Bustle

The 5 Best Hair Glazes

If you're looking to extend the life of your in-salon coloring job, a hair glaze is a great way to go. Sure, you can get a glaze at the salon. Or, you can invest in one of the best hair glazes for at-home use. Glazes work by depositing a light wash of color and/or nutrients on your hair to boost shine, and are sometimes referred to as glosses or toners, according to Rex Jimieson, color educator and colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, with whom Bustle spoke to get the low-down on all things glazes and gloss.

According to Jimieson, applying a hair gloss at home is an easy process. After shampooing and towel drying your hair, apply the gloss and leave it on for three to 10 minutes, depending on how much shine and/or color-enhancement you're after (but of course, always follow the product's instructions if it notes something different). Then, hop back in the shower and rinse it out. Most glazes can be used in place of a conditioner, but again, always check the product's individual instructions to be sure.

Jimieson also notes that you should "look for a gloss with antioxidants and UV protection, as well as [ingredients like] quinoa, grape seed oil, and polyphenol." He also recommends "staying away from anything with developer, like hydrogen peroxide in varying percentages, [because] it's a chemical service, and it may over-deposit, or even shift your base to an unwanted brassy tone resulting in expensive color corrective services."

You can do a gloss weekly to maintain vibrant, lustrous hair, but another way to keep your color looking fresh, according to Jimieson, is to avoid shampoos that contain sulfates. "Sulfate-free shampoo is lower friction," Jimieson explains. "And while not everyone needs to avoid sulfates, they do wear off your color and shine treatments more quickly."

With that in mind, scroll on for five of the best hair glosses you can use at home.

The Pro's Pick

When shopping for a glaze, Jimieson says to "always go with the recommendation of a professional." His suggestion? The Oribe Glaze For Beautiful Color. It's a pro-favorite gloss that colorists use in salons, but can be bought for at-home use, too. This high-gloss treatment does multiple things at once: It brightens and intensifies color, enhances shine, conditions, detangles, and even offers UV protection. The result? Super-shiny, soft hair that feels smooth, looks bright, and is less vulnerable to dryness, damage, and color-fading.

Like all of Oribe's products, this luxurious formula is loaded with a blend of decadent botanical ingredients, including watermelon and lychee extracts, quinoa proteins, Brazil nut extract, and passionflower. It's also vegan and cruelty-free, and can be used in place of conditioner once a week. All it takes is three to five minutes, and your hair will look like you just left the salon.