Hair Glosses That Promise the Ultimate Finish

(Image credit: Getty Images, Rosdiana Ciaravolo)

By Hannah Morrill , Julia Marzovilla 2021-09-14T08:50:36Z

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, it was 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 are 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 your hair, exactly?

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 a bit. 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.

What kind of hair gloss should I use?

Most of the formulas we've included in this round-up 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 allover vibrancy of your strands. Ahead, our picks for the best at-home hair glosses available now.

Best For A Salon Finish

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! | SKU: 54833769

Best Two-Part System

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 good 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. | SKU: target_79501968_79501968

Best Splurge-Worthy Gloss

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. | SKU: B081KH2TVB

Best for Glassy Sheen

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. | SKU: 4889320_37989674

Best Oil Gloss

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. | SKU: P467938_2430726

Best Quick Fix

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. | SKU: P455832_2314565

Best for Curly Hair

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. | SKU: 3411873_26226312

Most Affordable Pigment

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. | SKU: B08HNY19KT

Best Conditioner Dupe

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. | SKU: target_80332980_80332980

Best Color Range

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. | SKU: P409401_2204667

Most Fun to Apply

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.

Best Weekly Treatment

John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine

You could 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 working the gel into completely dry strands and leaving it on twenty minutes. The effect? Luminous. | SKU: xlsImpprod620050

Best Serum

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.

Most Versatile

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.

Hannah Morrill