The Best Shampoo for Red Hair: How to Enhance Your Client’s Shade
Red hair colours may be eye-catching, but they’re also known for fading fast, which means your red-haired clients need the very best tips and tricks to care for their shades. The good news is, Wella Professionals’ new, innovative technologies allow reds to stay more vibrant than ever before, whether you’re mixing up a Koleston Perfect mahogany mane or a cherry red shade of Color Touch.
But, no matter how flawless their salon hue is, at-home maintenance is always a must for red-haired clients – and that begins with the products and techniques they use on hair wash day. So how do they choose the best shampoo for red hair? Here’s everything they need to know about locking down their shade in between salon visits…
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Image Credit: @kianahansonhair
Why Does Red Hair Colour Fade So Fast?
It’s not always the case that red hair colours fade faster than blonde or brunette hues, but because red shades are so vibrant, the shift may be more noticeable. Sometimes, the more distinctive a colour is, the trickier it can be to maintain, because the difference in the shade as it fades becomes hard to miss. But that doesn’t mean your client has to give up on their fiery-haired dreams just yet; there are ways they can lock their shade down for longer with the right care regimen. (And we’ve got more on that below!)
Meanwhile, you can help in the salon by choosing long-lasting colour products that will give their shade extra mileage. Try permanent hair colours, like Koleston Perfect, which comes in a range of vibrant reds – from cool coppers to bold burgundies. The iconic colour not only offers pure, balanced results with Ultra Precision Colour Technology, but it’s also infused with Metal Purifier to neutralize fading metals in the hair wherever it’s applied. No wonder one tube is sold every second across the globe.
What is the Best Shampoo for Red Hair?
Now let’s take a look at the best shampoo for red hair. Choose the right one for your client’s hair type, and the salon-grade formulas will lock in their vibrant red tones for longer – no matter their perfect shade…
For Vibrant Shine: INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo
If shine is your client’s ultimate goal, this is their shampoo. It’s infused with Lime Caviar, Metal Purifier, and brimming with vitamins to keep coloured locks clean, radiant and protected from fading. Plus, it’s pH-optimized, which means it helps to close the hair cuticle after their salon colour is rinsed away. This locks pigment in and elevates retention for reds that stay undeniably vibrant.
Bonus: Color Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo also comes in two formulas: one for fine to medium hair and one for coarse hair, so you can match their red shampoo up to the texture of your client’s strands.
Use it with: Color Brilliance Vibrant Color Conditioner on ‘regular’ wash days, and INVIGO Color Brilliance Vibrant Color Mask for a weekly treat that softens, smooths and renews.
For Nourishing Care: ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo
To dial up the nourishment in hair that needs it, suggest ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo. The fade-fighting formula is a heavyweight when it comes to fending off free radicals. Not only is it packed with the Metal Purifier to neutralize dulling metals, but it also features antioxidants, so red hair stays perfectly protected for up to eight weeks*. Plus, it’s gentle to hair, gentle to skin (even sensitive scalps) and enhances smoothness and shine.
Use it with: ColorMotion+ Moisturizing Color Reflection Conditioner for silky hydration. Then tell your client to add the ColorMotion+ Structure+ Mask once per week or once per fortnight for an added boost of care. The creamy mask is infused with our exclusive WellaPlex ingredient, which means it strengthens the internal hair bonds. So, not only does colour last longer, but the condition of hair is amped up too.
For Intensive Repair: ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo
For damaged coloured hair, there’s only one answer: ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo. It has deep, sumptuous nourishment down, with a luxurious lather that smells as good as it feels. The blend of AHA and Omega-9 kickstarts the bond-rebuilding process in red hair – on all hair types – before the shampoo rinses completely clean. And, like all Wella Professionals shampoos, it harnesses the Metal Purifier, so fading metals that commonly lurk in the hair are kept at bay. Rich yet lightweight, ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo leaves locks fresh, strong, and unmistakably healthier.
Use it with: ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner. The opulently creamy conditioner pampers red hair back to health, and even helps to ‘plug’ the gaps and tears in high porosity hair. Like the shampoo, it rinses with ease so strands never feel weighed down. Tell your client to apply it to the mid-lengths and ends of hair, leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Can You Wash Red Hair with Normal Shampoo?
If your client’s red hair is natural, they can use any shampoo to suit their hair type. It doesn’t need to be a colour-safe formula, as their shade is already locked in. But if they’re a faux redhead – or a natural who turns to colour to enhance their hue – colour-protecting shampoos are a must to get the longest wear out of their colour products.
Can Red Hair Get Brassy?
Yes, red hair can fade brassy. You’ll know it’s happened if your client’s hair starts to look dull, or their once vibrant hue is shifting more yellow or orange than desired. It’s usually most noticeable in lighter reds, like a ginger blonde or strawberry blonde. Red hair with blonde highlights can also be prone to brassiness, so it may be time for clients working these hues to pick up a purple shampoo.
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What Happens if You Use Purple Shampoo On Red Hair?
Purple shampoo is best known for refreshing brassy blondes, but did you know..? That violet pigment can also work wonders at fixing fading reds and reddish blondes. Because purple sits opposite yellow on the colour wheel, the two tones can balance one another out, so any brassiness in the hair appears less visible.
Strawberry blondes or redheads with blonde highlights are going to see the best results from a purple shampoo, so recommend clients who work these shades try it to keep their colour in check in between salon visits. Our go-to is INVIGO Blonde Recharge Color Refreshing Shampoo. All they have to do is massage it into wet hair when brassiness appears, leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly and follow with their favourite colour-safe conditioner.
More Tips for Washing Red Hair – Share These with Your Client
1. Try Not to Wash Hair Too Soon Post-Colour
“Can you wash your hair 24 hours after colouring?” It’s a question we hear often from clients, and the simple answer is that technically you can, but it’s better if you don’t. The hair cuticle needs time to settle back down after the colouring process, as this allows it to lock in pigment for longer-lasting, more vibrant reds. So, post-colour, suggest your client waits for as long as their roots will let them before washing their hair. This simple step may give them extra mileage out of any shade of red.
2. Make Sure the Water Isn’t Too Hot
Hot water is bad news for all hair colours, but especially fade-prone reds. It may strip the surface of strands and encourage the cuticle to open, so pigment can escape. That’s why your client should always wash their hair with lukewarm water. Note: cold water is a no-no too for washing, as it won’t get all the shampoo out. However, once the lather has been rinsed clean, locks can enjoy a final cool blast to bump up shine.
3. Use a Conditioner After Every Wash
Maintaining red hair colour isn’t just about locking the pigment in; it’s also about celebrating your client’s shade with shine-enhancing, moisture-boosting care. They want to show their hue in its best light, which means they need to condition their hair after every wash. For best results, remind them to use one that matches up with their shampoo. (For example, ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo should go with ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner.) They can also boost the effects of their conditioner by leaving it to absorb for a few extra minutes. Recommend they wrap hair up in a warm towel while conditioner soaks in for a supercharged boost.
4. Revive Reds with a Colour Depositing Mask
Depending on the shade of red your client is working, they may be able to revive their shade at home with the Color Fresh Mask. This pigmented treatment refreshes colour in between salon visits in just 10 minutes. And there are two reds available: Copper Glow for warmer tones, and Red for cooler, more vibrant shades. Help them pick their perfect mask and then show them these simple steps for a quick fix:
- First, they should wash with their chosen shampoo for red hair.
- No follow-up conditioner is needed. While hair is still damp, your client can apply their shade of the Color Fresh Mask.
- For the most even result, they can smooth the mask through hair with a wide-tooth comb.
- After leaving it on for 10 minutes, the mask should be thoroughly rinsed. Red hair colour will be instantly more vibrant.
- Repeat whenever hair looks like it needs a fast pick-me-up.
5. Prevent and Repair Hair Damage with a Leave-In Treatment
Red hair doesn’t look as radiant when it becomes damaged. So it’s important to prevent any wear and tear, while reversing signs of stress with an intensive treatment. A true revolution is ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue, which repairs damage in 90 seconds, while leaving your client with 12x smoother hair** and 99% less breakage***. Your client simply has to mist the lightweight liquid through clean, damp tresses, leave it to absorb for 90 seconds, then style as they usually would to experience never-before-seen results.
6. Wash Chlorine Out Straight After Swimming
Your client does not want chlorine damaged hair – trust us. So, if they’re a swimmer or they’re off on vacation, tell them to take extra special care of their red shade for maximum mileage. First up, before they get in the pool or the ocean, they should soak their hair with clean shower water. Strands are like a sponge – they can only hold so much moisture, and you want that moisture to be clean water, not chlorine. Then, advise them to wash their hair as quickly as possible after they’ve finished their swim. The sooner they get all that chlorine or salt water out, the less havoc it can wreak.
Now you know all the tips and tricks to help your client find the right shampoo for red hair, discover more advice to share in our complete hub of hair care guides.
