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15 Best Hair Glosses & Glazes to Refresh Your Color at Home

 

Maintaining fresh hair color is no easy feat. Unfortunately, that glossy, vibrant shade you left the salon with — or that DIY hair color job you pulled off at home — won't last forever (sometimes, it doesn't even last more than a few weeks!). But your future doesn't have to involve dull, brassy hair. Enter hair glosses and glazes, the answer to all of your shade fade problems. These color-enhancing treatments are available at both the salon and for at-home use, as long as you have the best products on the market in 2022.

Read more about our top picks for the best at-home glosses and glazes according to Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and professional hairstylists below, and find more information about how to use hair glosses and glazes at the end of this guide.

BEST OVERALL HAIR GLOSS

Shades Eq Hair Color Gloss
REDKEN

 

Why We Love It

• Doubles as a conditioning treatment
• Works especially well for blondes
• Great for shine and body

Take Note

• For professional salon use only

A go-to product for professional hair colorists, both Lorena Martinez, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, and Giselle Luza, founder of Giselle Luza Studio in New York City, are big fans of Redken's gloss. "It is translucent and demi-permanent, which makes it perfect for creating a custom shade, canceling unwanted tones or enhancing any existing color," Luza says. "It doubles as a conditioning treatment, so hair always feels amazing after." But take note: It's for professional use only, so you'll have to head to Redken's website to find a salon that carries it near you.

BEST OVERALL HAIR GLAZE

Glaze for Beautiful Color
ORIBE
 

Why We Love It

• Super shine-enhancing
• Helps detangle
• Softens hair

Take Note

• Expensive

To boost shine without depositing color, reach for Oribe's luxurious salon-quality glaze. "This glaze is my absolute favorite — it provides a silky and shiny finish that can’t be beaten," Martinez says. "While it doesn’t change the color of your hair, it adds so much reflection that makes it worth it." She loves that it also helps detangle hair and can replace conditioner when you use it.

BEST HAIR GLOSS MASK

Color Depositing Mask
IGK
 

Why We Love It

• Multi-tasking formula
• Boosts color
• Works on non color-treated hair as well

This color-depositing hair mask does double duty: "I use a shade that is the same color as my hair and it performs like a gloss, too," says Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. "As someone who doesn’t color her hair, I loved the extra vibrance and shine it instantly gave my hair, and the color was definitely richer post-treatment."

BEST HAIR GLOSS FOR BRUNETTES

Gloss+
DP HUE
 

Why We Love It

• Conditioning benefits
• Comes in multiple shades of brown

Luza loves the variety of shades that dpHue's gloss comes in, including four brown tones. "They have a clear formula to add shine, along with several shades to choose from that will enhance your natural hair color," she says. It's super hydrating, so it will leave your hair feeling smooth and healthy.

BEST LEAVE-IN HAIR GLOSS

Dualsenses Color Repair & Radiance Balm
GOLDWELL
 

Why We Love It

• Won't weigh hair down
• A little goes a long way
• Can be used on damp or dry hair

Think of this balm as the perfect partner to an in-salon gloss treatment. "I recently tried Goldwell's Colorance Gloss Tones in-salon hair gloss which helped make my months old highlights look fresh and vibrant," says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. "Post-gloss, I extended the shine and smoothness by applying this lightweight leave-in balm on both my damp and dry hair."

BEST HAIR GLOSS FOR BLACK HAIR

Signature Hair Gloss
KRISTIN ESS HAIR
 

Why We Love It

• Budget-friendly
• Natural-looking results
• Easy to use

Even black hair can benefit from a gloss, thanks to its shine-boosting benefits. "Kristin Ess's Signature Gloss is my favorite at-home gloss for anyone who wants to enhance super dark brown or black hair," Luza says. You apply it in the shower — meaning less mess — and it enhances black color in a natural-looking way. "It’s affordable as well which is always a plus," she adds.

BEST INSTANT HAIR GLOSS

Flash Instant Shine Hair Gloss Mask
AMIKA
 

Why We Love It

• Works quickly on dry hair
• Great scent

Take Note

• Some reviewers say it can leave hair tangled

If you're someone who likes instant results, look no further. Amika's gloss mask works its moisturizing and shine-enhancing magic in just 60 seconds, according to the brand. "I have very dry hair and after trying a sample of this product... I was amazed at how shiny and healthy my hair looked after a single use," shares one Sephora user.

BEST CLEAR HAIR GLOSS

Color Fanatic Top Coat + Clear Gloss
PUREOLOGY
 

Why We Love It

• Works on all hair colors
• Conditions
• Gives noticeable shine

Take Note

• Doesn't enhance color

Franzino recently tested this new gloss and really noticed a difference in her hair's shine. "I love that it doesn’t alter my color and contains botanical conditioning ingredients like coconut and camellia oils," she says. The clear formula makes it ideal for any hair color or type.

BEST SPRAY HAIR GLOSS

Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
COLOR WOW
 

Why We Love It

• Delivers instant shine
• Easy to use
• Clear formula works on all hair colors

Take Note

• Doesn't enhance color

If you're looking for instant shine, Color Wow's spray gloss is for you. "It's an easy application and maintains shine in the hair in between color appointments," Martinez explains. The spray is heat-activated and also functions as an anti-frizz product by blocking moisture from getting into the hair. Plus, it doesn't contain color, making it ideal for any hair shade.

BEST STRENGTHENING HAIR GLOSS

Chroma Absolu High Shine Gloss Treatment
KERASTASE
 

Why We Love It

• Softens and strengthens hair
• Easy to apply

Take Note

• Some reviewers didn't love the scent

Martinez loves the ease of this clear gloss from Kérastase, as it is a "replacement for your conditioner and will make your hair feel shiny and soft" after just one use. Plus, the blend of amino acids, lactic acid and tartaric acid helps strengthen strands, heal damage from color and prevent fading.

BEST HAIR GLOSS FOR TRAVEL

Nutrient Blends Biotin Color Protection Repairing Hair Treatment
PANTENE
 

Why We Love It

• Good value
• Portable
• Rinses out easily

Housed in individual use tubes, Pantene's Glossing Rescue Shots are perfect if you're on-the-go, traveling or just want the dose pre-measured for you. The deep conditioning formula is designed to repair damage from coloring with powerful ingredients like pro-vitamin B5, antioxidants and biotin that keep hair strong and healthy. One Walmart reviewer who dyes her hair on a regular basis likes "how easy they are to use" and that "they have a great smell, rinse out easy and didn't make my hair feel heavy at all."

BEST DRUGSTORE HAIR GLOSS

Precision Colour Refreshing Gloss
JOHN FRIEDA
 

Why We Love It

• Easy application and rinsing
• Appealing light scent
• Strong shine-enhancing effects

Take Note

• Can stain hands

You don't have to spend a mint on a hair gloss to get professional-level results. John Frieda's formula, which comes in seven shades (including brown, red, blonde and black) received high marks in GH Beauty Lab testing. Users loved the effortlessness of a no-mess application, enjoyed its fragrance and thought it rinsed out easily. They also loved that it added noticeable shine. One user shared a suggestion before applying: wear gloves when using, as this gloss can stain your skin.

BEST HAIR GLOSS FOR GRAY HAIR

Blond Absolu Hair Masque Ultra-Violet
 

Why We Love It

• Works on gray, silver or blonde hair
• Moisturizes dry strands
• Extends color in between coloring sessions

Take Note

• Not made to boost shine

While designed for blondes, this Kérastase treatment masque —which acts like a gloss — "helps neutralize yellow tones, enhances gray or silver tones and keeps color looking bright," Luza notes. Plus, "since it's in a moisturizing mask formula, it helps keep hair healthy," she says, as opposed to purple-toned shampoos, which can be drying.

BEST HAIR GLOSS FOR BRASSY HAIR

Color Lustre Cool Blonde Hair Gloss
SHU UEMURA
 

Why We Love It

• Neutralizes brassy and yellow tones
• Revives color and prevents fading

Shu Uemura's lavender-tinted gloss is Martinez's go-to to "help cool down brassy hair in blondes," she says. The formula also nourishes strands and prevents fading thanks to ingredients like musk rose oil.

BEST HAIR GLOSS FOR RED HAIR

True Color Ultimate Shine Gloss
RITA HAZAN
 

Why We Love It

• Easy to apply foam formula
• Good for all shades of red
• Safe and gentle enough to use daily

Luza loves that Rita Hazan's red gloss "is translucent enough to look natural while still adding vibrancy to any shade of red." It's great for both red or copper tones and the foam formula is fun and easy to use in the shower. Plus, coconut fatty acids help smooth and soften strands.

How we choose the best hair glosses and glazes

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test hundreds of the best hair products every year, from shampoos and conditioners to hair masks, leave-in conditioners and every hair styling product on the market, including hair serums, mousses, hairsprays, dry shampoos and more.

While the GH Beauty Lab hasn't yet formally tested glosses and glazes in our Labs, the above products are a mix of Beauty Lab expert favorites and formulas recommended to us by professional colorists, along with top-rated picks from throughly vetted online reviews.

What's the difference between hair gloss and hair glaze?
 

Think of hair gloss like lip gloss, coating hair in translucent color and shine. "A hair gloss is a demi-permanent treatment that helps seal the hair's cuticle [outer layer], neutralizes any unwanted tones and enhances desired tones," Luza says. The effects of a good hair gloss "usually last about three to six weeks depending on the porosity of the hair," adds Martinez. "A gloss and a hair toner are the same thing, and can be used interchangeably," she adds. So if you hear the word "toner" at the salon, know that it serves the same purpose as a gloss for your color.

On the other hand, unlike hair glosses, glazes usually don't deposit color on strands. "A glaze is a milder form of a gloss, usually a clear formula or solely a conditioning treatment," Luza explains. While a gloss can neutralize brassiness and boost your existing color, a glaze is usually sheer and primarily delivers moisturizing benefits to your hair.

What to look for when shopping for the best hair gloss or glaze

Choose a gloss if you want to freshen your color. "If you're interested in altering your color or need to get rid of unwanted tones, try a gloss," Luza advises, suggesting that you pick a shade that matches your existing color. A gloss can also be used to blend in gray hair. For those who color their hair at a salon, Martinez recommends asking your colorist to help you pick the right at-home gloss to use, especially when incorporating color.

Opt for a clear glaze if you're more interested in shine and moisture than a color refresh. "When it comes to a non-pigmented gloss or glaze that acts more like a shine and conditioning treatment, these work on any hair type," she says. A clear glaze can boost shine for all hair colors and those who don't color their hair. Note that some brands use the words "gloss" and "glaze" interchangeably, so consult the packaging and instructions before applying.

Is hair gloss damaging?

Good news here: "Hair glosses aren’t damaging; they are actually great for all hair types," says Luza. "They don’t contain any ammonia or harsh chemicals and they seal the outer cuticle which helps the hair look shinier and healthier."

How long does a gloss last in your hair?

It really depends on the product used. "Hair glosses applied in the salon can last between six to eight weeks and hair glosses used at home can last between two and four weeks," says Luza. Because gloss is ammonia-free and doesn’t penetrate the cuticle, it's normal to fade within a few weeks.

A couple of factors that affect the length of time a gloss lasts are the porosity of the hair and the level of deposit of the gloss. Plus, "how often you shampoo and your day-to-day lifestyle including styling routine can also play a role," adds Martinez. You can help your gloss last longer by washing less frequently and using less heat.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists. She is an expert in all hair product categories, including shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes, diy hair treatments and more.