Written by Jenna Rivera, Lead Stylist at Image Beauty
Let me guess: you didn’t think it would get this bad.
Maybe it was the bleach. Or maybe it was that fourth round of color. Or the months of heat styling without protectant. Either way, your hair isn’t bouncing back the way it used to. It’s snapping. Fading. Feeling…tired.
You’re not alone.
In fact, a huge portion of the clients who sit in my chair deal with some form of color-related damage. And the most common thing they say is this:
“I have no idea which Redken line is right for me.”
That’s exactly why I wrote this.
I’m going to walk you through how I use Redken in the salon and how I help clients build customized recovery plans based on what their hair has been through.
If you’ve been confused about choosing between Redken Extreme, Color Extend Magnetics, All Soft, or Volume Injection, this is for you.
What Damage Actually Looks Like (And Why It’s Not Just Dryness)
Damage isn’t always dramatic. It’s not always breakage or hair falling out in the shower. Sometimes it’s that your hair doesn’t hold curl anymore. Sometimes it’s that your color fades after two washes. Sometimes it’s the way your brush fills with more strands than usual.
But underneath those signs is the same issue: structural instability.
Bleach, color, and heat styling lift and weaken the cuticle (the protective outer layer), exposing the cortex beneath. If the cuticle isn’t sealed properly, hair becomes porous, loses moisture and pigment, and grows weaker with every wash. Add rough detangling, hot tools, or hard water, and you’ve got layered damage: cuticle, cortex, bonds, and moisture all compromised.
That’s why a single product won’t cut it. You need a system. And Redken’s systems are built for that exact reality.
Why I Recommend Redken Over Other Professional Brands
As someone who’s tried everything from Kérastase to Oribe to L’Oréal Professionnel, Redken still holds its own for three reasons:
- Scientific logic in every line. Formulas are engineered to restore the integrity of the hair shaft, not just mask the symptoms.
- Versatility. You can mix and match, for example, pairing a Color Extend Magnetics shampoo with an Extreme conditioner, without ingredient clashes.
- Visible results. Within weeks of switching clients to Redken, I noticed less breakage during detangling, stronger color retention, and easier styling.
System 1: Redken Extreme
When strength is the priority, this is where I begin.
Redken Extreme restores elasticity and rebuilds internal fiber strength with proteins and ceramides. It’s my go-to for hair that snaps when brushed wet, feels weak, or won’t hold curl or volume.
Products I recommend often:
Signs you need Extreme:
- Breakage during detangling
- Multiple back-to-back color services
- Limp, overly soft hair that can’t hold shape
I often alternate Extreme with other Redken systems, especially for clients who need both protein and moisture support.
System 2: Redken Color Extend Magnetics
Because what’s the point of repairing your hair if the color fades after a few washes?
Color Extend Magnetics is designed to lock pigment molecules inside the hair shaft while balancing moisture and maintaining softness. Its sulfate-free formula is gentle on freshly colored scalps but still effective at preserving vibrancy.
Core products I recommend:
Best for:
- Vivid colors (reds, coppers, fashion tones)
- Clients whose color fades in 3–5 washes
- Those with mild damage but high-maintenance color
System 3: Redken All Soft
When clients describe their hair as rough, stiff, or impossible to manage, I reach for All Soft.
Formulated with argan oil and Redken’s RCT Protein Complex, All Soft restores silkiness, flexibility, and shine. It’s a lifesaver for clients whose strands feel straw-like after lightning or heat styling.
Products I use regularly:
Perfect for:
- Dry, brittle, coarse hair
- Restoring softness post-bleach or post-heat damage
- Clients who want a “touchable” texture back
System 4: Redken Volume Injection
Not all damage shows up as breakage; sometimes it’s flat, lifeless hair that won’t hold style.
Volume Injection is designed for fine or thinning hair that needs body without heaviness. Its lightweight formula lifts at the root, while still keeping strands conditioned and healthy.
Go-to products:
Great for:
- Fine, fragile hair that needs a boost
- Post-color clients who want volume without dryness
- Everyday styling with bounce and lift
Redken One United: The Non-Negotiable Finisher
Across every routine, I recommend One United. It’s a lightweight leave-in that does a little bit of everything: detangling, frizz control, UV protection, and heat defense. For clients who don’t want to juggle multiple products, this is the all-in-one solution.
Real-Life Routines I Build in the Salon
Case 1: Over-Processed & Breaking
- Cleanse: Extreme Shampoo & Conditioner
- Treat: Anti-Snap Leave-In daily
- Protect: Play Safe 450° before any heat
- Support: One United on damp hair
Case 2: Vivid Color That Fades Fast
- Cleanse: Magnetics Shampoo
- Condition: Magnetics Conditioner + Mega Mask weekly
- Protect: One United + Play Safe before styling
Case 3: Dry, Straw-Like Hair
- Cleanse: All Soft Shampoo & Conditioner
- Treat: All Soft Argan Oil for suppleness
- Support: One United daily
Case 4: Flat, Lifeless Hair
- Cleanse: Volume Injection Shampoo & Conditioner
- Style: Volume Injection Spray at roots
- Protect: One United for heat & UV defense
Tips I Share With Every Damaged Hair Client
- Let your hair air-dry at least twice a week
- Use cold water for your final rinse to seal the cuticle
- Never sleep with wet hair
- Always apply heat protectant, even with curling wands
- Alternate between protein and moisture treatments
- Avoid harsh clarifying shampoos that strip color
- Check your water quality: hard water can undo your progress
Closing Thoughts
Hair doesn’t come with a manual. But if it did, it would say something like this:
"Be gentle. Know when to repair. Know when to protect. And don’t give up just because it looks worse before it gets better."
Redken’s systems, Extreme, Color Extend Magnetics, All Soft, and Volume Injection, give you a roadmap. Whether you need strength, softness, color retention, or volume, there’s a clear path forward.
I’ve used these systems on clients who walked in with shredded ends and left months later with shine, strength, and renewed confidence.
That’s why I wrote this: to help you stop guessing and start healing.
Shop the full Redken collection now at Image Beauty.
