Colorists who can achieve perfect neutral and cool blonde shades can honestly feel proud. A luxurious creamy blonde and a sparkling, icy blonde are the ideals in the world of blonde tones, and it sometimes takes years of trial and error to get them right. Now a new range of toners—the Redken Shades EQ Level 10 Shades—have paved the way to blonde results that are better than ever.

Designed for toning high level blondes, Shades EQ Gloss 010N Delicate Natural offers neutral, creamy blonde toning or glossing and 010VV Lavender Ice is for cool, icy blonde toning with a violet reflect. The two new shades feature calibrated deposit for consistent, on-level, true-to-tone results at a level 10. What’s more, you won’t need to dilute an existing 09 level to tone your lightest blondes (although you can for an even more delicate result) or worry that the outcome might appear deeper than your target shade.  “Redken Shades EQ Level 10s are super exciting because you can consistently create a super bright blonde, without playing the guessing game of mixing a 09 level with clear,” says Redken Brand Ambassador Cassandra McGlaughlin. “The formulas are calibrated at a level 10 so you get a predicable end result every time…no more hoping and praying that it doesn’t turn out too dark! I love the control they give me and the bright, clear results I get every time.”

Redken Celebrity Colorist Tracey Cunningham has also pounced on the ease and brightening power of the new Level 10s. "I would never let a client leave my chair without a Shades EQ service, especially when they are heading to an event,” says Tracey. “It’s a quick service that works wonders on hair to tone color, refresh highlights, correct uneven tones. With the new Shades EQ Level 10 Shades, I can give my clients the brightest, lightest blonde they desire while still delivering the health and shine they’ve come to expect using Shades EQ– it’s a win, win!” Here, Tracey shares two of her latest how-tos.

Creamy Blonde
HIGHLIGHT FORMULA 1
15 g. Redken Flash Lift 
1 oz. Redken 20 Volume Pro-oxide Cream Developer

HIGHLIGHT FORMULA 2
15 g. Redken Flash Lift 
1 oz. (30 ml) 30 Volume Pro-oxide Cream Developer

BALAYAGE FORMULA
30 g. Redken Flash Lift 
1 oz. Redken 30 Volume Pro-oxide Cream Developer

GLAZE FORMULA
2 oz. Shades EQ Gloss 010N Delicate Natural
2 oz. Shades EQ Processing Solution

STEP 1: SECTIONING

1. Create a horseshoe shaped section that starts at the corner of the eye and extends to the crown, ending at the opposite corner of the eye.

2. Separate the front from the back with a vertical parting from the horseshoe parting to the top of the ear. Repeat on the opposite side.

3. Divide the back equally with a vertical parting from the horseshoe parting to the center of the nape. Secure both sides.

STEP 2: APPLICATION

1. Starting in the back corner, take a ¼-inch diagonal back section with a regular stitch, and place on a foil. Apply Highlight Formula 1 and saturate. Fold and secure the foil. Continue to drop down sections and alternate with Highlight Formula 2. Complete back section, then repeat on opposite side.

2. Starting in the front of the ear, take a ¼-inch diagonal back section with a regular stitch and place on a foil. Apply Highlight Formula 1 and saturate. Fold and secure the foil. Continue to drop down sections and alternate with Highlight Formula 2. Complete side section, then repeat on opposite side. TIP: Try altering the ratio of both formulas, creating a lighter result closer to the face for more brightness.

3. Starting above the corner of the left eye, take a ¼-inch diagonal back section and place on a foil. Apply Highlight Formula 1 and saturate. Fold and secure the foil. Work through the horseshoe section towards the crown, alternating with Highlight Formula 2, and complete the top section.

4. Starting in front of the ear area, take a few sections of hair not placed in foils, and apply the Balayage Formula using a balayage technique. Continue to take random sections and balayage until desired amount of lightness is achieved.

5. Process at room temperature until yellow, or up to 50 minutes. Shampoo with Redken Extreme and apply Redken Chemistry for 5 minutes. Dry hair.

6. Using a global application, apply Glaze Formula. Process for 20 minutes at room temperature, then rinse, shampoo and condition with Redken Extreme.

Icy Blonde

STARTING LEVEL
Pre-lightened Level 10 with pale yellow undertones

GLAZE FORMULA
½ oz. Shades EQ Gloss 010VV Lavender Ice
1½ oz. Shades EQ Gloss 000 Crystal Clear
2 oz. Shades EQ Processing Solution

STEP 1: SECTIONING

1. Separate the front from the back with a vertical parting from the top of the head to the top of the ear. Repeat on the opposite side. Divide the back equally with a vertical parting from the top of the head to the center of the nape, and from the top of the head to the front hairline.

STEP 2: APPLICATION

1. Starting in the back quadrant, take ¼-inch sections and use a global application to apply Glaze Formula. Once complete, repeat throughout all remaining quadrants.

2. Process for 20 minutes at room temperature, then rinse, shampoo and condition with Redken Extreme.

Learn more about the new Redken Shades EQ Gloss Level 10 Shades.