The best shampoo for red hair to keep those locks fiery

You'll be looking spicy 🌶️

best shampoo for red hair

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

Red hair dyes may look striking and fierce - but they also need a lot of maintenance to ensure the colour stays vibrant, so that's where the best shampoo for red hair comes in. If you want your locks to look fiery, fresh (and like you've just left the salon), red shampoo is only going to enhance those red tones.

From OG Amy Childs to Cheryl's infamous burgundy locks, celebs have been known to dress up their hair in the hot-to-trot colour. Dianne Buswell, a top Strictly fave (and girlfriend of YouTuber Joe Sugg) has always donned some fiery locks - so much so it would be strange to see her on the show without it.

©getty images

Maybe you've gotten seriously bored and fancied a DIY makeover, so turned to a red hair dye to spice things up... Or even being just naturally blessed with luscious, fiery locks. Either way, we know that you red-heads deserve a salon-quality, bright and shimmering finish.

Closer's best red hair shampoo at a glance:

Editor's choice: Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect Shampoo, £25.43 at LookFantastic

Best colour-boosting shampoo for red hair: John Frieda Radiant Red Boosting Shampoo, £5.70 at Amazon

Best shine-boosting shampoo for red hair: Redken Colour Extend Magnetic Shampoo, £21.75 at LookFantastic

Red hair is a colour many of us want to experiment with, and if you've been fierce enough to bite the bullet and rock this ferocious do, then we simply take our hat off to you. From auburn hair dye to copper hair dye, It takes a lot of work to maintain a healthy redhead of hair and we're sure you're doing everything you can to keep you looking healthy as well as fabulous. So, Kudos to you red-headed queens.

SHOP: The best red hair shampoo and hair products 2023

Editor's choice

Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect Shampoolookfantastic
Price: £25.43 (was £27.15)

www.lookfantastic.com

This multi-protecting, sulfate-free Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect Shampoo has been specially formulated to gently cleanse and revive all coloured hair. Treating your red hair to this shampoo will certainly do it favours - for the nourishing shampoo tackles external aggressors that compromise your vibrant hair colour, all while ensuring your hair is cleansed and protected thanks to a blend of UV Filters and vitamin E that all prevent fading.

Customer review: "I have been using this shampoo for a number of years and will continue to do so as it leaves my hair feeling supple and shiny."

Pros

  • Infused with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and amino acids
  • Accelerates vibrancy in coloured hair
  • Contains UV filters and vitamin E

Cons

  • For all colour treated hair, not specifically red hair

Best colour-boosting shampoo for red hair

John Frieda Radiant Red Boosting Shampoosephora

Revive your redness! This colour-boosting John Frieda Radiant Red Boosting Shampoo charges your redness with pomegranate extract & vitamin E, it gently protects, preserves the colour and extends the life of your spirited hair. It infuses red tones with every wash, and it's suitable for colour-treated or natural red hair.

Customer review: "I have been buying this shampoo for quite a while now and must say how impressed that I am with this product. I have tried other shampoos but go back to my John Frieda. I know that it is slightly more expensive than some shampoos you can buy on the market but it is really worth every penny. I am now coming up to my 62nd birthday but am still amazed at how this shampoo keeps the colour in my hair. I am a natural redhead and have never dyed my hair in my life. Obviously, I do have a few grey hairs but not seen as much with using this shampoo. I also use the John Frieda Radiant Red Conditioner to finish off my routine."

Pros

  • Infuses red tones with every wash
  • Preserves and enhances red shades
  • Contains vitamin E extract

Cons

  • The effects may be subtle for some

Best shine-boosting shampoo for red hair

Redken Colour Extend Magnetic Shampoolookfantastic.com

The Redken Colour Extend Magnetic Shampoo promises to give you that right-out-of-the-salon glossiness after every wash. This sulfate-free shampoo thoroughly cleans your hair from root to tip and aids in giving you a softer, smoother finish all whilst extending the life of your colour.

Customer review: "If you colour your hair, this is an absolute must-have shampoo and conditioner. It keeps my colour fresh and vibrant. My hair always feels soft and hydrated after using the shampoo and conditioner. It's lightweight and doesn't leave any residue in your hair. I use several colour shampoos and conditioners and always use this at least once a week."

Pros

  • Free from sulfates
  • pH balanced formula
  • Conditions hair as it works

Cons

  • May not be the best choice for those prone to greasy hair

Best shampoo for damaged red hair

Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoolookfantastic.com

If your hair has been damaged by previous colouring, heat styling, or chemical processing, then Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo is going to be your new go-to. It revives damaged hair with antioxidant-rich argan oil, reconstructive keratin and fatty acids. But - it also enhances your colour and cleanses the hair - all while being free from sulfates and parabens.

Customer review: "I grabbed this because my salon uses it and my hair felt so healthy afterwards that I had to buy it!  My hair looks so glossy with this shampoo, it’s lightweight and nourishing without the greasy scalp and dreaded weigh-down that other shampoos have! Would recommend especially for damaged hair."

Pros

  • Different sizes available at different price points
  • High-performance formula infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil, reconstructive keratin and fatty acids
  • Comes with a complimentary gift

Cons

  • May irritate a dry scalp

Best cruelty-free and vegan shampoo for red hair

Celeb Luxury Viral Extreme Red Colourwashamazon
Price: £36.50

Now, this Luxury Viral Extreme Red Colourwash is a multi-serving shampoo that caters, again, to damaged hair to combat the harm caused by the colouring and bleaching process. The cruelty-free and vegan-friendly shampoo deeply hydrates and consists mostly of plant-based, natural ingredients, as well as being sulfate-free, it will truly maintain your vivid colour.

Customer review: "Honestly this product is amazing! My hairdresser recommended it as a gentle way to colour my very damaged hair and I was blown away by it. I was told to apply it to dry hair and then to wait about 30mins-40mins and then wash it out and condition and I can see the results for myself. I love it! As a plus, my hair is now super soft and manageable as well. I also use it weekly as a shampoo to refresh the incredible colour it gave me. Please be aware that my hair was super damaged and therefore really porous and able to hold the colour without any developer or bleach."

Pros

  • Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly
  • Maintains, corrects and boosts colour brilliance
  • Continuous use adds vibrant colour

Cons

  • May fade quickly

Best celeb-recommended shampoo for red hair

Davines Alchemic Shampoocult beauty

When Jennifer Aniston reveals her favourite shampoo, we sit down and listen. She's rocked luscious caramel colours since day one, and her hair stylist has revealed her notable shampoo that secures her sun-kissed colour is Davines Alchemic Shampoo. There's a shampoo that caters specifically for red hair, and it will be an absolute dream for preserving your dazzling colour.

Customer review: "Love it! I have naturally dark blonde hair which I'm going back to after lightening my hair for many years. This shampoo and conditioner has toned down the lighter lengths of my hair and brought out the natural colours in my roots. I was worried that it wouldn't suit my hair (dry lengths and roots that are easily overloaded by conditioner) but it's made it hydrated and shiny without being weighed down. Brilliant."

Pros

  • Contains pure colour pigments
  • Helps maintain colour between salon visits
  • Enriches hair with vibrant tones

Cons

  • Continuous use may leave hair a little dry

FAQs

What shampoo is best for red coloured hair?

We have tried and tested a range of shampoo for red coloured hair and discovered that the John Frieda Radiant Red Boosting Shampoo is one of the best for maintaining red hair colour and ensures your hair continues to look vibrant.

How do I keep my red hair from fading?

1. Use the right red hair shampoo

Choosing the right shampoo is vital in caring for your red hair. All shades of red hair need extra care to prevent the colour from fading, especially if it's a semi-permanent hair dye. We recommend using a gentle, sulfate-and salt-free shampoo as opposed to the best shampoo for stripping colour, and only washing when absolutely necessary; don't overdo it.

2. Wash hair using cool water

Another tip for how to keep red hair dye from fading is washing your hair in cool water only. Hot water will cause the hair fibres to expand and therefore release the dye molecules. It can even leave your hair super frizzy... Just stick to cool water, trust us.

3. Use a softer towel (microfibre is the way to go)

Yep, even the towel you use to dry your hair plays a part in caring for your hair's health. We guess it goes without saying, but using a rough terry cloth towel to dry your hair after washing, can easily damage the hair cuticle, leading to breakage and frizz. Using a soft, microfibre towel is certainly something we highly suggest. If you are struggling, you can always follow tips on how to remove hair dye, so you won't have to worry.

Do you need special shampoo for red hair?

We recommend investing in a shampoo specifically designed to care for coloured hair as colour typically contributes to any dryness or damage. Red hair in comparison would benefit from a designated red shampoo to prevent fading.

Caitlin Casey is a contributing writer at Closer. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending. Caitlin is passionate about keeping her hair colour vibrant and personally loves using Moroccanoil shampoo.

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