Beauty Launch: Redken Smooth Lock

On the day of Redken’s Smooth Lock launch, the weather couldn’t have been more tress-unfriendly; it was in the high 90s with 70% humidity in NYC, where everything is hotter, smellier and frizzier. “Right now there’s a massive desire for manageable hair,” Redken brand ambassador Rodney Cutler says to the gathered editors, who’s manes are coated in sweat and frizz. “Smoothing treatments are about making life easier.”

Yes, indeed. The Smooth Lock smoothing line and semi-permanent in-salon treatment promise to fight frizz and whip tresses into covetable shape. First, there’s the two-step, in-salon treatment, which lasts up to 10 shampoos (and can be extended up to 13 shampoos if you dutifully use the Smooth Lock Stay Sleek leave-in cream); then, a five-product maintenance line, including Shampoo, Conditioner, Stay Sleek leave-in cream, Butter Silk rinse-out treatment and Heat Glide protective smoother. These at-home products, Cutler stresses, help magnify and lengthen the results of the smoothing service. All pieces of the Smooth Lock puzzle utilize heat-activated Thermo-Active Polymer that forms a protective barrier around the cuticle, blocking-out humidity while sealing in moisture for a smooth, reflective surface. After the service, clients can’t wash their hair for 48 hours.

(After my Redken Smooth Lock Chemistry Shot at Cutler Salon)

Though I wanted to experience this smoothing fix-all, Cutler admitted I’m not a good candidate. “If you bleach your hair,” he begins, eyeing me, “this service is not for you.” Those who chemically relax their hair are also precluded from the service. But, all is not lost on us: Cutler lights up, “You can do the in-salon Redken Smooth Lock Chemistry Shot, which lasts three shampoos!” After my Chemistry Shot, my hair felt silky and appeared fuzz-free; a week later, the effects of this frizz-lock-out were still being felt—and seen. —Karie L. Frost