If you color your hair and want a shampoo that won’t wash that investment down the drain, Redken’s Color Extend Magnetics (often shortened online to Redken Color Extend Shampoo) is one of the most popular sulfate-free options. I tested it alongside two other color-safe favorites to see how it behaves day-to-day—lather, slip, after-feel—and whether it actually slows fade.
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 both brunette warmth and blonde toner truer for longer. If your hair is very damaged or you love weekly clarifying, Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) Shampoo may be the stronger choice.
What it is (and how it works)
- Name: Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo
- Type: Sulfate-free, color-safe cleanser
- Core idea: keep the cuticle tight and the scalp comfortable so dye molecules stay put for more washes
- pH: slightly acidic (salon brands aim around 4.5–5.5 to help keep the cuticle sealed)
- Notable tech: Redken’s film-forming and conditioning agents plus amino-ions that help improve the hair surface feel and shine (older bottles referenced RCT Protein Complex; newer packaging centers the “Magnetics” tech and amino acids).
What you’ll feel
A creamy gel that produces a soft, cushiony lather (more than many sulfate-free shampoos). It rinses clean without that squeaky, stripped feeling. Hair feels slippery while wet and soft once dry, which is a big deal for processed mid-lengths and ends.
Who it’s best for
- Hair: color-treated fine to medium strands; natural hair that’s dry on the ends also does well
- Goals: maintain color/toner, reduce dullness, add light shine, keep scalp comfortable
- Wash style: every-other-day or 2–3x per week
Consider a different option if…
- Your hair is very damaged/over-processed and breaks easily → try Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo (bond-care + more cushioning).
- You need heavy hydration or detangling for thick/coarse or very curly textures → Pureology Hydrate or Moroccanoil Moisture Repair may feel richer.
- You use lots of dry shampoo and styling products and want a clarifying wash weekly → rotate in a gentle clarifier; Magnetics is designed for regular maintenance, not deep detox.
Performance notes (after 4–6 weeks)
- Color retention: Toners and fashion shades stayed “truer” between salon visits compared with a regular moisturizing shampoo. Warm brunettes kept gloss shine; blondes saw less brass by week three.
- Shine & feel: noticeable softness and slip without weighing down roots. Doesn’t leave a waxy coating common in some color-care formulas.
- Scalp comfort: no tightness; rinses clean. Most users sensitive to harsh detergents do well here.
- Fragrance: clean salon scent, medium strength; lingers lightly after blow-dry.
- Lather: forgiving—if you’re moving from a sulfate cleanser, you won’t miss the foam.
How to use for best results
- Pre-wet thoroughly—cool to lukewarm water keeps the cuticle smoother.
- Emulsify a quarter-size amount in your palms; concentrate at the scalp and let suds slip through lengths.
- Rinse well, repeat if you use heavy styling or dry shampoo.
- Follow with Color Extend Magnetics Conditioner or your preferred color-safe conditioner.
- Seal the routine with a leave-in heat protectant before styling; heat is a major cause of fade.
Tip: Rotate in a purple or blue toning shampoo once a week if you fight brassiness; keep Magnetics as your everyday cleanser to protect the cuticle the rest of the week.
Ingredients snapshot (what matters)
- Sulfate-free surfactants (milder cleansers vs SLS/SLES)
- Amino acids + conditioning polymers to smooth the hair surface
- Acidic pH to help keep the cuticle closed after washing
No formula is magic, but this combination is exactly what color-treated hair needs: gentle cleanse + cuticle care.
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 soft lather; keeps color true without heaviness | Soft, light, shiny |
| Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) Shampoo | Compromised, over-processed hair needing damage care | Acidic + bond-supporting system; richer, more cushioning | Richer, more conditioning |
| Pureology Hydrate Shampoo | Thick/coarse, dry hair | Heavier slip, ultra-hydrating, great for curls | Creamy, weightier |
| Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance | Breakage-prone hair that gets frizzy | Bond-building actives; good slip, taming | Medium weight, smoothing |
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If you like a cleaner feel at the roots and wash a few times a week, Magnetics hits the sweet spot. If you’re nursing fried ends, ABC has the edge.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sulfate-free but still foams nicely
- Helps color last longer and keeps toner truer
- Lightweight feel—doesn’t collapse fine hair
- Clean rinse; comfortable scalp
Cons
- Not a clarifier; product buildup may need a separate weekly detox
- Dry, very coarse textures may want a richer shampoo or co-wash
- Salon fragrance isn’t for everyone
Routine pairings that make it better
- Every wash: Redken Color Extend Magnetics Conditioner or a light detangler
- Weekly/bi-weekly: gentle clarifying or a toning shampoo depending on your color
- Heat days: a heat protectant (Redken One United or Acidic Perfecting Concentrate)
- Damage days: swap shampoo for ABC and use a bond mask
The bottom line
If you want a dependable, lightweight wash that protects color without the gummy coating, Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo is easy to recommend—especially for fine to medium hair or anyone who washes a few times a week. Keep a clarifier on hand for product-heavy days and you’ve got a simple routine that treats both scalp and shade well.
FAQs
Is Redken Color Extend Shampoo sulfate-free?
Yes. Magnetics is formulated without SLS/SLES and uses milder cleansers to respect color.
Will it weigh down fine hair?
It’s one of the lighter color-care formulas. Pair it with a lightweight conditioner and apply conditioner from ears down to keep lift at the root.
How often should I use it?
Use it as your everyday shampoo (2–4 times weekly). Rotate a clarifier only when you feel buildup or after heavy hairspray days.
Is it safe for keratin-treated hair?
Generally yes—its sulfate-free, acidic approach is keratin-friendly. Always follow your stylist’s after-care instructions.
What’s the difference between Color Extend Magnetics and Redken ABC?
Magnetics focuses on color longevity and light softness. ABC targets damage repair and bond support with a richer feel. Many color clients keep both and swap based on how their hair feels that week.
