Should I Shampoo My Hair Before Coloring?

Get This Step Right—Your Hair Color Will Thank You

You’ve picked your shade. Maybe you’re going bold with a semi-permanent pop of color, refreshing your highlights, or covering greys. And just before coloring, that question pops up: Do I shampoo first? Or just go in as is?

The answer: Yes, but not right before.
If you’re planning to color your hair today, skip the shampoo today.

When Should You Wash?

The ideal time to shampoo your hair is 24 hours before coloring. This clears away dirt, excess oil, or product buildup, but gives your scalp time to rebuild a light layer of natural oils—your body’s own barrier that protects the scalp from dryness or irritation during coloring.

Your hair should also be dry when you apply color—not freshly washed, not wet or damp. Water can dilute the dye, and a scrubbed scalp can feel raw or itchy during the process. But too much buildup or oil can prevent the color from absorbing properly.

So if your hair has been oiled, washed, or styled with heavy products—give it a gentle wash the day before. Then let it be.

#ScienceFirst

When you color your hair, the formula lifts the cuticle—the outermost layer—so pigment can enter the strand. This process is sensitive: too much oil or product on your hair and the color won't absorb properly; too little protection on your scalp and you’ll feel irritation or dryness.

The sweet spot is hair that’s day-old, dry, and clean enough, with just enough scalp oil to act as a buffer.

And once the color is done, what you do next can make or break the results.

After the Color: Your Real Best Friend

The best color deserves the best care. That’s why the 2.Oh! Post Color Shampoo and 2.Oh! Post Color Hair Mask are your go-to essentials after coloring.

Both are built with Color Protect Technology and a salon-grade pH of 4.5, which helps your cuticle close after the coloring process. This locks the pigment inside your strands, reduces fading, and helps restore smoothness and shine.

The shampoo gently cleans without stripping color, while the mask deeply nourishes hair that’s been freshly colored—bringing back that soft, hydrated feel instantly.

Together, they form the perfect base for the 2.Oh! Healthy Hair Ritual:
Cleanse with the Post Color Shampoo
Nourish with the Post Color Mask
Protect with the Leave-In Conditioner
Repair with the Hair Repair Serum

The Final Word

Don’t shampoo your hair right before coloring.
Shampoo it 24 hours before, and always apply color to dry hair. This gives your scalp the protection it needs—and helps the color go on evenly, hold better, and last longer.

Then, once the color’s on, protect your investment. Use the right post-color products and build a care ritual that keeps your color vibrant and your strands healthy.

Because the best hair color isn’t just the one that looks good on day one—it’s the one that stays beautiful for days after.

Here’s to more confident color—and many more happy hair days.