oils in your scalp, leading to dry and brittle tresses and other consequences, which can include split ends and dandruff.
The same principle applies to redheads as well, but since they’re on the more colorful side of the spectrum — they’re more prone to color fading.
Most experts agree to wash your hair two or three times a week, but it generally depends on how healthy (or damaged) your tresses are. The general rule of thumb is to prevent over-shampooing, as some treatments are too harsh on a daily basis.
How Do You Maintain Red Hair?
Whether you have red, brown, or blonde hair, proper care and maintenance are essential in order to prevent breakage and dehydration. Some general no-nos include daily hair washing, using chemically ridden formulas, and over-styling. Of course, proper diet and routine cuts can go a long way in maintaining healthy hair.
For redheads, the rules stay the same. If anything, they’re recommended more forcefully as auburn hair tends to fade faster. Hair stylists recommend sticking to sulfate-free shampoos and implementing a semi-routine shampoo schedule every week. Also, you should probably wear a hat when it’s sunny outside to maintain the vibrant color.
Choosing the Best Shampoos for Red Hair: Things to Consider
Like skincare, shampoos require some investigative skills. Buried within product claims and glitzy marketing, you may find some questionable ingredients hidden in each item description.
This bodes especially true for redheads, as they need to look out for sulfate-ridden formulas and solutions specifically meant for natural hair. Nowadays, some alternatives tend to only cater to chemically-treated tresses.
As a preliminary guide, we’ll touch on a few points to consider when looking for the best shampoo for red hair.
Brand
In 2020, Monat went under fire for selling a shampoo that caused hair loss. Naturally, with a reputation that sullied, you’d want to stay away from that brand as possible.
Case studies aside, reputation is absolutely crucial when picking a company. This means no controversies and limited negative reviews.
The best way to gauge a brand’s reputation is to look up some common customer feedback. It’s usually a good sign if the product in question holds thousands of reviews. With that being said, some underground boutiques don’t hold as many testimonials as cosmetic giants like L’Oreal, but that shouldn’t deter you from giving them a chance.
Ingredient Quality
The best shampoo for red hair is relatively free of preservatives. Research has found that chemicals like parabens and formaldehyde have links to cancer. Other cons include general skin irritation and loss of hair color when used in copious amounts.
On the other hand, natural ingredients like ginger root, vitamin E, and pomegranate extract are completely safe to use. Most of these additives are used to boost hair rejuvenation and moisture retention. While it’s easy to gloss over a botanically-made formula and call it a day, we urge you to look up its effects to help differentiate truth from false advertising.
Quantity
Luxury formulas are usually hailed as the holy grail of hair care, but are you really getting your money’s worth? Spending $40 on shampoo may seem outrageous at first glance, but you have to consider its advantages compared to traditional alternatives.
For instance, a regular-sized bottle of Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color retails for a staggering $46. Yes, it is very expensive, but the price is justified by the type of ingredients it uses.
In addition, you’ll also need to account for the number of times you wash your hair. While most of the shampoos we’ve covered are safe for daily use, most experts agree you only need to clean your hair two or three times per week.
Additional Benefits
The purpose of shampoo is to clean the hair of dirt and excess oil. That means benefits like hydration, color preservation, and fragrance are add-ons. In most cases, some formulas are designed to be vegan, free from sulphates, and devoid of harsh substances, which may seem advantageous to some customers.
Other benefits include hair compatibility. An ideal shampoo can be used for all hair types, whether it’s straight, curly, coily, or wavy.
Price
We’re pretty sure most of you are accustomed to spending $5 to $12 on shampoo. But, as you’ve probably already noticed, the best shampoo for red hair is well beyond this price range. Ultimately, it’s important for customers to account for their budget when picking a brand. Can you afford Oribe? Or is L’Oreal calling your name?
As we mentioned before, the price depends on the quantity you get. After all, why spend more than $20 on a travel-sized container when you can get it full-sized somewhere else?
Final Thoughts
Finding the best shampoo for red hair doesn’t have to be a fruitless search. There are dozens of high-grade formulas on the market to choose from, and each alternative comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Of course, auburn hair requires a bit of maintaining compared to brunettes and blondes. For instance, we’ve learned that color preservation, sun protection, and hydration are important benefits to have in shampoo. And keeping your hair static free can help make that vibrant red color shine.
Even if you haven’t settled on a specific brand, we’re hoping that you at least learned something when it comes to overall dyed red hair maintenance.
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