Red hair is undeniably gorgeous, but it's a notoriously difficult color to maintain. Red fades fast, which is why if you dye your hair this hue, it's especially essential to choose products that will keep your color looking as vibrant as possible for as long as possible. So we reached out to top colorists in the biz for their picks for the best hair products for redheads. From shampoo to leave-in conditioner to serum, these are the best of the best for keeping your Ariel-esque hair color in tip-top shape.
"This shampoo keeps the hair silky smooth, which aids in color protection," says Lisa Estridge, hair colorist at Eliut Salon in New York City. The formula enhances red color and contains vitamin E and sunflower seed extract for added softness. Estridge recommends using it once a week so color doesn't build up and alternating it with a regular shampoo.
"I love and always recommend Shu's delicate cleansing oil shampoo and conditioner for my redheads," says Lucille Javier, hair colorist at Sally Hershberger Salon in New York City. She says the duo does the job of cleaning and conditioning your hair while still being gentle. "You can wash you hair and feel comfortable that your hair color will be safe," says Javier.
"Reds are hard to keep in, being that it's the most unstable dye molecule, explains Doug Macintosh, New York City colorist, so finding the right shampoo and conditioner is key. Macintosh recommends this combo for everyday use for redheads. Why? "It holds the color and gives shine like crazy," he says.
The sun is one of the biggest red hair-faders. Enter this leave-in conditioner, which Miami-based celeb hairstylist and master colorist Gabriel Samra recommends to his clients with red hair. "It's a multi-tasking spray that works to detangle and soften hair while also protecting color against fading with UV absorbers, making it the perfect spray to maintain your color," says Samra.
