BLONDE IQ™ 9+ Calibrated Anti-Brass Lightener

14-Year Vet Here: Blonde IQ 9+ Is My Forever Lightener now! I’ve been in the field for 14 years and I’ve tried MANY lighteners (you name it). I’ve put my hair through unimaginable things—from funky colors to constant overlapping, everything you’re not supposed to do to a client, I did to myself. Basic White, Joico, Pravana , Prism, Wella, Flash Lift… you name it. When I say Redken Blonde IQ 9+ Calibrated Anti-Brass Lightener is now my ultra go-to and will be the ONLY lightener I ever use on myself and clients, I mean it. Please, Redken, do NOT discontinue this product—it’s amazing!!!!! I’m a level 5 starting base and I got myself to a solid level 10 in just 50 mins (1:2 ratio with 20 vol Pro-Oxide Oil Developer). Then toned with Redken Shades EQ for that perfect clean, neutralized blonde—no extra brass fighting needed. The lift was even, fast, and the hair felt strong, not fried. I have a very sensitive scalp and have to use the old-school trick (sweet and low the hair lighter with this product in the oil cream developer). Honestly, I ask my coworker, “Have you applied it yet?” Of course I know—I felt the brush—but seriously, this stuff is amazing. My scalp is not itchy, irritated, burning—none of it. Zero issues even after 50 mins processing. Creamy consistency, no swelling, built-in anti-brass magic, rinses easy, and my hair stays healthy. Worth every penny and more. Love, love, LOVE this product—hands down the best I’ve ever used. If you’re a pro tired of harsh lighteners, uneven lift, or brass nightmares, grab this now. 5 stars isn’t enough—it’s a total game-changer!

I used the Redken Blonde Idol IQ 9+ Anti-Brass Lightener (oil-powered) with the Pro-Oxide Oil Developer 10 volume, and I have thoughts. First, the good—this stuff is STRONG but in a controlled way. Even with just 10 volume, I was actually impressed with how much lift I got. It brightened my hair without that super harsh, crunchy feeling you sometimes get with lighteners. The oil-powered formula definitely makes a difference—it felt smoother going on and didn’t leave my hair feeling completely wrecked after. And the anti-brass claim? It’s not just marketing. My hair didn’t pull nearly as orange/yellow as it usually does, which was a huge plus for me. Now for the reality check—this is still a lightener. My hair was drier after, especially on the ends, so don’t go into this thinking it’s “damage-free.” It’s less harsh, not harmless. I had to follow up with a deep conditioner to get my hair feeling normal again. Also, using 10 volume is great if you’re trying to lift gently or just brighten, but don’t expect dramatic, super fast results. It takes patience, and depending on your starting color, you might need more than one session. Overall, I actually really like this combo. It feels more forgiving than traditional bleach, gives a nice clean lift, and helps cut down on brassiness—but you still need to treat your hair like it just went through a chemical process…because it did. I’d definitely use it again, just not back-to-back without giving my hair a break.