Redken • Shades EQ • Hair Color

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*TOP REVIEWER* JenPhil1313 on 11/7/2012 12:18:00 AM more reviews by JenPhil1313

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Grey    

I think I found my replacement for my beloved discontinued Clairol 2nd Nature! I tried this two weeks ago and so far the results have been VERY similar (if not indentical) to the results I used to get with the 2nd nature. No hot roots and natural, shiny color that has not turned brassy at all. I used blue-violet based browns and ended up with a nice, dark, rich neutral shade of brown that lacks any orange/gold tones. Two weeks have gone by and the color looks as good (actually I think it looks even better because it has softened a bit) as it did on the first day. My hair seems smoother and healthier too. My hair was a bit brassy and dried-out looking after using Clairol Soy 4Plex and using this has restored my hair to smoother, shinier, and totally brass-free state. Very impressed thus far. I most definetely plan on using this again next month.

UPDATE: I am just a little bit past the 4 and a half week mark and the color still looks lovely and has not turned brassy. It has faded a bit, of course- but it still looks quite shiny. It has faded in such a way that there doesn't appear to be a visible root line. Quite impressed so far. When I am not feeling lazy, I have to do a touch-up soon!

UPDATE: I am at the slightly over 5 week mark and the color still looks great! No brass and it is still shiny. No obvious root line (though if I look very closely, I can see some dappled greys coming in). It looks so good that I don't want to touch it up- I don't want to ruin it! I think I'll be able to push this until at least the 6 week mark. So awesome for a demi!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Scott77 on 10/25/2012 2:07:00 PM more reviews by Scott77

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Tan, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

This product makes my hair look so much better! And I am not just referring to the color! My hair is softer, shinier and healthier after using this!

Pros:
Inexpensive if purchased online and self-applied.
Incredible shine!
Excellent color quality!
No harsh smell.
Works with low peroxide developer, so very little damage.
Easy to find online.
Makes hair look super conditioned!

Cons: Washes out in approximately three weeks, but that is to be expected with a demi perm hair color.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

erinmc42 on 10/16/2012 3:22:00 PM more reviews by erinmc42

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

My natural hair color is a cool level 9 - I am a very fair blonde. My hairdressers have used Shades EQ for years as my lowlight color, and I've always loved it.

After some training I now do my own hair color. I recently went to an all-over caramel brown with 05G Caramel. Of course, it faded and I wasn't so in love with the faded color as it was a little too gold against my fair skin although it did still look nice, just not for me.

I took a bold step and used 06CB Amber Glaze to get a rich red. I LOVE IT! And apparently having the base color of the caramel brown done first helped the color to really be bold - I'm certain that if I had gone straight from blonde to red that my results wouldn't be as pretty. Four weeks later, my only reason to color again is to cover my blonde roots peeking out that make me look like I'm balding, otherwise the color is beautiful. I have gotten a ton of compliments on my hair, and a lot of people think that I'm a natural red!

I love these colors when they fade, as you get a lot of dimension (especially if you have highlighted previously). I wash my hair every other day so that helps stop the fading process. I'm not sure how I'll get back to blonde when I'm ready, but I'll go to a professional for that for sure. (I have learned the horrible results of dying red hair back to blonde before! :) )

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*TOP REVIEWER* jokasta on 4/11/2012 9:21:00 AM more reviews by jokasta

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I just colored my hair at home using 08CB Golden Topaz ( shade discontinued ) to revive my golden /copper hair and it came out great! I have long hair but thin and I used half the bottle with 30ml developer which was just enough to cover all my hair. Applied on dry hair, left it on for 30 minutes covered with a plastic bag to keep it warm, then 5 minutes to cool uncovered, rinsed and shampooed. The color is natural and vibrant, but maybe just a tad darker with than I would have liked but this is expected with shades eq and it will wash off to a lighter tone eventually. This is by far my favorite shade for a natural warm redhead look but sadly it has been discontinued so I will be trying 1oz of 08WG Golden Apricot, half orange kicker and half Papaya on my next attempt so will update.

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strangechild on 1/17/2012 11:30:00 PM more reviews by strangechild

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

03V + Violet kicker is my color, yo!
Constantly on the lookout for a violet based color that is actually visible on the hair. Every color brand has an RV but my beef with them is that there is too much red and not enough violet. I hate that this color is only demi-permanent as it fades so quickly in my hair (fine/very oily, I usually end up shampooing daily) but I keep coming back to it because there simply is nothing else that even comes close to being as pretty as this.

As a plus, it does leave your hair very shiny and has a pleasant smell. The low volume developer used equals less damage and better overall condition of the hair after coloring. The price is great and as a liquid, it goes a long way. Overall Redken is a great company to go with if you're unsure about color or just plain don't know what you're doing.. there are tons of color charts, videos and formula recommendations on their website.

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lolawants on 1/15/2012 12:17:00 PM more reviews by lolawants

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I used Redken Shades EQ for the first time yesterday but I have been dyeing my own hair for about 5 years, with a couple different hair colors, mainly Ion Demi.

First of all, I am about a natural level 7 with warm tones and like to go about a level darker and to stay warm. I used a formula (rec by Miamoore) for a warm/rich tones: 9NB Irish Creme, 7NB Chestbnut, 7CB Spicestone with equal part Clear. I also added a tiny bit of 06RB Cherry Cola for a bit more red.

It turned out nice--definitely not too dark for me much more like a glaze of color and it fixed my roots, which were growing in. I was concentrating on my roots, but I brought it all the way through to my almost boob length hair to the ends just because I wasn't sure about the color match. It colored my hair super evenly too.

Next time I might add less clear to get a stronger color? Not sure because I do love the shine. And I will probably play around with the colors... This is a nice medium dark auburn color, but I feel like it's the color I always end up with.

Post coloring my hair feels a *tad* dry--it's shiny but a little dry anyway.... Like post-coloring coated. And as I was applying the color it was less conditioning feeling than Ion Demi. Also, much more watery and runny. I was using a brush to apply and it got everywhere.

Overall I would definitely use this color again because it has such a wide range of shades and options. Oh and I ordered from sleekhair.com (not affiliated) and my order came super quickly!

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trulls on 11/23/2011 5:52:00 PM more reviews by trulls

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Shades used: Butter Cream (09GB), Golden Apricot

Current shade: Golden blonde with some platinum highlights

Shade desired: What girl doesn't dream of beautiful Botticelli "Birth of Venus" hair, that glowing, warm, golden blonde hair with just a healthy hint of rose gold? Oh, I do know a lot of them that don't. But I did, and as it turns out, I still do.

Research: By now, I could have worked at Redken. There isn't a color chart belonging to that company I haven't looked in to. I've read hundreds of reviews, making sure it would't end up ashy or green or purple or blue. I mixed thoroughly and correctly, and applied it as recommended.

Outcome: Have you ever seen a homeless person, waking up after a long drug-induced sleep in her own feces? Well, there you have it. It came out a deep, ultra dark ashy brown, almost black, with an unhealthy tinge of pond green. Keep in mind that I used the lightest shades offered.

Aftermath: With twenty-something harsh washes behind me, I can safely say that it has staying power. I've used baking soda, chelating shampoo, heated oil, super hot water, regular soap and conditioner, and while it is not as dark anymore, it sure is unflattering.

Bottom line: The scissors and I look at each other with want-to in our eyes, but at least for me, baglady brown is better than Bruce Willis bald.

12 out of 22 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

MeliCash on 4/18/2011 3:37:00 PM more reviews by MeliCash

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I love this stuff. I blow dry & flat iron my hair almost every day but you would hardly know that thanks to Shades EQ because my hair looks so shiny and conditioned. My hair is naturally around a Level 6 and pulls A LOT of red tones, so I use a ½ oz of Blue Kicker with 1B Onyx & 3N Espresso to get a very cool, very beautiful tone of brown-black (more on the black side though). Supposedly the Blue Kicker is discontinued or at least it was at a beauty supply store in the area that requires a license... it's still plentiful online though. It knocks out any red tone in my hair like no other product I've tried.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

happywoman28 on 4/3/2011 2:06:00 AM more reviews by happywoman28

Age: Unknown   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Thanks again MUA reviewers! I was very happy with Naturcolor but tried this after reading the reviews here and won't go back to it. This stuff rocks.
It makes my hair shine like it never has in my life. And the colors are amazingly gorgeous, unlike any color I've ever tried. I left it on for 40 minutes and only after the sixth shampoo ---I use Wen- did I notice it starting to fade. Since I only shampoo twice a week, this lasted a month.
This really improves the texture, taking my hair from frizzy and dry to smooth and shiney. I have always been a blond but tried a darker shade of this, a light brown, and it looks fabulous. The developer that goes with this is only 2-3% peroxide so I don't mind coloring with this more often.
Plus it covered grey much better than Naturcolor. This is the best there is.

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eshanon on 1/13/2011 1:49:00 AM more reviews by eshanon

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have been highlighting my hair all my life and have never really had my hair natural, so from time to time I try to go brown and its a big fail every time. (I highlight to a light blonde). Recently, I tried to go brown because I just get very tired of the damage highlighting does to my hair and also the dark roots. I went to a professional who should have known better than to put dark chestnut blonde/light brown on my porous hair (I have since learned you need to flll pale blonde hair first before going brown) and my hair turned weird tones. Then the same person kept trying to fix my hair and my hair ended up a multitude of weird colors and fried big time. Heartbroken, because my blonde hair was long and pretty before this mess, I went to another stylist and asked to somehow cover my mess with a glaze. She used Redken Shades (Saffron mixed with Vanilla Bean) and thank GOD. We also did a protein treatment. The color was not my top choice but we needed to use something very neutral to just bring my hair into normalcy again. The color went a little darker than anticipated but it was a good thing. It has been 2 weeks and has faded (as expected due to it being a demi), but my hair color is still consistent. I can even see my blonde highlights coming back in a very even way. I am going to glaze again soon with the Redken Shades but a different color and will repost. This product totally saved my hair and I'm so relieved!

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koo104 on 4/16/2010 1:36:00 AM more reviews by koo104

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

My hair dresser has been using it on me for years. He puts me under the dryer for 40 minutes, double the recommended time to seal the color in. It usually lasts 4-6 weeks before I need a touch up. I can push it to 8 weeks.
I use 9AA & 8C for a perfect light red, like the Coco model. I get tons of compliments and everyone thinks it is my natural color. You own color shows through so it looks really natural.
Now that my hair dresser works 2 hours from my home. He taught me to do it myself. 1 time it's all over the next time I touch up roots and do a gloss over the rest. My hair is in really good condition. I wash my hair 2 times a week. ( I have wavy/curly hair).
This is great stuff.

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yossarian on 4/12/2010 10:20:00 PM more reviews by yossarian

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I'm a natural redhead and wanted something not too dramatic that would help blend out my grays and perk up my color. I've never colored my hair before but have helped my mom over the years to do her hair. Was considering henna but after talking to the folks at the beauty supply store was convinced to try EQ.

Looked through the color book and the consensus was "cayenne" would be a safe choice. Purchased some shower caps, sectioning clips, and used some gloves I had at home. The process was super easy. Washed and towel-dried my hair, carefully applied the EQ (mixed 1:1 with the developer in a squeeze bottle), popped on a cap and waited 15/20 minutes. I actually rinsed a few minutes early because I was so nervous. I followed with a deep conditioner only as suggested by the beauty supply store (shampoo only before).

(FYI purchased everything at Ray Beauty on 8th Ave in NYC. No frills but they service many who work on Broadway and they really know their stuff. Been there over 50 years. They couldn't have been more helpful. http://raybeauty.com/)

I can't tell you how pleasantly surprised I was with this product. My color looks brighter, my white hairs are blended in and my hair is beautifully shiny and healthy looking. Have received more than a few compliments and am only 3 days out. Can't wait to see how this color lasts but so far I am very happy with the results.

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*TOP REVIEWER* lchoe on 3/19/2010 2:39:00 PM more reviews by lchoe

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best demi or semi-permanent hair color I have found for my hair (I am Korean, my hair is black, silky straight). I just had my hair colored professionally with Redken Shades EQ in Black (the blackest black) and I am extremely happy and everyone (strangers and people I know) have been oohing ahhing however beautiful, rich, glossy, silky, conditioned my hair is. I am extremely satisfied and relieved I used this product.


I only need to cover my greys and as my hair is 5" past my shoulder and cannot afford damage with the long length, I do not use color products w/ ammonia and only have minimal peroxide. In the past I used Goldwell (very good but Redken is more shiny, color a bit more rich and more multi dimensional) and tried Wella once (similar to Goldwell, but color was more flat and not as shiny) until I was shown the light when my hairdresser used Redken Shades EQ on my hair 3 years ago. Not only is the color gorgeous, natural looking but it grows out beautifully. I had my hair colored professionally with this at a salon for $60 (very reasonable for NYC) but it's usually $85 at Bumble & Bumble (single process). The color lasts for 3 - 6 months but grows out beautifully and naturally that I only need to color my hair once a year. I use Clairol Root Touch Up Kit in Black (excellent & super easy to use)) every few months for the grey roots.


I once strayed 2 years ago and had my colored (semi-permanent) at Aveda and it was a disaster. My hair was duller, flatter, and the greys weren't even colored. I was so scared to get my hair colored after that so I stuck to Clairol's Root Touch Kit in black. After 2 years, I realized my hair was 2-3 different shades of black to dark brown. After the Redken color yesterday, I am relieved that I am over my trauma and ready to have my hair colored at least every year again. Try this color - trust me, your hair will be gorgeous and you are worth it :-).


I am 44, have fine (but lots of it) long (5" past shoulders), black, stick straight, silky Korean hair. Slightly oily scalp with dry ends. I use: Frederic Fekkai More Shampoo, Kerastase Bain Miroir 1 & 2 Shampoos (my 2nd rinse staples), Kerastase masques (MasquIntense, Chroma Reflect, UV Defense), Joico (K-Pak deep conditioners), Redken (Extreme Conditioner, All Soft).

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Syrie on 3/9/2010 7:02:00 PM more reviews by Syrie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy   Eyes: Blue    

I just did my hair with Shades 3V (Dark violet brown) the other day and I LOVE it. It's the exact shade I was looking for--darkish brown with a violet tint, but not a screamin at ya Manic Panic kind of purple. Just a hint of violet and a super shiny dark brown. Application is 1:1 with the low volume developer, which I didn't check when I ordered but I believe is below 10 volume, for deposit only.

I have been nursing my hair back from a bleach blonde disaster last year (of my own making, admittedly) and this is the first demi permanent I've used that has left my hair in super shiny condition, AND was the color--exactly--I wanted. Wella Color Touch is good too, but they didn't have exactly the color I wanted (they have a 3RV, but I didn't want the red).

I ordered off ebay and received in about 4 days. I also got 9V platinum ice and 9N to tone my mom's highlights I do on her--I'll report back after I get that one done!

SOOOOO STOKED!

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Kukanooks on 2/13/2010 12:54:00 PM more reviews by Kukanooks

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Hi all,
I just joined this board today... I've had Redken Shades EQ done in a salon a few times a long time ago and liked it. Now I purchased some myself and want to color my hair today... BUT--I have no idea if you're supposed to wash your hair first, apply the color in towel-dry hair and just rinse after coloring... OR apply the color to dry hair and then shampoo after color has processed...??

Please let me know how to proceed, as I wouldn't want to do this any wrong way! Thanks guys for your help!!:)

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*TOP REVIEWER* lindsey251 on 1/24/2010 1:25:00 PM more reviews by lindsey251

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This hair color is awesome! Just so you know, it is a DEMI-permanent hair color, not a SEMI-permanent, and also not a permanent one. If you don't know the difference, I recommend this website.
http://hairstyling.suite101.com/article.cfm/demi_semi_permanent_hair_colour
(not affiliated)
You apply it to wet hair, not dry. I also didn't notice any weird smells. I dyed my hair 7 weeks ago, and I love the way my color looks even to this day! I don't remember what the name of the color I had died it was, but it was a soft black, very close to an extremely dark brown. And now 7 weeks later, it is still a really dark brown. It has hardly faded. Also, as soon as I got my hair dyed, it conditioned it, gave me softness and shine. My hair has never looked and felt so healthy! I don't plan on re-dying my hair, because the plan was to dye it my natural color, but if I ever dye my hair a demi-permanent color again, I will go back to this!

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sparkledazzle on 8/26/2009 5:06:00 PM more reviews by sparkledazzle

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Well- I started off a bleached platinum blonde- to light brunette. It was beautiful, until it started to fade and turn too gold/orange. I used L'Oreal natural match in light ash brown- which would last about one week and my hair would pull reds and golds. I used Wella Color Charm, mixed 2 med. blond colors w/a blue violet base and added in Adrell red gold corrector. This helped- but still not enough. (photos in profile of hair after the Wella). I came on here looking for advice and red many reviews. Redken was highly recommended. I purchased 7T and 7V, mixed with clear and developer- and viola! Much better toned down hair. There is still a bit of red in it, mostly seen in the sun etc. Much better color that I can live with! (After photos also in profile). Will repurchase- may add a drabber to correct some of the red. Overall- very happy with result. Hair feels good, and shiny.

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BetsyC on 8/25/2009 3:27:00 PM more reviews by BetsyC

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I started getting my hair professionally colored with this last year. I still love the condition it leaves my hair in, but I am disappointed with how dark and 'muddy' my ends have gotten. The stylist even puts the color on my roots first, leaves it in and only touches up the ends. My hair has not been chemically altered in any other way, either. I am probably only about 15-20% silver, but it is also fading very quickly on the root area and even after color, all the silvers do not uptake the dye.

It was fun for a while, but now that my silvers are coming in fast & furious, I am going to somehow try to have as much of the color removed as possible and let it go natural.

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*TOP REVIEWER* brasscupcakes on 8/23/2009 4:20:00 PM more reviews by brasscupcakes

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Platinum Ice rules as a toner, if you're bleached blond like me. Just watch it carefully, or you'll end up with purple hair, as happened to me on one occasion.

Now I mix it with at least 50 percent clear -- which I had to buy it by the liter on eBay, unfortunately. On the plus side, it costs about 40 percent less per application this way.

Great color, and the developer is very gentle. My hair always looks shinier and in better condition after I use it. Given the punishment it takes (my natural color is black), that's saying a lot.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Furchild on 4/24/2009 11:07:00 AM more reviews by Furchild

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I have very fine, part wavy, part straight medium to dark brown hair with a little grey starting. I had it highlighted for years and then started 'coloring' it on my own with drugstore products. After year of that my hair was a strange shade of orange brown and so damaged I had to have a professional fix it. She recommended Redken shades and I fell in love with it. My hair felt glossy and healthier after the first application. The color was so rich and natural looking. Three years later I am still having shades every six weeks or so and I still love it!

I love the way it makes hair feel-with more volume, bounce, and gloss. It also fades slowly so that my greys look like highllights right before I go back in for a touch up. It is very gentle, with very little chemical smell to it. For touchups we do the color on the roots and clear on the ends so that I can still get the volume and gloss that I love all over. Over the years we've also found two different shades colors-one slightly lighter and more natural for summer, and one slightly darker with more red for the winter. I would never switch from this product.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No