Brassy hair is one of the most common struggles after lightening, highlighting, or coloring hair. The unwanted yellow, orange, or red tones can ruin the look of beautifully colored hair. Fortunately, Redken Shades EQ for brassy hair is a salon favorite solution to neutralize brassiness and restore cool, glossy, professional-looking color. Whether you’re a blonde battling yellow tones or a brunette trying to eliminate red-orange hues, this product can help you achieve that fresh-from-the-salon tone without damage.
What is Redken Shades EQ?
Redken Shades EQ is a demi-permanent hair color, often referred to as a color gloss. It is ammonia-free, which means it doesn’t lift or lighten the hair, but it adds rich tone, shine, and smoothness. Shades EQ works by coating the hair with color, making it ideal for correcting tones, refreshing faded color, and adding dimension. It’s also gentle on hair, making it a favorite for those who frequently tone or color.
Why Does Hair Get Brassy?
Brassiness happens when warm undertones in the hair become more visible over time. This can occur due to:
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Exposure to sun and environmental elements
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Chlorine from swimming pools
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Hard water minerals
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Fading of the original toner or hair color
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Incorrect hair care products
Blondes usually experience yellow tones, while brunettes and darker blondes often see orange or red tones. The good news is that these can be neutralized with the right toner – and that’s where Redken Shades EQ for brassy hair shines.
How Does Redken Shades EQ Help with Brassy Hair?
Redken Shades EQ uses color theory to cancel out unwanted tones. Purple neutralizes yellow, while blue cancels out orange and greenish tones can combat red. The variety of shades available in the Shades EQ line allows professional colorists to customize formulas that perfectly balance brassy hues and leave hair looking natural and radiant.
Key Shades EQ Colors for Brassy Hair:
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Redken Shades EQ 09V Platinum Ice – ideal for cooling down very yellow or warm blondes.
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Redken Shades EQ 09T Chrome – cancels out warm yellow-gold tones in lighter blondes.
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Redken Shades EQ 08V Iridescent Quartz – adds soft violet tones for cooler, ashier blonde results.
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Redken Shades EQ 07P Mother of Pearl – great for neutralizing brass in medium blonde hair.
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Redken Shades EQ 06T Iron – helps tone brassy orange tones in darker blondes and light brunettes.
Benefits of Using Redken Shades EQ for Brassy Hair
1. Neutralizes Unwanted Warm Tones
The biggest benefit of Redken Shades EQ for brassy hair is its ability to neutralize orange, yellow, and red undertones, restoring balance to your color.
2. Adds Shine and Smoothness
The conditioning formula leaves hair silky, smooth, and incredibly shiny, making it look healthier overall.
3. Ammonia-Free Formula
Because it’s ammonia-free, Shades EQ doesn’t damage the hair. Instead, it helps improve hair texture and softness with each use.
4. Customizable Results
Professional stylists can mix different shades to create custom toners for individual needs, allowing for personalized and flawless color correction.
5. Fades Gradually and Evenly
Shades EQ fades out gradually and evenly, preventing patchy or uneven color as it washes out.
How to Use Redken Shades EQ for Brassy Hair
While Redken Shades EQ is a professional product designed for salon use, understanding how it works is helpful if you’re consulting with your stylist.
Step 1: Hair Assessment
A stylist will assess your hair to determine the level of brassiness and your hair’s underlying tones.
Step 2: Custom Formulation
They’ll choose the right Shades EQ toner – usually with violet or blue-based tones – to counteract the brassy shades in your hair.
Step 3: Application
The toner is applied evenly to damp hair and allowed to process for about 20 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse and Style
The toner is rinsed out, and your hair is styled. You’ll leave with a cool, refreshed color that looks shiny and vibrant.
At-Home Maintenance for Brassy Hair
Use Purple Shampoo
After your Redken Shades EQ treatment, maintain results with a high-quality purple shampoo to neutralize yellow tones between salon visits.
Avoid Over-Washing
Over-washing can cause toner to fade more quickly. Wash your hair two to three times a week and use dry shampoo in between.
Protect from Heat
Use heat protection sprays when styling with hot tools to prevent color from fading and brassiness from returning.
Avoid Chlorine and Saltwater
Swimming pools and ocean water can strip toner and contribute to brassiness. Rinse hair with fresh water before swimming and use protective hair products.
Regular Toner Appointments
Schedule regular appointments for Shades EQ gloss treatments every 6 to 8 weeks to keep your color cool and refreshed.
Tips for Choosing the Right Redken Shades EQ Formula
For Blondes with Yellow Tones:
Ask your stylist for violet-based toners like 09V Platinum Ice or 09T Chrome.
For Brunettes with Orange Tones:
Blue-based toners, such as 06T Iron or 07P Mother of Pearl, are excellent for cancelling out orange tones.
For Light Blondes Needing Brightening:
Pale violet or pearl-based shades like 08V Iridescent Quartz can brighten and enhance brightness while eliminating dull brass.
For Ashy Looks:
If you love cool, ashy tones, your stylist might combine violet and silver shades to enhance a neutral finish.
Pros and Cons of Redken Shades EQ for Brassy Hair
Pros:
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Neutralizes brassiness effectively
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Gentle, ammonia-free formula
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Adds healthy shine and smoothness
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Customizable for all hair tones
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Gradually fades without harsh lines
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Professional salon results
Cons:
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Requires a professional application for best results
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Toner needs maintenance as it fades
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Results vary depending on starting hair color and condition
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Positive Reviews
Salon clients and hairstylists consistently praise Redken Shades EQ for brassy hair for its ability to restore cool, salon-fresh color. Many users note that it not only removes brassiness but also leaves hair feeling soft and looking glossy.
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“This is the only toner that takes out the orange from my balayage without making my hair feel damaged.”
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“My blonde hair finally looks cool and icy again after using Shades EQ!”
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“I love how shiny and healthy my hair feels after toning with Redken Shades EQ.”
Some Challenges
While overwhelmingly positive, some users mention that results may fade faster if hair is washed frequently or if heat protection isn’t used.
Is Redken Shades EQ Worth It for Brassy Hair?
If brassiness is ruining your hair color, Redken Shades EQ for brassy hair is absolutely worth trying. Its professional-grade formula delivers immediate tone correction, softness, and high-gloss shine without causing damage. It’s a staple in salons around the world for a reason – because it works.
Brassy hair is an unwelcome side effect of color-treated hair, but with Redken Shades EQ for brassy hair, you can restore cool, vibrant, salon-quality tones in just one appointment. Its ammonia-free, shine-enhancing formula makes it the perfect solution for anyone looking to neutralize yellow or orange tones and bring life back to dull, faded hair color. With proper at-home care and regular gloss treatments, your hair can remain beautifully toned, smooth, and shiny week after week. Whether you’re blonde, brunette, or somewhere in between, Shades EQ is the secret weapon for keeping brassiness at bay and maintaining healthy, radiant hair.