Growing your hair out is really about reducing breakage, not speeding up growth. Redken Extreme Length promises stronger, longer hair over time, so we put the shampoo and conditioner to the test on a mix of fine, medium, wavy, and color-treated hair.
Hair grows on average about half an inch per month. If your ends keep snapping, you never see that progress. Redken Extreme Length Shampoo and Conditioner are designed to help you keep the length you already grow by cutting down on breakage and split ends. After several weeks of testing on different hair types, here is how this duo actually cleanses, conditions, and helps protect fragile lengths day to day.
Overview
Redken Extreme Length targets hair that breaks mid-shaft or at the ends. The pitch is simple. Use a strengthening shampoo and a slip-giving conditioner so the hair you are growing survives brushing, washing, and heat. The shampoo is a lightly clarifying, salon-style cleanser that removes oil and buildup without feeling squeaky when used correctly. The conditioner is a medium-weight cream that aims to detangle and fortify without heavy greasiness. Redken highlights biotin in this line, paired with conditioning polymers and silicones that add glide and reduce friction. The brand also promotes system claims about fewer broken hairs when used consistently with the matching leave-in. In practice, what matters most is how it feels on wash day and whether your brush collects fewer broken hairs over time.
Packaging is standard Redken. The regular sizes are shower-friendly bottles with a flip-top. Liters are available and work best with a pump if you wash often. Scent is a clean salon fragrance, slightly sweet, and not overpowering. It lingers lightly for a few hours post-wash but does not compete with perfume.
Who it’s for
This duo is best for people trying to grow their hair longer who see noticeable breakage or frayed ends. If you have fine to medium strands that tangle easily, you will likely notice a benefit from the increased slip and smoother cuticle feel. It also suits straight and wavy hair that needs strengthening without a heavy, buttery finish. If you heat style several times per week or wear high-tension styles like tight ponytails, you will appreciate the added protection during detangling and blowouts.
It might be too light for very coarse, high-density curls that crave deep moisture every wash. Those textures often need a richer, oil-forward conditioner. If your hair is extremely parched, the conditioner here may feel a touch light on its own and may require a weekly moisture mask. If you prefer sulfate-free formulas or avoid silicones, note that the shampoo uses salon-standard sulfates for that fresh-lifted clean and the conditioner relies on silicones for slip and surface smoothing.
For color-treated hair, this duo can work if your priority is strength and you do not mind a traditional sulfate cleanser. Many will be fine, but if your color is very fresh or you wear high-fashion direct dyes that fade quickly, you may want to rotate with a color-care shampoo or reduce wash frequency.
How it feels and performs
Shampoo texture and cleanse. The shampoo is a clear, slightly viscous gel that spreads easily across the scalp. It builds a dense, quick lather with a moderate amount even in hard water. One palmful cleans medium-density, shoulder-length hair; long, thick hair will need a bit more. It rinses clean without that tight, squeaky feel when you are mindful about not over-scrubbing the lengths. On very oily scalps, it leaves roots lifted and fresh. On dry scalps, it still feels comfortable, not stingy or harsh.
Conditioner slip and rinse. The conditioner is a medium-weight cream that dispenses smoothly and distributes well, even on wet, tangly ends. The slip is solid, enough that a wide-tooth comb glides with less resistance and fewer little snaps. It does not feel waxy or overly coated in the shower, and it rinses clean without leaving a film that weighs down fine hair. On coarse textures, slip is good but might not feel plush enough without a leave-in on top.
Immediate results. After the first wash, most testers felt smoother mid-lengths, and combs moved through more easily. Hair dried with a bit more structure, which reads as stronger but slightly less fluffy. The finish is a touch more polished than air-dried softness from a purely moisturizing duo, and blowouts hold shape a bit better because the cuticle sits flatter.
Breakage and split ends over time. The biggest change showed up after 2 to 4 weeks of consistent use. Brush and shower drain checks showed fewer short broken bits with the duo than with a soft-only routine. Ends still need periodic trims, but they fray more slowly. That is the real benefit when you are trying to keep length.
How different hair types fared.
- Fine, oily roots: The shampoo kept roots lifted for a full day, sometimes two. The conditioner did not collapse volume when kept on the bottom half of the hair only. Breakage around the face from ponytail elastics was reduced.
- Medium, wavy hair: Noticeably easier detangling in the shower and fewer mid-shaft snags. Air-dry definition improved with less halo frizz.
- Coarse or very dry hair: Good detangling, but many preferred layering a leave-in cream for added moisture. Using the conditioner as a base, then a richer mask once a week, kept ends supple.
- Color-treated hair: Shine improved and ends felt less brittle. Some experienced slightly faster fade compared with a sulfate-free color-care routine, so rotating every other wash helped.
Build-up and frequency. Because the conditioner uses silicones to create slip and reduce friction, you get that smooth feel and easier combing. The trade-off is potential build-up if you layer many styling products. For most, the included shampoo keeps things balanced. If you use heavy oils or dry shampoo daily, add a gentle clarifying wash every 1 to 2 weeks.
How to use for best results
Growing out hair is a routine, not a single product. Use these steps to maximize length retention:
- Start with fully saturated hair. Apply a small amount of shampoo to the scalp and massage with pads of fingers. Let the lather glide through the lengths without rough scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly. If you use a lot of dry shampoo or live in a humid city with buildup, repeat with a half amount focused at the roots.
- Squeeze out excess water. Work the conditioner through from the ears down, then any leftover through the crown if you are dry there. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is on. Leave for 2 to 4 minutes. Rinse until hair feels smooth but not slippery.
- Blot, do not rub, with a microfiber towel or old cotton T-shirt. Hair is weakest when wet, so gentle handling matters as much as the formula.
- Before heat styling, apply a heat protectant. If your ends are very dry, layer a small amount of leave-in on the bottom third of your hair. Keep blow-dry heat at medium and use tension rather than cranking the temperature.
- Repeat the duo 2 to 4 times per week depending on oiliness, sweat, and styling habits. If hair feels a little stiff after a few consecutive washes, switch in a moisturising mask once that week to keep flexibility.
- Get a micro-trim or dusting every 8 to 12 weeks. Long hair needs clean ends to avoid fraying up the shaft.
Small technique tweaks add up. Detangle from the ends upward, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, and swap tight elastics for fabric scrunchies. These simple changes help the shampoo and conditioner deliver on their promise by reducing daily stress on your hair.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reliable, quick lather that leaves roots clean and lifted without a stripped feel when used properly
- Conditioner delivers real slip for easier detangling and fewer little snaps in the shower
- Hair feels stronger and holds style better after 2 to 4 weeks of use
- Light to medium weight that suits fine and medium hair without flattening
- Simple routine that supports length retention with everyday habits
Cons
- Shampoo contains sulfates, which may not suit very dry or fresh vivid color
- Conditioner can feel a bit light on coarse or highly porous hair unless paired with a richer mask or leave-in
- Silicone-based slip may lead to build-up for heavy product users without occasional clarifying
- Fragrance is noticeable, which may not appeal to those sensitive to scent
Final verdict
Redken Extreme Length Shampoo and Conditioner are a smart, low-effort way to protect the inches you work to grow. The shampoo cleanses like a salon classic, and the conditioner adds the kind of slip that makes a real difference in how many strands you snap during detangling. Expect hair that feels a bit more structured and resilient, not ultra buttery. That is the point. The duo is most satisfying for fine to medium hair that tangles, heat styles, or breaks from day-to-day wear. If your texture skews coarse or very dry, layer in weekly moisture. If you are fiercely protective of fresh color, consider rotating with a color-care wash.
Used consistently with gentle handling and heat protection, this pair helps you keep more of the length you already grow. It will not make hair sprout faster, but it will make each inch you grow count.
See also
If softness is your top priority or your hair feels rough after protein-leaning routines, you may prefer the silkier finish of Redken’s moisture line. We tested those too, and you can see how the cleanse and slip compare in the Redken All Soft Shampoo Review: Softer, Smoother, Less Snaggy Hair and the companion Redken All Soft Conditioner Review. For color care, our hands-on findings in the Redken Color Extend Shampoo Review: Does It Really Help? explain when a color-focused formula outperforms a strength-first routine.
If your ends are severely compromised and you are deciding what to pair with Extreme Length conditioner, our guide to the Best Conditioner for Damaged Hair: Strength, Slip, and Less Breakage covers options by hair type. For deeper repair on bleached or brittle lengths, you might also consider a peptide-based treatment, and our long-term test notes are in the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask Review.
FAQ
Does Redken Extreme Length actually make hair grow faster?
No. Hair growth rate comes from your scalp biology. What this duo can do is reduce breakage and split ends, which helps you keep more length as your hair naturally grows.
Is the shampoo safe for color-treated hair?
Many color-treated users will be fine with it, but the shampoo does contain sulfates. If your color is very fresh or you wear fast-fading fashion shades, rotate with a color-care shampoo or reduce wash frequency to minimize fade.
Does the conditioner contain silicones?
Yes. The slip and smooth feel come in part from silicones and conditioning polymers. That is why detangling is easier and friction is lower. If you are silicone-averse, you may prefer a different conditioner or add an occasional clarifying wash to manage build-up.
How long until I see less breakage?
Expect easier detangling right away. Visible reduction in broken hairs and frayed ends typically shows up after 3 to 6 washes, with more noticeable length retention after 4 to 8 weeks of consistent use.
Will this weigh down fine hair?
Used from mid-lengths to ends, the conditioner is light to medium in weight and should not collapse volume for most fine hair. Apply sparingly near the roots and rinse well to keep lift at the scalp.
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