How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Colored Hair | Craft Collective Salon Group

Coloring your hair is an investment in confidence — but maintaining that color starts at home. At Craft Collective Salon Group near McCandless Crossing, our stylists teach clients how to protect their balayage, highlights, or gloss with the right shampoo and care routine.

Choosing a color-safe shampoo isn’t just about the label; it’s about ingredients, pH balance, and product quality. Here’s how to make sure your color lasts beautifully between salon visits.

1. Avoid Sulfates and Harsh Detergents

Sulfates are cleansing agents that strip the scalp of natural oils — and unfortunately, they can also strip away your fresh color.

We recommend avoiding ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which cause fading and dryness. Instead, look for gentle surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine, which cleans without compromising tone.

Our stylists use and recommend R+Co and R+Co Bleu shampoos for their sulfate-free, color-protective formulas.

2. Maintain pH Balance

Color-treated hair is more porous, meaning it’s more sensitive to pH imbalance. A slightly acidic shampoo (around pH 4.5–5.5) seals the cuticle and locks pigment in place.

Wella Professionals’ Color Motion+ line and Aveda’s Color Conserve range both maintain this balance naturally. These systems are salon-tested to help Pittsburgh clients retain shine and vibrancy, even with frequent washing.

Learn more about how professional systems protect your tone in our Balayage & Hair Color Guide.

3. Choose Moisture Without Weight

One common issue for McCandless clients with fine or straight hair is that heavy moisturizing shampoos can flatten volume. Our stylists recommend alternating between moisture-based and strengthening formulas.

R+Co’s Gemstone shampoo enhances tone and shine for all hair types, while Wella’s FusionPlex line rebuilds internal structure without residue.

If your hair is dry from seasonal changes, see Best Hydrating Products for Dry Scalp for targeted product pairing.

4. Don’t Forget UV and Heat Protection

Color doesn’t just fade from washing — UV exposure and heat damage are major culprits. Using shampoos and leave-ins with built-in protection makes a dramatic difference.

Aveda’s plant-derived antioxidants shield color from environmental stressors, and R+Co Bleu’s Primary Color Shampoo adds UV defense while keeping blonde tones bright.

You can enhance your routine with additional protective styling ideas from Why McCandless Loves Low-Maintenance Styles.

5. Rotate Your Shampoos

Healthy color thrives on variety. Our stylists suggest maintaining two to three shampoos:

• One for daily use (light, sulfate-free)

• One for deep moisture (used once weekly)

• One for toning (purple or blue-based for blondes/brunettes)

  
  

This simple rotation helps balance hydration, tone, and volume — keeping your hair feeling fresh without product fatigue.

For more advanced care, explore the Hair Health & Maintenance page.

6. Sustainability and Product Choice

Sustainability matters to our McCandless community. That’s why Craft Collective partners exclusively with clean beauty brands that reduce packaging waste and support ethical production.

From recyclable bottles to vegan formulations, our salon’s product selection reflects Wexford’s and McCandless’s shared commitment to conscious living.

Learn more about these values on the Sustainable Beauty Philosophy page.

7. When to Refresh at the Salon

Even the best shampoo needs a professional reset. Every six to eight weeks, book a gloss or bond treatment at our McCandless salon to restore shine and strength.

These quick, low-commitment services extend your color’s life and maintain tone between larger services. For seasonal inspiration, see How to Transition from Summer to Fall Color.

Book Your Color Care Consultation

Choosing the right shampoo is the foundation of great color. Whether you’ve gone bright blonde, rich brunette, or subtle balayage, our stylists will build a care plan customized for your texture and lifestyle.

Visit Craft Collective Salon Group or stop by our McCandless location to find your perfect routine — one that keeps your hair radiant, strong, and beautifully sustainable.