From Jessica Chastain to Jessica Rabbit, there’s just something special about having red hair. Thankfully for those of us who aren’t natural redheads, it’s also easy to attain once you decide on the perfect ginger shade and make an appointment with your colorist. After all, there’s no shame in reaching for the dye—even Emma Stone isn’t a natural redhead! So once you’ve landed on the red hair of your dreams, it’s all about maintaining the color, which means having the right products on hand. "Taking care of red hair color properly is the key to making it last,” says celebrity hairstylist and king of color Guy Tang. "Always use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, and wash a max amount of three times per week and with cool water if you can.”
Certain hair colors tend to fade faster, like pink, and there are ones at the opposite end of the spectrum, like blue, which can be stubborn and hard to get rid of. So how long can you expect your red hair to stay looking fresh? According to celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano, whose clients include Cara Delevingne, Vanessa Hudgens, and Priyanka Chopra, it can depend on a few factors, like your hair type and the process your stylist took to make you red. "If you have lighter hair and just apply a dark-red color to the hair, it will fade quickly,” she says. "Your professional stylist will know what to do with your hair type and put pigments into the hair before red application that will help the color last.” Tang adds, "The longevity of red hair color can vary greatly but generally lasts about four to six weeks if well cared for. I would say that red lasts longer than pink most of the time.”
Tang also says that red hair tends to turn brassy from too much heat, so it’s good to use a heat-protectant spray before blow-drying or using hot tools to protect the vibrancy of the red color. Of course, washing your hair is when fading is most at risk, so as Tang suggests, always be sure to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner (put that clarifying shampoo away!), and wash it less (dry shampoo is your friend!). Ahead are nine shampoos and conditioners that will help keep your red hair from fading fast. Keep scrolling!
Overall Best: Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Mushroom + Bamboo Color Protect Shampoo and Conditioner
This is a new product from Briogeo, but it's already one of the top-rated color-protecting shampoos and conditioners on Sephora's website. With turkey tail mushroom extract and bamboo leaf extract, it protects against color fading and makes hair soft and shiny.
Promising review: "Great shampoo if you need to protect color-treated care from fading. I love that it does not have any sulfates. I have been using it for a while to keep my colored hair vibrant." — Sephora customer
Promising review: "This conditioner smells really great. It also helps my hair feels super soft and gets all the tangles out. I like how it helps to preserve my color and doesn't strip it" — Sephora Customer
#Mydentity MyConfidant Color Securing Shampoo and Conditioner
When it comes to retaining your color, Tang's signature shampoo and conditioner are a must, as they keep color vibrant for up to 50 shampoos. Plus, they're free of sulfates, sodium chloride, and parabens.
Promising review: "The fragrance is very nice. A rich lather can be achieved with just a small amount of the product. I recommend it!" — Amazon customer
Promising review: "I love this. Good price and great performance! Great for thin, damaged hair! Made my hair grow!" — Amazon customer
Sexy Hair Healthy Sexy Hair Color Lock Shampoo and Conditioner
Priano says this shampoo and conditioner are great for prolonging color between services to maintain color. They're also formulated with nourishing rose oil and almond oil.
Promising review: "I love this color lock shampoo. My hair never turns brassy or orange." — Ulta customer
Promising review: "This brings out my naturally wavy texture and reduces frizz with no added weight. I've tried many different conditioners looking for that soft, bouncy result, and this does it." — Ulta customer
Joico Color Infuse Red Shampoo and Conditioner
If you need a boost of color between salon visits, you can use a color-depositing conditioner, like this one from Joico, which adds red pigment as it conditions. Green tea extract, antioxidants, UV absorbers, and the brand's proprietary SmartRelease Technology are also on hand to protect your red from fading while keeping it strong and healthy.
Promising review: "Using this product, color preserve products, cold water, and only washing a couple of times a week, I've been able to keep red shades vivid for eight weeks plus. It conditions as well, leaving hair feeling healthy and soft." — Ulta customer
Promising review: "Wow! What a difference it makes. [It] keeps my color fresher for longer and allows me to go longer between color appointments. Highly recommend." — Ulta customer
Sun Bum Revitalizing Detox Scalp Scrub and Conditioner
A good alternative to a traditional shampoo is a color-safe scalp scrub, like this one from Sun Bum. It contains natural ingredients like detoxifying apple cider vinegar, soothing blue agave, and banana, which have antioxidants that protect the hair and make it stronger.
Promising review: "I love this scrub! It makes my hair feel great, and it makes it shiny and soft. Definitely recommend to people with greasy scalp and dry ends." — Sun Bum customer
Promising review: "This conditioner makes my hair soft and silky! It also detangles it really well!" — Amazon customer
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
Is your hair dried out from all that processing and heat styling? Find a color-protecting shampoo with super hydrating powers, like this one from Pureology.
Promising review: "I've used it with conditioner for over 15 years, and my hair is incredibly soft and healthy. If I stop using it and use something else, it just doesn't feel and look the same." — Sephora customer
Promising review: "You guys, this is seriously so good. I used it the first time and was kind of nervous because of the way it felt, but after brushing my hair, it felt so clean. I love it so much!" — Sephora customer
DPHue Gentle Brightening Shampoo and Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner in Copper
Not only will your crimson hair be protected from dullness and fading, but your existing color will be enhanced and refreshed in just one wash.
Promising review: "I love this shampoo and conditioner! Every time I use it, I get compliments about my blonde, and people ask if I just got my hair done because it's so fresh and bright." — Ulta customer
Promising review: "My natural hair color is dark blonde (no greys), dyed red. I use this to blend my roots, and it works well for that. Definitely pulls red as it blends my darker roots with the red color nicely. Works well, and if I want more color deposited, I put it on dry." — Amazon customer
Color Wow Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner
Free from sulfates and silicones, Color Wow's shampoo prevents color from fading and is great for most hair types, whether you have fine or curly hair. Oh, and there is a matching conditioner for thin and thick hair types, so pick your poison.
Promising review: "I've sworn by this shampoo for almost two years now, and I will never switch shampoos. My hair has gotten so much healthier as I've been using it, and I notice much less breakage since this cleanses so well, and I can go longer between washes and styling days. I'd recommend this to anyone!" — Sephora customer
Promising review: "This is genuinely the best conditioner (matched with the shampoo) combo I've used! I have been trying to find a good color-protecting combo, and Color Wow is it! My hair is so soft and light. Zero residue." — Sephora customer
John Frieda Radiant Red Boosting Shampoo and Conditioner
This shampoo is made for red hair, whether it's natural or color-treated. Made with protective antioxidants like pomegranate extract and vitamin E, it will make your hair feel just like new after you shower.
Promising review: "I find that this shampoo helps to keep my red color shiny and bright!" — Target customer
Promising review: "I cut way back on coloring my hair. I only color it once a year now and use this instead to add a bit of richness and red tint to my auburn brown hair. It's a great conditioner, and [I] will use it when I don't want to color my hair." — Target customer
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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