shampoos

What is a good shampoo other than the salon ones that help keep/make coloured hair shiny, soft and help to hold the colour in?
I know that some shampoo's aid in washing the colour out faster, so any shampoo's that dont do that so much would be a blessing.

thanks in advance.

No shampoo will actually help hold color in, but as you mentioned, some will strip it out more quickly. Shampoos with mica, sulfur, ammonium xylenesulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl/olefin sulfate can be drying over time and that's one thing colored hair does not need. I wouldn't advise using any shampoo from the Herbal Essences line since they predominately use sodium lauryl sulfate. This is NOT a good, gentle surfactant for dyed hair. Instead, I suggest trying a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner that matches the shade you're aiming for. (Redken, Artec and Clairol have some good options.) If you just want a gentle shampoo without color depositing agents, look for products with sodium LAURETH sulfate as the main agent, none of those mentioned above.

What you describe sounds like the St. Ives Swiss Formula hair products, at the drugstore. One of the cashiers there swore by their Aloe Vera shampoo and corresponding conditioner. I haven't used these myself, so I can't say from personal experience, but I love their body lotion(the Collagen Elastin Extra Relief formula - cheap and works better than alot of fancy-schmancy high-end lotions!) You might try the Pantene Color Revival line for a pretty good drugstore line. I've heard some good things about the Garnier Fructis(the products in the bright green bottles), also drugstore and pretty cheap.

According to Consumer Reports, L'Oreal Color Vive actually did the best job at helping to hold onto haircolor. I myself have always liked Redken Color Extend but it is pricey. It smells nice though and does make a noticeable difference in maintaining color. But according to the test results, L'Oreal won hands down.

Actually nothing can stop fading. I think if you alternate, for instance, the L'Oreal Shampoo with a color depositing one every 3rd or 4th shampoo, it would help. Actually, a color depositing conditioner is better because it remains in the hair longer, according to the book "Don't Go Shopping For Hair Products Without Me" (a real fun and interesting read).

There is a question as to whether sunscreen really helps maintain haircolor. Hair is dead and the manufacturers don't say how much sunscreen is in their product, or mention any research which shows it even works.

Consumer Reports also found, surprisingly, that the color retention is better if two different brands are used--one for the shampoo, another for the conditioner. Sounds strange but that's what the report said.

The best way to maintain color is not to go outside. Barring that, a hat is recommended if one is going to be out in the sun, and also it is important to rinse your hair with tepid or even cool water, if you can stand it. It helps to close the cuticle so color doesn't slip out too much.

And that was what I found in my research. I feel as confused as ever.