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

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

1. Color-Safe Formulation

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Look for shampoos specifically labeled as ‘color-safe’ or ‘for color-treated hair’ to prevent fading and extend the vibrancy of your hair color.

2. Moisturizing Ingredients

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Curly hair tends to be drier, so opt for shampoos with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin to help maintain moisture and reduce frizz.

3. Sulfate-Free Formula

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Sulfates can strip both color and natural oils from hair. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo to gently cleanse while protecting your curls and color.

4. Curl-Enhancing Properties

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Some shampoos contain ingredients that enhance curl definition and manageability. Look for formulas designed to support curl shape without weighing hair down.

  1. 1

    Moroccanoil

    293 REVIEWS
    A pH-balanced, sulfate-free shampoo to help protect against color fade while improving hair's integrity and imparting radiant shine.
  2. 2
    211 REVIEWS
    A creamy, sulfate-free shampoo that hydrates and minimizes frizz for defined curls, coils, and waves.
  3. 3

    Virtue

    193 REVIEWS
    A luxurious, creamy lathering shampoo for curly hair that maintains hair’s natural hydration.
  4. 4
    2 REVIEWS
    Nourish, hydrate and repair. 
  5. 5

    Holy Curls

    Shampoo

    $17
    1 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Sulfate-free shampoo for clean curls without moisture loss.
  6. 6
    575 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Ultra-gentle cleanser extends the bright look of hair color. 
  7. 7

    Bumble and Bumble

    542 REVIEWS
    A luxe, restorative daily cleanser that builds new bonds to strengthen strands
  8. 8
    334 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    Designed to moisturize and tame wavy, curly and coily hair, leaving it smooth, sleek and polished.
  9. 9

    Bumble and Bumble

    231 REVIEWS
    A gentle cleanser for seriously hydrated curls.
  10. 10
    185 REVIEWS
    A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo made from all-natural colorants to tone, neutralize, and brighten all shades of natural and color-treated hair.

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

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

1. Color-Safe Formulation

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for shampoos specifically labeled as ‘color-safe’ or ‘for color-treated hair’ to prevent fading and extend the vibrancy of your hair color.

2. Moisturizing Ingredients

Citrus catapult arrow

Curly hair tends to be drier, so opt for shampoos with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin to help maintain moisture and reduce frizz.

3. Sulfate-Free Formula

Citrus catapult arrow

Sulfates can strip both color and natural oils from hair. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo to gently cleanse while protecting your curls and color.

4. Curl-Enhancing Properties

Citrus catapult arrow

Some shampoos contain ingredients that enhance curl definition and manageability. Look for formulas designed to support curl shape without weighing hair down.