Hello readers, happy new year! :) I hope everyone had a fun start to the year. I know I did.
One of the best things about the new year is making some new changes, a refresh. Perhaps it's a new job, or a new pet – as for me, I'd go for something less drastic, like a new hair color.

Just as I was thinking of having my hair re-dyed, the lovely people at Redken decided to send me a set of their Color Extend Magnetics shampoo, conditioner and Radiant-10 treatment spray.

I was excited to try this, as my previous dye jobs had gotten me purple hair that faded to pink within a month, as shown in my 'care for dip-dyed hair' post. Most people don't know this, but using the right shampoo & conditioner affects the longevity of your hair color. That, and other factors like avoiding excessive styling and pool chlorine.

Recently, I made the decision to add honey blonde streaks to my tresses (this is done without any bleaching). I am pretty happy with the results, and I would do anything to maintain them the way they are.




So what makes Redken's Color Extend Magnetics range stand out from the rest?

The magnetics of course!
The products contain a special 'charge attract complex' or what are known as amino-ions that help attract the color molecules to the hair fibre, to lock & seal them in for longer-lasting color. The shampoo is also sulfate-free, so you need not worry about your hair drying out from those chemicals. (read more about sulfate-free shampoos here)


But enough about the technical details, it's the tried & tested experience that really matters. At this point, I've already been using the range for 2 weeks, washing every 2 days in between (I don't wash my hair everyday, I explained why here).


SCENT 9/10
First off, I love the smell of the shampoo. It's subtle, not too overwhelming. The same goes for the conditioner, though I noted that the scent is more powerful. But my favorite part is when i towel-dry my hair and spray the Radiant-10 treatment all over my damp locks. It smells amazing! It has a delicious tinge of fruitiness that I really love.

LATHER 8/10
The shampoo lathers well, you can get a decent amount of lather with just a quarter-sized dollop.

CONDITIONING 8/10
The conditioner leaves a nice and smooth feeling after washing, and hair stays soft throughout drying. After drying though, I would still recommend you use a serum or leave-in conditioner. I'm using Orofluido's argan oil, which I raved about here.

COLOR STAY 8.5/10
I would say that in the span of two weeks, my hair color has stayed on pretty well, and it didn't wash out with the shampoo. Using the Radiant-10 treatment spray after towel-drying my hair (about 3 spritzes on each side) has helped maintain its vibrancy. Although, I did notice the honey blonde color is slightly darker, but that could be just the usual hair dye transition.




PACKAGING 9/10
I love the packaging. The range is a vibrant pink in color, and the bottles (both shampoo & conditioner) has ridges along the sides that makes it easier to handle in the shower, even if your hands are slippery. The bottle is made of a soft plastic material that allows you to squeeze the shampoo out without exerting yourself. Now that's what you call a pretty & functional design!



Would I use this product again?
YES! Definitely. I think I've found the perfect shampoo range for my color treated hair. And overall, I love the results and experience. Thanks, Redken! :)