We all have those days where we want to just put our hair up in a ponytail or shove it under a big hat (or pillowcase). Not for reasons of fashion, nor to make any kind of statement, but simply because of the sheer state of it. It’s not looking too good, and more often than not, it feels worse than it looks… Well, help is on the way. There may be hope for you yet, with our Redken All Soft line review.

Companies sell products of all shapes, sizes, and consistencies each and every day. All in order to combat hair damage and to restore vitality and volume to your locks. Every hair care company worth its salt has at least one damage-defying item in their lineup, because hair damage is a state which always exists to some degree. Let’s explore this phenomenon a bit, shall we?

How Does Hair Become Damaged?

There are many factors which can affect the quality of your hair, such as weather and product usage.

So, how does hair become damaged? Perhaps the more pertinent question is: how does it not become damaged? Considering the vast potential for damage, it seems to be something which requires constant vigilance and attention. And if there was any doubt on the matter, the prevalence of damage-reducing products speaks louder than words ever could. Prevention is a whole other issue.

Now, to be clear: some amount of damage can be handled by the body on its own. The scalp and hair follicles are designed to withstand a lot of conditions and circumstances. And the hair strands themselves are some of the most flexible and adaptive parts of the human body. Hair also grows and regenerates all the time, with a certain percentage of the hair being in any one of the three stages of hair development: growing, transitioning, and shedding. 

Some damage should be mitigated and addressed, though, lest your hair become a lifeless, dull, nutrient-deprived mess of dried protein sticks. This damage can occur due to several reasons:

• Pollution in the air 
• Weather, such as humidity, heat, dryness, or wind
• Heat appliances, like irons and blow dryers
• Using the wrong products for your scalp or hair type
• Overwashing or overusing the right products, which may cause buildup
• Colors, dyes, and products which change the inner structure of your hair

There are other factors, but I feel those are the most common reasons for hair damage. Getting the hair back to its more vital state is achievable through natural and synthetic/chemical means, and it is the latter which Redken’s All Soft and All Soft Mega lines are about.

Redken All Soft Line Explained

Redken’s All Soft line launched in 2011, and All Soft Mega joined it in 2018. Its goal was – and still is – pretty straightforward: to give damaged and dry hair a shot at swift redemption. By providing the hair with adequate moisture and nutrients, the company set out to be a leading provider of “bad hair day” solutions.

The All Soft and All Soft Mega lines include:

• Argan-6 Multi-Care Oil
• Heavy Cream Super Treatment Mask
• Argan Oil Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Deep Conditioning Mega Mask
• Hydramelt
• Recovery Tissue Mask Cap
• Mask
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

The All Soft line was selling well, and it even won several awards. But there was a demand for a sister series which addresses severely dry hair. I suspect that customers were complaining that the All Soft series was being too, well, soft on their severe dryness issues. And so, for those with medium to coarse hair which has been through the proverbial shredder, the All Soft Mega line was created.

Redken All Soft Vs. All Soft Mega Explained

Argan oil kernels.

There are some differences in the ingredients, of course, since the All Soft Mega line is meant to treat hair which is in bad shape. Both lines include a shampoo and conditioner. Both lines also include two different kinds of hair masks. The All Soft series includes the Argan-6 Multi-Care Oil, and the All Soft Mega line has the Hydramelt lotion. Both of these last items are a kind of leave-in – or rather, both of them have the potential to be left in.

Essentially, both Redken’s All Soft and All Soft Mega are both there to do the same thing – provide hair care solutions for those who need them. The way they go about it is a little different, according to the formula. The All Soft Mega line is infused with ingredients like sacha inchi (aka sacha peanut) extract, aloe vera gel, and cactus extract. The All Soft has ingredients like argan oil, soy protein, and wheat protein. And some of these items also include Redken’s Protein Complex, which targets all parts of the hair (roots, shafts, tips).

Top 5 Redken All Soft Products Reviewed

1. All Soft Mega Hydramelt

The All Soft Mega Hydramelt is one of Redken’s best sellers. But interestingly enough, it may not be a product that most people require. If you are keeping your hair nourished, there is a chance you won’t even need this lotion. It is meant for those with exceedingly dry hair who are interested in moisturizing their hair without weighing it down. It makes the hair shiny and soft, but it isn’t a must. If you are interested in skipping a wash that day, but your hair is looking terrible, then this would probably be a good substitute.

2. All Soft Deep Conditioning Mega Mask

2-in-1 is usually something I avoid in hair care products. After all kinds of experiments, I came to the personal conclusion that any 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 product will end up being a jack of all trades and a master of none. I decided to avoid products which combine. However, in the case of the All Soft Deep Conditioning Mask, it is two formulas which are meant to achieve the same task – so this is different.

This mask includes soy protein, arginine, argan oil, SEPICAP (amino acids and panthenol), and more.

3. All Soft Argan Oil Shampoo

This is a shampoo which is meant for daily use. Although, as an aside, you should probably not be washing every day. The number of people who need to wash every day is pretty slim. The All Soft Argan Oil Shampoo has argan oil, arginine, soy protein, SEPICAP, and other factors.

The consistency is nice and creamy, and the feeling you get after you apply this and the All Soft conditioner can’t be described other than saying it yields salon-quality results.

4. All Soft Conditioner

The All Soft Conditioner can be described as a lighter version of the All Soft Heavy Cream Super Treatment Mask. This conditioner is the sister-product of the All Soft Shampoo, and it goes on heavy (it has a very thick consistency) but rinses out with no trouble and leaves the hair feeling soft, healthy, and clean.

However, in spite of that, there is nothing there that is significantly better than conditioners. It detangles, it smoothes, and it provides moisture. It does everything that a conditioner should do, but I don’t think there is anything seriously unique about this conditioner alone.

5. All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care Oil

I am a sucker for hair oils. And the All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care Oil, which has omega-6 and argan oil, provides immediate results. If you are interested in getting a boost of moisture and nourishment without having to get into the shower – or, alternatively, if you are interested in an overnight treatment that will leave your hair as soft as a fluffy cloud – then using this oil is definitely an option you should take advantage of. It can be applied to damp or dry hair.

How to Naturally Treat Damaged Hair

First of all, not everyone will agree with this part of the post, and I get it. Some will be of the opinion that severe damage requires severe (read: professional) intervention. Nevertheless, it is important to know that you don’t have to go out and spend a lot of money on shampoos, masks, conditioners, creams, and styling sprays.

Here are just a few ways to help repair damaged hair right in your own home:

1. Homemade Hair Masks

There are plenty of natural, household ingredients you can use to make a hair mask.

Homemade hair masks are always a popular choice. There is a good chance that you won’t have to leave the house in order to start fixing your hair. Some examples are:

• Avocado and egg
• Banana and honey
• Yogurt and essential oils
• Apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and egg whites

2. Warm Oils

Using oils are a great way to treat your hair.

Warm oils are one of the most ancient methods of conditioning and beautifying in existence. Oils have been in the service of mankind for thousands of years, and sometimes it takes the oldest forms of medicine to remedy the hair ailments of the modern world.

• Olive, coconut, jojoba, almond, and castor oil are good choices
• Make sure the oil is warm, and do not boil it

3. Diet

Eating foods like salmon can give your hair a boost.

I have always been of the opinion that you are what you eat. After all, everything we consume ends up in our bloodstream, and that very same blood is the one being sent up to the hair cuticles. What you eat becomes that which sustains you and your locks, which is why it’s important to pay attention to your diet.

• Make sure you are getting enough omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids by eating right or taking supplements
• Nuts, seeds, salmon, and sweet potatoes are just a few examples of foods which can boost your hair health and possibly its growth, too.

Conclusion

Redken’s original founders and builders (Paula Kent, Jheri Redding, and John Meehan) are no longer with us, but their legacy is one of professionalism, entrepreneurship, and trend-setting. The impact which Redken has made on the global landscape of hair care, hair business, and hair education is not to be underestimated. And when it comes to dry and damaged hair, Redken has definitely not been idle. Their All Soft line is a testament to how committed they are to delivering nothing but the best of hair days to their countless customers and clients around the world. 

The All Soft line is not the be-all and end-all of hair repair, but it is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Redken’s products are always spot on. And even if they don’t work for everyone who gives them a shot, there are many who discover them and forsake other kinds of products in their favor. The only way to know if this line of products can help you out is by trying it for yourself. Make sure to get the travel sizes, that way you will spend less.

Another thing to note is that Redken products are counterfeited, a lot. There are reputable online and offline places to buy their stuff, and of course there are the salons where Redken products are sold. In my opinion, it is a line of products worth investigating. The only drawback is some of their ingredients. But if solid end results are what you are after, there is no reason not to give them a go. Your hair deserves the best treatment, and Redken might just be the answer to your midnight hair prayers.