Harpers Bazaar

Beauty

The 10 Best Hair Glosses for Your Shiniest Hair Yet

 

These innovative formulas make your hair look like you just left a salon

lf your regular shampoo and conditioner aren't quite giving you all the shine and frizz control you're looking for, you may need to call in a pinch hitter: a hair gloss. These innovative treatments, which can be done by a professional or from the comfort of your own bathroom, do more than just add shine (though they, of course, do that, too).

"Hair gloss can be either a hair treatment for shine and moisture or a gloss in the salon, where it requires it to be mixed and customized for an individual," explains Lorena M. Valdes, colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. "It adds shine to the hair as well as deposits color, though it can also be clear."

If you're interested in trying an at-home hair gloss, there's a lot to consider: Should you do a mask or spray-on treatment? Clear or color? Ahead, we break down the 10 best at-home hair glosses, including those recommended by Valdes.

Expert Pick

Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment

Pros

• Skincare-inspired formula

Cons

• Some reviewers didn't love the watery consistency

As far as at-home glosses go, Valdes recommends this treatment from Oribe. It gives that super-shiny, mirror-like finish, and the Plant-Based Hydration Complex helps keep hair hydrated without feeling heavy.

Best for: All hair types and textures
Size: 5.9 oz

Customer Review:

"I love this product! I use it once a week and it really makes my hair shiny! It’s a liquid texture and so easy to use. It doesn’t really have a scent so if you’re sensitive to that this is perfect for you! It’s definitely worth trying!" —MissAbby1

Best Glossing Mask

L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing 5-Min Lamination Hair Mask

Pros

• Has a soft floral fragrance

Cons

• Some reviewers wish the bottle was larger

"I am obsessed with this hair gloss," Bazaar's beauty director Jenna Rosenstein says. "It leaves my hair frizz-free and smooth for days." Designed to be used in tandem with the EverPure Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner, this five-minute mask relies on glycolic acid to make hair eight times smoother and add shine for up to five days.

Best for: dull, color-treated hair
Size: 5.1 oz

Customer Review:

"Works amazing for the price. I used it as instructed, and after just one wash, I noticed that my hair was noticeably shinier. The texture of the product is like a conditioner and is easy to spread throughout the hair. Overall, very easy to use, and I will be purchasing again." —Sarah

Best Bond-Repairing Hair Gloss

JVN Revive Rapid Repair Bond Gloss

Pros

• Made with strengthening Pro-Plex+ ingredient blend

Cons

• The watery consistency makes an even application tricky

This two-in-one treatment both helps repair damaged keratin bonds and adds major shine. You only need 60 seconds in the shower for shinier, healthier-looking hair. "I've been testing this for almost two weeks and I can't say enough great things about this," adds Rosenstein. "The watery consistency is a little weird at first, but after just one use my hair looked and felt dramatically healthier and shinier."

Best for: All hair types and textures
Size: 6 oz

Customer Review:

"Love how this product leaves my hair! I have wavy hair that tends to be frizzy and this helps so much with that and the shine!" —Songbirddiva

Best for Color-Treated Hair

KRISTIN ESS HAIR Signature Hair Gloss

Pros

• Easy to do in the shower, even if you're accident-prone

Cons

• The color can stain

Consider this beloved gloss from Kristin Ess if you need a color boost between salon appointments. It comes with an activator and gloss in your preferred color that you mix together just like the professionals and then apply to your hair. Your hair color will look good as new after just 10 to 20 minutes.

Best for: Color-treated hair

Customer Review:

"I already had red hair but wanted to enhance it. I only left it on for 10 minutes then shampooed twice. The color came out beautifully and looks natural!" —Rose

Best for Reviving Hair

Kérastase Chroma Absolu High Shine Gloss Treatment

Pros

• Marked bottle shows how to dose out how much to apply

Cons

• Has a chemical smell that bothered some reviewers

Kerastase's gloss contains a blend of amino acids, lactic acids, and tartaric acids to add shine and strengthen hair. Even better, it won't cause any color damage. In a controlled study, hair treated with the treatment showed 94 percent smoother hair and 70 percent more shine compared to untreated hair.

Best for: Straight, wavy, and curly color-damaged hair
Size: 7.1 oz

Customer Review:

"Buy immediately!!! My hair is severely damaged from bleaching it twice this year and this product SAVED my hair from looking and feeling dead!!" —Effyaj

Best for Frequent Use

Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask

Pros

• Has UV filters to protect color

Cons

• Heavily scented

As the name suggests, this 60-second mask adds shine in a flash —yes, in a flash—and can be used every wash if that's your goal. If your hair is oily or super fine, use it instead of conditioner; otherwise, your hair might feel weighed down.

Best for: all hair types
Size: 6.7 oz

Customer Review:

"Tried and true product! I’ve tried everything on the market when it comes to hair gloss and hair glaze, and this is a holy Grail product. It says to leave it on for a minimum of one minute, but I left mine on for probably around 10 minutes, and my hair was so shiny and soft for days to follow. Totally worth it to use in between salon visits! This brand always makes good products, and this one does not disappoint!" —Momtobb

Best Anti-Frizz Gloss

COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment

Pros

• Also acts as a heat protectant

Cons

• Some reviewers wish the spray diffused more evenly

Spritz this celeb-loved treatment onto wet hair before you blow dry, and you're looking at a frizz-free, mirror-like shine that lasts for days (even in no-joke humidity). Just be sure you only use it before heat-styling. Otherwise, it won't do much since it's heat-activated.

Best for: straight, wavy, or curly frizz-prone hair
Size: 6.7 oz

Customer Review:

"Works great, lightweight, and lasts multiple washes. It helps my curls last, too, and makes my wet hair easier to brush, though 100% needs to be heat-dried for best results. Love it. The whole line is good." —AnnaOkayBye

Best Semi-Permanent Gloss

dpHUE Gloss+

Pros

• All shades can be custom-mixed with Sheer

Cons

• Some reviewers say it's better for shine than color

As colored glosses go, Valdes recommends this option from dpHUE, which comes in 16 shades (including a clear one). It doesn't require any mixing—all you do is apply and leave it on for up to 20 minutes, depending on your desired outcome.

Best for: Natural or color-treated hair
Size: 6.5 oz

Customer Review:

"The color was exactly what I was wanting and left my hair so much shiner and healthier than before. It was on par with what I pay $60 or more for at a salon and was super easy. Highly recommend!" —Tessa

Best Budget

John Frieda Luminous Glaze Clear Shine Gloss

Pros

• Can also be used as a pre-wash treatment on dry hair

Cons

• Some reviewers found it drying

This clear gloss can be used on both color-treated and natural hair for major shine in just three minutes. You can apply it to your hair 20 minutes before shampooing as a pre-wash treatment for an even more intensive option.

Best for: Natural and color-treated hair

Size: 6.5 oz

Customer Review:

"I have a chin-length bob and fine, straight hair that flips up when it is humid. This is the only thing I have found that makes my hair lay straight without weighing it down. I primarily use this in the summer or for special occasions." —EvaEva

Best Hydrating Gloss

RANAVAT Mighty Majesty Glossing Hair Masque

Pros

• Helps minimize appearance of breakage

Cons

• Strong scent

Think of this formula as a moisturizing mask that just happens to have major glossing power. It features henna gloss, from the antioxidant-rich henna plant, as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid and moringa seed oil.

Best for: dry, damaged hair
Size: 5 oz

Customer Review:

"Really enjoying this hair mask - I notice increased hair softness and shine after weekly usage and improved hair manageability. Will definitely be incorporating regularly in my haircare routine moving forward." —AMH2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Risks to Using a Hair Gloss?

In general, hair glosses are great for most people to use. However, Valdes notes, "When choosing a gloss with color, it can be the wrong tone or level for your hair, leaving it at an undesirable color." If you're unsure, it's best to consult a professional hairstylist or receive an in-salon treatment.

Who Should Use a Hair Gloss?

"All hair types can use a gloss and benefit from it," says Valdes. However, she again stresses that a pro would be a big help. "With the help of a professional, you need to figure out which kind is best for your color and porosity, as well as what you want out of the product," she says.

How Long Does a Hair Gloss Last?

"It depends on hair, products, and lifestyle, but it can be as short as two weeks or up to eight weeks," explains Valdes. "Getting a [professional] gloss every four to six weeks is the sweet spot for most, but it may be more if it’s not actual chemical gloss. If it’s a treatment or mask called a gloss, it can be done weekly."

Meet the Expert

• Lorena M. Valdes is a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.