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Beauty

Hair Glosses Are Hairstylists’ Secret to Shiny, Glass-Like Hair—And Can Be Done at Home!

 

Hair glosses add shine, tone color and smooth strands—no salon visit required!

If you’ve ever had your hair colored in the salon, there’s a good chance you’ve also had a hair gloss treatment done, even if you didn’t know it. Often the final step of the professional coloring process, glosses are key for enhancing shine, smoothness and even adjusting the overall tone of your hair color. And guess what? There are now more at-home glosses than ever, making it easy to score all of these benefits without a trip to the salon—or the hit to your wallet. Plus, they can be used whether or not you color your hair to give you glass-like, glossy results. We tapped top colorists to explain exactly what hair glosses are and why it’s worth trying one—plus, they share an easy how-to and their favorite product picks.

What is a hair gloss treatment?

“Hair glosses are demi- or semi-permanent hair color. This means that they can add shine, temporarily stain or change the tone of your hair or temporarily darken it, but not lighten it,” explains Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O’Connor Salon in New York City. In the salon, glosses are customized with a mix of colors and tones specific to you and your hair color, she says. They can be used solo, but are more often the final step, applied after color services such as highlights or even a single process to help tone and blend everything. Because hair gloss is temporary, it will gradually wash out and fade.

With at-home glosses, the color options may be more limited or less customizable, notes Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. However, don’t get us wrong: there are still dozens of shades available, and there’s a good chance you’ll find one that’s close enough to your hair color, if not exact. That being said, there are also many clear options out there, a good choice if you don’t want to alter your hair color—even temporarily—and you simply want to add shine and vibrancy.

Benefits of a hair gloss for shine and tone

Glosses enhance shine and smoothness, says Valdes. This is because they work by creating a coating on the strands, adds Richards, who also says that you may even notice that your strands feel healthier after using one. If you choose a colored gloss, it can also enhance your overall tone and color or potentially even darken it. For example, a gloss can make brown hair look richer and deeper.

We all know those hair commercials that feature actresses or models with the shiniest, most gorgeous, glossy hair imaginable? There’s a good chance a hair gloss was used to achieve that glass-like finish. By trying a hair gloss treatment, you may just achieve that commercial-worthy hair yourself.

Even more, here’s the beauty of hair glosses: “Any hair type or texture will benefit from a hair gloss,” says Richards.

In-salon vs. at-home hair gloss treatments

On average, a hair gloss that’s done in a salon can range from $30-$100. It may also be included in your color service price (make sure to ask your hairstylist). However, if you opt to do an at-home hair gloss, you can pick up a glossing product for less than $30 (there are also “higher-end” options on the market for anywhere from $40 to $70).

Best hair gloss products for every budget

Before you pick a hair gloss treatment at the drugstore, know what you want from the results. Do you want to tone your color? Look for a colored/tinted gloss. Do you just want high shine and extreme gloss? Go for a clear gloss.

Richards is a fan of Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss, a great drugstore find that costs under $20. It’s available in seven different colors, as well as a clear variant. Also nice: It’s safe for both color- and keratin-treated hair. Another great drugstore find is L’Oreal Paris Glossing Lamination Mask, which is sulfate-free and rings up at $13.

If you’re looking for a hair gloss brand with wide shade ranges, we love dpHUE Gloss+ and Glaze Super Hair Gloss. The former is available in 14 shades and costs $38 and the latter is offered in 13 colors and rings up at $18.

In a time crunch? Look for a fast-acting glossy hair treatment like Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment. This formula works in a mere one minute (instructions say to leave on for up to one minute). Not to mention that it’s so deeply conditioning and nourishing (credit ingredients such as passionflower and Brazil nut extract) that you don’t have to use conditioner after, saving you even more time in the shower.

Other notable hair gloss mentions are Kerastase Soin Acide Chroma Gloss Hair Gloss and Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss. The former Valdes suggests, as it seals the hair fiber to lock in color and strengthens strands, too. The formula enhances shine, as well, and helps tame errant frizzies. For the latter, Richards likes it because, along with the shine- and color-enhancing benefits, it’s also loaded with conditioning ingredients—oat milk, camelina oil and olive oil. It also smells lovely, a mix of rose, ginger and cedarwood.

How to do an at-home hair gloss treatment

If you prefer to go the DIY route with a hair gloss, it’s super simple and can be done right after the shower—even in it to save on any mess, especially if you opt for a color treatment. With any type of at-home hair color product, the universal rule of thumb is to always follow the directions. That said, below are a few general instructions to keep in mind:

1. Start after shampooing: “Glosses typically don’t need to be shampooed out, so apply after you’ve washed and towel dried your hair,” advises Richards.
2. Section your hair: This is especially important if you’re using a gloss that has color to it. Sectioning your hair into three to four parts will help ensure that the product is distributed evenly, says Richards. She also recommends starting at the pieces at the back of your head: Because tinted glosses have the potential to end up darkening the hair too much if left on too long, you’ll want it to sit for the longest amount of time in an inconspicuous spot, just in case this does happen. Unsure if you picked the right color? Valdes notes that you can always do a small test strand before applying all over. If you’re using a clear gloss, there’s no need to section the hair. “Simply apply it like you would conditioner, making sure your hair is evenly saturated,” says Richards.
3. Let the gloss process: Leave the hair gloss on for the amount of time indicated in the directions. For context, in-salon glosses are usually left on for no longer than 10 minutes, says Richards.
4. Rinse, then condition as usual: And if you have very fine hair or don’t always use conditioner, you can even skip that, as the gloss itself will help soften and smooth your strands, says Richards.

How often should you use a hair gloss?

This depends largely on the product you use, your hair color and your shampooing habits. “If you’re shampooing daily, a gloss probably won’t last longer than two weeks,” says Richards. Those washing less often may be able to stretch that out to about a month. And for in-salon glosses, four to six weeks is the average sweet spot, notes Valdes. If you’re using a clear gloss, you can even use it once a week.