Best shampoo and conditioner for highlighted hair on a bathroom counter.

Best Shampoos & Conditioners for Highlighted Hair

It’s a frustratingly common story: you leave the salon with stunning, vibrant highlights, only to see them turn dull or brassy just a few weeks later. If you feel like your color fades faster than it should, you’re not alone—and it’s likely not your fault. Often, the culprit is a haircare routine that hasn’t been updated to meet the needs of color-treated hair. The process of highlighting changes your hair’s structure, making it more porous and susceptible to fading. The good news is that with a few simple swaps, you can completely change the game. It all begins with finding the best shampoo and conditioner for highlighted hair, which forms the foundation for a routine that preserves your color’s integrity and shine.

Key Takeaways

  • Prioritize Sulfate-Free Formulas: Your first line of defense against fading is a gentle, color-safe shampoo. Look for nourishing ingredients that add moisture back into the hair, rather than harsh detergents that strip away your color and natural oils.
  • Turn Down the Heat in Your Routine: High temperatures from both hot water and styling tools open the hair cuticle, allowing color to escape. Wash with lukewarm water and always use a heat protectant to create a necessary barrier before styling.
  • Adopt a System of Repair and Protection: Maintain your hair's health with a two-part strategy. Use a weekly deep conditioning mask to restore moisture lost during processing, and apply a daily leave-in styler to shield your highlights from environmental stressors like UV rays and humidity.

What Your Highlighted Hair Really Needs

That fresh-from-the-salon feeling is priceless. Your highlights are bright, your hair feels silky, and you’re ready to take on the world. But keeping that vibrant, dimensional color looking its best long after your appointment requires a little strategy. Highlighted hair has a unique set of needs, and understanding the science behind it is the first step to protecting your investment and maintaining gorgeous, healthy hair. It all starts with knowing what the coloring process actually does to your strands and why the products you used before might not make the cut anymore.

What Happens When You Highlight Your Hair?

To get those beautiful, bright pieces, your colorist uses a process that opens up the hair cuticle to lift your natural pigment and deposit the new shade. While this creates the look you want, it also changes the structure of your hair, making it more porous. Think of it like a sponge—highly porous hair absorbs and releases moisture (and color molecules) much more easily. This means that every time you wash your hair, the strands swell with water, the cuticle opens slightly, and a little bit of that expensive color can slip away. This is why specialized care is so essential to keep your highlights vibrant and prevent them from looking dull or brassy.

Why Your Regular Shampoo Won't Cut It

If you’ve invested in highlights, using a standard shampoo is one of the fastest ways to watch that investment wash down the drain. Many drugstore shampoos are formulated with harsh detergents like sulfates, which are great at creating a big lather but can also strip color and dry out the hair. Because highlighted hair is already in a more fragile state, these ingredients can leave it feeling brittle and looking lackluster. A color-safe shampoo is non-negotiable. These formulas are specifically designed with gentler cleansing agents that remove dirt and oil without stripping your color, helping you keep your hair healthy and extend the time between salon visits.

What to Look for on the Label

Walking down the haircare aisle can feel like a pop quiz you didn't study for. With so many bottles promising miracles, how do you know what actually works for highlighted hair? The secret is in the ingredient list. Learning to spot the heroes and the villains on the label is the single best thing you can do to protect your color investment. It’s the difference between vibrant, lasting color and a trip back to the salon sooner than you planned. Let’s break down exactly what to look for—and what to leave on the shelf.

The Good Stuff: Ingredients to Seek Out

First things first: look for products specifically labeled "color-safe" or "for color-treated hair." These formulas are designed to cleanse gently without stripping your new hue. The most important phrase to find is "sulfate-free." Beyond that, seek out ingredients that add moisture and strength back into your hair, which is often more fragile after processing. Look for nourishing oils like argan or grapeseed, hydrating extracts like beet root, and strengthening proteins like collagen or jojoba. These restorative ingredients help repair damage from the highlighting process, leaving your hair soft, shiny, and vibrant.

Red Flags: Ingredients to Skip

The number one ingredient to avoid is sulfates (like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate). Think of them as harsh detergents that are way too aggressive for color-treated hair. They create a big lather, but they also strip your hair of its natural oils and, you guessed it, your beautiful highlights. You should also steer clear of clarifying shampoos. While they’re great for removing product buildup on occasion, they are far too powerful for regular use on colored hair and can cause your color to fade almost instantly. Always check the label to ensure you’re choosing a gentle, protective formula.

Why pH Balance Is Key

Here’s a little hair science that makes a big difference: your hair and scalp have a naturally acidic pH level. When that balance is disrupted, the outer layer of your hair, called the cuticle, can lift and swell. An open cuticle is bad news for color, as it allows pigment molecules to wash right out. This is why stylists recommend rinsing with cool water—it helps keep the cuticle sealed. A well-formulated, pH-balanced shampoo will help maintain your hair’s natural state, keeping the cuticle smooth and closed. This not only locks in your color but also reduces frizz and adds shine.

Our Top Shampoo Picks for Highlighted Hair

Finding the right shampoo is one of the most important steps in protecting your investment in beautiful highlights. The right formula will gently cleanse without stripping your color, add back essential moisture, and keep your tones looking fresh and vibrant. To make it easier, I’ve sorted through some of the best options on the market, from splurge-worthy treatments to fantastic budget finds. Each of these is sulfate-free, which is non-negotiable for keeping your color intact.

The Luxury List

When you want to give your hair the absolute best, these are the bottles to reach for. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is iconic for a reason; it works at a molecular level to repair the broken bonds that chemical processing can cause. Think of it as therapy for your hair. Another incredible option is the KĂ©rastase Chroma Absolu Shampoo. This one is a true multitasker that helps mend damage, lock in your color, and neutralize any brassy tones before they start, leaving your hair feeling soft and looking brilliant. These are the shampoos that truly deliver a professional-level experience at home.

Great Mid-Range Options

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get salon-quality results. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is a stylist favorite because it delivers intense moisture, which is exactly what thirsty, highlighted hair needs. It keeps your color looking bright while making your hair feel incredibly soft. For hair that needs a little strengthening, Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo is a fantastic choice. It’s formulated with proteins that help fortify each strand, giving your hair a healthy, glossy finish that really makes your highlights pop. Both of these prove that you can find powerful, color-safe formulas without the luxury price tag.

Smart Budget-Friendly Finds

Great hair care is accessible at any price point. If you’re looking for an affordable option that still delivers, check out Herbal Essences Pure Grapeseed Color Nurture Shampoo. It’s a gentle, effective cleanser that helps brighten your color and even offers some UV protection. Another excellent choice is the L'OrĂ©al Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo. As one of the best shampoos for color-treated hair, it’s perfect if your hair is on the drier side or if you just want to add an extra dose of shine to your highlights without weighing them down.

Purple vs. Blue: Which Toner to Use

Have you noticed your highlights turning a bit yellow or orange? That’s where a toning shampoo comes in, but it's important to choose the right color. Purple shampoo is designed for blonde, silver, or light-colored hair. The purple pigments cancel out unwanted yellow tones, keeping your blonde highlights cool and bright. On the other hand, blue shampoo is for brunettes with highlights or balayage. It uses blue pigments to neutralize the orange or reddish tones that can appear in lightened brown hair. You can use these toning shampoos once or twice a week in place of your regular shampoo to maintain your perfect color.

The Best Conditioners to Protect Your Color

Shampoo gets your hair clean, but conditioner is what truly protects your investment. Think of it as the guardian of your highlights. The right conditioner smooths the hair cuticle, which gets roughed up during the coloring process. A sealed cuticle not only feels softer and looks shinier, but it also locks in the color molecules, preventing them from washing down the drain. For highlighted hair, this step is non-negotiable. It replenishes moisture lost during bleaching and creates a protective barrier against heat, UV rays, and other environmental stressors that can make your color look dull and brassy. A good conditioner can be the difference between vibrant, multi-dimensional color and flat, faded strands just a few weeks after your appointment. It’s less about just detangling and more about actively preserving the health and tone of your hair. By infusing your strands with targeted ingredients, you’re not just maintaining your color; you’re improving the overall integrity of your hair. Choosing the right type of conditioner for your routine—whether it's a daily hydrator, a weekly treatment, or a leave-in—is the key to keeping your highlights looking as fresh as the day you left the salon.

For Daily Hydration

Your everyday conditioner should be a gentle workhorse that moisturizes without weighing your hair down. Look for formulas specifically labeled "color-safe," as these are designed with milder ingredients and a pH balance that won't strip your color. Using the right daily conditioner is a fundamental step to keep your hair color looking fresh and vibrant. Ingredients like grapeseed oil and beet root extract are fantastic for providing lightweight hydration and antioxidants that protect against fading. This is your first line of defense, ensuring your hair stays soft, manageable, and brilliant day after day. It’s all about consistent, gentle care to maintain that perfect tone and shine.

For a Weekly Deep Treatment

Once a week, your highlighted hair needs a little extra love. A deep treatment or bond-building conditioner goes beyond surface-level softness to repair the internal structure of the hair strand, which is weakened by the bleaching process. These intensive formulas are packed with proteins and amino acids that rebuild broken disulfide bonds, restoring your hair’s strength and elasticity from the inside out. Think of it as a reset for your hair’s health. This step is crucial for preventing the breakage and brittleness that often come with highlights, ensuring your hair not only looks great but is genuinely healthy and resilient.

The Best Leave-In Conditioners

A great leave-in conditioner is the secret to all-day protection. After you wash and condition, a leave-in formula provides a continuous shield against humidity, heat, and UV damage. For highlighted hair, this is especially important because it helps prevent the oxidation that can turn blonde pieces brassy. Our Super Luxe Hero Cream is designed for this very purpose, acting as an all-in-one styler that hydrates, controls frizz, and provides thermal protection. Using a leave-in helps your color stay bright and healthy for longer, often letting you stretch the time between salon visits while keeping your hair silky smooth.

Restorative Hair Masks

When your hair feels particularly dry or damaged, a restorative hair mask is your go-to solution. These are the true "secret weapons" for making your hair look and feel like you just left the salon. Thicker and more concentrated than regular conditioners, masks are formulated with rich ingredients like jojoba butter, argan oil, and hydrolyzed collagen to deliver an intense dose of moisture and nutrients. Applying a mask for 10-20 minutes allows these ingredients to penetrate deeply, reviving dull strands and restoring vibrant shine. It’s the ultimate form of self-care for your hair, leaving it incredibly soft and radiant.

How to Make Your Color Last Longer

You’ve just left the salon with fresh, vibrant highlights, and you want that feeling to last as long as possible. Protecting your color is about more than just using the right products; it’s about building smart habits into your routine. Think of it as protecting an investment. With a few simple adjustments to how you wash, style, and protect your hair from the elements, you can keep your color looking rich and true to tone for weeks longer. It all comes down to gentle handling and minimizing exposure to the things that cause color to fade, like harsh cleansers, high heat, and UV rays. Let’s walk through the essential steps to extend the life of your highlights and keep your hair healthy and luminous between salon visits.

Wash Your Hair the Right Way

The first step to preserving your color starts in the shower. Shampoos formulated for color-treated hair are non-negotiable. They are designed with milder cleansing agents that clean your scalp and hair without stripping away your new color. If you can, try to wash your hair just two or three times a week. Over-washing is one of the fastest ways to fade your highlights. On in-between days, a good dry shampoo can be your best friend for absorbing oil at the roots. When you do wash, you’re ensuring that your cleansing routine is working with your color, not against it, which is a fundamental part of any color-safe hair care regimen.

Turn Down the Heat

Heat is a major culprit behind fading color, and that applies to both your water temperature and your styling tools. Hot water opens up the hair’s cuticle, allowing color molecules to escape with every rinse. Instead, wash and rinse your hair with lukewarm or cool water to keep the cuticle sealed and the color locked in. When it comes to styling, never let a hot tool touch your hair without a layer of protection. A high-quality heat protectant is essential. Our Super Luxe Hero Cream not only shields your strands from damage but also contains argan oil and jojoba butter to fight frizz and add shine, making it a perfect all-in-one prep step before you blow-dry or flat iron.

Shield Your Hair from the Sun

Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun. UV rays can break down the pigments in your hair, causing your beautiful highlights to fade and turn brassy. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time outdoors, the simplest solution is to wear a hat or a chic scarf. It’s a stylish way to provide a physical barrier against sun damage. For everyday protection, look for styling products that contain UV filters. Applying a leave-in conditioner or styling cream with this benefit can make a significant difference in preserving the integrity and vibrancy of your color, especially during the sunnier months.

Your Weekly Treatment Routine

To keep your highlighted hair looking its best, a little weekly TLC goes a long way. Color-treated hair is more porous and prone to dryness, so a restorative treatment is key. Once a week, swap your regular conditioner for a deep conditioning mask to replenish moisture and strengthen your strands. Healthy, hydrated hair holds onto color much better than dry, damaged hair. You can also incorporate an at-home hair gloss to boost shine and refresh your tone between appointments. If you notice brassiness creeping in, a toning shampoo can help. Purple shampoos neutralize unwanted yellow tones in blonde hair, while blue shampoos counteract orange tones in brunette hair.

How to Style Your Hair Without Fading Your Color

You invested time and money into getting that perfect hair color, so the last thing you want is for your styling routine to undo all that beautiful work. It can feel like a trade-off, but you don’t have to choose between having great style and having vibrant, lasting color. You can absolutely have both. The secret lies in a smarter approach to styling—one that prioritizes protection and uses products that work with your color, not against it. By incorporating a few key habits into your routine, you can use your favorite heat tools to create stunning looks without watching your highlights turn brassy or your rich color fade.

Must-Do Heat Protection Steps

This is the number one rule for styling color-treated hair: always use a heat protectant. Every single time you reach for a blow dryer, curling wand, or flat iron, you need to shield your strands. High temperatures are one of the fastest ways to dull your color because the heat lifts the hair's outer cuticle, allowing precious color molecules to escape. Think of a heat protectant as armor for your hair. A multi-tasking product like our Super Luxe Hero Cream is ideal for this, as it provides powerful thermal protection while also hydrating and fighting frizz. Applying it to damp hair before you even think about blow-drying is a non-negotiable step for preserving your color's integrity and shine.

The Best Color-Safe Styling Products

Just as you choose a color-safe shampoo, your styling products need to be just as thoughtful. Many stylers contain harsh alcohols or other ingredients that can strip color over time, leaving it looking flat and faded. Look for products with nourishing, purpose-driven formulas that are specifically designed to be kind to color-treated hair. This means avoiding sulfates and parabens while seeking out hydrating ingredients like argan oil, jojoba, and grapeseed oil. A great styling cream won't just help you achieve your look; it will actively work to protect your hair and color by sealing the cuticle to lock in moisture and vibrancy. This ensures your style looks polished and your color remains as rich as the day you left the salon.

Pro Tips for Flawless Styling

Great styling starts long before you plug in your tools. To give your color its best chance at longevity, begin by washing your hair less frequently, as over-washing is a primary cause of color fade. When you do wash, use lukewarm or cool water instead of hot—high water temperatures open the hair cuticle just like heat styling does, allowing color to seep out. Once your hair is clean and prepped with a heat protectant, be mindful of your tool's temperature. You rarely need the highest heat setting to get the job done. Using a lower temperature might take a few extra seconds, but it makes a huge difference in preserving your color. These small adjustments add up, helping you achieve a sleek, polished finish without sacrificing your hair's health.

Are You Making These Color-Fading Mistakes?

You walk out of the salon with that fresh-from-the-chair feeling, your highlights looking bright, dimensional, and absolutely perfect. It’s an investment of both time and money, and you want that vibrant color to last as long as possible. But sometimes, without even realizing it, our daily habits can be the biggest culprits behind premature fading, turning those brilliant blondes and caramels into dull, brassy tones far too soon. The good news is that protecting your color doesn't require a complete overhaul of your routine.

Often, it’s the small, seemingly harmless things that make the biggest impact. From the temperature of your shower to the products you reach for before blow-drying, every step matters. Think of your hair care routine as the insurance policy for your color. By identifying a few common missteps, you can make simple adjustments that will keep your highlights looking fresh and luminous between salon visits. Let’s walk through some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them, so you can maintain that just-colored glow for weeks to come.

Choosing the Wrong Products

The foundation of any great hair care routine is using the right products, and this is especially true for color-treated hair. Grabbing just any shampoo off the shelf is one of the quickest ways to strip your color. Many formulas contain harsh sulfates, which are strong detergents that create a satisfying lather but can also pull the color molecules right out of your hair shaft, along with its natural oils. This leaves your hair not only faded but also dry and brittle.

Making the switch to a sulfate-free shampoo is a non-negotiable for preserving your highlights. Look for cleansers specifically labeled "color-safe," as these are formulated with gentler ingredients that cleanse without stripping. Your shampoo is your first line of defense in the fight against fading.

Common Washing Errors

How you wash your hair can be just as important as what you wash it with. First, try to stretch the time between washes. Over-washing is a fast track to faded highlights, as every wash exposes your hair to water and cleansers that can lift the color. Try incorporating a quality dry shampoo to absorb oil at the roots between wash days. When you do wash, turn down the temperature. Hot water opens up the hair’s cuticle layer, allowing color to escape easily. A lukewarm wash followed by a cool rinse helps seal the cuticle, locking in moisture and your beautiful color. Also, give your hair a grace period—wait at least 48 hours after your salon appointment before that first wash to give the color molecules time to fully set.

Forgetting About Environmental Damage

We protect our skin from the sun, but it's easy to forget that our hair needs protection, too. Just like UV rays can damage your skin, they can also break down the pigments in your hair, causing your highlights to fade and turn brassy. If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, think about shielding your hair. A stylish hat or a chic scarf can be your hair’s best friend on a sunny day. For daily protection, look for styling products that contain UV filters. Chlorine from pools and salt from the ocean can also be incredibly harsh, stripping color and moisture. Before taking a dip, wet your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner to create a protective barrier.

Styling Habits to Break

Heat is a major enemy of hair color. While we all love a fresh blowout or perfectly styled waves, frequent use of hot tools without proper protection can literally cook the color out of your hair. High temperatures open the cuticle and degrade the color molecules, leading to dullness and fading. This is where a high-performance heat protectant becomes essential. It’s not a step you can afford to skip.

Look for a multi-tasking product that does more than just shield your strands. Our Super Luxe Hero Cream not only provides critical thermal protection but also hydrates, fights frizz, and adds shine—all in one step. By using an all-in-one styler, you simplify your routine while giving your hair everything it needs to stay healthy and vibrant. Also, consider turning down the heat setting on your tools; you can often achieve the same great style with less damaging temperatures.

How to Shop Smart for Your Haircare

Investing in high-quality haircare is one of the best things you can do for your color, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be strategic about it. Knowing where to look and when to buy can help you stock up on your favorite products while making your investment go further. With a little planning, you can keep your highlighted hair healthy and vibrant without overspending. Here are a few tips for getting the best value on the products you love.

In-Store Promotions to Watch For

When you’re shopping in person, keep an eye out for seasonal sales and "buy more, save more" events. Retailers often run these promotions on professional haircare lines, giving you a great opportunity to purchase your go-to shampoo and conditioner in larger sizes or stock up for a few months. It’s an especially good time to grab any deep conditioners or treatments you’ve been wanting to try. Following your favorite beauty retailers on social media is a simple way to stay informed about their upcoming promotional deals.

Finding the Best Value Online

Online shopping opens up a world of savings, especially if you’re patient. Before checking out, always do a quick search for discount codes or special offers. Many brands and online retailers provide codes for first-time buyers or for purchases over a certain amount. You can often find special offers that include a free travel-sized product with your purchase, which is perfect for trying something new or for your gym bag. These small savings add up over time and make it easier to stick with the high-performance products your hair needs.

Making the Most of Loyalty Programs

If you have brands you consistently buy from, joining their loyalty program is a must. Signing up for emails or texts often gives you an immediate discount on your next purchase, but the real benefits come later. Members usually get exclusive access to sales, early announcements for new products, and even birthday gifts. It’s a simple, free way to get more from the brands you already trust and ensure you never miss a chance to save on your essential haircare products.

When to Buy from Your Salon

Your stylist is your most valuable resource for maintaining your highlighted hair. They have the expertise to recommend products specifically for your hair type, texture, and color treatment. Purchasing products directly from your salon ensures you’re getting authentic, professional-grade formulas that deliver real results. Plus, you’re supporting a local business and the artist who knows your hair best. Consider your salon your first stop for targeted treatments and expert advice—it’s an investment that pays off with every wash. Heirs to Beauty is proud to partner with salons that share our commitment to hair health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How soon can I wash my hair after getting highlights, and how often should I wash it after that? It’s best to wait at least 48 hours before your first wash. This gives the hair cuticle time to fully close and lock in the new color molecules. After that, try to limit washing to two or three times a week. Over-washing is one of the fastest ways to fade your color, so on off-days, a good dry shampoo can be your best friend to keep your roots feeling fresh.

My blonde highlights are starting to look yellow. What’s the best way to fix this? That unwanted yellowing is a classic case of brassiness, and a purple toning shampoo is the perfect solution. The purple pigments work to neutralize the yellow tones, restoring your highlights to their intended cool, bright shade. You don’t need to use it every day; swapping it into your routine once a week is usually enough to keep your color looking crisp and fresh from the salon.

Is it really necessary to use a heat protectant every single time I style my hair? Yes, absolutely. Think of it as insurance for your color investment. Heat from blow dryers and styling irons opens up the hair's cuticle, which allows color to fade much faster. Applying a heat protectant creates a necessary barrier that shields your strands from damage and prevents the heat from dulling your highlights. It’s a non-negotiable step for keeping your color vibrant.

My hair feels so dry and brittle since I started highlighting it. What can I do? This is very common because the highlighting process makes hair more porous and prone to moisture loss. The best way to combat this is by incorporating a weekly deep conditioning treatment or a restorative hair mask into your routine. These formulas are much more intensive than a daily conditioner and work to infuse deep moisture and repair the hair's internal structure, leaving it feeling soft and resilient again.

Can I use just one product to protect my color, fight frizz, and add shine? You definitely can, and it’s a great way to simplify your routine without sacrificing results. Look for a high-quality, all-in-one styling cream that’s formulated for color-treated hair. A great one will offer thermal protection, control frizz, and provide hydration. Our Super Luxe Hero Cream was designed to do just that, acting as a leave-in conditioner, heat shield, and styling cream to keep your hair healthy and your color protected.

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