8 Best Shampoo For Hair Extensions 2023: Hair Stylist Recommended For Weaves, Clip-Ins and Glue-Ins

Find the best shampoo for hair extensions in my review here. These shampoos help clean extensions without damaging your weaves or clip-ins.

As a hair stylist, I’ve often noticed that constant styling, coloring, and use of heat tools can damage your hair extensions just the way they damage your real hair. Plus, a lot of people neglect their wigs and extensions leading to product and dirt build-up. 

So, if you want to keep your extensions looking healthy, soft, and frizz-free, check out the best shampoo for hair extensions below:

Shampoos For Hair Extensions	Best For	Chief Ingredients
Videri Lemon and Tea Tree Shampoo	Oily, Greasy Hair Extensions	Lemon, Tea Tree Oil, Aloe
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Retention Shampoo	African American Hair Extensions	Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Sea Kelp
Ogx Shampoo Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo	Brazilian, Indian Hair Extensions	Egg Whites, Coconut Milk, Coconut Oil
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo	Color Treated Hair Extensions	Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sunflower Seed Oil
Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 Complete Nutrition Shampoo	Damaged Hair Extensions	Iris Florentina Root Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
The Big Kizzy F.A.T.T Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner Set	Thin, Fine Hair Extensions	Biotin & ProVitamin B5

According to me the best shampoo for hair extensions is the Pureology Hydrate Shampoo as it is gentle yet cleansing. It’s sulfate-free so you can use it on virgin or color-treated hair extensions as it won’t strip moisture or dye from extensions. The Pureology shampoo is also sulfate-free and smells good.

Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?

The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.

Top Shampoo For Hair Extensions 2023

Videri Lemon Sage & Tea Tree Shampoo 

Best Shampoo For Tape-In Extensions

The main reason why I tried out this shampoo for my hair extensions is because it’s versatile. The formula which contains glycerin and aloe is just nourishing enough to help moisturize dry hair.

But at the same time, the shampoo contains lemon oil which, I noticed, helped gently remove the dirt and grease from my hair extensions. (Yazgan, Hatice et al. “Antimicrobial influence of nanoemulsified lemon essential oil and pure lemon essential oil on food-borne pathogens and fish spoilage bacteria.” International journal of food microbiology vol. 306 (2019): 108266. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.108266)

And yes, before you ask, let me tell you that this shampoo is indeed sulfate-free. I use it on my color-treated extensions all the time and it doesn’t strip hair color at all. Now this is a huge plus for me as I often use temporary colors on my extensions.

Also I’ve noticed that the most gentlest of shampoos also has some amount of fragrance in them. So this shampoo was a nice change as it didn’t contain any added, artificial perfume.

The citrusy scent of the shampoo (that I adore, by the way) is a result of the natural essential oils.

To sum it up, in my opinion this shampoo is one of the best out there for hair extensions, especially if you want something that is clarifying without being harsh.

Pros:

• Does not contain any sulfates so it won’t strip hair color from colored hair extensions
• The gentle, surfactant-free formula won’t dry out hair extensions
• Cleansing lemon oil formula that removes dirt and grease
• Contains tea tree oil that helps keep hair extensions bacteria-free

Cons:

• None that I could see

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4.5/5
• Damage Control– 4/5
• Cleansing – 5/5

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Retention Shampoo

Best Shampoo For Curly Hair Extensions

Human hair extensions need care the same way you would do for your natural hair. 

If you have type 4 extensions you should go for this Shea Moisture shampoo as it’s one of the best brands for African American hair.

It also suits Brazilian and Indian hair (straighter hair types) but only if you need to add that extra dose of moisture. 

The chief ingredients here are shea butter, which is super moisturizing, argan oil, and sea kelp. 

These are not only good at making your hair extensions soft and silky but they also repair damage on over processed hair. 

So if your clip-ons or weaves feel dry, frizzy, and tangled due to constant straightening and curling, this shampoo can breathe new life into them. 

The best part about this shampoo for hair extensions is its natural, sulfate free formula. So there are no harsh chemicals that shorten the lifespan of your hair. 

A lot of users seemed to be complaining about the change in formula. And I found the addition of soybean oil in it as filler. 

But as you’ll be using it on hair extensions and not on your scalp, there shouldn’t be a risk of allergy or hair troubles.

Still, this shampoo (new formula or old) is too rich for straight, fine hair types. So avoid it if you have poker straight hair extensions. 

Pros: 

• Very nourishing for curly extensions as it contains argan oil
• Helps detangle your extensions
• Repairs damage on human hair extensions

Cons:

• Not for straight hair extensions as it can leave it greasy
• New formula contains fillers

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4.5/5
• Damage Repair – 4/5
• Cleansing – 3/5

Ogx Shampoo Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo

Best Drugstore Shampoo For Hair Extensions

Wigs and extensions cost a bomb. So it’s understandable if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a seperate shampoo for hair extensions.

Don’t worry. I found a great drugstore alternative in this OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo. 

The major ingredients here are whipped egg whites and you guessed it… coconut milk!

Now these I love for two reasons. One they are super nourishing for hair. And two, these are lightweight unlike the buttery formulation of Shea Moisture Shampoos.

This shampoo helps control frizz by smoothing down the cuticles on your extensions. They also soften and detangle the hair, making it easier to braid or style. 

There’s also an amazing fragrance, which I adored. Now if this was a shampoo for your head, I’d have warned against using something with artificial perfumes as these can irritate your scalp. 

But there’s no reason to be afraid of a little scent in a shampoo for hair extensions. 

You can use it on Brazilian or Indian hair with straighter, smoother textures. The shampoo doesn’t weigh them down. 

Pros: 

• Moisturizing yet lightweight so it suits a lot of hair textures
• Good for fine, straight hair
• Affordable so you can use it for a lot of extensions
• Nice coconut scent

Cons:

• Not for type 4 curls
• Can prevent curly hair from becoming frizzy

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4/5
• Damage Repair – 4/5
• Cleansing – 4/5

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

Best Professional Shampoo For Hair Extensions

Extensions and wigs are often drenched with hair spray, smeared with gels and pomades, and a hundred other styling products.. 

In time, these can cause build-up on your extensions leaving them limp and taking away their lustre and softness.

So a shampoo for hair extensions that can thoroughly cleanse this build-up is very necessary. 

Like this Pureology Hydrate Shampoo. What I liked about this shampoo is that there are no sulfates here. It uses a milder form of surfactants called Sulfosuccinate which are not as harsh.

If you have colored hair extensions, then this is a great pick too. It contains sunflower seed oil and vitamin E that coat your hair cuticle, smoothening it and protecting hair color from fading. 

The anti-fade formula and UV filters also help your color-treated extensions from losing their vibrance and shine. 

This shampoo also contains a lovely perfume with mint, bergamot, and lavender notes. It gives your extensions a fresh smell and keeps the sweaty, musty odor at bay.  

I had one little issue with this Pureology shampoo for hair extensions. It contains dimethicone, a form of silicones.  

While this ingredient leaves your extensions very smooth and shiny, it can cause product build-up in the future with regular use. 

Pros: 

• Protects hair color from your extensions from fading
• Adds softness and shine thanks to vitamin E
• Good for fine, straight extensions as it contains silicones

Cons:

• Not for African American hair as it contains surfactants
• Can cause curly hair to frizz
• Contains silicone that can cause product buildup

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4/5
• Damage Repair – 3/5
• Cleansing – 4.5/5

Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 Complete Nutrition Shampoo

Best Kerastase Shampoo For Hair Extensions

We all want to buy the best quality, 100 percent virgin Remy hair extensions, and we also spend a lot of money on them. 

But what about their maintenance? It’s pointless to use a cheap shampoo on such expensive extensions.

So if you want to increase the longevity of your Remy hair, I suggest getting a shampoo for hair extensions to match.  

Such as this one by Kerastase. The Nutritive Bain Satin 2 Shampoo is just the thing to maintain your extensions, especially when you’re constantly straightening, processing or coloring them.

The shampoo contains a blend of proteins and lipids that fill in the gaps on your damaged hair cuticle, increasing hair elasticity and strength. 

And it also works wonders on frizzy, giving your extensions a smooth, silky appearance.

But this shampoo isn’t without its disadvantages. The biggest one is the presence of sulfates. 

You would think a shampoo this expensive would be sulfate-free, but unfortunately it’s not.

It’s a good choice regardless if you want something with more cleansing powers. Or if the damage repair aspects interest you more.

Pros: 

• Repairs damaged hair extensions as it contains keratin
• Controls frizz

Cons:

• Expensive to use on just extensions
• Contains sulfates so it can strip dye from colored extensions

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 3/5/5
• Damage Repair – 4.5/5
• Cleansing – 5/5

The Big Kizzy F.A.T.T Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner Set

Best Shampoo For Keratin Bond Extensions

If you want a shampoo that is truly sulfate-free and helps repair damaged hair extensions, you can try this Big Kizzy F.A.T.T. shampoo. 

It’s around the same price range as the Kerastase one and is free of both sulfates and silicones.  

The shampoo is lightly scented to keep your extensions smelling fresh. And there’s also biotin and pro-vitamin B5 to nourish your damaged locks.

So this product adds that much needed softness and plumpness to your extensions after they undergo rounds of keratin treatments, blowouts, perming, and whatnot. 

Another reason why I liked this product is because it’s vegan and cruelty free. 

My extensions were looking dull, greasy, and lifeless after being treated to countless hair sprays and gels. But this shampoo cleaned them thoroughly, returning their bounce and volume.

The Big Kizzy Shampoo was clearly made for extensions, so far this has been my favorite in this list.  

But I don’t think it’ll be nourishing enough for type 4 hair. I suggest you stick to Shea Moisture for African American hair extensions.

Pros: 

• No sulfates or harsh chemicals so it’s suited for colored hair
• Light clove scent that is very pleasant
• Vegan and cruelty free
• Adds volume to hair as it contains biotin

Cons:

• Not for African American hair as it’s not very nourishing
• Expensive 

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4/5
• Damage Repair – 4.5/5
• Cleansing – 4.5/5

The Hair Shop Hair Extension Shampoo

I recently tried The Hair Shop Hair Extension Shampoo, and as someone who frequently uses hair extensions, I was excited to find a shampoo specifically designed for this purpose. Overall, my experience with this shampoo was quite positive, and it proved to be a valuable addition to my hair care routine.

What I liked about The Hair Shop Hair Extension Shampoo:

• The shampoo is gentle and nourishing, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of my hair extensions.
• It effectively cleansed both my natural hair and the extensions without causing any tangling or damage.
• The formula left my hair feeling soft and manageable, making it easier to style.
• I appreciated that the shampoo is sulfate-free, as it helps to preserve the color and quality of my hair extensions.
• The subtle, pleasant scent of the shampoo added a refreshing touch to my hair-washing experience.

However, there were a couple of things I found less favorable:

• The price of The Hair Shop Hair Extension Shampoo is higher compared to regular shampoos, which might be a consideration for some budget-conscious individuals.
• The bottle’s design could be improved; a pump or flip-top cap would be more convenient for dispensing the product.

In conclusion, The Hair Shop Hair Extension Shampoo is a reliable option for anyone with hair extensions. Its gentle and nourishing formula effectively cleanses and maintains the extensions, leaving hair soft and manageable. Despite the slightly higher cost and bottle design, I would recommend this shampoo to fellow extension users looking to care for their hair and prolong the lifespan of their extensions.

Pros:

• Gentle and nourishing formula
• Effectively cleanses both natural hair and extensions
• Leaves hair soft and manageable
• Sulfate-free, preserving hair color and quality
• Subtle and pleasant scent

Cons:

• Higher price compared to regular shampoos
• Bottle design could be improved

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4.5/5
• Damage Repair – 4.5/5
• Cleansing – 4.5/5

NYK1 Salt and Sulphate Free Shampoo

I recently tried the NYK1 Salt and Sulphate Free Shampoo, and I must say it’s one of the best sulfate-free shampoos I’ve used. As someone with color-treated hair, I was looking for a gentle and effective option to preserve my hair color and maintain its health. This shampoo exceeded my expectations and has become a staple in my hair care routine.

What I liked about the NYK1 Salt and Sulphate Free Shampoo:

• The sulfate-free formula is gentle on my hair and scalp, preventing dryness and irritation.
• It effectively cleanses my hair without stripping away natural oils, leaving it feeling soft and manageable.
• This shampoo is specifically designed for color-treated hair, and I noticed that it helps to preserve my hair color, keeping it vibrant for longer.
• The mild and pleasant scent adds a refreshing touch to my hair-washing experience.
• I appreciate that the bottle is generously sized, offering great value for the price.

However, there were a couple of minor downsides:

• The shampoo doesn’t lather as much as sulfate-containing shampoos, but that’s a common trait in sulfate-free formulas.
• For those with extremely oily hair, it might require more frequent washes to combat excess oil buildup.

In conclusion, NYK1 Salt and Sulphate Free Shampoo is a fantastic option, especially for those with color-treated or sensitive hair. Its gentle formula cleanses effectively without compromising hair health, and the absence of sulfates ensures my hair color stays vibrant. I highly recommend this shampoo to anyone looking for a sulfate-free option that delivers excellent results.

Pros:

• Gentle sulfate-free formula
• Effectively cleanses without stripping natural oils
• Preserves hair color for longer
• Mild and pleasant scent
• Generously sized bottle

Cons:

• Less lathering compared to sulfated shampoos
• May require more frequent washes for very oily hair.

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4/5
• Damage Repair – 4/5
• Cleansing – 4/5

S30-Second30 Second Remover Shampoo

I recently tried the S30-Second30 Second Remover Shampoo, and I was curious to see if it could effectively remove hair extensions and residue. As someone who regularly wears hair extensions, finding a gentle and efficient remover is crucial. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with this product’s performance.

What I liked about the S30-Second30 Second Remover Shampoo:

• The shampoo’s packaging is convenient and easy to use.

However, there were several significant downsides:

• Despite following the instructions carefully, the shampoo did not effectively remove my hair extensions. I had to repeat the process multiple times, and even then, some adhesive residue remained.
• The formula left my natural hair feeling dry and brittle, requiring additional conditioning treatments.
• I found the scent to be quite overpowering and unpleasant, making the hair-washing experience uncomfortable.
• Considering its performance and effectiveness, I felt that the product was overpriced for what it delivered.

In conclusion, the S30-Second30 Second Remover Shampoo did not meet my expectations as a hair extension remover. Its inability to effectively remove extensions and adhesive residue, combined with the unpleasant scent and drying effect on my natural hair, make it difficult for me to recommend this product.

Pros:

• Convenient packaging

Cons:

• Ineffective at removing hair extensions and residue
• Dries out natural hair
• Overpowering and unpleasant scent
• Relatively expensive for its performance.

My Ratings:

• Detangling – 4/5
• Damage Repair – 4.5/5
• Cleansing – 4.5/5

How to choose the best shampoo for hair extensions?

If you want to select the right shampoo for your hair extensions, these are some things you need to keep in mind. 

Type of Extensions –  Some hair extensions use glue to stick themselves onto your hair. Others come with a tape of adhesive strips that help it stay put on your hair. You need to look for shampoos that won’t interfere with this glue. 

Other hair extensions either need to be braided or crocheted into hair or they come with clips, so you cannot choose shampoos that will leave them too tangled and coarse to be properly braided on to hair.  

Ingredients you Need – Always look for shampoos for hair extensions with hydrating ingredients such as argan oil, jojoba oils, and sweet almond oil. 

If you’re buying extensions with a type 4a, 4b, or 4c textures, you might need more nourishing products with shea butter, Jamaican castor oil, cocoa butter and other rich ingredients.

Ingredients to Avoid – Hair extensions made of human hair need just the same care as your natural hair. So avoid harsh ingredients like sulfates, short-chain alcohols (ethanol, propanol), and added perfumes. 

These can leave your hair extensions dry and frizzy. Silicones are okay to add shine but they can cause build-up, so you need to be careful with that as well. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

These were my picks for the best shampoo for hair extensions. I have reviewed them based on performance, ingredients, price and more. 

You can select the right products for hair extensions according to your needs.

Make sure to keep in mind the texture and type of hair extensions before deciding on a shampoo. 

Also Read:

Types Of Extensions 

Can Extensions be created from Real Hair

Mistakes while using Tape-In Hair Extension

Are Hair Extensions Vegan Friendly

Is Applying Hair Extensions Painful