What Is Redken Shades ALK?
Redken Shades ALK is this awesome ammonia-free, alkaline demi-permanent liquid-cream color that’s perfect for covering gray, brightening, darkening, or just switching up your tone. It can cover up to 75% of gray hair and even gives you a bit of lift, like one level of lift, plus vibrant color that sticks around for up to eight weeks.
What I love is the Hydro-Magnetic Complex packed with goodies like glycerin and shea butter that keep your hair hydrated, shiny, and bouncy. Plus, it’s free from ammonia, fragrance, silicones, mineral oil, parabens, preservatives, and drying alcohols, so it leaves your hair visibly healthier without the harsh stuff. Totally a perfect addition if you want that multi-dimensional, glossy shine without the commitment of traditional permanent cream color.
Shades ALK vs. Shades EQ Gloss
Some folks call it "Redken Shades EQ ALK," but honestly, the real name is just Shades ALK.
Here’s the deal: Shades EQ Gloss is all about that acidic, no-lift demi-permanent color, perfect for toning, glossing, and soft gray blending. Meanwhile, Shades ALK is alkaline, can give your hair 1 level of lift, and packs a punch with richer color and better gray coverage.
Heads up though, they don’t mix the same way or use a universal developer. So, don’t swap your usual Shades EQ mix for Shades ALK.
But, if you wanna get fancy, stylists often rock Shades ALK on the roots to cover gray or tweak the base, then hit the mids and ends with Shades EQ Gloss for that glossy, refreshed vibe. Just keep the mixes separate and use the right developer and ratio for each; that’s the trick!
What You Need Before Using Redken Shades ALK
Products
You’ll need Redken Shades ALK Demi-Permanent Hair Color and Redken Pro-Oxide Cream Developer 10 Volume (3%). Redken’s clear on this: use Shades ALK only with this developer, no mixing with Shades EQ Processing Solution, stronger volumes, or random developers.
Tools
Grab your disposable gloves, non-metal bowl and tint brush, measuring cup or scale, timer, sectioning clips, cape, towels, and barrier cream before you start.
If you’re doing a full head, a non-metal applicator bottle can speed things up and maximize evenness. Just avoid metal tools; they’re a no-go with the Redken Shades family.
My pro tip? Get everything ready before mixing. Once you’ve got your color mixed, you wanna be all in, not scrambling for your tools.
The Exact Redken Shades ALK Mixing Ratio
The official Redken Shades ALK educational material states the mixing ratio is 1:1.5, meaning you mix 1 part color with 1.5 parts Redken Pro-Oxide Cream Developer 10 Volume.
Here are some quick examples to keep it simple:
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0.5 oz color + 0.75 oz developer
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1 oz color + 1.5 oz developer
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1.5 oz color + 2.25 oz developer
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2 oz color + 3 oz developer
If you wanna mix two shades of ALK shades, just add up the color amounts and then multiply by 1.5 for the developer. Like, 0.5 oz of shade A plus 0.5 oz of shade B equals 1 oz total color, so you’d need 1.5 oz developer.
Don’t eyeball it, measuring is key here to get those true-to-tone results and keep the high-performance dyes working right. The developer activates the color and makes sure it spreads smoothly, so sticking to the 1:1.5 ratio is what keeps your hair looking vibrant, full-bodied, and leaves hair visibly healthier. No shortcuts here!
How to Mix Redken Shades ALK Step by Step
Step 1: Safety First, Always
Alright, first things first: wear suitable disposable gloves and keep ’em on from start to finish. Don’t skip Redken’s allergy test 48 hours before you dive in, and definitely do a quick strand test to see how your hair’s gonna react.
Before mixing, check your scalp and hair; things like porosity, any buildup, past color jobs, or treatments can totally change your final look.
Step 2: Pick Your Shade Like a Pro
Figure out your hair’s starting level, how much gray you’re dealing with, the undertones, porosity, and what vibe you want. Whether you’re toning down brassiness, going darker, blending gray, or switching up your base, Shades ALK shades can be mixed for that perfect custom color.
Pro tip: Add Crystal Clear if you want to dial down the color intensity or get a softer look.
For serious gray coverage, stick to the N, NA, NCh, NB, and GI shades; they’re the real MVPs, covering up to 75% gray. Start where the gray’s toughest and work in small sections to get that saturation just right.
Step 3: Measure Like a Boss
Pour your Shades ALK into a clean, dry, non-metal bowl. Use a scale or measuring cup; eyeballing it is a no-go if you want vibrant, long-lasting color that leaves your hair visibly healthier.
Step 4: Mix It Up
Once you’ve got your color amount, multiply by 1.5 and add that much Redken Pro-Oxide 10 Volume Developer. Mix with a non-metal brush until it’s smooth and creamy; make sure to scrape the bowl sides so nothing’s left behind.
The texture should be easy to spread but still controlled. If it looks weird, too thick, too thin, or separated, stop and double-check your math and products instead of guessing.
This easy mixing method with the liquid cream alkaline demi formula and key ingredients like glycerin and coco glucoside helps you get that high-performance dye penetration and vibrant, intensely nourished color every time.
How to Apply and Process Redken Shades ALK
Apply to Dry Hair
Here’s the deal: you wanna slap that Shades ALK on dry hair, clean and sectioned up nice and neat. I like doing a simple four-quadrant split to keep things chill and make sure no spots get missed.
For gray coverage, start where the gray’s toughest, usually around the hairline or parting, and work your way through. Use a bowl and brush for those detailed root touch-ups or if you want precision. If you’re going big, a non-metal applicator bottle can speed things up.
Heads up: don’t overload or overlap too much, especially on ends that’ve been lightened or are super porous. They soak up color like crazy compared to fresh roots.
Let It Process
Set a timer and let it do its thing for 20 minutes at room temp. No heat, no shortcuts. More time or heat won’t make it better; it just messes with the formula.
Rinse and Wrap It Up
Once time’s up, emulsify and rinse hair until the water runs clear. Follow up with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, like Redken Acidic Color Gloss Sulfate-Free, to keep your color popping and your hair visibly healthier.
Using lukewarm water and going easy on heat styling helps keep that vibrancy and shine for longer. Trust me, your hair will thank you!
Common Mixing Mistakes
Most mistakes with Shades ALK come from cutting corners, and trust me, that messes up your color big time. Here’s what you gotta watch out for:
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Wrong ratio: Shades ALK is all about that 1:1.5 ratio, not the 1:1 you might know from Shades EQ.
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Wrong developer: Only roll with Redken Pro-Oxide 10 Volume. No swapping with Shades EQ Processing Solution or anything stronger.
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Eyeballing it: Don’t guess your measurements; use only the proportions recommended by Redken to nail that perfect mix.
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Metal tools: Redken says no metal bowls or brushes. Stick to plastic or glass.
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Wet hair application: You gotta apply Shades ALK to dry hair for the best color payoff.
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Heat game: Let it process for 20 minutes at room temp, no heat, no shortcuts.
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Skipping tests: Seriously, don’t skip the allergy and strand tests. Hair history matters.
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Mixing color systems: You can do Shades ALK on roots and Shades EQ on ends in the same service, but keep the mixes separate. Don’t dump them in one bowl unless Redken says it’s cool.
Follow these tips, and you’ll get that vibrant, visibly healthier hair with Shades ALK’s high-performance dyes penetrating every strand for that perfect, long-lasting look.
Summary
Mixing Redken Shades ALK is a breeze if you stick to the rules: it’s a 1:1.5 ratio, 1 part color, 1.5 parts Redken Pro-Oxide Cream Developer 10 Volume. You gotta apply it on dry hair and let it chill for 20 minutes at room temp, no heat hacks. Measure everything right, pick your shade wisely, section your hair clean, and do those allergy and strand tests; don’t skip 'em! If your ends are super porous, I like using Shades ALK on the roots and mixing up a separate Shades EQ formula for the lengths to keep that color even and glossy. Finish with some good color-safe shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mixing ratio for Redken Shades ALK?
The Redken Shades ALK mixing ratio is 1:1.5, one part color to one-and-a-half parts developer. For example, 1 oz of color + 1.5 oz of developer.
What developer do you use with Redken Shades ALK?
Use Redken Pro-Oxide Cream Developer 10 Volume (3%). Redken recommends using this developer exclusively and not going above 10 Volume. Shades EQ Processing Solution is not the right developer for ALK.
How long does Redken Shades ALK process?
The standard processing time is 20 minutes at room temperature with no heat. Always check the latest product directions before use.
Do you apply Redken Shades ALK to wet or dry hair?
Apply Shades ALK to dry hair. Work in fine sections and fully saturate the hair for an even result.
Does Redken Shades ALK cover gray hair?
Yes. Shades ALK can provide up to 75% gray coverage. The N, NA, NCh, NB, and GI families offer the strongest coverage, although the final result depends on the gray’s resistance, starting level, formula, saturation, and hair history.
