Demi + Permanent · 202 shades

Redken Shades EQ Color Chart: The Professional Toner Guide

Q: What is the difference between Shades EQ and permanent color?

Shades EQ is an acidic demi-permanent gloss: it does not lift, it only deposits color and shine. Unlike permanent color, it does not open the cuticle with ammonia but works on the surface and outer cortex. Ideal for toning blondes, refreshing color, and sealing the cuticle after lightening.

Q: What processing solution do I use with Shades EQ?

Shades EQ is mixed with Shades EQ Processing Solution (not conventional developer). The ratio is 1:1. Do not use permanent developer, as Shades EQ works with a low-pH acidic processor specifically formulated for this line.

Q: How long does Shades EQ last?

Shades EQ lasts approximately 20 washes. Being demi-permanent, it fades gradually without leaving a line of demarcation. Ideal for clients who want subtle or temporary changes, and for maintaining blondes between lightening services.

Q: Is Redken Shades EQ a toner?

Yes. Shades EQ is an acidic demi-permanent toner (low pH): it contains no ammonia, does not lift hair, and only deposits color. It is the most widely used toner in professional salons for neutralizing unwanted tones (orange, yellow) in pre-lightened blondes. The key difference from permanent color is that Shades EQ works on the surface and outer cortex without opening the cuticle.

Browse every Redken Shades EQ Gloss shade in one place. This chart includes the full demi-permanent line with approximate color swatches for each shade.

Shades EQ is the most popular professional toner in salons: a low-pH acidic gloss that deposits color, neutralizes unwanted tones and delivers extraordinary shine. Ideal for toning blondes after lightening.

Redken uses a unique system with two-digit levels + reflect letters: 09T means level 9, titanium (ash) reflect. Codes like NB (Natural Beige) and WG (Warm Gold) are exclusive to Redken.

Beyond Shades EQ, this chart also includes Redken's two permanent lines: Color Gels Lacquers and Chromatics (ammonia-free). Each shade is labeled with its line.

Choose the line to see its full chart

Cover Fusion Permanent · Gray coverage

The 50-100% gray permanent: natural base in every shade. 1:1 mix with 20 vol.

33 shades · View the full chart →

Level 1 — Black

3 shades

1NN Midnight Color Gels Lacquers

1N Natural Chromatics

01B Onyx Shades EQ Gloss

Level 2 — Very dark brown

3 shades

2N Natural Chromatics

2ABn Cool Ebony Color Gels Lacquers

02M Midnight Ash Shades EQ Gloss

Level 3 — Dark brown

13 shades

03N Espresso Shades EQ Gloss

3NW Cocoa Bean Color Gels Lacquers

3NN Espresso Color Gels Lacquers

3N Natural Chromatics

03NB Mocha Java Shades EQ Gloss

03NW Cocoa Bean Shades EQ Gloss

03A Terra Cotta Shades EQ Gloss

03V Orchid Shades EQ Gloss

03G Cinnamon Shades EQ Gloss

3RO Mahogany Color Gels Lacquers

03R Roxy Red Shades EQ Gloss

03RV Merlot Shades EQ Gloss

03RB Mahogany Shades EQ Gloss

Level 4 — Medium brown

17 shades

04N Chicory Shades EQ Gloss

4NN Double Espresso Color Gels Lacquers

4N Natural Chromatics

04NA Storm Cloud Shades EQ Gloss

04NB Maple Shades EQ Gloss

4NA Forest Color Gels Lacquers

4ABn Dark Roast Color Gels Lacquers

4Ax Ash Chromatics

04VRo Violet Rose Shades EQ Gloss

04WG Sun Tea Shades EQ Gloss

4WG Sun Tea Color Gels Lacquers

4CB Clove Color Gels Lacquers

04CB Clove Shades EQ Gloss

4RV Cabernet Color Gels Lacquers

4RR Intense Red Chromatics

04RV Cabernet Shades EQ Gloss

04M Smoked Cedar Shades EQ Gloss

Level 5 — Light brown

22 shades

05N Walnut Shades EQ Gloss

5NN Cafe Mocha Color Gels Lacquers

5NW Walnut Color Gels Lacquers

5N Natural Chromatics

05NA Smoke Shades EQ Gloss

05NW Macchiato Shades EQ Gloss

5NA Smoke Color Gels Lacquers

5Ax Ash Chromatics

05V Cosmic Violet Shades EQ Gloss

05G Caramel Shades EQ Gloss

5GB Twilight Color Gels Lacquers

5NG Caramel Color Gels Lacquers

05C Chili Shades EQ Gloss

05CC Electric Shock Shades EQ Gloss

5CR Copper Red Chromatics

5RO Manzanita Color Gels Lacquers

5RV Sangria Color Gels Lacquers

5RR Paprika Color Gels Lacquers

5RR Intense Red Chromatics

05RV Sangria Shades EQ Gloss

05RB Manzanita Shades EQ Gloss

5Br Brown Red Chromatics

Level 6 — Dark blonde

34 shades

06N Moroccan Sand Shades EQ Gloss

6NN Chocolate Mousse Color Gels Lacquers

6NW Moroccan Sand Color Gels Lacquers

6N Natural Chromatics

06NA Granite Shades EQ Gloss

06NB Brandy Shades EQ Gloss

06AA Bonfire Shades EQ Gloss

06T Iron Shades EQ Gloss

6NA Granite Color Gels Lacquers

6ABn Brown Smoke Color Gels Lacquers

6Ax Ash Chromatics

06VB Violet Lagoon Shades EQ Gloss

06VRo Mauve Rose Shades EQ Gloss

06G St. Tropez Shades EQ Gloss

06GB Toffee Shades EQ Gloss

06GG Midas Touch Shades EQ Gloss

06WG Mango Shades EQ Gloss

6GB Ivy Color Gels Lacquers

6NG St. Tropez Color Gels Lacquers

6Gi Gold Iridescent Chromatics

06GN Moss Shades EQ Gloss

06GI Tenerife Shades EQ Gloss

6WG Mango Color Gels Lacquers

6CB Amber Glaze Color Gels Lacquers

6CR Copper Red Chromatics

06CB Amber Glaze Shades EQ Gloss

06CR Sunset Shades EQ Gloss

06R Rocket Fire Shades EQ Gloss

06RR Blaze Shades EQ Gloss

6RR Blaze Color Gels Lacquers

6RO Bonfire Color Gels Lacquers

6RR Intense Red Chromatics

06RB Cherry Cola Shades EQ Gloss

6Br Brown Red Chromatics

Level 7 — Medium blonde

25 shades

07N Mirage Shades EQ Gloss

7NN Cocoa Powder Color Gels Lacquers

7NW Mirage Color Gels Lacquers

7N Natural Chromatics

07NA Pewter Shades EQ Gloss

07NB Chestnut Shades EQ Gloss

07NW Milk Tea Shades EQ Gloss

07T Steel Shades EQ Gloss

7NA Pewter Color Gels Lacquers

7Ax Ash Chromatics

07VB Violet Star Shades EQ Gloss

07P Mother of Pearl Shades EQ Gloss

07V Crushed Amethyst Shades EQ Gloss

07G Saffron Shades EQ Gloss

07GB Butterscotch Shades EQ Gloss

7GB Butterscotch Color Gels Lacquers

7NG Saffron Color Gels Lacquers

7Gi Gold Iridescent Chromatics

07C Curry Shades EQ Gloss

07CC Urban Fever Shades EQ Gloss

7CR Copper Red Chromatics

07CB Spicestone Shades EQ Gloss

07RR Flame Shades EQ Gloss

7RR Flame Color Gels Lacquers

07M Driftwood Shades EQ Gloss

Level 8 — Light blonde

20 shades

08N Mojave Shades EQ Gloss

8NN Creme Brulee Color Gels Lacquers

8N Cafe au Lait Color Gels Lacquers

8N Natural Chromatics

08NA Volcanic Shades EQ Gloss

08NB Natural Beige Shades EQ Gloss

08T Silver Shades EQ Gloss

8NA Volcanic Color Gels Lacquers

8Ax Ash Chromatics

08VB Violet Frost Shades EQ Gloss

08V Iridescent Quartz Shades EQ Gloss

08GG Gold Dip Shades EQ Gloss

8NG Safari Color Gels Lacquers

8Gi Gold Iridescent Chromatics

8WG Warm Gold Chromatics

08GN Ivy Shades EQ Gloss

08GI St. Barths Shades EQ Gloss

08C Cayenne Shades EQ Gloss

8WG Golden Apricot Color Gels Lacquers

08CR Sunrise Shades EQ Gloss

Level 9 — Very light blonde

16 shades

09N Café Au Lait Shades EQ Gloss

9N Mist Color Gels Lacquers

9N Natural Chromatics

09NA Mist Shades EQ Gloss

09NB Irish Crème Shades EQ Gloss

09M Sand Dunes Shades EQ Gloss

09AA Papaya Shades EQ Gloss

09T Chrome Shades EQ Gloss

9NA Sky Color Gels Lacquers

9Ax Ash Chromatics

09B Sterling Shades EQ Gloss

09P Opal Glow Shades EQ Gloss

09V Platinum Ice Shades EQ Gloss

09G Vanilla Crème Shades EQ Gloss

09GB Butter Cream Shades EQ Gloss

9GB Butter Cream Color Gels Lacquers

Level 10 — Extra light blonde

16 shades

010N Delicate Natural Shades EQ Gloss

10N Snow Queen Color Gels Lacquers

10N Natural Chromatics

010NA Marble Shades EQ Gloss

010NV Iconic Lilac Shades EQ Gloss

010NB Caramel Cloud Shades EQ Gloss

010NW Iced Piña Shades EQ Gloss

010T Platinum Shades EQ Gloss

010AA Butternut Shades EQ Gloss

010AG Misty Beige Shades EQ Gloss

010P Ivory Pearl Shades EQ Gloss

010VV Lavender Ice Shades EQ Gloss

010VG Baby Shades EQ Gloss

010G Lemon Icing Shades EQ Gloss

010WG Honey Gold Shades EQ Gloss

010GI Tahitian Sand Shades EQ Gloss

Professional guide

Redken Shades EQ numbering system

Redken Shades EQ organizes shades as two digits + letters:

Level (01-10): Two digits for depth. 03 = dark brown, 09 = very light blonde.
N = Natural
T = Titanium (cool ash)
V = Violet
G = Gold
C = Copper
RB = Red Brown
NB = Natural Beige
WG = Warm Gold
P = Pearl (iridescent)

Shades EQ is an acidic demi-permanent gloss (low pH): it only deposits color, delivers extreme shine, and equalizes porosity. It is the go-to toner for blonde specialists.

To go deeper, the complete Shades EQ chart guide covers tone families, the 5 most requested shades and common selection mistakes.

Shades EQ Gloss equivalents in other brands

One shade per level of Shades EQ Gloss with its closest equivalent in other professional brands of the same type. These are orientative matches calculated by level and reflect: every brand uses its own pigments and bases, so always strand-test when switching.

Shades EQ Gloss	Color Touch	Igora Vibrance	Dia Light / Dia Richesse
`01B`Onyx	`3/0`≈	`3-0`≈	`5`≈
`02M`Midnight Ash	`3/0`≈	`3-0`≈	`5`≈
`03N`Espresso	`3/0`=	`3-0`=	`5`≈
`04N`Chicory	`4/0`=	`4-0`=	`5`≈
`05N`Walnut	`5/0`=	`5-0`=	`5`=
`06N`Moroccan Sand	`6/0`=	`6-0`=	`6`=
`07N`Mirage	`7/0`=	`7-0`=	`7`=
`08N`Mojave	`8/0`=	`8-0`=	`8`=
`09N`Café Au Lait	`9/0`=	`9-0`=	`9`=
`010N`Delicate Natural	`9/0`≈	`9-0`≈	`10`=

= direct match · ≈ approximate match

Need this shade in another brand?

Use the hair color converter to find the equivalent in Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, and more.

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We answer your questions

Redken Shades EQ Color Chart

Everything you need to know

What is the difference between Shades EQ and permanent color?

Shades EQ is an acidic demi-permanent gloss: it does not lift, it only deposits color and shine. Unlike permanent color, it does not open the cuticle with ammonia but works on the surface and outer cortex. Ideal for toning blondes, refreshing color, and sealing the cuticle after lightening.

What do the codes NB and WG mean in Redken?

NB (Natural Beige) is a warm natural beige, a mix of natural base with a soft gold touch. WG (Warm Gold) is a more pronounced warm gold. These are Redken-exclusive codes that have no direct equivalent in other brands' standard numbering.

What processing solution do I use with Shades EQ?

Shades EQ is mixed with Shades EQ Processing Solution (not conventional developer). The ratio is 1:1. Do not use permanent developer, as Shades EQ works with a low-pH acidic processor specifically formulated for this line.

How long does Shades EQ last?

Shades EQ lasts approximately 20 washes. Being demi-permanent, it fades gradually without leaving a line of demarcation. Ideal for clients who want subtle or temporary changes, and for maintaining blondes between lightening services.

Is Redken Shades EQ a toner?

Yes. Shades EQ is an acidic demi-permanent toner (low pH): it contains no ammonia, does not lift hair, and only deposits color. It is the most widely used toner in professional salons for neutralizing unwanted tones (orange, yellow) in pre-lightened blondes. The key difference from permanent color is that Shades EQ works on the surface and outer cortex without opening the cuticle.

How to use Shades EQ as a toner for blondes?

To tone blondes with Shades EQ: 1) Lighten to the desired level (minimum level 8 for ash tones). 2) Mix the chosen Shades EQ shade with Processing Solution 1:1. 3) Apply to towel-dried damp hair. 4) Process for 20 minutes (check every 5 min). Most popular toning shades: 09T (platinum ash), 09V (platinum violet), 09P (pearl), 09NB (natural beige). Use our toner selector to find the ideal shade.

Can I find the equivalent of a Redken shade in another brand?

Yes. Use our hair color brand converter to find the equivalent of any Redken shade in Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, and more. For exact formulas tailored to the salon's products, access Blendsor.

Have more questions?

Email us at hello@blendsor.com

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