Meet Redken Shades ALK: The Middle Ground Between a Gloss and Permanent Color

What if you're not quite ready for permanent hair color—but you need a little more than a traditional gloss?

Meet Redken Shades ALK™, a new alkaline demi-permanent color that's giving us an entirely new option behind the chair.

If you've been a Haute Hair client for a while, you're probably familiar with Shades EQ. We love it for beautiful toning, shine, refreshing color, and creating those perfectly customized finishes.

Shades ALK gives us something different.

It lives in that beautiful space between an acidic gloss and permanent color—giving us more ability to shift the natural hair while still keeping the commitment softer than traditional permanent color.

First, What Is an Alkaline Demi?

Let's make this simple.

Traditional Shades EQ is an acidic demi-permanent color. It's deposit-only, meaning we're using it primarily to add or adjust tone rather than lighten your natural hair.

Shades ALK is an alkaline demi-permanent color.

That difference in chemistry allows your stylist to create a slight shift in the natural hair—not just deposit color over it.

Redken says Shades ALK can provide up to one level of lift, up to 75% gray coverage, and up to eight weeks of vibrant color.

That opens up a LOT of possibilities for clients who don't necessarily need—or want—permanent color.

Who Is Shades ALK For?

This is where we're really excited.

Shades ALK can be a great option for someone beginning to notice gray but who isn't ready for the commitment of traditional permanent gray coverage.

Instead of creating a completely opaque result, we can use it to soften and blend gray for a more natural transition.

It can also be an option when we want to subtly brighten or shift your natural base, add richness and dimension, deepen your color, or create a softer root without jumping straight into permanent color.

Think enhancement rather than complete transformation.

The Gray Blending Possibilities Are HUGE

This may be one of our favorite uses for Shades ALK.

Not everyone who sees their first gray hair wants to immediately start permanent root-color appointments.

Sometimes you don't want to completely erase the gray.

You just want it to feel softer.

Because Shades ALK can provide significant gray coverage without being permanent color, it gives us another tool to customize how much gray you see and how you transition into coloring your hair.

For someone in that early-to-moderate gray stage, this can create an incredibly beautiful, dimensional result.

It's Also Perfect for the “I Want Something Different, But Not THAT Different” Client

You know who you are.

You want your brunette a little richer.

You want your natural color slightly warmer.

You want a softer root.

You want more depth.

You want your gray blended.

But you don't necessarily want to feel like you've officially become someone who “colors their roots.”

This is where having another demi-permanent option becomes really exciting.

We're able to make subtle changes that still feel like you.

Shades ALK vs. Shades EQ

We don't see Shades ALK replacing Shades EQ.

We see them working together.

Shades EQ is incredible when we want deposit-only color, tonal refinement, and that signature glossy finish.

Shades ALK gives us more power when we need to slightly shift the natural base, create depth, brighten, or achieve more gray coverage.

In fact, Redken is already educating stylists on using both together—an alkaline demi where we need more movement or depth and an acidic demi where we want tonal refinement and shine.

And THAT is where customized color gets really fun.

Why We're Excited About It at Haute Hair

Great color isn't about choosing one formula and using it on everyone.

It's about having options.

Some clients need permanent color. Some need a gloss. Some need highlights. Some need gray blending. And now, some may be the perfect candidate for an alkaline demi.

The more tools we have behind the chair, the more specifically we can formulate for your hair, your maintenance preferences, and your long-term goals.

Not sure where you fall?

Ask your Haute Hair stylist at your next appointment. We'll look at your natural color, percentage of gray, previous color, desired result, and how much maintenance you're comfortable with to determine which color option makes the most sense for you.

Because the goal isn't simply to cover or change your hair.

It's to create a color you actually want to live in.