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Top 5 Best Shampoos for Highlighted Hair

UpdatedJuly 23, 2024

Bleached hair has to be treated extra, especially as its color is weakened. Choosing the wrong shampoo makes the hair color fade very fast or even get a brassy tone. That is why, it is recommended to wash hair with a shampoo that is designed for highlighted hair only. In this article, you will learn about the best shampoos for highlighted hair and how to find the right product.

In this article, we’re to wash and analyze the effectiveness of best shampoos for highlighted hair. Some of these things are likely to include how good the shampoo is in maintaining hair color, its ability to clean hair, and how it treats the scalp. At the end of this article, you should be equipped with the knowledge of what to look for in a shampoo for highlighted hair and the various products available in the market.

Top 3 Best Shampoos for Highlighted Hair

  1. L'Oreal Paris Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set
  2. KERASTASE Blond Absolu Lumière Illuminating Shampoo
  3. Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Purple Shampoo

We appreciate the challenges that come with ensuring keep the hair color highlighted appears lively all the time. That is why we have compiled the list of the best shampoos for highlighted hair below to ensure your hair stays healthy and shiny. This article was written after consulting nationally accredited experts and researching various shampoos to present you with this list. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a sulfate-free shampoo, color protection, or moisturizing properties, we have got you. Find below some of the best of the lot.


L'Oreal Paris Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Editor's Choice

L'Oreal Paris Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Discover vibrant, hydrated locks with L'Oreal Paris Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo & Conditioner. Perfect for highlighted hair, it banishes brassy tones with a sulfate-free, vegan formula. Infused with Hibiscus and Purple Dye, it's a top pick. Just go easy on the shampoo – once or twice a week for the ultimate shine!

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If you want to maintain your perfect blonde, this set is the one for you. We highly recommend it because it hydrates and neutralizes brassy yellow and orange tones in blonde, bleached, highlighted, and silver hair.

Pros

  • The hydrating formula is infused with hibiscus and purple dye to tone brassy hair and leave it deeply moisturized.
  • The set is vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and doesn't contain any harsh salts.
  • The Ever Collection offers a sulfate-free hair care routine that's tailor-made for your specific needs, even if you have color-treated hair.

Cons

  • The shampoo can be very drying on your hair if used too frequently.
  • The conditioner isn't as effective as other conditioners on the market.
  • The fragrance of the product smells like a man's cologne, which can be off-putting.

We've tried this product, and we can confidently say that it's one of the best shampoos for highlighted hair on the market. The formula is designed to work on all blonde, bleached, highlighted brunettes, and silver hair. It's 100% Sulfate Free, Paraben Free, and contains no harsh salts or animal-derived ingredients or by-products. The formula is also not tested on animals.

The purple shampoo and conditioner set is infused with Hibiscus and Purple Dye to tone brassy hair and leave it deeply moisturized. We found that the set is very effective in neutralizing brassy yellow and orange tones in our hair. We also appreciate that it's vegan and free from harsh chemicals.

However, we found that the shampoo can be very drying on our hair if used too frequently. We recommend using it once or twice a week for best results. Additionally, the conditioner isn't as effective as other conditioners on the market. While it does leave our hair feeling soft, it doesn't provide as much hydration as we would like.

Overall, we highly recommend the L'Oreal Paris Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set for anyone with highlighted hair. It's an excellent product that effectively neutralizes brassy tones while keeping your hair hydrated.


KERASTASE Blond Absolu Lumière Illuminating Shampoo

KERASTASE Blond Absolu Lumière Illuminating Shampoo

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If you want to get a shampoo that will be effective in moisturizing and enhancing the highlighted hair, the KERASTASE Blond Absolu Lumière Illuminating Shampoo is a good product to turn your attention to.

Pros

  • Hydrating formula with hyaluronic acid
  • Helps eliminate brassiness and yellow tones
  • Pleasant lemongrass scent

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Some users experienced staining on their fingernail cuticles
  • May not be suitable for oily hair

We used this shampoo and realized that it made our hair silky, shiny, and had a brighter look. The formula is enriching as it contains hyaluronic acid since it its job to increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture, so the skin will not be dry. We also liked that it muted any brashness or yellow unsavory tones from our highlights.

Something noteworthy for those choosing this shampoo is that it is relatively expensive and thus not very friendly for a tight pocket. Also, the users have complained of staining on the fingernail cuticles after use of this particular product. Last but not least, it should also be noted that if your hair is naturally oily, this shampoo might not have a positive effect as it is quite moisturizing.

All in all, we would highly recommend KERASTASE Blond Absolu Lumière Illuminating Shampoo to anyone in search of a premium quality shampoo that is designed to safely and effectively feed highlighted hair while providing a visual enhancement to any highlight.


Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Purple Shampoo

Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Purple Shampoo

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If you're looking for a shampoo that will keep your highlighted hair looking vibrant and cool-toned, Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Purple Shampoo is worth considering.

Pros

  • Eliminates brassiness and warmth
  • Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair
  • Has a pleasant cucumber melon scent with soft floral notes

Cons

  • May dry out hair if used too frequently
  • Some users found the shampoo didn't lather well
  • Can leave a purple tint if left on for too long


We’ve tried using this shampoo on highlighted hair and this definitely works in toning down the hair or taking away unwanted warmth that makes the hair look brassy. The smell is rather nice and not too strong, that’s good too.

However, it is advisable to use this shampoo occasionally because it can cause dryness of the hair when used too often. Furthermore some of the users have complained that the shampoo does not foam up and this can be a problem when it comes to applying the shampoo on the hair.

Altogether, if you are in search of a shampoo to maintain highlighted hair look cool, use Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Purple Shampoo. As long as you don’t go overboard and pay attention to the time of application there definitely should not be any violet hue.


Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo And Conditioner

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo And Conditioner

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For those searching for a shampoo and conditioner that would protect their highlighted hair and make it shiny, vibrant, and healthy, the Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner should not switch the attention.

Pros

  • Formulated with elastin protein and quinoa to keep colored hair vibrant for up to 40 washes.
  • Made with PROTEINFUSION BLEND, rich in amino acids lost during the coloring process, to restore and protect hair.
  • Moisturizes and keeps colored hair looking soft and healthy.

Cons

  • The shampoo doesn’t lather that well. You may need to wash it twice for it to feel clean.
  • The price is a bit high compared to other shampoos and conditioners.
  • May wash out red hair dye when rinsing in the shower.

We have had the opportunity to utilize the Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner, and I am pleased to report that it performed well with us. It also contains elastin protein and quinoa for effective color protection allowing the colored hair to last up to forty washes of the shampoo and conditioner. We also observed that our hair was softer and smoother when we used this product.

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner are some of the products we found very interesting, especially because this brand is also made with a PROTEINFUSION BLEND FULL OF AMINO ACIDS, which are often lost during the coloring process. This helps in recycling and enhancing hair to be as strong and healthy as it was before. We also liked the fact that it contributed to moisturization of hair making it to look shiny and healthy.

We enjoyed using this product, and we could not help but observe that it was less foamy as compared to other shampoos we have used before. We had to repeatedly wash our hair to be able to get it clean. Also, the cost of the Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner is relatively expensive compared to other shampoos and conditioners available in the market.

All in all, we believe that Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo and Conditioner is worthy of any hair highlighter who would wish to maintain their fresh color healthy. It boasts of using quality ingredients that will help in the protection and care of your hair, and it is recommended if you are in the process of looking for a new shampoo and conditioner.


L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo

L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo

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L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo that can help tone down the brassy tones and help maintain the brightness of the highlighted hair.

Pros

  • The purple toning shampoo and conditioner are formulated for color-treated hair, blonde hair, bleached hair, highlighted brown hair, and silver hair.
  • The shampoo and conditioner are 100% sulfate-free, paraben-free, and free of harsh salts, making them gentle enough for daily use.
  • Infused with Hibiscus and Purple Dye, the shampoo and conditioner help to moisturize your hair, leaving it deeply moisturized and brighter.

Cons

  • The shampoo may not work as effectively on very brassy or yellow hair.
  • The purple dye may stain your hands or shower if not rinsed off properly.
  • The shampoo and conditioner may not be suitable for those with very oily hair.

In our study, we recommend L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo for individuals with highlighted hair. The shampoo and conditioner will help eliminate brassy shades from your hair and make the hair color look even more beautiful. It is a safe and mild formula, and Hibiscus and purple dye will make your hair feel soft and silky.

It is best to use the shampoo and conditioner system 2-3 times a week in place of your regular shampoo and conditioner. For daily hair care, you might want to try out EverPure Bond Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner.

All in all, if you want an excellent sulfate-free color-safe shampoo that can mute brassy tones to keep the highlighted hair dazzling, then the L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo will adequately perform the function.

Buying Guide

Selecting the best shampoo for highlighted hair involves knowledge of specific factors as identified below. Here are some factors to consider before making your purchase:

Ingredients

Choose a shampoo that will not harm or fade your hair color while providing it with the proper nutrients needed. Be careful with strong sulfates that can ruin your color within a short time. Rather, go for those that have natural ingredients such as argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter since they favor hair health.

Color Protection

Select a hair shampoo suited for colored hair to avoid fading it. These shampoos help prevent hair color from fading and ensure that highlights are as fresh as new. Choose products with UV filters to protect your hair from the adverse effects of sun exposure.

Moisturizing Properties

Whether the hair is natural or highlighted, highlighted hair has more risks of drying out and getting damaged, thus the need to use a shampoo that will protect it. Look for products with such humectants as glycerin, panthenol, and aloe vera in their list of ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top sulfate-free shampoos for maintaining highlighted hair?

Shampoos that do not contain sulfate are good to be used on highlighted hair as they do not cause the hair color to fade. The best sulfate-free shampoos for highlighted hair are Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, and L’Oreal Paris EverPure Blonde Shampoo.

Which drugstore shampoos are best for preserving the vibrancy of highlighted hair?

Some supermarket shampoos are also useful for maintaining the brightness of highlighted hair. The best drugstore shampoos for highlighted hair include John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo, Pantene Pro-V Radiant Color Shine Shampoo, and Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo.

How can I choose the best salon-quality shampoo for color-treated hair?

To get a salon-quality shampoo for color treated hair, ensure you get one that is designed for color treated hair. It should be free from sulfate and should have the properties like argon oil, keratin, and vitamins. The best salon-quality shampoos for color-treated hair include Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color, Kerastase Reflection Bain Chromatique, as well as the Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo.

What are the recommended shampoos and conditioners for long-lasting color-treated hair?

If the hair has been colored, it is admirable to use shampoo and conditioner for colored hair as well. Choose shampoos and conditioners with UV filters and antioxidants to shield the hair from harm causing factors. The shampoos and conditioners that help maintain color-treated hair for longer durations are Matrix Biolage Colorlast Shampoo and Conditioner, TIGI Bed Head Colour Goddess Shampoo and Conditioner, and Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner.

What should I look for in a shampoo to keep my dry, colored hair healthy?

If your hair type is colored and dry, try to find a product that will help to nourish the hair. It should include such components as argan oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and so on to nourish and restore the hair. The best shampoos for dry-colored hair include Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo, SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, and Redken All Soft Shampoo.

Is it advisable to use clarifying shampoo on hair with highlights?

Shampoos recommended to clear the hair shafts are known as clarifying shampoos. They are good for some types of hair but are not suitable for highlighted hair. However, clarifying shampoos may remove hair color, making it dull and losing its brightness. Therefore, ensure that you use a sulfate-free shampoo recommended for use on colored hair to preserve the looks and health of your highlights.

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