Redken
Our founder Paula Kent revolutionized the professional Haircare industry for both stylists and clients. Her dedication to science and her pioneering spirit helped make the brand what it is today.
August 9th 1931
Paula Jane Bear was born on August 9th in Beverly Hills, CA
1940
Paula grows up in Burbank, CA
1946
At 15, she leaves high school to have her baby son, Michael Miller
1950
Paula Kent (stage name) gets acting roles in commercials and TV drama
1959
She is named Queen of the Congress at the 23rd annual Congress of Beauty
August 1960
Paula Kent starts redken with jehri redding, a chemist who developed low-ph products for paula’s sensitive hair
Amino Pon and PPT gain a
cult following
1965
paula kent buys out
Jheri Redding
1966
Redken annual sales reach $1.5 million
1968
Vidal Sassoon is hired to tour for Redken
1969
John Meehan joins the company
1970
Paula joins Union Bank board of directors
Redken introduces science & business education to hairdressers
1971
Redken goes partially public,
Paula retains 52% of the company
Paula buys Elvis Presley’s former
Canyon home
1972
John Meehan becomes Redken President; Paula becomes
chairman and CEO
Redken launches Challenge of Success
1974
Redken holds the first symposium
1977
Paula is named among Business Week’s “100 Top Corporate Women”
1980
Redken’s new “Extreme” haircare products strengthen distressed hair
Redken launches in 13 countries
1983
Redken launches Shades EQ
1984
Redken stages a spectacular exhibit at Hair World in Las Vegas
1987
Redken purchases Trevor Sorbie of America
1988
The Meehans reclaim the company for private ownership for nearly $50 million
1989
Redken establishes NAHA in
partnership with Modern Salon
1990
Paula is honored as one of “Top Fifty Women Business Owners” by Working Woman Magazine
1992
Paula is named one of “Eight Most Powerful Woman Business Owners” by Entrepreneurial Woman Magazine
1993
L’OReAL purchases Redken with annual sales at $160 million
1994
Earthquake devastates Redken’s Californa facilities and the company relocates to L’OREAL’s NYC headquarters
Newly named Redken 5th Avenue is repositioned as a trendsetting fashion brand
Paula purchases the George W. Elkins Building, now the Kenquest Building
1996
Redken opens the Redken Exchange to educate salon professionals
1998
Redken co-founder Jheri Redding passes away
2000
Redken sends teams of artists to work backstage at Fashion Week events around the world
2002
Paula is honored by the Women Entrepreneurs of the World
2004
Paula stages the first Global Salon Business Awards in L.A.
John Meehan passes away
2005
Redken partners with world-renowned stylist Guido
2010
Redken Celebrates 50th Anniversary
2012
Redken launches Chromatics, with new ODs2 innovation
Redken launches its first mobile app, Style Station
2014
Redken reinvents styling line with new innovative products Pillow Proof Blow Dry and Flex
June 23rd:
Paula passes away at her home in Beverly Hills
at age 82
today
Products are available in 43 countries around the world
9 million Google searches
for Redken annually