By now, we've all heard the edict from haircare gurus: if you want a regimen that won't strip tresses of their natural oils, leave the scalp dry and flaky, accelerate the fading of color treatments, and possibly deposit harmful carcinogens that could penetrate the blood stream, you need to completely eradicate any cleansers, conditioners, and styling products containing sulfates and parabens. Yes, ladies, the big, bad wolves lurking in the beauty landscape are known as sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Since Redken seeks to always address the desires and needs of its clientele, it developed a range of haircare products formulated without these villainous ingredients: the Redken Nature Rescue collection.
The four products in this collection feature images of gorgeous seaside landscapes, with tranquil ocean waters seen through lush green, tall grass spears, an expansive aqua blue sky practically kissing the surface of the water. Though not 100% natural, the products' formulas do include botanical ingredients derived from the ocean — mainly: strengthening and protective sea algae, which is rich in minerals like iron, potassium, copper, zinc, and manganese, and is rife with proteins (particularly blue-green algae), fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, and vitamins A,B, C, and E; soy protein, which increases hair's ability to retain moisture, helping to improve its texture and make it more manageable; and aloe vera, which boasts anti-inflammatory properties, soothing the scalp and smoothing the hair cuticle, and which is also said to promote hair growth. All the products also boast a light, aloe-tinged, fresh and watery fragrance that will remind you of outings to the beach.
The Redken Nature's Rescue Refreshing Detox Shampoo cleanses hair without relying on sulfates to create an unnecessary foamy lather (that is, after all, their only real function), managing to remove dirt, product build-up, and impurities, all while being gentle enough to use on a daily basis.
Next, there's the Redken Nature's Rescue Refining Sea Polish, perhaps the oddest product in the collection. Packaged in a 3.4 oz. tube, each tablespoon's worth of the pumice-enriched polish feels like wet, gravelly sand on your palms. When you apply it to damp hair, then, it will feel like you're coating your hair with minuscule sand granules. The texture, then, is a bit rough, and you'll want to smear it onto each section of hair starting at the roots and moving down to ends, massaging the polish so that it will exfoliate the hair's surface. The application process is rather messy and inconvenient but, when you rinse tresses, you will notice they feel remarkably smoother and softer (and, unlike sand, it's fairly easy to wash this out of your mane!). That being said, I'm still hesitant to use this product regularly since, while it's billed as being safe for color-treated hair, I've noticed my hair color doesn't look quite as vibrant after I use it.
My absolute favorite product in the collection is Redken Nature's Rescue Cooling Deep Conditioner. This moisturizing conditioner is a punchy, aqua blue color, and has a gel-like consistency. When you apply it to hair, it instantly detangles strands, plus it soothes your scalp, giving it a pleasant cooling sensation that lasts even after you rinse your strands and emerge from the shower. For best results, I'd suggest applying the conditioner and then tucking hair underneath a shower cap, letting the product sink into the hair for a good 10-15 minutes before washing it out.
Last, there's the Redken Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray, which boosts shine and adds body and volume. This mist does have some practical benefits, but its main function is making hair smell delicious, infusing it with time-touch fragrance capsules that release an oceanic aroma when hair is touched.
These products are formulated for all types of hair (dry, normal, oily, straight, curly, wavy, color-treated, etc.), and the shampoo and conditioner do deliver the promised results but, that being said, if your hair is on the drier end of the spectrum, you might need to complement this range with some heavyweight leave-in conditioners and replenishing masks.
Still, it's a step in the right direction for Redken (and for women lusting after mermaid-like tresses).
Redken Nature's Rescue Refreshing Detox Shampoo, $16; Redken Nature's Rescue Refining Sea Polish, $19; Redken Nature's Rescue Cooling Deep Conditioner, $17; and Redken Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray, $17. Visit Redken.com to find a salon near you carrying these products.
