Redken Volume Injection — when to choose it over Sebastian or Kérastase
If you've ever wondered why your hair looks great leaving the salon and like a sad mop the next morning, the shampoo you washed it with is part of the answer.
Redken Volume Injection is one of the longest-running professional volume systems on the market. We use it in the salon. We sell a lot of it. It's earned its spot.
Here's why — and when we'd reach for something else instead.
What Volume Injection actually does
Redken's Volume Injection range is built around a "Filloxane" technology — basically a polymer that bonds to the hair shaft and adds the appearance of thickness, without weighing the hair down.
The effect is cumulative. The first wash you'll notice cleaner, lighter hair. By the second or third wash you'll notice the actual lift effect at the root.
The shampoo is a gentle cleanser (less clarifying than Sebastian Volupt). The conditioner is genuinely lightweight — one of the few "volume conditioners" that doesn't undo the volume.
Shop Volume Injection Shampoo · Shop Volume Injection Conditioner
Where Volume Injection wins
For wash-and-go hair. Volume Injection is the volume system we recommend for clients who don't want to blow-dry every morning. The Filloxane effect builds in even with air-drying. You don't need heat tools to see the lift.
For colour-treated fine hair. The shampoo is gentler than Sebastian Volupt — better suited to maintaining toner life. If you're balayaged, blonde, or recently coloured, this is the lift system that will mess with your colour least.
For long-term use. Filloxane builds up over weeks. Most fine-hair clients see the best results at week 4-6, not week 1. If you can commit to one product family for a couple of months, this rewards loyalty.
Where Sebastian Volupt Max wins instead
If you have build-up. Sebastian Volupt is more clarifying. Heavy dry-shampoo users, hard-water households, gym hair — Volupt cleans deeper. Once you've stripped the build-up, you can switch back to Redken if you prefer the feel.
If you blow-dry every day. Volupt's lighter feel works better with a daily heat-and-product routine. Redken's polymer-based lift can feel slightly slick under styling products if you're already using a lot.
If you want immediate results. Volupt's "I can feel it on day one" effect is more obvious. Redken takes 2-3 weeks to show its full hand.
Where Kérastase isn't really the answer
Kérastase doesn't have a true volume range that competes head-to-head. Their "Densifique" line is more about thickening the appearance of thinning hair than adding volume to fine hair.
If you want Kérastase quality with a lift effect, the move is Lait Vital as a leave-in spray after washing — adds movement and bounce without weight.
But for actual volume building, you're better off with Redken or Sebastian than Kérastase.
The protocol we recommend
For Redken Volume Injection users:
- Shampoo + conditioner together for the first 4-6 weeks (don't mix with another brand during the build-up phase)
- Blow-dry roots upside down to lock in the lift
- Once a fortnight, swap in a deeper mask on the ends only (Redken All Soft or any nourishing mask) — the Volume system is light on moisture
- Don't overuse styling products on top — they undo the lift
Who shouldn't buy Redken Volume Injection
- Thick-haired clients — you don't need lift, you need movement and weight management
- Curly or coily hair — Volume Injection is designed for straight-to-wavy textures
- Severely damaged hair — get the bond repair sorted first, then come back to volume
Honest pricing
The 300ml bottles are around the same per-ml price as the Sebastian Volupt range. Both work out to roughly $0.18-0.20 per wash. That's not cheap. It is cheaper per wash than getting a salon blow-dry to compensate for limp hair.
The stylist's verdict
If we had to pick one volume system for the salon, Redken Volume Injection would be it. Sebastian Volupt Max is genuinely close, and we keep both in rotation, but Redken's longevity and gentleness on coloured hair makes it the safer recommendation across more client types.
The biggest mistake we see: people buy a volume shampoo, expect overnight transformation, judge it after one wash. This whole product family rewards patience. Give it a month. The result at week 4 is rarely the result at day 1.
FAQ
How long until I see results? Light effect from wash one (cleaner roots = more lift). Real Filloxane build-up effect from week 2-3. Best results at week 4-6.
Will it make my hair greasy? Opposite — the shampoo cleans well. Some clients with very oily roots find they can stretch washes by half a day longer.
Is it safe for coloured hair? Yes. Gentler than the Sebastian Volupt cleanser. Pairs well with toned blondes.
Can I use a different conditioner with it? Yes — but if you want the maximum Filloxane effect, use the matching conditioner for the first 4-6 weeks at least.
Where can I buy Redken in NZ? UKIYO carries the full Redken professional range NZ-wide.
11% off your first order with code WELCOME11. Free NZ shipping over $99.
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