How to use Redken Shades EQ Gloss – Your Questions Answered
It’s time to shine! From colour correction to toning or glossing, Redken Shades EQ Gloss can do it all, and more. It’s no wonder it’s the go-to product for celebrity colourists including Tracey Cunningham. She’s used the Redken hair gloss shades for a wide range of celebrity magazine covers, red carpets and A-list award ceremony looks.
Adding Shades EQ to your product range is the perfect way to give your clients the VIP treatment, and we’ve got the answers to all your questions about this iconic hair gloss here. Read below to see why it’s the technique perfector you need to give your clients the latest trends they’re asking for.
Redken Shades EQ Q&A
What is Redken Shades EQ Gloss?
Shades EQ is the original iconic demi-permanent liquid gloss. Formulated with Wheat Amino Acids, Shades EQ’s acidic formula helps deliver mirror-like glossy shine. It’s ammonia-free and can gloss, refresh, tone and correct with no lift in as little as 20 minutes. Added to that, it’s super easy to mix and apply, offering a sheer result.
How is Shades EQ different to other glosses?
Shades EQ is so much more than your normal hair gloss. Instead, it’s a hair colour thinks it’s a conditioner! Shades EQ is an acidic demi-permanent colour made up of a mix of both oxidative and direct dyes. This means it offers a gentle process that provides outstanding condition and shine benefits your clients will love.
How do I read the Shades EQ label?
The Shades EQ labelling system comprises of two parts: number then letter. The numbers indicate the colour deposit levels of the Shades EQ glosses, which all start with the number zero as they won’t lift the hair’s natural pigment. The letters identify the tonal family the shade belongs to, for example V for ‘Violet’ and NB for ‘Neutral Blonde/Brown.’
Is Shades EQ just a toner?
Perfect for creating stunning Insta-ready blondes and brunettes, Shades EQ offers so much more than your regular toner. Besides using it as a bespoke toner or clear gloss, its versatile formula can be used to refresh any colour, correct unwanted tones and add natural dimension with no lift and a lasting mirror-like shine!
Can I use Shades EQ as an add-on to a client’s colour service?
When you use Shades EQ Crystal Clear, you can give both colour-treated and natural hair the ultimate shine boost. This makes it a great add-on service for clients who are booked in for cutting and styling services.
A Crystal Clear gloss will give your clients the condition and the shine of using Shades EQ, without the commitment of colour.
Can I use Shades EQ to blend greys?
Shades EQ is the perfect choice for clients who aren’t ready to embrace their first sign of greys yet don’t want the high commitment that comes with permanent dye. Its formula is capable of blending up to 50% of greys, with our top choice being the NB family for the best results.
Why does Shades EQ look so dark during development?
The reason why Shades EQ can appear dark is due to its innovative formula containing a combination of direct and oxidative dyes. If you or your clients ever get worried about the formula’s darker appearance, the one thing we have to say is trust in the process. Always leave it to works its magic for 20 minutes and you’ll see the stunning results in no time.
What are the differences between the two developers?
The Shades EQ offers two dedicated developers specially created to help you perform your desired colour technique. Both Shades EQ Processing Solution & Shades EQ Gloss to Gel Processing Solution are formulated with 2% hydrogen peroxide. The unique formulas will help to maintain an acidic pH and stabilise viscosity.
The Shades EQ Processing Solution is a liquid format developer. This developer is the perfect choice to perform your toning and glossing along with a variety of colour balancing, refreshing and blending techniques.
The Shades EQ Gloss to Gel Processing Solution is a unique developer that transforms Redken’s iconic liquid gloss into a thick gel perfect for performing high precision techniques such as lowlights, contouring and defining.
How do I mix Shades EQ?
It’s easy to use...
- Depending on your colour technique, mix your chosen Shades EQ shade in a 1:1 ratio with the Shades EQ Processing Solution or Gloss to Gel Developer.
- Shades EQ Gloss can either be applied with a bowl and brush or bottle onto dry hair.
- Process at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Rinse and follow up with Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Conditioner.
What else can Shades EQ do?
Colour correction service
Shades EQ is the perfect tool for colour correction services and colour transformations. Use it to darken blonde hair or correct unwanted tones. It can even help you in pre-filling the hair if you want to darken the tone, enhance brighter shades or add dimension to natural colour. There is an extensive palette of both warm or cold shades to choose from that will work with tones or neutralise them.
Refresh your client’s existing colour
You can also use Shades EQ to refresh hair that has been permanently coloured.
Our unique approach to professional hair colouring consists of following the Redken Colour Mantra. Applying colour in zones guarantees maximum results whilst minimising stress on the hair!
ZONE 1: Apply permanent or alkaline colour, such as Color Gels Lacquers, to regrowth or root area, approximately the first ½ inch of hair
ZONE 2: Apply acidic colour, such as
Shades EQ, to mid-shaft area, begins where Zone 1 ends
ZONE 3: Apply acidic colour on overly porous hair that extends past the shoulders (not all hair has a Zone 3)
Refreshing colour in Zones 2+3 with an acidic hair colour maintains the hair’s integrity with no compromise on the colour or condition of your client’s hair.
Top tips for using Shades EQ
Here’s our top tips on how you can get the most out of the Shades EQ hair gloss range.
1. Trust the Process
Shades EQ can appear dark when developing because Shades EQ’s formula is made up from a combination of direct and oxidative dyes. This means you can often see pigmented colour straight away. This is the direct element working so even if the colour looks too dark, trust in the process and leave Shades EQ to develop for the full 20 minutes. You can always add some Crystal Clear into the formula to soften the tone and deposit.
2. Apply on dry hair
Shades EQ should always be applied to dry hair. If there is any form of moisture in the hair, you may weaken the strength of the developer. This will result in you getting a weaker colour result or means the colour won’t last as long. Check out the video below to see why applying Shades EQ on dry hair will help you achieve the best colour results.
3. Apply for 20 minutes
To get the best results with Shades EQ, you need to develop the colour for the full 20 minutes. This will allow the oxidative dyes to work and to ensure the colour lasts longer.
Shop the Redken Shades EQ range for your business now
<ul><li>Liquid, acidic demi-permanent toners with built-in bonder technology to tone and strengthen hair in 1 step</li><li> Helps repair and protect the most damaged strands following any lightening service </li><li> With Citric Acid and Taurine to help reduce damage and alkalinity for optimal colour results </li><li>Delivers incredible shine and condition with true-to-tone results</li><li>Perfect for sensitized to very sensitized hair</li></ul>
<ul><li>Unique developer for Shades EQ </li><li>2% hydrogen peroxide specifically formulated to maintain an acidic pH.</li><li>No Lift</li><li> Suitable for applications </li></ul>
<ul><li>Unique developer for Shades EQ </li><li>Transforms Shades EQ's iconic liquid gloss into a versatile gel </li><li>2% hydrogen peroxide specifically formulated to maintain an acidic pH.</li><li>Perfect for lowlights, contouring and defining. </li><li>No Lift</li></ul>
<ul><li>Unique developer for Shades EQ </li><li>Transforms Shades EQ's iconic liquid gloss into a versatile gel </li><li>2% hydrogen peroxide specifically formulated to maintain an acidic pH.</li><li>Perfect for lowlights, contouring and defining. </li><li>No Lift</li></ul>
Shop all the professional hair and beauty essentials for your salon or freelance business at Salon Services, and stay up to date with the latest trends on our Beauty By You page to find out more.