Gentle, creamy lather that helps preserve salon color while leaving hair softer and more luminous between washes.
We may earn a small referral fee
If your “fresh from the salon” color fades after a few washes, your shampoo might be the culprit. Redken Color Extend Magnetics claims to protect vibrancy while keeping hair soft and shiny with a gentle, sulfate-free lather—here’s whether it actually delivers.
Quick verdict: A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo with a light, creamy lather that cleans without roughing up the cuticle. It helps hair feel soft and look shinier while keeping color looking fresher between washes. If your hair is very damaged—or you want more repair-focused care—Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) Shampoo may be the better fit.
What it is (and how it works)
- Name: Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo
- Type: Sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo
- Core idea: cleanse gently and help keep the cuticle smooth so color fades more slowly
- pH: typically on the slightly acidic side (many salon shampoos aim around 4.5–5.5 to help the cuticle lie flat)
- Notable tech: conditioning agents and amino acid-based ingredients designed to improve slip, shine, and a smoother feel (older packaging referenced RCT Protein Complex; newer packaging emphasizes the Magnetics system).
What you’ll feel
A creamy gel that creates a soft, cushiony lather (more than many sulfate-free shampoos). It rinses clean without that squeaky, stripped feeling. Hair tends to feel smooth while wet and softer once dry, which is especially helpful for color-treated mid-lengths and ends.
Who it’s best for
- Hair: color-treated fine to medium hair; also works well for hair that gets dry on the ends
- Goals: maintain color, reduce dullness, add light shine, and keep the scalp comfortable
- Wash style: every other day or 2–3 times per week
Consider a different option if…
- Your hair is very damaged/over-processed and breaks easily → try Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo for more repair-focused care.
- You need deeper moisture for thick, coarse, or very curly hair → Pureology Hydrate or Moroccanoil Moisture Repair may feel richer.
- You rely on dry shampoo and styling products and want a weekly deep clean → rotate in a gentle clarifying shampoo; Magnetics is made for regular maintenance, not heavy buildup.
Performance notes (after 4–6 weeks)
- Color retention: Helps color look fresher between salon visits compared with many standard moisturizing shampoos. In particular, it can help reduce the “washed-out” look that shows up as shine fades.
- Shine & feel: Noticeable softness and slip without weighing down roots. It also avoids the heavy, coated feeling some color-care shampoos can leave behind.
- Scalp comfort: Feels gentle and rinses clean. Many people who find harsher detergents irritating tend to do well with this type of formula.
- Fragrance: Classic salon-clean scent with medium strength; lingers lightly after styling.
- Lather: If you’re switching from a sulfate shampoo, the foam here still feels satisfying.
How to use for best results
- Wet hair thoroughly—lukewarm water is usually best for comfort and a smoother feel.
- Work a quarter-size amount between your palms, then focus on the scalp and let the lather glide through the lengths.
- Rinse well, repeat if you use lots of styling products or dry shampoo.
- Follow with Color Extend Magnetics Conditioner or your favorite color-safe conditioner.
- Finish with a leave-in heat protectant before styling; heat is a common cause of fading.
Tip: If brassiness is a concern, rotate in a purple or blue toning shampoo about once a week. Use Magnetics the rest of the time to keep cleansing gentle and color-friendly.
Ingredients snapshot (what matters)
- Sulfate-free surfactants (gentler cleansing vs. SLS/SLES)
- Amino acids + conditioning polymers to improve slip and smooth the hair surface
- Slightly acidic formula to support a flatter, smoother cuticle feel after washing
No shampoo can “lock” color permanently, but the overall approach here—gentle cleansing + smoothing care—is exactly what most color-treated hair needs.
Redken Color Extend vs. the competition
| Shampoo | Best For | Why You’d Pick It | Finish/Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redken Color Extend Magnetics | Everyday color maintenance on fine–medium hair | Sulfate-free with a soft lather; helps keep color looking fresh without heaviness | Soft, light, shiny |
| Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) Shampoo | Over-processed hair that needs extra strengthening and smoothing | More repair-focused, with a richer, more cushioning feel | Richer, more conditioning |
| Pureology Hydrate Shampoo | Thick/coarse, dry hair | More hydration and slip, especially helpful for curls | Creamy, weightier |
| Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance | Hair prone to breakage and frizz | Smoothing, strengthening-focused care with good slip | Medium weight, smoothing |
If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If you like a clean, lightweight feel at the roots and wash a few times a week, Magnetics is a strong match. If your ends feel fragile or over-processed, ABC may be the better primary shampoo.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sulfate-free but still lathers well
- Helps maintain color and keep hair looking glossy between washes
- Lightweight feel that won’t flatten fine hair
Cons
- Not a clarifier—buildup may require an occasional detox shampoo
- Very dry, coarse, or tight curls may prefer a richer cleanser
- The salon-style fragrance may be too strong for some
Routine pairings that make it better
- Every wash: Redken Color Extend Magnetics Conditioner or a lightweight detangler
- Weekly/bi-weekly: a gentle clarifying shampoo or a toning shampoo, depending on your color and buildup
- Heat days: a heat protectant (like Redken One United or Acidic Perfecting Concentrate)
- Damage days: swap in ABC and add a strengthening or bond-care mask
The bottom line
If you want a dependable, lightweight shampoo that supports color and shine without leaving a heavy coating, Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo is an easy pick—especially for fine to medium hair or anyone who washes a few times a week. Keep a clarifier on hand for product-heavy stretches, and you’ll have a simple routine that treats both your scalp and your color well.
Frequently Asked Questions ▾
Is Redken Color Extend Shampoo sulfate-free?
Yes. Color Extend Magnetics is formulated without SLS/SLES and uses gentler cleansing agents designed to be more color-friendly.
Will it weigh down fine hair?
It’s one of the lighter color-care options. For the best lift, use a lightweight conditioner and apply it from the ears down instead of at the roots.
How often should I use it?
You can use it as your regular shampoo—about 2–4 times per week, depending on how often you wash. Add a clarifying shampoo only when you notice buildup (for example, after heavy styling-product use).
Is it safe for keratin-treated hair?
Often, yes. Sulfate-free shampoos are commonly recommended after keratin treatments, but it’s best to follow your stylist’s specific after-care instructions.
What’s the difference between Color Extend Magnetics and Redken ABC?
Magnetics is geared toward everyday color maintenance with a lightweight, soft finish. ABC is more focused on strengthening and smoothing damaged hair and typically feels richer. Many people keep both and rotate based on how their hair feels week to week.