If you thought a hair gloss was just a novelty item at the end of your in-salon color treatment, then...you're just like me! In my mind, hair glosses and glazes were sort of like a prescription conditioner, a heavy-duty treatment only professionals could apply. I was mostly wrong. As New York City colorist Rita Hazan explains, "A hair gloss is a translucent, very sheer color. And it does have a bit of conditioner in it so it smooths out the cuticle, adding hydration." Hair gloss isn't just for the salon, either: These days, there's an impressive crop of at-home glosses and hair glazes that deliver results just as impressive as their professional counterparts.
What does hair gloss do for your hair?
Who could benefit from hair gloss, I hear you ask? The short answer: Everyone. Ideal candidates for gloss are those with color-treated hair that's gone left. Say, a blonde that's gotten a little brassy, or a brunette that's dulled or gone ashy. The gentle pigmentation in hair glosses can stain the hair and add a tint of color to take it back to a vibrant, enhanced tone.
Can hair gloss damage the hair?
There are forms of hair gloss—often used as a color depositing shine for salon use—that are not damaging at all. As opposed to hair toners or other types of color depositing mixtures, these types of hair glosses don’t require hydrogen peroxide or other types of chemical developers, so your hair will be happy.
What’s the difference between a hair gloss and a hair glaze?
Simply put, the main difference between a hair gloss and hair glaze is the potency of each product. A glaze is what it sounds like—a product that only touches the surface of the hair—while hair glosses penetrates strands for a more efficient treatment.
What kind of hair gloss should I use?
Most of the formulas we've included in this round-up of the best hair glosses and blazes come in a range of shades, so you can select the dye that works best for the color you're hoping to achieve.
Some of them, though, are clear glosses, which means two things. You can use it on strands that haven't been color-treated for that shiny look, or you can use it on any shade of dyed hair. Both work wonders to amp up the sheen and all-over vibrancy of your strands. Ahead, our picks for the best at-home hair glosses available now.
Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss
One of the newer products in our round-up, this has become a cult favorite among hair color fanatics for a reason: It's that good. There are 11 deliciously named color options—winter wheat, anyone?—that are meant to be applied on shower-damp strands. Simply combine the two bottles and allow to set for up to 20 minutes. Noticeable results can last up to five weeks.
John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine
You can use this at the end of a shower for enhanced shine, whether your hair is color-treated, balayaged, or au natural. The other option is to work the gel into completely dry strands and leaving it on for 20 minutes. The effect? Luminous.
BUMBLE AND BUMBLE. Color Gloss
If your hair color is fresh—or you're just looking for enhanced shine—try Bumble and bumble's clear formulation. Otherwise, check out the brunette, red or two shades of blonde (warm and cool) to intensify fading pigments.
Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Clear Gloss
If your color is getting dull, or if your hair just needs a pick-me-up, this light formula from Pureology works on various hair colors and textures. Coat hair with a thin layer while working in through strands to penetrate deeply. Whether you’re a blonde dealing with brassiness or have dark hair that needs shine, this vegan formula is for you.
Strength 'n Silk by Silk Elements Coconut Glossing Polish
Ideal for relaxed and natural hair, this coconut glossing polish tackles frizz and dullness without the excessive greasiness of an oil. No product build-up here—in fact, if you’re looking to use a heating tool, this gloss is a great heat protectant for curly and kinky hair.
ORIBE Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold
Different from most in this list, Oribe has one for the curly-haired folks, with a gloss gel that helps define hair while coating softly for crunch-less curls. The hydrating ingredients of Passionflower Extract and Cupcuacu improve strands while in use, and even after wash day.
Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss
Keep in mind, this treatment isn’t made for weekly use. When uses properly, the gloss should last 6-8 shampoos with improved pigment that’ll give you the luxurious shine without a salon visit.
KérastaserChroma Absolu High Shine Gloss Treatment for Color-Treated Hair
This one is for the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, so skip the roots when applying this product. It's a treatment that works quickly in the shower. Just apply the gloss to damp hair and let it sit for 1-2 minutes as the water transforms the formula into a creamy texture that saturates strands to eliminate frizz and enhance your natural or salon-done hair color.
Redken Shades Eq Hair Color Gloss
Redken's beloved Hair Gloss comes in a ton of colors, so you're bound to find one that matches the hue you got in the salon. Say goodbye to constant trips to touch up your color!
Oribe Glaze for Beautiful Color
This pricey gloss from Oribe will last you forever—you only have to use it in the shower once a week. Simply put it on after shampoo, let it sit for up to five minutes, and then rinse out.
BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY Mini Everyday Hair Gloss Oil
This silicone-free oil is designed for all hair types and is lightweight enough to be used every day. It also contains kakadu plum, which is specifically designed to make curly hair look its best.
Amika Flash Instant Shine Hair Gloss Mask
This product from Amika is the perfect combination between a gloss and a mask. In short: You get the best both worlds! It's formulated with hydrolyzed flax seed which deeply penetrates the hair for a boost of moisture and shine.
Aveda brilliant™ Emollient Finishing Gloss
This finishing gloss contains rice bran oil, giving it a slippy, emollient texture in the hair. It's also paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free. Even better, it was specifically designed for 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C hair textures.
L'Oreal Paris One Step Toning Hair Gloss
Each tube contains up to three treatments of these low dose, ammonia dyes—there are eight colors to choose from—which deliver noticeably enhanced color for up to ten days.
TRESemmé Color-Enhancing High-Shine Deep Hair Conditioner
While most of the options on this list deliver a bit of pigment, this is quite simply a high-powered conditioner formulated to deliver shine and shine alone. Just three minutes as often as you like will give you a mirror-like finish that's not one big greaseball.
dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner
The closest you'll get to an in-salon experience with an at-home treatment, dpHUE's 20 minute gloss comes in eleven shades, from light blonde to black, strawberry to copper. If you can't find the exact hue for you, mix a few with the sheer formulation for totally personalized tones.
Rita Hazan True Color Ultimate Shine Gloss
Just the right amount of dye—there are formulas for brown, blonde, and red strands—is delivered alongside smoothing castor oil and coconut fatty acids in a satisfying mousse formula. Work a palmful of foam into damp strands and set a timer for five minutes. NB: It's gentle enough to use up to three times a week.
Color Wow Pop + Lock Frizz Control + Glossing Serum
While this isn't a pigment-based product, you won't get too far down the road of researching glossing treatments before some wise colorist or hair color fanatic throws this guy into the mix. A few drops worked into wet or dry hair delivers some of the most satisfying, oil-free shine out there, thanks to hydrating, sealing compounds.
IGK Hi-Shine Gloss Treatment
If you're just about that icy shine, by all means sub this in weekly for a high impact burst. If you're eager to minimize brassiness or reduce fading, work a few dabs of the toning drops into the treatment for brighter, less drab strands.
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