Bed Head vs Redken (The Definitive Guide)

Split ends, brittle strands, extreme dryness... ringing any bells? You might believe your only escape from damaged hair woes is a drastic haircut, but we're here to dispel that notion. The answer might just lie in a small tweak to your hair care routine.

Enter the rejuvenating duo of shampoos and conditioners from Bed Head and Redken, specifically engineered to breathe new life into damaged hair. But the question remains - which pair is worthy of your hard-earned money?

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Bed Head Resurrection vs Redken Extreme

Kicking off the comparison with Bed Head, their Resurrection shampoo and conditioner are infused with a cocktail of beneficial elements like Rose of Jericho extract, glycerin, and coconut oil compounds.

They pledge to transform hair, making it stronger, sleeker, and full of vitality. On Ulta, their shampoo boasts a 4.3-star rating, but the conditioner lags slightly behind at 3.7 stars.

Though, with less than 200 reviews collectively, these ratings may improve over time.

In contrast, Redken's Extreme shampoo and conditioner pack in amino acids, citric acid, salicylic acid, and arginine, all aimed at reviving damaged hair, promoting scalp health, and warding off further breakage.

Redken's audacious promise - a whopping 73% decrease in hair breakage if their Extreme series, including the Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-In Conditioner, is used.

And the customer reviews suggest they might be onto something - the shampoo and conditioner have impressive ratings of 4.4 and 4.5 stars, with over 1,200 and 1,100 reviews, respectively.

Price-wise, the Bed Head duo is available for $17.50 each on Ulta, while Redken's products come with a heftier price tag of $25 each.

When we tried them for ourselves

After delving into the bold promises of each product, it was time for the real test - the hands-on trial. As someone who has spent years exploring different hair care products, I was eager to see what both brands had to offer.

Starting off with Bed Head's Resurrection duo, I instantly noticed the visually striking packaging - loud, fun, and vibrant, a reflection of the brand's playful image.

The tropical, invigorating fragrance was equally impressive, a refreshing note in the early morning hours.

The shampoo lathered easily, and the conditioner had a rich, creamy texture. But what impressed me the most was the transformation in my hair. Just after the first wash, my brittle ends felt softer, my hair shinier and seemingly healthier.

However, I noted that the results didn't last as long as I hoped, and my hair began to feel dry again after a few days.

Next up was Redken. The minimalist, salon-like packaging was a stark contrast to Bed Head's vibrant containers but had a professional appeal of its own.

The scent was clean and subtle, a combination that won't overpower your senses. The shampoo created a satisfying lather and was easy to rinse off, while the conditioner felt ultra-nourishing without being overly heavy.

And the results? My hair seemed not only smoother and shinier but also stronger and less prone to breakage.

What truly set Redken apart was the lasting effect of the products - my hair maintained its smoothness and shine for days on end, something Bed Head fell a bit short on.

So, despite the higher price tag, my personal experience leans towards Redken. But let's dive deeper into the brands' ethical and sustainability practices to get the full picture.

What’s the next step?

Though Redken outshines Bed Head in ratings, the considerable price difference between the two duos cannot be overlooked. Hence, to reach a fair verdict, we'll delve deeper into their business practices.

Bed Head asserts they do not perform animal testing, but as per Ethical Elephant, the brand does not qualify as cruelty-free or vegan.

On the sustainability front, Bed Head has initiated efforts by incorporating 50% recycled plastic in their shampoo and conditioner bottles and ensuring all their pumps are recyclable.

In addition, Bed Head is associated with charitable projects like Funny Women and Stonewall.

In contrast, Redken's parent company, L’Oréal, states they have stopped animal testing. However, Ethical Elephant's recent update (as of January 2023) lists Redken as non-cruelty free as well.

Sustainability appears to be a priority for Redken, as they have been using packaging containing at least 93% recycled plastic since early 2021.

Additionally, they support future beauty professionals through a scholarship program with The Salon Professional Academy and have allied with It Gets Better to back the LGBTQ+ community within and beyond the hair care industry.

Final Verdict

While both Bed Head and Redken make strong claims and indeed deliver impressive results, it's the sustained impact of Redken's Extreme range that stands out for me personally. My hair was not only revived after a few uses but maintained its vitality and shine for days, a feature where Bed Head's Resurrection duo fell a bit short.

Ethically, both brands still have significant strides to make towards ensuring cruelty-free status and the inclusion of vegan options. However, it's encouraging to see both of them undertaking efforts towards sustainability and contributing to meaningful causes.

In light of the thorough analysis, hands-on experience, and consideration of ethical and sustainability practices, Redken's Extreme range takes the lead for me. Although pricier, its effective and lasting results, along with strong sustainability and social initiatives, make it worth the investment.

In essence, the choice between the two ultimately depends on what you value most in your hair care routine - whether it's the immediate transformation, cost-effectiveness, lasting effects, or a brand's ethical and sustainable conduct.

Other Bed Head Best-Sellers

For silky hair:
Try TIGI After Party

For volumizing hair:
Try TIGI Small Talk

For curly hair:
Try TIGI Curls Rock Amplifier

Other Redken Best-Sellers

For blonde hair:
Try Color Extend Blondage

For dry/brittle hair:
Try All Soft

For fine hair:
Try Volume Injection