Redken Shades EQ, also known as "the hair color that thinks it’s a conditioner,” is a haircolor range that has reached fan-favorite status as America’s #1 demi-permanent haircolor. Whether you’re looking for new ways to add shine to your natural color, need to refresh your global shade or need to tone your highlights, this gloss can do it all. Here are some top tips and techniques for using Redken Shades EQ.

Understanding the Basics:

Shades EQ is a demi-permanent hair color that adds shine and enhances the natural hair color with an ammonia-free formula, making it less damaging than many other haircolor options.

Many stylists love using it after coloring to:

  • Balance and neutralize — it is ideal to tone down brassiness or yellowing.
  • Tone & perfect color — you can also add warmth or a hint of color when needed.
  • Add shine & condition — as an acidic formulation, Shades EQ helps balance the hair and close the cuticle after coloring services to enhance shine and extend color longevity.
  • Refresh — Shades EQ is great for refreshing the mid-lengths and ends between permanent color services to increase shine and enhance your existing color.

 

Why You’ll Love Shades EQ

They’re Mixable:

The lovely thing about Redken Shades EQ and Shades EQ Bonder Inside its that you can easily mix the diverse range to create new custom colors.

Shades EQ Bonder Inside Has Bond Builders Built In:

Whether you color or highlight your hair, after chemical processes, color is always left in a sensitized state. For this reason, the addition of Bond Builders already mixed into the Shades EQ formulas makes them a foolproof way to tone and repair in a single step.

 

Application Techniques:

  • Shades EQ can be applied on damp or dry hair - many stylists choose to apply it at the shampoo bowl following washing out highlights. Just make sure to remove as much moisture as possible for even applications.
  • You can use a bowl and a brush for precise applications or a bottle for global applications.
  • Pre-toning: This is a great technique to use to get a perfect tone. During this process you add a tone to the hair after bleaching and before your final gloss to even the color before the final tone is achieved. For example, when the hair is overly warm or yellow you can use 9V or 10V to create an even canvas before finishing your color with your desired formula.

Processing Time:

The average processing time is 20 minutes, but you can adjust it based on your desired result. As with any other color, check the color development regularly to avoid under or over-processing.