I’ve been getting my hair colored—both DIY and professionally—since 2005. Before we get to my 50+ tried and tested color-care shampoos and conditioners, here are the top five things I learned about caring for colored locks:

1. Go sulfate-free. Sulfates enable lathering and deep cleansing, but will also strip off moisture and colorants in the process. Fact: Not all shampoos labeled “color care” are sulfate-free. Most of them still contain sulfates, but since it’s less sulfates than the original version, the commercial brands took the liberty of labeling them “color care.” I learned this the hard way. My vibrant hair color faded quickly after using commercial brands claiming to be color care. When I read the ingredients, I saw sulfates!

Also, there are many hair products that aren’t labeled color care but are sulfate-free and therefore great for colored hair. Confusing, right? It’s best to look for labels that say “sulfate-free” and not just “color care,” or better yet, scroll below for my recommendations. Tip: Sulfate-free shampoos don’t lather as well as regular shampoos, so don’t fret if you don’t see thick bubbles in the shower.

2. Avoid the beach, swimming pool, or getting drenched in the rain. Color your hair when you know you’re not swimming for at least a month. Saltwater can alter your hair color. I’ve heard horror stories where freshly-colored hair turned brassy, or worse, green, after a dip in the ocean. Do not wash your hair for 24 hours after your coloring job. If you really need to go swimming weeks later, wet your hair with fresh water and apply some conditioner before diving in. It’s like giving your colored locks a barrier of protection from chlorinated pool water or saltwater.

3. Don’t shampoo every day. Even when using sulfate-free products, shampooing daily is a surefire way to let your color fade fast, especially red and blonde. Try co-washing, short for “conditioner-only washing.” It’s when you skip the shampoo and use conditioner (see my list below) as your cleanser. I promise it’s not as icky as it sounds.

4. Don’t take the heat. Avoid sunbathing and using heated hair tools for the first two weeks after coloring. Hot showers can also make your hair color fade faster, so shower with cold to lukewarm water at least for the first two weeks.

Now we’re off to my tried-and-tested, sulfate-free color care products available in the Philippines. I’m talking about products that are in groceries, malls, and local stores—not those super hard-to-find brands in elite salons, an international online shop, or some dubious reseller. I want this to be easy for you.

1. Human Heart Nature
Formulation: sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free
Curly Girl Method (CGM)-approved? Yes
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
This proudly-Filipino brand has a Professional Salon Care range, but I find that it works just as well as their regular shampoos. Their bestsellers are also available in one-liter bottles that will save you money and produce less plastic waste.
Where to buy: Click here for HHN’s branches; also available on humanheartnature.com, Lazada, and Shopee

2. Zenutrients
Formulation: sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free
CGM-approved? Yes
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
Also proudly Pinoy, this brand uses hair-strengthening and scalp-treating ingredients such as gugo, coconut, and tea tree oil. It also lathers well despite being sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free. I always wait for their flash sales, whether online or in select stores. In 2020 they released Curls By Zenutrients for the Pinay CGM community.
Where to buy: Click here for Zenutrients stores; also available on zenutrients.com.ph, Lazada, and Shopee

3. L’Oréal Paris
Formulation: sulfate-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight and wavy hair
These are highly recommended and used by hairstylists in Manila. Choose from Ever Pure, Ever Sleek, and Ever Strong.
Where to buy: Lazada, Shopee, Watsons, and select salons

4. OGX
Formulation: sulfate-free and paraben-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight and wavy hair
All Organix or OGX shampoos are sulfate-free, paraben-free, but not silicone-free. They have several variants, such as Brazilian keratin therapy and Argan oil.
Where to buy: Lazada, Shopee, All Day Mart, Landmark, MerryMart Grocery, Metro Department Stores, Metro Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Rustans Supermarket, Shopwise Supermarkets, SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, and Watsons.

7. Beach Born
Formulation: sulfate-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight and slightly wavy hair
Purple shampoos are all the rage for bleached gals who love going to the beach. Beach Born is the fist all-natural, sulfate-free, and paraben-free purple shampoo that’s made in the Philippines. It helps keep bleached hair from turning brassy by neutralizing orange hues.
Where to buy: beachborn.ph and Shopee

8. Kérastase
Formulation: sulfate-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
If you have a little more money to splurge, try Kérastase. There’s a good reason why they’re found in most high-end salons; this brand performs well in the hydration department. For your colored mane, look for the sulfate-free labels.
Where to buy: Lazada, HairMNL, and select salons nationwide

Conditioners

1. Human Heart Nature
Formulation: sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free
CGM-approved? Yes
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
Each HHN shampoo has a conditioner version for a slightly higher price. They’re also great for co-washing.
Where to buy: Where to buy: Click here for HHN’s branches; also available on humanheartnature.com, Lazada, and Shopee

2. Zen Nutrients
Formulation: sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free
CGM-approved? Yes
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
These conditioners are great for co-washing. The consistency is thick and strong, so even if there’s no lather, you will feel that your hair and scalp are being cleaned.
Where to buy: Click here for Zenutrients stores; also available on zenutrients.com.ph, Lazada, and Shopee

3. V05
Formulation: sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free
CGM-approved? Yes
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
This is the holy grail of budget conditioners that are sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free! You may get dizzy with all the online resellers peddling them at varying prices, so it’s best to just buy from the official distributors in the Philippines. Warning: They’re often out of stock because the CGM girls are always hoarding them. If you do find V05 conditioners, don’t think twice. Buy immediately because it runs out fast!
Where to buy: Dollar Store Plus, All Day Mart, SM Supermarket, Robinson’s Supermarket, S&R, and Savemore.

4. Suave
Formulation: sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free
CGM-approved? Yes
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
Just like V05, this is also the holy grail of budget conditioners that are sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free! But do a test first. Some experienced itchy scalps after using Suave and V05. Fortunately for me, my colored curls love Suave and V05! Just like V05, Suave conditioners are often out of stock because the CGM girls are always hoarding them. Sadly, the shampoo versions are not color-friendly.
Where to buy: Dollar Store Plus, SM Supermarket, and Robinson’s Supermarket, and Unilever

5. L’Oréal Paris
Formulation: sulfate-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight and slightly wavy hair
Just like the shampoo versions, you can choose from Ever Pure, Ever Sleek, and Ever Strong.
Where to buy: Lazada, Shopee, and Watsons

6. OGX
Formulation: sulfate-free and paraben-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight and wavy hair
All Organix or OGX shampoos have conditioner versions for the same price. Also check out their leave-in hair oils.
Where to buy: Lazada, Shopee, All Day Mart, Landmark, MerryMart Grocery, Metro Department Stores, Metro Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Rustans Supermarket, Shopwise Supermarkets, SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, and Watsons.

7. Beach Born
Formulation: sulfate-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight and wavy hair
Just like the purple shampoo, this moisturizing sulfate-free conditioner gets rid of unwanted orange tones in your bleached hair. Check out their shampoo and conditioner bars for traveling.
Where to buy: beachborn.ph and Shopee

8. Kérastase
Formulation: sulfate-free
CGM-approved? No
Best for: straight, wavy, and curly hair
Kérastase was my luxury splurge for my curls before I discovered the Curly Girl Method. Albeit pricier than most brands, it does a great job hydrating hair. They also have leave-in serums and hair masks.
Where to buy: Lazada, HairMNL, and select salons nationwide

There are many other underrated sulfate-free hair brands hidden in Healthy Options, Landers, and S&R, but I listed those that are easy to find and purchase whether you’re in Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao. Feel free to share your color-care finds in the comments section below.

First published: January 10, 2017
Updated: January 7, 2021

Further Reading:
Here’s How Pinays Should Keep Their Colored Hair Healthy, Cosmo.ph
10 Tips for DIY Hair Coloring, BDJ Box