If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent way too much money at the salon getting that perfect color, only to watch it fade away faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. I’ve been there, trust me. That’s why I’m telling you right now—if you have color-treated hair and you’re not using Matrix Keep Me Vivid shampoo, you’re literally washing your money down the drain.
This shampoo has become my holy grail product, and I genuinely believe it should be yours too. The way it preserves color vibrancy while keeping my hair healthy has completely changed my hair care routine, and I think you’ll find the same results.
My Experience With Matrix Keep Me Vivid Shampoo
When I first picked up Matrix Keep Me Vivid, I’ll admit I was skeptical. I’d tried so many color-safe shampoos before that promised the world but delivered absolutely nothing. My hair color would still fade within two weeks, and I’d be back at the salon, emptying my wallet yet again. But something about this purple bottle caught my eye during one of my desperate pharmacy runs, and I decided to give it one more shot.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the bottle was the scent.
It’s not overpowering like some salon products that make you smell like you’re walking around with a chemistry experiment on your head.
Instead, it has this pleasant, subtle fragrance that’s actually quite refreshing. I squeezed out about a quarter-sized amount—which, by the way, is all you really need—and started working it through my wet hair.
The texture surprised me immediately.
It’s not one of those watery shampoos that slip through your fingers before you can even apply it properly, nor is it so thick that you feel like you’re rubbing paste into your scalp.
It’s got this perfect, creamy consistency that spreads evenly and creates a decent lather. I know some sulfate-free shampoos barely foam at all, which always makes me question whether they’re actually cleaning anything, but this one strikes a good balance.
As I massaged it into my scalp, I noticed it felt gentle yet effective. I have a somewhat sensitive scalp that tends to get irritated easily, and I’ve had experiences with color-safe shampoos that either dried out my scalp terribly or left it feeling itchy. With Matrix Keep Me Vivid, I felt none of that. The formula felt soothing, and I could actually feel it working through my hair without stripping it of everything.
After rinsing, my hair felt clean but not squeaky clean—and that’s actually a good thing. You know that stripped, straw-like feeling you get with harsh shampoos? Yeah, none of that here. My hair felt smooth and manageable even before I applied conditioner, which is pretty impressive for someone with hair as color-treated and processed as mine.
But here’s where things got really interesting. After using this shampoo consistently for about two weeks, I started noticing something remarkable. My color wasn’t fading at its usual breakneck speed. Usually, by week two, my vibrant auburn would start looking more like a sad, washed-out orange. But this time? My color was still rich, still deep, still turning heads when I walked into a room.
I kept using it, and by week four, I was genuinely shocked. My hair color looked almost as fresh as it did when I walked out of the salon. My stylist even commented on it during my next appointment, asking what I’d been doing differently. When I told her about Matrix Keep Me Vivid, she actually nodded approvingly and mentioned that several of her clients had been raving about it too.
Beyond just color preservation, I noticed my hair texture improving too. I have naturally fine hair that tends to get weighed down easily, and many moisturizing, color-safe shampoos would leave my hair looking flat and lifeless. But this formula somehow manages to clean thoroughly while maintaining body and movement. My hair felt softer, looked shinier, and had this healthy bounce that I hadn’t seen in years.
What really sold me on this product was how it performed over the long term. I’m now on my third bottle, and I can honestly say my trips to the salon for color touch-ups have decreased significantly. I’m stretching out my coloring appointments from every five weeks to every seven or eight weeks, which is saving me hundreds of dollars a year. When you think about it that way, the shampoo basically pays for itself.
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Pros Of Matrix Keep Me Vivid Shampoo
- Superior Color Preservation: This is hands-down the biggest advantage I’ve experienced with this shampoo. The patented vein color-lock system actually works. I’m not just saying that because it sounds good on the bottle—I’ve seen the results with my own eyes and in my own mirror. My color stays vibrant for weeks longer than it ever did with any other shampoo I’ve used. The technology behind it seems to seal the hair cuticle and lock in those color molecules, preventing them from washing out every time you cleanse your hair. For someone like me who invests serious money into maintaining their color, this feature alone makes the product worth every penny.
- Gentle Yet Effective Cleansing: I’ve struggled with finding the right balance between cleansing power and gentleness. Some shampoos are so mild they don’t remove buildup and oil, leaving your hair looking greasy and weighed down. Others are so harsh they strip everything, including your color and natural oils. Matrix Keep Me Vivid hits that sweet spot perfectly. It removes dirt, oil, and product buildup without being aggressive. My scalp feels refreshed and clean without any of that tight, dry feeling I’ve experienced with other products.
- Suitable For Various Hair Types: I’ve recommended this shampoo to friends with completely different hair types than mine, and they’ve all had positive experiences. Whether you have fine, thick, curly, or straight hair, this formula seems to work well. My friend with thick, coarse hair loves how it manages her frizz while keeping her color intact. Another friend with fine, lifelike hair similar to mine appreciates that it doesn’t weigh her hair down. The versatility is impressive and speaks to the thoughtfulness of the formulation.
- Pleasant Sensory Experience: The scent is sophisticated without being overwhelming. Some professional hair products smell so clinical and medicinal that using them feels like a chore. Others are so heavily fragranced that they give you a headache. This one smells fresh and clean, and the fragrance doesn’t linger too heavily throughout the day. Plus, the texture makes application enjoyable rather than frustrating. It spreads easily, rinses cleanly, and doesn’t leave any weird residue.
- Improves Overall Hair Health: Beyond just preserving color, I’ve noticed my hair looks and feels healthier overall. It’s shinier, softer, and has better elasticity. I experience less breakage when I brush through it, and it feels stronger from root to tip. The formula includes ingredients that nourish and protect, which means you’re not just maintaining your color—you’re actually improving the condition of your hair with every wash.
Cons Of Matrix Keep Me Vivid Shampoo
- Price Point Considerations: Let’s be real—this shampoo isn’t the cheapest option at the drugstore. You’re looking at a higher price point than your average Pantene or Herbal Essences. For someone on a tight budget, this might feel like a splurge. However, I’d argue that when you factor in how much money you save on salon visits and how long the bottle lasts, it actually becomes economical. But I understand that the upfront cost can be a barrier for some people, especially if you’re used to budget-friendly options.
- Requires Consistent Use For Best Results: This isn’t a miracle product that works after one wash. You need to commit to using it regularly to see the full benefits. I didn’t notice the dramatic color preservation until about two weeks in. If you’re someone who likes to switch up products frequently or if you’re impatient for results, this might frustrate you. The product works best as part of a consistent routine, which means you need to actually stick with it rather than bouncing between different shampoos.
- Limited Availability In Some Areas: Depending on where you live, finding this shampoo might require a bit of effort. It’s primarily sold in professional beauty supply stores and certain pharmacies, but not every location carries it. I’ve had to order it online a few times when my local stores were out of stock. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it does require more planning than just grabbing whatever’s available at your nearest grocery store.
- May Not Work Well With Extremely Damaged Hair: If your hair is severely damaged from over-processing, bleaching, or heat styling, this shampoo alone might not be enough to solve all your problems. While it’s helped my moderately processed hair tremendously, I’ve heard from people with extremely damaged hair that they needed to supplement with intensive conditioning treatments and hair masks. The shampoo is excellent at what it does, but it’s not a complete repair system for hair that’s been damaged beyond a certain point.
Maintenance Tips For Matrix Keep Me Vivid Shampoo
- Optimize Your Washing Frequency: One of the best things I’ve learned is that you don’t need to wash your hair every single day, especially when you’re trying to preserve color. I’ve found that washing every two to three days works perfectly with this shampoo. On the days between washes, I use a dry shampoo to refresh my roots and absorb any oil. This approach not only makes your bottle last longer, but it also gives the color-locking formula more time to work its magic. Your natural oils actually help protect your color too, so overwashing can be counterproductive even with the best color-safe shampoo.
- Use The Right Amount: I learned through trial and error that more isn’t always better. When I first started using Matrix Keep Me Vivid, I was using way too much product, thinking it would clean better or preserve color more effectively. Wrong. A quarter-sized amount is genuinely enough for medium-length hair like mine. If you have longer or thicker hair, maybe bump it up to a half-dollar size, but that’s it. Using too much just makes it harder to rinse out completely and can leave residue that weighs your hair down.
- Focus On Your Scalp First: The technique I use now is to apply the shampoo directly to my scalp and really massage it in with my fingertips—not my nails, which can cause irritation. I spend a good thirty seconds working it through my roots and scalp area where oil and buildup accumulate. Then, as I rinse, I let the shampoo run through the lengths of my hair. This is usually enough to clean the rest without over-stripping the more fragile ends. Your ends don’t need as much cleansing action as your scalp does, and this approach helps prevent unnecessary dryness.
- Always Follow With Conditioner: This might seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. Matrix Keep Me Vivid works best as part of a system. I always follow up with a color-safe conditioner, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends of my hair while avoiding the roots. This combination ensures my hair stays moisturized and manageable while the shampoo focuses on cleansing and color preservation. The conditioner helps seal the hair cuticle that the shampoo has worked to protect, creating a complete system.
- Manage Your Water Temperature: Hot water is actually one of the biggest culprits when it comes to color fading. I know that steamy, hot shower feels amazing, but it opens up your hair cuticle and allows color molecules to escape. I’ve started using lukewarm water when I wash my hair with this shampoo, and I finish with a cool water rinse. The cool rinse helps close the cuticle, sealing in the color and adding extra shine. It’s a small adjustment that makes a noticeable difference in how long my color lasts.
- Store It Properly: This might sound minor, but how you store your shampoo matters. I keep mine in a cool, dry spot away from direct shower spray when I’m not using it. Constant exposure to water and humidity can affect the product’s consistency and effectiveness over time. I also make sure the cap is closed tightly after each use to prevent water from getting into the bottle and diluting the formula.
Comparison With Other Brands
- Matrix Keep Me Vivid Versus Redken Color Extend: I used Redken Color Extend for about six months before switching to Matrix Keep Me Vivid, so I feel qualified to compare them directly. Redken is definitely a solid product with a loyal following in the professional hair care community. It has good cleansing power and does preserve color reasonably well. However, I found that Matrix Keep Me Vivid simply outperformed it in terms of color longevity. My color stayed vibrant for noticeably longer with Matrix. Additionally, I found the Matrix formula to be gentler on my scalp. Redken sometimes left my scalp feeling slightly dry and tight, whereas Matrix maintains moisture balance better. The price points are similar, so cost isn’t really a differentiating factor. If I had to choose based purely on performance, Matrix wins for me personally.
- Matrix Keep Me Vivid Versus Pureology Hydrate: Pureology is often considered the gold standard in color-safe hair care, and honestly, it’s excellent. The Hydrate line is incredibly moisturizing and does a fantastic job of preserving color. When I was using Pureology, I loved how soft and hydrated my hair felt. However, there’s a significant price difference—Pureology is considerably more expensive than Matrix. For my fine hair, Pureology’s intense moisture sometimes felt like too much, leaving my hair slightly weighed down by the second day. Matrix Keep Me Vivid gives me enough moisture without the heaviness, and it’s more budget-friendly. If you have extremely dry, coarse hair, Pureology might be worth the extra investment. But for my needs, Matrix provides better value without sacrificing results.
- Matrix Keep Me Vivid Versus Joico Color Balance: Joico is another professional brand that I’ve experimented with over the years. Their Color Balance line has a reputation for being particularly good at neutralizing unwanted tones while preserving color. I tried it when my auburn started pulling slightly brassy. While it did help with tone correction, I found it to be quite drying over time. My hair started feeling rougher and more brittle after about a month of use. Matrix Keep Me Vivid doesn’t have the same tone-correcting properties, but it also doesn’t dry out my hair. If you’re specifically dealing with brassiness, Joico might be worth trying alongside occasional use of a purple or blue shampoo. But for everyday color preservation without compromising hair health, Matrix is my preference.
- Matrix Keep Me Vivid Versus L’Oreal EverPure: Since Matrix is actually owned by L’Oreal, I was curious how their mainstream EverPure line compared to Keep Me Vivid. EverPure is much more affordable and widely available, which are definite advantages. I used it for several months and thought it was decent for a drugstore option. It’s sulfate-free and does help preserve color better than regular shampoos. However, the color preservation doesn’t come close to what I get with Matrix. My color would still fade noticeably faster with EverPure. The formula also felt less luxurious and didn’t clean quite as effectively—I often felt like I needed to wash twice to feel truly clean. If budget is your absolute top priority, EverPure is a reasonable choice. But if you can afford the upgrade, Matrix Keep Me Vivid is significantly better in terms of performance.
- Matrix Keep Me Vivid Versus Olaplex No. 4: Olaplex has taken the hair care world by storm with its bond-building technology, and I was really excited to try their shampoo. Olaplex No. 4 is specifically designed to repair damaged bonds in your hair while cleansing. It’s excellent if your primary concern is hair damage and strength. I used it for about three months and noticed my hair did feel stronger and healthier. However, I didn’t find it to be as effective as Matrix at specifically preserving color vibrancy. My color still faded at a moderate pace with Olaplex. Also, Olaplex is quite expensive, even more so than Pureology in many cases. My current approach is to use Matrix Keep Me Vivid as my regular shampoo and occasionally use Olaplex as a treatment when my hair needs extra repair. This combination gives me the best of both worlds without having to choose one or the other.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Matrix Keep Me Vivid is specifically formulated to preserve and protect color-treated hair. The shampoo uses a patented vein color-lock system that works by sealing the hair cuticle and preventing color molecules from washing out during cleansing. When I use it, I notice my color stays vibrant and fresh-looking for significantly longer than with regular shampoos. It cleanses your hair gently without stripping the color, while also providing nourishment and protection. Beyond just color preservation, it helps improve overall hair health, making your hair softer, shinier, and more manageable.
As far as I know and from my recent purchases, Matrix Keep Me Vivid is not being discontinued. I just bought a new bottle last month without any issues, and it’s still widely available in beauty supply stores and online retailers. Sometimes specific retailers might temporarily run out of stock or discontinue carrying certain products, which can create confusion. But the product line itself appears to be going strong. If you’re having trouble finding it locally, I’d recommend checking online retailers or calling your local professional beauty supply store to confirm availability in your area.
You can use Matrix Keep Me Vivid every time you wash your hair. I personally wash my hair every two to three days, and I use this shampoo for each wash without any problems. The formula is gentle enough for regular use and won’t damage your hair or cause buildup. In fact, consistent use is what gives you the best results for color preservation. Some people with very oily hair might need to wash daily, and this shampoo is safe for that frequency too. Just remember that washing too frequently—regardless of which shampoo you use—can contribute to faster color fading, so finding the right balance for your hair type is important.
The best Matrix shampoo really depends on your specific hair concerns and needs. If you have color-treated hair like me, Matrix Keep Me Vivid is absolutely the best choice in their line. However, Matrix offers several other excellent options. If you have damaged hair that needs repair, Matrix Biolage Advanced Repair might be better suited for you. For those dealing with frizz and unmanageable hair, Matrix Biolage Smoothproof is fantastic. If you struggle with oily roots and flat hair, the Matrix Biolage Scalpsync line might be your answer. I’ve tried several products from the Matrix range, and they’re all quality formulations. But for my specific needs—preserving my expensive salon color—Keep Me Vivid is unmatched in the Matrix lineup and honestly beats most other brands I’ve tried too.
Conclusion
After months of using Matrix Keep Me Vivid shampoo, I can confidently say it’s transformed my hair care routine and saved me serious money on salon visits. The way it preserves color while maintaining hair health is genuinely impressive. If you’re investing in color treatments, you owe it to yourself to protect that investment with a quality color-safe shampoo. Sure, it costs more than drugstore options, but when you consider how much you spend at the salon, it’s absolutely worth it. This product has earned a permanent spot in my shower, and I think it deserves one in yours too.