How many times have you heard someone say, “I love your hair color”?
I’m sure you’d like to keep getting this compliment for years to come.
But red hair color tends to fade. Sunlight and harsh treatment can make it lose brilliance sooner.
Fortunately, one of the best shampoos and conditioners for natural red hair will keep it lovely for longer.
But what kind of products for red hair should you choose?
Should you go with color-depositing shampoo or something that protects against UV damage?
Keep reading and find out!
How to Prevent Red Hair From Darkening or Fading
There are two ways to boost your natural hair color (1).
The first is to deposit color on it. You can do a color treatment, for example. Or you could try one of the color-depositing shampoos and conditioners I’ve reviewed below.
The problem with this approach is that it could be challenging to match your natural shade. First, you’ll need to consider whether your color is warmer or cooler. Otherwise, you could end up with a muddied result.
The second method is to use a moisturizing shampoo that promotes healthy hair. Avoid sulfates and harsh chemicals.
Also, make sure your conditioner is UV-protective. This is like sunscreen for your hair that prevents the natural color from fading in the sun.
Enhance it, protect it, or use both techniques at once.
I’ve covered some great products for both techniques below.
Top Shampoos and Conditioners for Natural Red Hair
Joico Color Infuse Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Let’s start with a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner. This set from Joico is infused with red to bring out ginger or scarlet tones.
It’s a salon-quality product that also smooths the hair fiber to minimize split ends and prevent breakage.
The one con is that it is not sulfate-free. But if you don’t have an extra-sensitive scalp or damaged hair, that should be fine.
Aveda Madder Root Conditioner
Aveda makes a conditioner with madder root that brightens red hair.
(What’s funny to me is that the label also lists colorants like annatto, basic brown, and basic red.)
If you’ve never tried Aveda products before, prepare yourself to become addicted. They have a pleasing fragrance and leave the hair very silky and shiny.
Punky Redilicious 3-in-1 Color Depositing Shampoo & Conditioner
If you’ve already had a color treatment to brighten up your red hair, this shampoo and conditioner will come in handy. It will extend the lifetime of the hair dye by refreshing it each time you wash.
Moreover, the shampoo is free of sulfates and parabens. As a result, it’s less risky to your hair color and health.
With saw palmetto, ginger, and vitamins, it strengthens the hair and promotes growth.
John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo with Red Boosting Conditioner
It’s not unusual to see John Frieda’s products in salons from all around the world. That’s why I wanted to share this shampoo and conditioner that promises to enhance red shades.
It doesn’t add color, but it’s supposed to work whether or not you have natural red hair. The problem is, it’s bluish, and that works best on scarlet or burgundy, not ginger.
On the other hand, it prevents hair dye from fading.
I’ve also heard that it can be a bit drying. So be sure to follow up with the matching conditioner each time you wash, and consider using a hair mask once in a while.
Zotos Quantum Riveting Reds Shampoo & Conditioner Set
While turning your bathtub red, they will significantly brighten your hair color.
This set works on everything from strawberry blonde to mahogany. In addition, it features red henna extract as a natural dye.
It also protects from UV rays and heat-styling to prevent fading.
CHI Ionic Color Illuminate Red Auburn Conditioner
CHI’s products are field-tested in Houston salons belonging to the manufacturer. They are high-end products that are typically worth every penny.
This color-depositing conditioner is intense. Using it once a week will refresh your color. Applying it daily will create astonishing results.
But it’s not just good for color. It’s also an excellent conditioner with amino acids and silk to moisturize dry hair.
Stream2Sea Leave-In Hair Conditioner
If you’re a redhead and like to spend time outdoors or swimming, you need this leave-in conditioner.
I repeat, you NEED it.
If you use a reasonable amount, it won’t weigh down your hair or make it greasy.
It provides sunscreen for your hair.
What’s more, it’s rich in antioxidants from green tea and botanical extracts. The antioxidants slow down the aging and fading of your hair.
If that hasn’t convinced you yet, look at the other benefits.
For one, it’s biodegradable and reef-safe. It won’t poison wildlife in oceans or lakes.
Then, it’s free of parabens and made with several organic ingredients. Even the packaging is eco-friendly.
Global Keratin GKhair Shield Shampoo
The Shield Shampoo also defends against the sun’s rays that cause hair color to fade.
It’s safe for all hair types and textures, even if you’re a curly girl. Yes, it’s free of sulfates, silicone, parabens, and other harmful ingredients.
Furthermore, it contains keratin, aloe, and plant seed oils to prevent smooth split ends. But for maximum benefits, use the matching conditioner below.
Global Keratin GKhair Shield Conditioner
The Shield Conditioner is excellent for damaged, over-processed hair. It repairs and moisturizes while it protects against UV rays.
Even if your hair isn’t dried out or fragile, you can still enjoy it because it maintains your natural gloss and brilliance.
L’Oreal Color Vibrancy Intensive Shampoo and Conditioner
Surprisingly, one of the best color care shampoos for red hair is also kind to natural shades.
If you haven’t done a color treatment, you can still benefit from color-protective shampoo and conditioner.
There are two reasons why. To begin with, they tend to be more moisturizing than the average shampoo. Unless you have oily hair, that’s beneficial.
And next, they prevent color fading due to sun exposure.
To illustrate, the shampoo and conditioner here have linseed and antioxidants to filter out UV rays and seal in shine.
Sadly, the shampoo is not sulfate-free.
Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner
But the Nexxus Color Assure products are sulfate-free. In addition, they promise to maintain your color treatment for up to 40 washes.
So, why does that matter for naturally red hair?
Redheads tend to have dry hair, so it never hurts to use a hydrating shampoo.
The mild formula strengthens and moisturizes your hair and makes it shiny and manageable. It’s packed with protein and botanical extracts for your lovely tresses and scalp.
BIOLAGE ColorLast Shampoo & Conditioner
Biolage’s ColorLast products are popular, and it’s hard to find fault in them as they are trusted in salons worldwide.
But you should know that the shampoo here has sodium laureth sulfate. It’s a potentially drying ingredient that’s made to dissolve oil.
Happily, the shampoo has a low pH to avoid moisture loss and irritation of the scalp. Then, it has orchid extract, an ingredient that naturally prevents color fading.
HASK ROSE OIL + PEACH Shampoo and Conditioner
HASK products are popular in Hollywood, which should get your attention. After all, you can’t have people on TV with terrible hair.
Moreover, this particular shampoo and conditioner won a Best of Beauty Award from Allure Magazine last year.
Now that you’re interested, let me tell you why these are good products for red hair.
They have a color-perfecting complex that keeps hair dye vibrant. But what matters more for natural redheads is that they get rid of frizz and leave hair lustrous and manageable.
What’s more, they’re both free of parabens, sulfates, and gluten. So you’re all set if you don’t mind a wild rose and peach fragrance.
AVEENO Color Protect & Strengthen+ Blackberry & Quinoa Shampoo
I selected Aveeno’s Color Protect shampoo, but feel free to choose one of the other versions if it has the benefits you prefer.
It’s sulfate-free and doesn’t have artificial dyes or parabens, either. Like other products from Aveeno, it’s fortified with oat for a healthy scalp and plenty of hydration.
Plus, it has a delightful fragrance.
Tigi Bed Head Colour Goddess Oil Infused Shampoo + Conditioner
Tigi’s Colour Goddess is made to keep color-treated hair vibrant and frizz-free. color-treated hair vibrant and frizz-free.
For natural redheads, it enhances shine and prevents split ends.
Although it’s not sulfate-free, it’s enriched with coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and shea butter.
SUAVE HAIR Professionals Almond + Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner
It’s cheap, and it works well. There’s no shame in trying this shampoo and conditioner if you’re on a budget. Many people earn more than you and I use it.
Besides, did you know that it’s been salon-tested to perform well as one of Aveda’s products?
It’s perfect for reviving dry hair with shea butter and almond. Bright-haired gingers won’t need more than that.
Pantene Soothing Rose Water Shampoo and Conditioner
Pantene’s sulfate-free Rose Water shampoo is mild enough for chemically-processed hair and natural curls.
It features a blend of pro-vitamin B5, rose extract, and antioxidants to cleanse your hair daily and keep it healthy.
It’s free of sulfates, artificial colors, parabens, and silicone. The fragrance smells like lily, rose, and mint.
Herbal Essences Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner, Honey & Vitamin B
Herbal Essences make one of the best drugstore shampoos for red hair. It’s kind to dry hair and sensitive scalps as it’s free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, and silicone.
Just like other products from this company, it has a fantastic fragrance. This one is a blend of vanilla, jasmine, and honey.
What’s remarkable about the shampoo is that it’s 87% natural. Meanwhile, the conditioner is 90% natural. Both are made with purified water and limited processing.
You’ll get the benefits of botanical extracts with all the goodness intact.
Malibu C: Natural Protective Hard Water Wellness Kit
Here’s a trick I bet you didn’t know about. You can protect your natural color by using a swimmer shampoo.
It defends against chlorine, salt, and minerals in hard water—all of those impact hair color and texture negatively.
Use this kit with shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask to detoxify and fortify your hair. They are very moisturizing and made for all ages and hair types.
Davines Alchemic Conditioner
I heard a rumor that Jennifer Aniston praised this color-depositing conditioner. If that’s true, I can see why.
You can get it in various colors like this one for warm red shades. It works on both natural hair and color treatments.
But not only does it enhance your hair color, but it also functions as an effective deep conditioner.
COOLA Classic Scalp & Hair Mist, SPF 30, Organic Sunscreen Spray
Hopefully, you’re getting outdoors once in a while. If you don’t want to wear a hat, use COOLA’s hair sunscreen.
No, it’s not greasy. It’s a leave-in conditioner with a UV filter. It keeps the sun from altering your hair color, plus it helps protect your scalp from sunburn.
Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
Aveda also makes sunscreen for your hair. It guards against UV rays for up to sixteen hours.
Besides, it’s a great leave-in conditioner.
While organic shea butter and coconut oil alleviate tangles, green tea and vitamin E ward off damage.
Finally, neroli and ylang-ylang impart a floral citrus fragrance.
Klorane Protective Oil with Ylang-Ylang Wax
What in the world is ylang-ylang wax, and why do you need it?
It’s a tropical flower that shields your hair against harmful UV rays. In its wax form, it coats each strand to lock in moisture.
The result is hours of waterproof protection that you can enjoy at the beach or the pool.
Since it’s made by Klorane, it’s vegan and free of parabens, alcohol, and silicone.
Conclusion
Natural redheads need color protection and hydration. Switch to a better shampoo and conditioner to enjoy years of bright color and healthy hair.
If you discovered your new favorite hair care products here today, please come back and tell us about them in the comments below.
Sources:
1. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/natural-red-hair-fades-what-to-do_l_5e5e8493c5b63aaf8f5dfe9b by Rebecca Rovenstine, published March 10, 2020, accessed May 6, 2020