Redken Shades ALK: New Demi-Permanent Hair Colour

Introducing Redken Shades ALK: The New Demi-Permanent Colour Every Colourist Needs

As a salon owner, freelance colour specialist or mobile hairdresser, offering versatile colour services is key to meeting those high client expectations.

Today’s clients want more than just great hair colour, they want shine, condition, longevity and minimal damage, all in one appointment.

That’s where Redken Shades ALK comes in.

Bridging the gap between traditional acidic glosses and permanent colour, Redken’s latest innovation delivers the power of permanent colour with the care of a gloss.

Designed for professional use, this ammonia-free liquid-cream demi-permanent colour offers up to 1 level of lift, up to 75% grey coverage, and vibrant results that last up to 8 weeks.

For busy salons and mobile stylists alike, it’s a flexible solution that helps you expand your service menu while delivering premium results.

Why Redken Shades ALK Is a Game-Changer for Colour Services

Client retention often comes down to results. If colour fades quickly, lacks shine, or fails to cover greys effectively, clients notice and they may look elsewhere. Redken Shades ALK helps solve those common challenges by delivering rich, true-to-tone colour with exceptional shine and visible hair health.

Powered by 65 years of Redken pH science, Shades ALK features a multi-patented Hydro-Magnetic Complex with tripeptides and glossing technology. This advanced formula helps replenish the key signs of healthy-looking hair, making it an excellent option for clients who want colour without compromising condition.

For colourists, this means you can confidently offer services that improve:

Colour saturation – deep, vibrant, true-to-tone results
Shine – up to 2x more shine compared to uncoloured hair
Condition – hair feels nourished and moisturised
Vitality – hair maintains natural movement and bounce

Why Salon Owners Should Stock Redken Shades ALK

For salon owners, introducing a product like Shades ALK can create valuable upsell opportunities. Clients looking for grey blending, glossing services, colour refreshes or subtle lifting can all benefit from this treatment, allowing you to build premium colour packages and add-on services.

Its super quick 20-minute processing time also supports faster appointment turnover, helping salons maximise chair time without compromising service quality. Faster processing means more flexibility in the diary and improved profitability.

Because Shades ALK covers multiple service needs, it can reduce the number of products your team needs to reach for, streamlining your backbar while expanding your service offering.

Why Mobile Hair Colourists Will Love Shades ALK

For mobile colourists, versatility and efficiency are essential. Carrying a huge product range isn’t always practical, so multi-functional colour products are invaluable.

Redken Shades ALK offers:

Grey blending for mature clients
Base breaking with up to 1 level of lift
Glossing and colour refreshing
High-shine finishing services

Its liquid-cream consistency also makes application easy whether you prefer a bottle application or bowl-and-brush method, making it ideal for working in different environments and client homes.

Technical Essentials: Mixing & Application

Redken has designed Shades ALK to fit seamlessly into existing professional colour workflows.

Mixing Ratio

Mix 1:1.5 with 10 Volume Pro-oxide Cream Developer

Application

Suitable for both:

Bottle application for speed and efficiency
Bowl and brush application for precision work

Processing Time

Process for 20 minutes at room temperature on dry hair

Simple, reliable and easy to integrate into your existing colour services.

Redken Shades ALK vs Shades EQ: Which Should You Use?

One of the most exciting things about Redken Shades ALK is how well it complements Redken Shades EQ.

While both are ammonia-free demi-permanent colours, they serve different purposes.

Choose Redken Shades ALK for:

Grey blending and coverage
Base breaking
More saturated colour results
Subtle lift (up to 1 level)

Choose Redken Shades EQ for:

Toning blonde services
Refreshing mid-lengths and ends
Adding sheer tone
Enhancing shine and condition

For colourists wanting premium results, Redken recommends a dual-application technique.

Apply Shades ALK to Zone 1 (regrowth/root area) to blend greys or add lift, then apply Shades EQ through Zones 2 and 3 (mid-lengths and ends) to refresh tone and maximise shine without unnecessary alkalinity.

This combination allows you to create bespoke colour services tailored to each client’s needs.

Is Redken Shades ALK Worth Adding to Your Kit?

If you’re looking to offer clients more personalised, premium colour services, Redken Shades ALK is a powerful addition to your professional toolkit.

Whether you run a busy salon, work independently, or provide mobile colour services, its blend of performance, flexibility and hair care makes it a standout launch.

From grey coverage to glossing and subtle lifting, Redken Shades ALK gives professional colourists more ways to deliver beautiful, healthy-looking results clients will keep coming back for.