20 best sulphate-free shampoos to keep coloured hair vibrant for longer — tried and tested

If your hair is dry, fine and lacking va-va-voom, Aveeno’s Volumising Shampoo is by your side. Not only is it kind to your bank balance, but it’s also kind to your hair and scalp – no wonder, this is Aveeno we’re talking about.

Formulated without any nasties, it’s made with colloidal oat to prevent dandruff and heal a damaged scalp, while natural ingredients like cucumber water, rosemary oil and peppermint extract help to boost thickness.

Conditioner: Aveeno Haircare Volumising+ Fresh Greens Blend Conditioner

Living Proof’s Full Shampoo is one of the best in the industry if you want sky-high roots – plus, when you style with a round brush and voluming spray, the results are out of this world!

After just one wash, it adds body and movement to flat lengths, giving the illusion you have more hair than what you actually do. It may be a pricy bottle, but it gives weightless bounce to fine hair and boosts shine without loading on silicones.

Conditioner: Living Proof Full Conditioner

Noughty is proving that you don’t need to spend major £££ to find a good bond repair shampoo. The Let’s Bond shampoo contains a blend of 11 amino acids to repair and rebuild damaged bonds at a molecular level – essentially fixing damage from the inside out. Amino acids also provide protection, boost keratin production and add hydration.

Noughty also conducted clinical studies, and found that when this shampoo is used in a regimen (alongside the conditioner and leave-in treatment), participants saw an improvement in hair strength by 70% and a reduction in breakage. That’s right, this isn’t just a pretty face.

Conditioner: Let’s Bond Bond Repair Conditioner

Olaplex’s Bond Maintenance Shampoo is specifically designed to cleanse fine hair without weighing it down. It still has the same creamy, lathery consistency as the original Bond Maintenance shampoo, but a few changes have been made to make it suitable for those with thin strands.

It doesn’t include silicones – which can be heavy on fine hair – but instead uses surfactants to cleanse. It also contains lighter nourishing ingredients, like apricot oil, to boost hydration and shine, while an agent named sclerotium gum helps to increase volume.

Conditioner: No4 Fine Bond Maintenance Conditioner

If you're confused by the sheer number of shampoos recommended for specific hair types, then look no further. This milky-smooth shampoo is said to be ideal for all hair types. Infused with Roucou oil, it aims to maintain soft, shiny and full strands with a lingering perfume. It's earned cult status for very good reasons.

Conditioner: OI Absolute Beautifying Conditioner

“Following four years of back-to-back hair extensions, this has been my go-to shampoo to bring health and life back into my strands. It’s formulated with pure citric acid and glycine to detoxify the scalp from hard minerals, product build up and grease – which, in turn, can cause further damage and a dull appearance.

Not only this, but the glycine works to rebuild broken keratin bonds caused by excessive heat exposure or colour treatments. It lathers into a rich, creamy foam and makes my strands feel super soft every time.” – Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.

Conditioner: Première Bonding Advanced Conditioner

If you have curly or coarse hair, Curlsmith’s Core Strength Shampoo is calling your name. It’s packed with proteins to fortify damaged bonds, while also helping to restore a defined curl pattern to your hair. It has a slightly thicker consistency so it works well on tight curls or textured hair to give it a deep cleanse, without stripping it of it’s natural oils. It also contains nourishing ingredients, like pumpkin seed oil, pressed hemp oil and guava juice to bring back moisture to dry ends.

If your hair feels dry and straw-like, it’s a wise idea to find out if you live in a hard water area, as hard water deposits minerals onto your strands leaving them feeling crispy and dry – not to mention the effect it can have on your hair colour, too.

Hello Klean’s Full Cover Anti-Thinning Shampoo contains amino acids and AHA’s to neutralise hard water minerals, while astaxanthin prevents oxidative stress that can cause damage. There’s also biotin which helps to boost your hair’s strength. So stay loyal to it and your hair will be stronger, softer and less prone to shedding.

If your hair is in need of a hydration hit, Coco & Eve’s Super Hydrating Shampoo is just as moisturising on brittle lengths as it sounds. This foamy shampoo is formulated with hyaluronic acid, coconut and avocado oil to feed the hair with instant nourishment, while also helping to replenish lost hydration from heat or colour damage.

Not only does it do good for your hair, but it also has a tropical aroma to it with notes of fig, coconut, milk and sandalwood. No one will be able to resist you.

Conditioner: Super Hydrating Cream Conditioner

Anyone with colour-treated hair knows it's about as high maintenance as a puppy. This gives a bit of a breather in between salon appointments with a boost in hair vibrancy.

It improves the condition of stands, too, thanks to a boost in moisture. Once dry, you'll see a reduction in flyaways and enjoy silky-smooth results.

Conditioner: Pureology Hydrate Conditioner

You only have to look at the raving reviews to know that this shampoo is well worth trying. Whilst most of us are striving for full, voluminous hair, Philip Kingsley hits the nail on the head with this brilliant thickening formula free from nasties and full of fortifying ingredients that will no doubt benefit hair health.

Conditioner: Philip Kingsley Density Thickening Conditioner

Fine hair texture and coloured strands usually go hand in hand, which is what this shampoo is trying to counteract. The formula claims to prevent the blocking of hair follicles, which can cause thinning, while protecting your colour.

It doesn't weigh down fine hair and freshness lasts longer between shampoos. It improves vibrancy, too making it an excellent option if you have brightly-coloured lengths.

Conditioner: Color WOW Color Security Conditioner

With a name like this, we're listening. Make your curls really pop with this frizz-eliminating formulation courtesy of Amrika. Devoid of parabens, colour safe and mineral oil free, this pick is perfect for ingredient-conscious folk among us. It's stripped back with only the important bits.

Conditioner: amika Forget Frizz Anti-Frizz Conditioner

This frizz-fighting formula aims to tame rebellious flyaways using babassu oil combined with Redken’s unique smoothing complex – and after testing it across multiple hair types, we can confirm the shampoo lives up to expectations.

Those who tested the shampoo saw an impressive reduction in frazzled strands, resulting in a sleeker and softer appearance. It lathered generously for a sulphate-free option and created a diamond-like shine.

Conditioner: Redken Frizz Dismiss Conditioner

If you're craving a new look and have booked in for a fresh bleach and tone for winter, this is our top pick for you. The shampoo improves the overall texture of hair and adds a boost in shine while still retaining colour.

Conditioner: Christophe Robin Color Shield Mask With Camu-Camu Berries

Calling out to anyone prone to frizz! Living Proof's No Frizz Shampoo is here to help if you're losing your battle.

The creamy formula coats your strands in emollient jojoba esters and OFPMA – the proprietary technology in Living Proof’s No Frizz products –helping to hydrate and tame flyaways. And it does so without relying on silicones.

Conditioner: Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner

A castor oil and aniseed cleanser intended for coily and waxy textures. This nourishing texture is also proven to cleanse scalps with a gentle formulation comprising ginger root. The result - refreshed hair devoid of buildup.