An improved composition and method for protecting both natural and artificial hair color from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation is provided. The composition includes melanin, an ultraviolet absorber, and a cationic surfactant. The composition may also include other ingredients such as additional cationic surfactants, hair conditioning agents, dispersing agents, rheology modifiers, emulsifiers, antioxidants, film formers, and water. A method of protecting hair color from ultraviolet radiation includes applying the composition to natural or artificial hair.