The 23 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Natural Red Hair
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How many times have you heard, “I love the color of your hair”?
I’m sure you’d like to continue enjoying that compliment for years to come.
But red hair tends to fade. Sunlight and harsh treatment can make it lose brilliance sooner.
Fortunately, the best shampoo and conditioner 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 just something that protects against UV damage?
Let’s look at the possibilities below.
Joico Color Infuse Shampoo and Conditioner Set
- Color-depositing formula
- Brings out ginger and scarlet tones
- Minimizes split ends and prevents breakage
Aveda Madder Root Conditioner
- Brings red hair back with madder root
- Pleasing fragrance
- Leaves your hair silky and shiny
Punky Redilicious 3-in-1 Color Depositing Shampoo & Conditioner
- With saw palmetto, ginger and vitamins
- Free of sulfates and parabens
- Extends the lifetime of the hair dye
How to prevent red hair from darkening or fading for as long as possible
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. 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 wash with 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 both options in the reviews below.
Top Shampoos and Conditioners for Natural Red Hair
1. Joico Color Infuse Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Product Overview
Let’s begin with 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.
- Color-depositing shampoo and conditioner
- Infused with red pigments
- Salon-quality product
- Smooth hair and minimum split ends
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.
Pros
- Repairs split ends and damaged hair
- Brings scarlet and ginger tones back
- Works great with non-sensitive scalps
The Cons
- Contains sulfates
2. Aveda Madder Root Conditioner
Product Overview
Aveda makes a conditioner with madder root that brightens red hair.
(What’s funny to me, though is that the label also lists colorants like annatto, basic brown, and basic red.)
- Contains madder root
- Nice, pleasant fragrance
- Nourishing effect for your hair
If you’ve never tried Aveda products before, prepare yourself to become addicted. Not only do they have a pleasing fragrance, but they leave the hair very silky and shiny.
Pros
- Brightens red hair
- Leaves your hair soft and shiny
- Brings a nice, addictive fragrance
The Cons
- Doesn’t work great with oily hair
3. Punky Redilicious 3-in-1 Color Depositing Shampoo & Conditioner
Product Overview
If you’ve already had a color treatment to brighten up your red hair, this shampoo and conditioner will come in handy. They extend the lifetime of the hair dye by refreshing it each time you wash.
Moreover, the shampoo is free of sulfates and parabens. It’s less risky to your hair color and your health.
- Works nice with color-treated hair
- Free of sulfates and parabens
- Less risky for your hair health
- With saw palmetto, ginger and vitamins
With saw palmetto, ginger, and vitamins, it strengthens the hair and promotes growth, too.
Pros
- Strengths and deeply cleanses
- Promotes hair growth
- Extends the lifetime of hair dye
The Cons
- The packaging might be broken
4. John Frieda Radiant Red Red Boosting Shampoo with Red Boosting Conditioner
Product Overview
It’s not unusual to see John Frieda’s products in salons around the world. That’s why I wanted to love 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.
- Enhances red shades
- Works best on scarlet or burgundy
- Uses no sulfates or other chemicals
On the other hand, it prevents hair dye from fading.
I’ve also heard that it can be a bit drying. Be sure to follow up with the matching conditioner each time you wash, and consider using a hair mask once in a while.
Pros
- Enhances hair color, natural or artificial
- Prevents your hair dye from fading
- Does a great deal cleansing your scalp
The Cons
- Can be a bit drying
5. Zotos Quantum Riveting Reds Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Product Overview
While they will turn your bathtub red, they will significantly brighten your hair color.
This set works on everything from strawberry blonde to mahogany. It features red henna extract as a natural dye.
- Brightens your hair color
- Protects from UV rays
- Prevents fading from heat-styling
Plus, it also provides protection from UV rays and heat-styling to prevent fading.
Pros
- Feature red henna extract
- Works as a natural dye
- Brightens your hair dye color
The Cons
- Might get a spilled bottle
6. CHI Ionic Color Illuminate Red Auburn Conditioner
Product Overview
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.
- Contains amino-acids and silk
- High-end product
- Intense color-deposing effect
But it’s not just good for color. It’s also an excellent conditioner with amino acids and silk to moisturize dry hair.
Pros
- Deeply nourishes your hair
- Leads to a fast and qualitative result
- Refreshes your color weekly
The Cons
- Has a changed formula
7. Stream2Sea Leave-In Hair Conditioner
Product Overview
If you’re a redhead and you like to spend time outdoors, or you swim, 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.
- Perfect for swimming
- Doesn’t make your hair greasy
- Provides sunscreen for your hair
- Rich in antioxidants
What’s more, it’s rich in antioxidants from green tea and botanical extracts. The antioxidants slow down 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.
Pros
- Uses no parabens or other chemicals
- Slows down aging and color fading
- Provides sunscreen effect
The Cons
- Not the best consistency
8. Global Keratin GKhair Shield Shampoo
Product Overview
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 problematic ingredients.
- Works great for curly hair
- Has sunscreen protection
- Contains keratin, aloe
- Plant seed oils
Furthermore, it contains keratin, aloe, and plant seed oils to prevent and smooth split ends. But for maximum benefits, use the matching conditioner below.
Pros
- It’s safe for all hair types
- It has no sulfates and silicones
- Protects your hair from fading
The Cons
- Contains a sulfate
9. Global Keratin GKhair Shield Conditioner
Product Overview
The Shield Conditioner is excellent for damaged, over-processed hair. It repairs and moisturizes while it protects against UV rays.
- Excellent for damaged, over-processed hair
- Repairs and moisturizes
- Protects against UV
You can still enjoy it even if your hair isn’t dried out or fragile because it maintains your natural gloss and brilliance.
Pros
- Maintains natural gloss and brilliance
- Repairs and protects over-damaged hair
- Deeply moisturizes
The Cons
- Many customers didn’t like the smell
10. L’Oreal Color Vibrancy Intensive Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
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.
- Kind to natural shades
- Color-protective shampoo
- Has linseed and antioxidants
- Prevents hair fading
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.
Pros
- Protects from UV and seals shine
- Fights color fading
- Rich in antioxidants and vitamins
The Cons
- Not sulfate free
11. Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
But the Nexxus Color Assure products are sulfate-free. 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.
- Sulfate free formula
- Packed with protein and botanical extracts
- Strength and moisture everyday
- Maintains color up to 40 washes
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 alike.
Pros
- Deeply moisturizes and nourishes
- Has a strengthening effect
- Doesn’t forget about your scalp
The Cons
- Hard to lather
12. BIOLAGE ColorLast Shampoo & Conditioner
Product Overview
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.
- Contains an orchid extract
- Has a low pH
- Avoids moisture loss and irritation
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.
Pros
- Prevents your hair color from fading
- Leaves a nice scent
- Deeply cleanses and moisturizes
The Cons
- Has sodium laureth sulfate
13. HASK ROSE OIL + PEACH Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
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 else these are good products for red hair.
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Nice, vibrant scent
- Wild rose and peach essence
- Color-perfecting complex
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. If you don’t mind a wild rose and peach fragrance, you’re all set.
Pros
- Gets rid of frizz
- Deeply nourishes and cleanses
- Keeps your dye vibrant and vivid
The Cons
- Doesn’t help with oily scalps
14. AVEENO Color Protect & Strengthen+ Blackberry & Quinoa Shampoo
Product Overview
I selected Aveeno’s Color Protect shampoo, but feel free to choose one of the other versions if it has 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.
- Fortifies with oat
- Delightful fragrance
- Sulfate-free formula
Plus, it has a delicious fragrance.
Pros
- Plenty of hydration and moisture
- Provides a healthy scalp
- Protects your dye color
The Cons
- Has a chemical fragrance
15. Tigi Bed Head Colour Goddess Oil Infused Shampoo + Conditioner
Product Overview
Tigi’s Colour Goddess made to keep color-treated hair vibrant and frizz-free.
For natural redheads, it enhances shine and prevents split ends.
- Vibrant and frizz free style
- Coconut and almond oil
- Shea butter for extra moisture
Although it’s not sulfate-free, it’s enriched with coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and shea butter.
Pros
- Enhances shine and prevents split ends
- Deeply moisturizes and hydrates
- Perfect cleansing effect
The Cons
- Has sulfates
16. SUAVE HAIR Professionals Almond + Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner
Product Overview
It’s cheap, and it works well. If you’re on a budget, there’s no shame in trying this shampoo and conditioner. Lots of people who earn more than you and I use it, too.
Besides, did you know that it’s been salon-tested to perform as well as one of Aveda’s products?
- Shea butter extract
- Salon-tested formula
- Almond oil for extra moisture
- Perfect for dry hair
It’s perfect for reviving dry hair with shea butter and almond. A bright-haired ginger shouldn’t need more than that.
Pros
- Revives and rejuvenates dry hair
- Repairs damaged hair follicles
- Helps with color-shading
The Cons
- Has a changed formula
17. Pantene Soothing Rose Water Shampoo and Conditioner
Product Overview
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 every day and keep it healthy.
- Has vitamin B5
- Infused with rose extract and antioxidants
- Fragrance smells like lily, rose and mint
- Works great with curly hair
It’s free of sulfates, artificial colors, parabens, and silicone. The fragrance smells like lily, rose, and mint.
Pros
- Rejuvenates chemically-processed hair
- Moisturizes and nourishes your hair
- Doesn’t use sulfates or artificial colors
The Cons
- The packaging might be broken
18. Herbal Essences Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner, Honey & Vitamin B
Product Overview
Another of the best drugstore shampoos for red hair is made by Herbal Essences. 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.
- Beneficial botanical extracts
- Fantastic fragrance
- Completely organic formula
- Purified water usage
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.
Pros
- Works great with sensitive scalps and dry hair
- Repairs damaged hair follicles
- Enhance red color
The Cons
- Doesn’t work great with oily hair
19. Malibu C: Natural Protective Hard Water Wellness Kit
Product Overview
Here’s a trick I bet you didn’t know about. You can protect your natural color by using a swimmer shampoo.
That’s because it defends against chlorine, salt, and minerals in hard water. All of those impact hair color and texture negatively.
- Works great with all types of hair
- Contains needed minerals and oils
- Has a deeply moisturizing effect
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.
Pros
- Defends against salt, chlorines and hard water
- Moisturizing effect
- Protects from negative factors
The Cons
- Doesn’t work great with oily hair
20. Davines Alchemic Conditioner
Product Overview
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 a variety of colors like this one for warm red shades. It works on both natural hair and color-treatments.
- Deep conditioning effect
- Plenty of vitamins and minerals
- Works great with color-treated hair
- Has a great effect on natural hair
But not only does it enhance your hair color, but it also functions as an effective deep conditioner.
Pros
- Moisturizes and protects hair color
- Functions as a deep conditioner
- Nourishes and cleanses your scalp
The Cons
- The packaging might be broken
21. COOLA Classic Scalp & Hair Mist, SPF 30, Organic Sunscreen Spray
Product Overview
Hopefully, you’re getting outdoors once in a while. If you don’t want to wear a hat, use COOLA’s hair sunscreen.
- Leave-in conditioner
- Contains an UV filter
- Protects your hair and scalp from sun
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.
Pros
- Protects your hair from sun
- Moisturizes and nourishes
- Has a positive effect on hair color
The Cons
- Doesn’t work with ginger tones
22. Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
Product Overview
Aveda also makes sunscreen for your hair. It guards against UV rays for up to sixteen hours.
Besides, it’s an outstanding leave-in conditioner.
- Organic shea butter and coconut oil
- Green tea and vitamin E
- Neroli and ylang-ylang
- 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.
Pros
- Deeply moisturizes
- Protects from sun and heat
- Has a nice fragrance
The Cons
- Doesn’t work great with oily hair
23. Klorane Protective Oil with Ylang-Ylang Wax
Product Overview
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.
- Moisturizing and protecting effects
- Wax form
- Waterproof protection
The end 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.
Pros
- Shields against UV rays
- Coats your hair and locks moisture
- Protects against heat damage
The Cons
- The packaging might be broken
Conclusion
Natural redheads need color protection and hydration. Switch to a better shampoo and conditioner now 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.
Joico Color Infuse Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Color-depositing formula
Brings out ginger and scarlet tones
Minimizes split ends and prevents breakage
Aida
Founder & Hair Beauty Specialist
I’m Aida and this is my blog where I write mostly about beauty and make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often!
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