At some point in our lives, we'll dabble in the best hair dye, and if you're lighter and brighter, bleaching may be the one for you - so you'll need to invest in shampoo for bleached hair. Whether you use these as a protectant before you start the bleaching process or add them into your routine to strengthen those strands, you need them for your next hair wash day.
The truth is that hair repair and longevity really start with what we're using at home in our everyday routines. Even the slightest change in the your shampoo can make a difference. The truth is, knowing what we put on our hair is the first step in taking better care of our hair health.
If you've got the blonde hair dye bug or you've just gone for a new look, your hair may start to feel a little, er, damaged. It's inevitable with bleaching that your hair starts to feel drier and split. Even the most experienced hairstylists can't stop hair from getting more tangled when you're stripping your hair proteins with strong chemical bleach.
Closer's best shampoo for bleached hair at a glance:
Best shampoo for bleached hair overall (Editor's Choice): Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle, £56 on LookFantastic
Best reparative shampoo for bleached hair: OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo, £5.66 on Amazon
Best toning shampoo for bleached hair: Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo, £28 on Space NK
When it comes to bleached hair, you might even want to team it up with the best toners to rid your hair of unwanted brassy tones. To make it extra easy for you, we've hunted down all the best shampoos for bleached hair to restore your hair back to health again.
SHOP: The best shampoo for bleached hair
Editor's Choice
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Of course, first on our list is bond repair leader, Olaplex. The shampoo from Olaplex helps to retain strong strands and repairs once broken bleached locks. If you struggle with dry and stressed bleached hair, the patented bond actives in Olaplex help to maintain and prevent permanent hair damage.
This set comes in a bundle with the conditioner, too, so you can keep the bond repair going throughout your constant hair routine. Described as the 'best set ever', one reviewer said that their hairdresser noticed a difference in the healthiness of the hair.
Pros
- Comes in a set with matching conditioner
- Real results have shown an improvement in hair quality
- Patented bond you won't find anywhere else
Cons
- Too much product may make hair greasy
Best reparative shampoo for bleached hair
AmazonCoconut oil is a great natural moisturiser for hair and also works as a sealant to protect any proteins that might be lost in heavy bleaching. This OGX Miracle Oil is aimed at damaged hair especially, so you'll want to snap it up if you're heavy on the split ends. Great for damaged hair or hair that is been excessively bleached, this shampoo is a fab budget option which one customer has dubbed 'the only product to nourish their hair'. It's a no-brainer.
Pros
- A ridiculously good price
- Infused with coconut oil for conditioning
- Aimed at damaged hair to restore health
Cons
- May take some time to rinse out properly
Best toning shampoo for bleached hair
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Everyone who's had their hair bleached knows how hard it is to keep that blonde looking fresh and just as good as when you first had it done. Olaplex has smashed it out of the park with this No. 4P which doubles up as a toner as well as a shampoo. Fans of the product have claimed that it's 'incredible' on bleached, blonde hair. Brassy tones, be gone.
Pros
- Patented bond you won't find anywhere else
- Free from parabens, phosphates, phthalates, sulphates and DEA
- Rids of brassy tones over time
Cons
- May need to use it for a while to see results
Best moisturising shampoo for bleached hair
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Shea butter is another ingredient you want to be indulging your hair in to get it in mint condition after being bleached. This Maui Moisture Shampoo is packed with Shea butter as well as aloe vera to keep your locks super smooth and retain moisture naturally. One reviewer dubbed this product as the 'best shampoo they've ever bought', going on to say that it makes the hair feel soft and easy to handle. What's not to love?
Pros
- Includes shea butter which is naturally conditioning
- Helps retain moisture over time
- Smells great
Cons
- May not be as effective on healthy hair
Best protein-infused shampoo for bleached hair
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If your hair is already suffering from the damage of bleaching, then this Redken shampoo is a nourishing treatment for your hair. Infused with protein, this cleanses your locks whilst keeping them shiny. Redken know a thing or two about a professional treatment at home. Reviewers state this shampoo helps to restore hair from looking lifeless and has a pleasant smell.
Pros
- Nourishing with protein treatments to keep hair shiny
- Ideal for damaged hair
- pH balanced formula
Cons
- Should be used only once or twice a week
Best affordable shampoo for bleached hair
AmazonKeeping bleached hair lush and well-hydrated can be a very expensive exercise. Fortunately, PROVOKE understands our struggles and has created the most affordable strengthening shampoo on the market without compromising on quality. One reviewer raved about the Blonde Rehab No.2 Strengthening Shampoo, dubbing it as a long-term solution to dry hair, with it's pro-bonding complex with keratin and hyaluronic acid infusion.
Pros
- A ridiculously good price
- Contains a pro-bonding complex
- Sulphate-free formula
Cons
- May not lather as well as other shampoos
Best shampoo for bleached hair with Argan oil
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Remember when everyone was ob-sessed with Argan oil? Well, now you can get it as a shampoo too, and it's especially good for bleached hair. Rich in antioxidants, this Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo from Hask protects your hair from further damage. We love this shampoo for its ability to leave the hair soft and frizz-free, and reviewers love it for it's ability to 'add shine, tame frizz, and provide moisture without weighing down the hair'.
Pros
- Argan oil is naturally moisturising
- Best for colour treated hair
- Rich in antioxidants for protection
Cons
- May encourage dandruff if your scalp is already oily
Best sulfate-free shampoo for bleached hair
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Sulphate-free shampoos have been flying off the shelves recently because they're far better for your hair than regular shampoos. What are sulphates? An ingredient put in shampoos to help them lather, but can strip the hair of moisture and natural oils. Luckily enough, Herbal Essences has put together this nifty sulphate-free option that also has naturally repairing ingredients, like aloe vera and mango. Even better, we also love that it smells amazing.
Pros
- Sulphate-free to protect your hair
- Has a lovely smell
- Naturally repairing ingredients
Cons
- May not lather as well as other shampoos
Best cruelty-free shampoo for bleached hair
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This Manuka honey and yoghurt shampoo by Shea Moisture is packed with repairing proteins to restore hair to its full potential. Sulphate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free, this will improve smoothness whilst being a top choice to keep your hair manageable after those bleaching sessions. One to have on your radar, even reviewers are saying this cruelty-free shampoo is better than conditioner.
Pros
- Cruelty-free, sulphate-free and paraben-free
- A little product goes a long way
- Improves smoothness from first use
Cons
- Too much product may make hair greasy
Do you need special shampoo for bleached hair?
Yes, you do. A regular shampoo is not going to have the restorative ingredients that repairing shampoos do. Shampoos for bleached hair will have elements such as chemical bond-builders, as well as vitamins, natural oils, and natural proteins.
Some shampoos, especially cleansing shampoos and shampoos for stripping hair colour, contain stronger ingredients that strip the hair of its colour. In turn, they can also strip the hair of its moisture. It's vital that you treat bleached hair with conditioning hair masks and oils to treat dry hair that usually comes with bleached tresses.
With blonde hair, the best purple shampoo for bleached hair can help to tone down any warmth or brassiness. If you bleach your hair, a purple shampoo or toner is essential if you want to keep your bleached hair looking salon-worthy and brass-free.
How can I repair my bleached hair?
When it comes to bleaching already-damaged hair, you may be fighting a losing game. The truth is, when your hair is damaged, the only way to fully get it back to its full potential is by cutting off all the dead ends.
If you're not willing to cut your hair just yet, then we have some handy tips for you from Ellie Hogan, founder of Loxies Hairwear, the viral TikTok heatless curl brand:
"Reduce using direct heat such as hair wands and straighteners as much as possible. Bleached hair is extra fragile and using heated tools can cause extra damage to the cuticle and inner structure of the hair. Heat also causes colour fade which is a nightmare for blondes trying to keep brassy tones away. Try to limit it to once a week and always use a good heat protection spray!"
"Be gentle with wet hair. Your hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet so you need to be extra careful when detangling and styling. Always use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush such as a Tangle Teezer to avoid breakage. Another tip is to use a microfibre towel on your hair to dry it, this helps to avoid ‘roughing up’ your hair's cuticle which would lead to breakage."
"Be careful with silver shampoos as they can be quite drying, especially when used every day. Silver shampoos aren’t as nourishing as some other shampoos so can cause hair to become dry and brittle when used too often. Opt for a repairing shampoo and alternate between that and your silver shampoo for healthy and shiny hair!"
How do I keep my bleached hair healthy and strong?
Ellie continues "Use hair masks regularly to help repair the hair. Look for bond-building products such as Olaplex, these have been designed to restore dry and damaged hair, making it perfect for bleached locks."
"Ask your hairdresser to add a bond builder to your colouring service. Adding a bond builder helps prevent the disulphide bonds in your hair from breaking down during chemical treatments meaning stronger and healthier hair."
"Oils are great for protecting your hair from breakage. Try applying them before washing your hair for a deep treatment and to protect your hair during washing. You can also apply a small amount daily to your ends to add extra nourishment and shine. Argan oil is a great all-rounder containing lots of vitamins to help moisturise and nourish your hair."
Caitlin Casey was a Senior Commerce Writer for Closer for three years, specialising in sex and wellness content. She has written across various publications since 2017 and covers shopping, fashion, beauty, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.