Meet the color that can rise to any haircolor challenge: Shades EQ. Shades EQ is Redken’s acidic demi-permanent haircolor that offers amazing shine, gentle processing, and no lift—all in 20 minutes. This versatile haircolor is a stylist go-to for everyday color challenges, from excessive warmth or brassiness to lack of vibrancy. We tapped our Redken Artists to share their favorite formulas and tips for solving the most common color challenges.
COLOR CHALLENGE #1: BOOST VIBRANCY
Your red and copper transformations look more brunette than expected.
YOUR CLIENT SAYS: They want to amp up the vibrancy—and make it last.
Many natural redheads “brown out” over time, losing vibrancy. Here are our top formulas to boost vibrancy on “browned out” bases:
MOJAVE ROSE
- Natural Level 4, Medium Brown Desired Level Dark, chocolate brown Percentage of gray: 10%
- 1 ½ oz. 03A Terra Cotta Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 03RV Scarlet Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
BRONZED COPPER
- Natural Level 6, Dark Blonde Desired Level 7, Medium Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- 1 ½ oz. 06CB Amber Glaze Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 06AA Bonfire Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Processing Solution
COOL APRICOT
- Natural Level 9, Very Light Blonde Desired Level 9, Very Light Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- 1 ½ oz. 09RB Blush Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 06AA Bonfire Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
AS GOLD AS IT GETS
- Natural Level 9, Very Light Blonde Desired Level 8, Light Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- 1 ½ oz. 08GG Gold Dip Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. Yellow Kicker Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
Redken Shades EQ: 06CB, 09RB, 06AA
COLOR CHALLENGE #2: FIGHT FLAT COLOR
Your client is back for a blonde refresh, and the color looks flat.
YOUR CLIENT SAYS: They want a boost of something special to stand out from the crowd.
If your client’s hair appears too flat or “muddy” in appearance, use these formulas to add dimension and boost brightness for a unique blonde:
RICH AND WOODSY
- Natural Level 5, Light Brown
- Desired Level 5, Light Brown with warmer tones Percentage of gray: 25%
- 1 ½ oz. 06N Moroccan Sand Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 06AA Bonfire Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
BRUNETTE PERFECTION
- Natural Level 6, Dark Blonde Desired Level 4, Medium Brown Percentage of gray: 50%
- 1 oz. 04NB Maple Shades EQ Gloss, 1 oz. 04WG Sun Tea Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
ALMOST STRAWBERRY
- Natural Level 9, Very Light Blonde Desired Level 9, Very Light Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- ½ oz. 09RB Blush Shades EQ Gloss, 1 ½ oz. 09G Vanilla Crème Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Processing Solution
TRUE GOLDEN APRICOT
- Natural Level 9, Very Light Blonde Desired Level 8, Light Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- 1 oz. 08GG Gold Dip Shades EQ Gloss, 1 oz. 09AA Papaya Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
Redken Shades EQ: 09RB, 09GI, 09AA
COLOR CHALLENGE #3: BEAT THE BRASS
You have one client that always comes back brassy and you need to control undertones.
YOUR CLIENT SAYS: They want their blonde to be brass free the entire time between appointments.
Some clients require several applications over time to achieve their desired lightness. To fight brass at every stage, they require the right formula to control undertones between appointments. To control stubborn warm undertones, use these formulas:
KHAKI BLONDE
- Natural Level 9, Very Light Blonde, Desired Level 8 Light Blonde with no warmth Percentage of gray: 0%
- 1 oz. 08GN Ivy Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 09T Chrome Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
SOFT, NEUTRAL BLONDE
- Natural Level 9, Very Light Blonde Desired Level 9, Very Light Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- ½ oz. 09N Café Au Lait Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 09V Platinum Ice Shades EQ Gloss, 1 oz. 000 Crystal Clear Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
DOE, A DEER
- Natural Level 8, Light Blonde Desired Level 7, Medium Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- ½ oz. 07V Crushed Amethyst Shades EQ Gloss, 1 oz. 08N Mojave Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 000 Crystal Clear Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Processing Solution
CRÈME DE LA BLONDE
- Natural Level 9, Very Light Blonde Desired Level 9, Very Light Blonde Percentage of gray: 0%
- 1 oz. 09B Sterling Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 09T Chrome Shades EQ Gloss, ½ oz. 000 Crystal Clear Shades EQ Gloss, 2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss Processing Solution
Redken Shades EQ: 09T, 09T/07V, 09V, 07V, 09B
COLOR CHALLENGE #4:
Your high-level blonde wants to go brighter, but you can’t go any lighter.
YOUR CLIENT SAYS: They want to feel lighter, brighter, and have a healthy shine.
To give your client a boost of brightness and shine, softly low-light in foils and tone with warm Shades EQ shades to give dimension and make lighter pieces pop. Reach for a Shades EQ shade with gold or yellow tones, like 010G, 010GI, and Yellow Kicker.
Redken Shades EQ: 010GI, 010GI, 010G + 010NW
