I'll Only Put These 10 Shampoos and Conditioners on My Color-Processed Hair

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(Image credit: @ktberohn)

Those of us with color-processed hair know that trying to maintain our color can be incredibly challenging. Before I started coloring my hair, I’d pick shampoo and conditioner solely based on what smelled the best in the hair aisle at Target. When you’re trying to protect your hair color, however, shampoo and conditioner become a whole new ballgame. "If you have decided to take your hair to the next level with color, choosing the right shampoo and conditioner is going to be key to keeping those hues where you'd like them,” says Rashuna Durham, Amika lead pro educator and stylist. 

Parabens are one thing you should definitely aim to avoid. "You want to avoid parabens as much as possible,” says Bianca Hillier, celebrity hair colorist. "Parabens and sulfates are the chemicals in most shampoos and conditioners that strip the color out of the hair. They can cause a number of problems for your hair, including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your color, and even in some cases, hair loss.” 

The good news is that it’s fairly easy to spot parabens on an ingredient list. Just look for ingredients like propylparaben, benzylparaben, methylparaben, or butylparaben on your shampoo and conditioner label. "If someone has a finer texture a conditioner with natural oils will give a weightless moisture and shine,” says Tracey Dryer, Colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. "If someone has a thicker texture, a heavier humectant like shea butter would work best.”

See below for our favorite paraben-free picks—and keep your hair texture in mind when choosing a shampoo and conditioner. 

Stylist-Approved Paraben-Free Shampoo and Conditioners

1. Amika Vault Color-Lock Shampoo and Conditioner

2. Oribe Gold Lust Repair Restore Shampoo and Conditioner

3. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask

Other Paraben-Free Shampoo and Conditioner I Can Vouch For

4. Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo

5. R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

6. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Color Lustre Sulfate-Free Brilliant Glaze Shampoo and Conditioner

7. Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo and Conditioner

8. Ouai Detox Shampoo and Medium Hair Conditioner

9. Sachajuan Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner

10. Davines Oi Shampoo and Conditioner

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Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over Wholesale Replica Bag skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.