What to Look for in Shampoo for Color-Treated Curly Hair

Choosing the right shampoo can help protect your color and keep your curls healthy and vibrant.

1. Color-Safe Formulation

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for shampoos specifically labeled as 'color-safe' or 'for color-treated hair.' These formulas are designed to gently cleanse without stripping away color, helping your hue last longer.

2. Moisturizing Ingredients

Citrus catapult arrow

Curly hair is naturally drier and color treatments can make it even more prone to dryness. Seek out shampoos with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin to maintain moisture and prevent frizz.

3. Sulfate-Free Formula

Citrus catapult arrow

Avoid shampoos with sulfates, which are harsh detergents that can fade color and dehydrate curls. Sulfate-free options help preserve both your curl pattern and your hair color.

4. Curl-Enhancing Benefits

Citrus catapult arrow

Some shampoos offer added benefits specifically for curly hair, such as defining curls, reducing frizz, or improving manageability. Look for these features to keep your curls bouncy and healthy.

  1. 1
    Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

    Bumble and Bumble

    231 REVIEWS
    A gentle cleanser for seriously hydrated curls.
  2. 2
    Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
    217 REVIEWS
    A creamy, sulfate-free shampoo that hydrates and minimizes frizz for defined curls, coils, and waves.
  3. 3
    Soft Bounce Natural Texture and Curl Shampoo
    2 REVIEWS
    Nourish, hydrate and repair. 
  4. 4
    Gentle Purifying Shampoo

    Sisley-Paris

    8 REVIEWS
    Gentle and purifying shampoo
  5. 5
    Luminous Colour Shampoo

    Maria Nila

    12 REVIEWS
    Luminous Colour Shampoo preserves and enhances hair color, adding shine and luster with a fruity scent of apple, blackberry, and peach.
  6. 6
    Color Care Shampoo

    Moroccanoil

    293 REVIEWS
    A pH-balanced, sulfate-free shampoo to help protect against color fade while improving hair's integrity and imparting radiant shine.
  7. 7
    Colorkick De-Brassing Shampoo
    198 REVIEWS
    A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo made from all-natural colorants to tone, neutralize, and brighten all shades of natural and color-treated hair.
  8. 8
    Colour Shield Shampoo with Camu-Camu Berries
    38 REVIEWS
    A color protecting shampoo that prevents color-treated hair from fading for a long-lasting, fresh-out-of-the-salon look.
  9. 9
    Gemstone Color Shampoo
    5 REVIEWS
    Shine bright with Gemstone, a nourishing shampoo for color-treated hair. Contains a color protection complex proven to keep your hue rich and vibrant.
  10. 10
    Primary Color Shampoo

    R+Co Bleu

    1 REVIEWS
    Hit refresh: Keep all shades brilliant, bright and bold. Locks in color, hydration, and luxurious shine.

What to Look for in Shampoo for Color-Treated Curly Hair

Choosing the right shampoo can help protect your color and keep your curls healthy and vibrant.

1. Color-Safe Formulation

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for shampoos specifically labeled as 'color-safe' or 'for color-treated hair.' These formulas are designed to gently cleanse without stripping away color, helping your hue last longer.

2. Moisturizing Ingredients

Citrus catapult arrow

Curly hair is naturally drier and color treatments can make it even more prone to dryness. Seek out shampoos with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin to maintain moisture and prevent frizz.

3. Sulfate-Free Formula

Citrus catapult arrow

Avoid shampoos with sulfates, which are harsh detergents that can fade color and dehydrate curls. Sulfate-free options help preserve both your curl pattern and your hair color.

4. Curl-Enhancing Benefits

Citrus catapult arrow

Some shampoos offer added benefits specifically for curly hair, such as defining curls, reducing frizz, or improving manageability. Look for these features to keep your curls bouncy and healthy.