In the evolving world of hair color, there’s a growing demand for tones that feel modern, refined, and effortlessly natural. Enter Redken Shades EQ 9M, a matte-inspired level 9 tone that’s quickly becoming a stylist go-to—and for good reason. This versatile shade works beautifully across both blonde and brunette palettes, offering the perfect cool, understated finish that feels fresh without looking overdone so it’s effortlessly natural.
Meet Matte: The New Modern Neutral
Unlike overly warm or aggressively ashy tones, matte shades bring a cool, earthy elegance to the hair. Formulated with a brown-to-tan background and blue/green reflect, 9M helps cancel out unwanted warmth while maintaining a soft, natural appearance.
This unique combination gives the shade the ability to neutralize brassiness in blondes and reduce red/orange undertones in brunettes—without ever looking flat or gray. It’s dimensional. It’s wearable. And it’s stunningly subtle.
Why Blondes Love It
For blondes, 9M is the ultimate secret weapon to achieve a creamy, toned-down look without the iciness of traditional ash. Perfect after lightening services, it gently mutes yellow or gold undertones while preserving brightness and translucency. The result? That enviable “expensive blonde” finish—cool, clean, and effortless.
It’s especially ideal for clients looking to soften the grow-out of a rooted blonde or create a smoother blend through balayage or teasylights. Think understated luxury.
Why Brunettes Need It
On brunettes, 9M offers a breath of fresh (cool) air. It’s a game-changer for toning down lifted ends or overly warm highlights, particularly on levels 7–9 where unwanted red tones tend to linger. Rather than darkening the overall look, 9M subtly refines the tone and restores a natural neutral.
Because it’s matte, it helps enhance the natural richness of a brunette while delivering a more muted, modern finish—ideal for clients who want depth without warmth and a shine without shimmer.
Lock in the Glow: Redken Naked Gloss Lightweight Shine Oil
After any Shades EQ service, especially with cool-toned matte shades like 9M, the finishing step is just as important as the formulation. Redken Naked Gloss Lightweight Shine Oil is a must-have for long-lasting shine and softness.
This shine-enhancing oil delivers 130% more shine and 9x hydration*—all without weighing the hair down. 91% of users agreed it left no visible residue on hair, thanks to its ultra-light, “naked feel” formulation. Use it post-gloss on damp or dry hair to seal in tone and boost luminosity. Then, be sure to send clients home with this oil to enhance their brilliance with uncensored shine.
