Redken Styling Essentials NZ: Texture, Hold, Shine & Blow-Dry

Good styling isn't about owning ten products — it's about owning the right three or four for the look you wear most. Here's how the Redken styling range fits together, and which one to reach for.

These are the workhorses we use to finish hair at Crew. Pick by the job you're trying to do.

Blow-dry & heat protection

Quick Blowout is the spray that speeds up drying while protecting against heat — mist it through damp hair before you pick up the dryer for a faster, smoother finish. Big Blowout Heat Protecting Jelly is the lightweight serum for a sleeker, glossier blow-dry with a stronger heat shield, ideal for smoothing longer or frizz-prone hair.

Volume & root lift

Root Tease (Instant Levitation Mist) sprays at the roots for instant lift and grip — the trick stylists use to make fine hair look fuller. Max Sculpting Gel gives firm, controlled hold for slicked or defined styles that need to stay put.

Texture & finish

Mess It Up Texture Paste is the go-to for piecey, lived-in texture with a low-shine, undone finish. Spray Wax Invisible adds light, touchable texture and separation without weighing hair down — great over a finished style. Shine Flash Glistening Mist is the last-second gloss: a fine mist for healthy, polished shine on the way out the door.

Lock it in & refresh

Max Hold Spray is the strong-hold hairspray for looks that have to survive wind, dancing or a long day. Deep Clean Dry Shampoo buys you an extra day between washes — spray at the roots, wait, then massage in to absorb oil and add a little body.

A simple routine that works

• Before drying: heat protection (Quick Blowout or Big Blowout) — non-negotiable if you use hot tools.
• For lift: Root Tease at the roots while damp.
• To finish: texture (Mess It Up or Spray Wax), then a whisper of Shine Flash, then hairspray only where you need hold.
• Between washes: Deep Clean Dry Shampoo to refresh.

Want your style set up properly first? Book with the Crew team in Queenstown and we'll show you exactly how to recreate it at home.

New here? Use code MYSTERY11 for 11% off your first order (min $59). Free NZ shipping over $75. Genuine salon Redken, shipped from Crew Stylists in Queenstown.

Questions we get asked

Which Redken heat protectant should I use?

Quick Blowout is the lightweight spray that also speeds up drying, which suits most hair. If your hair is long, thick or prone to frizz, the Redken heat protecting jelly gives a smoother, glossier finish. Apply either to damp hair before the dryer, not on dry hair just before the straightener.

What's the difference between Mess It Up and Spray Wax?

Mess It Up is a paste, so it gives stronger, piecey texture and suits short cuts and lived-in styles. Spray Wax is lighter and mists over a finished style to add separation without weighing hair down. Fine or long hair usually prefers the spray, and short or thick hair the paste.

Which Redken hairspray holds best in Queenstown wind?

Max Hold Spray is the strongest in the range and the one we reach for on wedding days and outdoor events. Spray from arm's length so it doesn't go stiff in one spot. For everyday styles, a lighter spray is usually enough and easier to brush out.

Does Root Tease work on fine hair?

Yes, fine hair is what it's made for. Spray it at the roots while hair is damp, then blow-dry the roots with a round brush or your fingers lifting them upwards. Too much can make roots feel stiff, so start with a few sprays on the crown and part line.

How do I stop styling products building up?

Use a clarifying or deep-cleansing shampoo every week or two if you style daily, and keep products off the scalp where you can. Dry shampoo is great but needs a proper wash to follow. Our shampoo range includes clarifying options, or ask us which suits your hair.