Looking for a good shampoo for dark hair? Here are some products including blue shampoos for brown hair, dry shampoos for color treated hair.
Different hair types require different products to give it the care it needs. So it’s good to use the best shampoo for dark hair if you’ve got black or brunette locks.
People who have dark hair typically need products that will keep the texture and color of their hair intact without ripping off the strength of the hair.
Sure, you can go to the salon every week to get your hair washed and blow dried but how is that helping your individual hair needs and most importantly, your pockets!
So allow me to showcase the best shampoo for dark colored hair that will aid you to nourish and take care of your hair strands.
| Shampoo For Dark Hair | Best For | Top Ingredients |
| John Freida Brunette Visibly Color Deepening Shampoo | Ash Brown Hair | Evening Primrose Oil, Cocoa Extract |
| Aveda Pure Plant Black Malva Shampoo | Damaged Hairs | Malva Extract, Eucalyptus |
| OGX Shampoo Bamboo Radiant Brunette | Natural Brunette Hair | Bamboo Extract, Almond Oil |
| R+Co Gemstone Coloring Shampoo | Dyed Brunette Hair | Sunflower Seed Oil, Rice Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract |
| Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo | Dark Hair with Highlights | Violet Pigments, Green Tea Extracts |
| Aveda Clove Shampoo | Sensitive Scalps | Coffee, Sweet Almond Oil, Clove Oil |
| Pravana Color Protect Shampoo | Color Protection | Silk Amino Acids |
| Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo | Blue Shampoo For Color Balancing | Blue Pigments |
| John Freida Brilliant Brunette Shampoo | Shine and Brilliance | Sweet Almond Oil |
Top Shampoo For Dark Hair 2024
John Freida Brunette Visibly Color Deepening Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Ash Brown Hair
Dark hair tends to get lifeless and dull most times and to have a product to revive the shine is very important.
So when I tested this John Frieda shampoo I had high hopes from it. It's a color depositing shampoo with brown pigments that will make your brunette hair color last longer.
On using I found the color deeply pigmented and was happy to note it did a fantastic job of covering up my greys.
I also liked how nourishing this shampoo was!
If you have darker hair color this shampoo from John Freida will provide you with the right kind of nutrients to keep your hair color intact and best of all, allow it to get thicker and fuller.
The primary ingredients of this shampoo are primrose oil and cocoa which are both excellent in safeguarding your hair strands.
However there is one little thing I didn't like - the inclusion of sulfates!
So I suggest you not to overuse this shampoo but instead use it on every alternative day for the best results.
And it's also quite expensive, so use it judiciously.
Pros
- Hydrates hair as it contains primrose oil
- It corrects reddish tones on brunette hair thanks to the color pigments
- The color pigments also help covers preventing your need for frequent touchups
Cons:
- Expensive compared to drugstore brands like OGX
- Contains sulfates so it can strip both hair dye and moisture from hair
My Ratings:
- Moisturizing - 4/5
- Shine - 4/5
- Color Protect - 4.5/5
- Affordability - 3.5/5
Aveda Pure Plant Black Malva Shampoo
Best Natural Shampoo For Dark Hair
Look not all dark colored or brunette hair is the same. Some people might have dark hair with more oily scalps while other might have more dry or sensitive scalps.
So I was looking for gentle properties and soothing agents as part of the shampoo.
That is exactly what Aveda offers with this shampoo!
What drew me to this shampoo is that there are no harsh chemicals in here at all. No sulfates, no parabens and you know the best part even the color pigments in this shampoo are from natural souces!
The main ingredient of this shampoo is an exotic and rare herb called Black Malva which keeps your black and dark hair shiny and lustrous. (Mousavi, Seyyed Mojtaba et al. “A Review on Health Benefits of Malva sylvestris L. Nutritional Compounds for Metabolites, Antioxidants, and Anti-Inflammatory, Anticancer, and Antimicrobial Applications.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2021 5548404. 14 Aug. 2021, doi:10.1155/2021/5548404)
There are other additions to this shampoo including lemon and black tea which are all great contributors to removing dirt from within the pores.
So I really liked how this shampoo cleanses hair, moisturises it AND removes coppery undertones from brunette hair at the same time!
But is this shampoo perfect? Oh no. The quality is excellent but the price also matches its formula. I'd not advise using this as an everyday shampoo.
Also, be warned that it's a blue shampoo. This means it's job is to remove coppery undertones from brunette hair making them livelier and shinier.
It doesn't contain any brown dye pigments and it won't cover up greys or add pigment to your roots.
Pros
- It gets it's color through organic ingredients and there are no artificial dye pigments present
- Removes reddish tones from hair as blue pigments cancel out red
- Good for sensitive scalps as it's free of sulfates, alcohol and fragrances
Cons:
- Expensive, especially for the quantity recieved
- Not for covering greys as it's a blue shampoo not a color-depositing one
My Ratings:
- Moisturizing - 3.5/5
- Shine - 4.5/5
- Color Protect - 4.5/5
- Affordability - 3.5/5
OGX Shampoo Bamboo Radiant Brunette
Best Drugstore Shampoo For Dark Hair
Sun damage is one of the main reasons why color strips of the hair, especially dark hair colors and dyes.
So I was excited to use this OGX shampoo as it has the right ingredients to protect your hair from sun damage.
It is also a very popular drugstore brand so I wanted to see what the fuss was all about.
On using it made my hair feel soft and shiny almost instantly. I think you've got the almond oil and bamboo extract formula to thank for that.
It smoothened my hair strands and gives it a very lustrous texture.
I also liked that it contains UVA and UVB filters that help protect hair color from fading due to environmental exposure.
However, this glow wasn't maintained for a very long time. I found that the shampoo made my hair worse once I started using it on a regular basis.
It might not contain sulfates but it's still full of silicones, alcohol and artificial fragrances that can be really drying.
If you're going brunette for a short while and do not want to spend on an expensive color protect shampoo than OGX is a good choice. Otherwise, I recommend you invest in a John Frieda or Aveda shampoo instead.
Pros
- Affordable drugstore prices and good quantity
- Almond oil formula moisturizes dark hair
- Bamboo fibers add volume to hair
- Gel-based shampoo has a lightweight formula and lathers well
Cons:
- Not for very dry hair as it's light and contains harsh surfactants
My Ratings:
- Moisturizing - 3.5/5
- Shine - 4.5/5
- Color Protect - 4/5
- Affordability - 5/5
Daniel Galvin Organic Head Brunette Shampoo
Best Salon Shampoo For Dark Hair
A salon that I recently visited was using this Daniel Galvin shampoo and I liked when the washed my hair with it. So I decided to try it out for you.
I was assured this shampoo is good for my dark hair and yes, it did stand true to its claims.
The first thing I noticed about this shampoo while washing my hair was it's scent. It has such a refreshing orange fragrance that made showering such a calming experience.
This shampoo has a powerful mixture of sage and black tea which have a strong and effective impact on dark hair tones.
It won't strip hair color and protect your black/brown hair dye from fading. I can safely say that this shampoo is gentle (it's sulfate-free) for dyed hair and natural hair too. It left my tresses very glossy.
What I love about this shampoo is that even though it gives you just the right amount of balanced ingredients, it is priced at a very reasonable price range.
Using this twice a week will do a good job in giving you a very nice hair texture and glossy dark hair.
Pros
- Adds shine to hair thanks to the black tea
- Aloe vera nourishes hair without making it greasy
- Lovely orange fragrance
- Sulfate-free and paraben-free formula with natural ingredients
Cons:
- Contains added perfume that won't suit sensitive scalp
- Lightweight formula not for dry/curly hair
- Expensive
My Ratings:
- Moisturizing - 3.5/5
- Shine - 4.5/5
- Color Protect - 4/5
- Affordability - 5/5
R+Co Gemstone Coloring Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Dark Hair With Highlights
I was intrigued by this shampoo as it claimed to have a mild, natural formula - a mixture of hibiscus, golden root extract and rice water that's supposed to nourish your colored hair.
And frankly, this shampoo from R+Co does fulfill it's promise of nourishing and keeping your hair strands shiny and glossy at all times.
Hair color usually fades off when you begin washing your hair too much.
But I noticed that with this shampoo your hair color stays intact for at least 10 hair washes which can keep your hair and scalp squeaky clean.
The ingredients work well and the best for hair which is black and dark and keeps the lushness of my hair intact.
They also make sure your hair strands are not clumpy and rough and instead smoothen the hair strands.
Most importantly it does not fade the color off but keeps it alive for a longer time.
My only issue with this shampoo is that kind of expensive. But I guess it's expected looking at it's vegan and cruetly-free formula.
I would suggest using this shampoo if you have fine, damaged strands and don't mind spending the money on a more higher-end product. Otherwise, you can simply use a drugstore brand like OGX.
Pros
- Enhances color as it contains UV protective properties
- The hibiscus extracts helps protect hair from damage
- The rice water is protein-rich and repairs damage
- Sulfate-free, cruelty-free, vegan
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contains perfume so can be drying
My Ratings:
- Moisturizing - 3.5/5
- Shine - 4.5/5
- Color Protect - 4/5
- Affordability - 5/5
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
Best Purple Shampoo For Dark Hair
No no don't be confused. Purple shampoos aren't just for removing brassiness from blonde hair. You can absolutely use it for removing yellowish tints from colored brown hair too.
I had a dark brown hair color for a while and wanted to give it a more "ashy" look. So I decided to see if a purple shampoo will do the job. And yes it does!
I love how this Joico purple shampoo turns my dark, sort-of-chestnut brown hair color into a much cooler ash brown. Oh and if you have natural brown hair and have started to grey, then this shampoo allows you to flaunt it without fearing more damage too
Although this is a good idea for your dark hair, make sure you are overusing it to cleanse your scalp by scrubbing it too hard.
The downside? Well it contains sodium laureth sulfate. I don't really like the use of surfactants in shampoos as they can strip hair color from dyed hair.
So I suggest using this purple shampoo only once a week or so to "tone" your dark hair to a more ashy shade. It can be too harsh for regular usage.
Pros
- Adds shine to hair and makes it glossy
- Protects color if you have purple dyed dark hair
- Removes brassy undertones from brown hair making it look ash brown
Cons:
- Good for only highlighted dark hair
- Purple shampoo isn't great for natural brown/black hair
- It contains sulfates so it can be a bit harsh on scalp
My Ratings:
- Moisturizing - 3.5/5
- Shine - 4/5
- Color Protect - 4/5
- Affordability - 4.5/5
Aveda Clove Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Dark Oily Hair
Clove has a way with nourishing hair strands and protecting your hair strands from getting stripped of its elements.
Aveda is a herbal brand which includes botanical extracts in most of their products and allows your hair to bask in goodness!
Another thing with clove is that it can nourish and cleanse your scalp and remove unwanted substances present on your scalp.
Coffee is another ingredient that contributes to making your hair lush and strong and giving it more volume. Coffee can also aid in keeping your dark hair’s texture intact.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- No sulfates
- Based on Ayurvedic formula
- Protects color
- Controls sebum production on oily scalps
Cons:
- Drying
- Not for African American hair
Moisturizing - 3/5
Shine - 4.5/5
Color Protect - 4.5/5
Affordability - 4/5
Pravana Shampoo
Best Color Shampoo For Dark Hair
Pravana, the perfect shampoo for brown and dark hair, has a number of benefits in terms of keeping your hair texture in place.
First off, this shampoo is sulphate and chemical free which makes sure that your hair color does not rip or come off.
For color treated hair especially, you need a gentle cleanser that removes accumulations from within the pores.
Having coconut oil as a primary ingredient means that your hair will be strengthened and given a better texture.
It contains a blue formula which does not let your hair change color drastically.
Pros
- Protects color from fading
- Nice scent
- Neutralizes brassiness
- Sulfate-free
Cons:
- May not suit very dry or curly hair
Moisturizing - 3.5/5
Shine - 4/5
Color Protect - 5/5
Affordability - 4/5
Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
Best Blue Shampoo For Brown Hair
Interestingly, this shampoo is literally called the color depositing shampoo which means your color will be kept intact without affecting the strands.
Your dark hues can be hard to maintain at times and what you need is a product that protects the color and does not allow it to fade off.
Matrix has always hit the nail on the head with their wide range of shampoos and conditioners that have catered to men and women with hair issues of all kinds.
This is considered as one of the best products for brunettes to keep their dark hair well maintained.
This shampoo comes at a reasonable price, considering the workings of the shampoo.
Pros
- Neutralized brassy tones in brunette hair
- Protects color from fading
Cons:
- Contains sulfates
Moisturizing - 4/5
Shine - 4.5/5
Color Protect - 4.5/5
Affordability - 4/5
John Freida Brilliant Brunette Shampoo
Best Shampoo For Dark Hair Going Grey
This is a shampoo and conditioner combo which works doubly well for your dark hair. Your welcome in advance!
The best feature of this shampoo is that it elevates your hair color and keeps it defined so that you can flaunt it without worrying about the faded colors.
John Freida is a premium brand which always has the right answer when it comes to your hair issues.
It has proved it right again with this product for dark hair.
The honey and marigold mixed in this shampoo is amazing, keeping your hair shiny and flawless.
According to us, you don’t even need to worry about styling your hair with this product.
It could be slightly out of most people’s price range if you are focusing on just the color bit of it.
Pros
- Very nourishing and rich
- Covers greys
- Enhances color
Cons:
- Contains sulfates
- Very strong scent
Moisturizing - 4.5/5
Shine - 4/5
Color Protect - 4/5
Affordability - 4/5
Comparison Table
| Top Shampoos For Dark Hair | John Freida Brunette Visibly Color Deepening Shampoo | Aveda Pure Plant Black Malva Shampoo | OGX Shampoo Bamboo Radiant Brunette | R+Co Gemstone Coloring Shampoo | Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo | Aveda Clove Shampoo | John Freida Brilliant Brunette Shampoo | Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo | Pravana Shampoo |
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| Price | Expensive | Very Expensive | Very Affordable | Very Affordable | Affordable | Slightly Expensive | Slightly Expensive | Affordable | Slightly Expensive |
| Formula | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Color Correcting Power | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Cleansing Power | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Ingredients Quality | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Sulfate-Free | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color Depositing | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
How to maintain your dark hair color?
Having a dark hair color means having to change some hair care products and routines that may effectively prove to be wrong for your hair. We have some tips for you to try out.
- Do not use a strong color shampoo more than twice a week to keep your hair color intact and not ripping off the dye too much.
- Do not scrub your hair too hard but massaging your scalp lightly will help nourish your scalp while also protecting your hair color.
- Do not use hot appliances too harshly on your hair. This can act differently on your hair strands by ripping the color off and hair strands.
Dark hair is always considered a significant style. But it is vital to be choosing the right products, especially something as basic as shampoos should be carefully picked by you.
A good shampoo for dark hair can be important in allowing you to maintain the health of your hair.