Table of Contents
ToggleIf you want to keep your hair looking fresh and shiny, hair glossing is one of the magical treatments you should try. But what is hair gloss, and how can it transform your hair game? In the sections below, we have discussed all you need to know about hair glossing, from the application methods, tips, and best practices to everything in between.
What is Hair Gloss?
Hair gloss is a special treatment for coloured hair that adds shine and vitality. It’s popular among individuals who have dyed hair since it helps maintain the hair’s colour and texture for longer. You can also use hair gloss if you want to revive dull-looking hair or reduce dryness and split ends.
Hair glossing often involves using a special treatment product designed specifically for coloured hair. This treatment usually comes in the form of a glossing solution or a glossing kit that contains the glossing formula and instructions for application.
Hair glossing can be done by professionals, such as hairstylists, or by individuals at home. Professional hair stylists typically use professional-grade glossing products and have the expertise to customize the treatment based on the existing hair colour, type, and desired results.
The benefits of hair glossing cannot be overstated. It not only makes your hair look glossy and healthy but also helps improve its overall condition. After glossing your hair, you can expect it to feel softer, smoother, and more manageable. That said, this is a quick and easy way to boost your hair’s shine and keep it looking its best between salon visits.
How Does Hair Gloss Work?
When applied, a hair gloss forms a protective layer over each hair strand, sealing the cuticle. This smooths the hair shaft, giving it a reflective, shiny appearance. The treatment also helps to fill in any damage or roughness on the hair’s surface, making it feel softer and healthier.
Unlike permanent hair color, which opens the hair’s cuticle and can cause long-term damage, hair gloss treatments are gentle and often contain conditioning ingredients that nourish and hydrate the hair. This makes glossing an ideal solution for anyone looking to enhance shine while maintaining the integrity of their hair.
What Are the Benefits of Hair Gloss?
Hair gloss offers a wide range of benefits that go beyond just boosting shine. Here’s why a hair gloss treatment might be right for you:
- Enhances Shine: The most immediate benefit of a hair gloss treatment is the intense shine it imparts. By smoothing the cuticle, it allows light to reflect off the hair, giving it a glossy, healthy glow.
- Revitalizes Color: For those with colored hair, a tinted gloss can refresh faded hair color and make it look more vibrant. It can also be used to correct undertones or unwanted brassiness, making it an ideal maintenance treatment between full-color services.
- Conditions and Strengthens: Many hair gloss formulas contain conditioning agents that nourish and hydrate the hair. This helps improve the overall health and appearance of your hair, making it softer and more manageable.
- Reduces Frizz: By sealing the hair cuticle, gloss treatments also help to minimize frizz, making your hair look smoother and more polished. This is especially beneficial for those with curly, frizzy, or damaged hair.
- Temporary, Yet Effective: Unlike permanent color treatments, hair gloss is semi-permanent, meaning it gradually washes out over time. Depending on your hair type and care routine, the effects of a gloss treatment can last anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, making it an easy and low-commitment option for maintaining your hair’s appearance.
Hair Gloss vs. Hair Glaze: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever heard the terms hair gloss and hair glaze, you might be wondering what the difference is between the two. Although both treatments are designed to boost shine and improve the overall appearance of your hair, they work in different ways and offer distinct results. Let’s break down the key differences.
Hair Gloss
Hair gloss is a semi-permanent treatment that penetrates the hair cuticle to deliver long-lasting shine, smoothness, and colour enhancement. It’s a great option for those with colour-treated hair who want to refresh their colour and add vibrancy without undergoing a full-dye job. Hair gloss treatments can also tone down brassiness or enhance natural hues.
- Longevity: Hair gloss treatments typically last between 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the product and how often you wash your hair.
- Colour Options: You can choose between clear gloss, which adds shine without altering your hair colour, and tinted gloss, which can enhance or correct your existing colour.
- Benefits: Gloss treatments also have conditioning properties, making your hair feel smoother and healthier.
Hair Glaze
A hair glaze is a temporary treatment that sits on top of the hair rather than penetrating the cuticle. It is often referred to as a “top coat” for your hair and is primarily used to add shine without making any permanent changes. Glazes can also offer subtle colour enhancement, but they do not last as long as gloss treatments.
- Longevity: Hair glaze treatments generally last 1 to 2 weeks, as they gradually wash out with each shampoo.
- Colour Options: Hair glazes can be clear or tinted, depending on whether you want to enhance your natural hair colour or just add shine.
- Benefits: Because it’s a surface treatment, a glaze is gentler on the hair and doesn’t penetrate or alter the hair structure. This makes it ideal for people looking for a quick fix or a low-commitment shine boost.
When to Choose Hair Gloss vs. Hair Glaze
- Choose hair gloss if you’re looking for longer-lasting results and want to enhance or maintain your hair colour. It’s a good option for those with colour-treated hair or anyone who wants a deeper conditioning effect.
- Opt for hair glaze if you want a temporary shine boost or are looking for a low-commitment solution to freshen up your hair between salon visits. The glaze is perfect for those who don’t want to change their colour but still want that sleek, glossy look.
Different Types of Gloss
Hair glosses come in various types, each serving unique purposes based on your individual hair styling needs.
- Semi-Permanent Gloss: This type is often used by professional hair stylists. It involves mixing a colour pigment with a developer and applying it to the hair strands. Semi-permanent gloss is ideal for adjusting hair colour, offering longer-lasting results, and enhancing shine.
- Direct Dyes: Unlike the semi-permanent gloss, this method involves the use of glosses that contain pure pigment. It is, therefore, effective in staining the hair and providing a vibrant and long-lasting colour. Direct dyes are mostly preferred by individuals seeking deep and bold colour effects.
- Clear Glosses: Glossing is not limited to chemically treated or coloured hair. If you want to enhance the shine of virgin hair, clear glosses are your go-to option. They are great for improving overall aesthetics and hair health without altering the colour of the hair.
The frequency of gloss application depends on your hair’s lightness or darkness and personal preferences. Red and strawberry blonde tones often require more frequent glossing due to faster fading, while darker hues can go longer between treatments.
Something worth noting is that a hair glaze is not a type of hair gloss. These two are different hair treatment procedures that are often confused and could lead to incorrect product selection. Hair glaze is a temporary top coat used to enhance the smoothness and shine for a short duration, usually one to two weeks. On the other hand, hair gloss is a toning treatment that penetrates the hair cuticle and offers long-lasting results.
How to Apply Hair Gloss & How Long It Lasts: At-Home vs. Salon Treatments
Salon Hair Gloss Treatments
A salon treatment provides professional expertise for more long-lasting and tailored results. Gloss is applied evenly by a stylist and left on for 20-30 minutes, offering vibrant shine and color correction that lasts 4-6 weeks.
- Benefits: Precise application, longer-lasting results, and enhanced conditioning.
- Drawbacks: Requires an appointment and can be more expensive.
At-Home Hair Gloss Treatments
At-home gloss kits are affordable and easy to apply, making them perfect for frequent touch-ups. Simply apply to damp hair, leave for 10-20 minutes, then rinse. Results typically last 2-4 weeks.
- Benefits: Convenient, cost-effective for regular maintenance.
- Drawbacks: Shorter-lasting, less customization compared to salon treatments.
Pro Tips to Prolong Results:
- Use a sulphate-free shampoo to avoid stripping the gloss.
- Wash hair less frequently and use cool water to maintain shine.
- Protect hair from heat with a heat-protectant spray.
To ensure the best results, you want to prioritize expert hair colouring services from a professional hair stylist. This way, you’ll benefit from customized gloss treatments tailored to your individual preferences. Additionally, expert colourists provide valuable guidance on post-treatment hair care routines, which you can borrow to maintain glossing effects and prolong the longevity of your vibrant, glossy hair.
How to Make Your Hair Glossy
If you want to gloss your hair at home or are looking to keep the hair glossy after a salon visit, you must do it right. As a rule of thumb, always condition your hair using products designed to add moisture and shine. The right deep conditioning treatment will help nourish and hydrate your hair. You should also incorporate weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning masks into your hair care routine to replenish moisture and promote shine.
When styling your hair, you should limit exposure to excess heat and harsh chemicals since they can strip the hair of its natural oils and dull its appearance. If you are to use a heat styling tool, ensure that you have applied a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from potential damage. Similarly, opt for a lower heat setting.
To further enhance the glow and keep your hair in the best form, choose hair care products formulated for your specific hair texture and colour. For shampoos and conditioners, go for those that contain ingredients like keratin or argan oil for their smoothing and moisturizing properties. Additionally, consider using a shine-enhancing oil or serum to add extra gloss and smoothness to your hair.
Best Hair Gloss Products for Different Hair Types
Choosing the right hair gloss product depends on your hair type and what you’re trying to achieve. Here are some top recommendations:
For Curly or Textured Hair
Curly hair tends to be drier, so choose a gloss that offers extra hydration and frizz control.
- Recommended Product: Rita Hazan Ultimate Shine Gloss – Known for enhancing shine while taming curls and providing deep moisture.
For Fine or Thin Hair
Fine hair can easily get weighed down, so opt for a lightweight, clear gloss that adds shine without making your hair look greasy.
- Recommended Product: dpHUE Gloss+ – A lightweight formula that provides subtle colour and shines without making fine hair feel heavy.
For Color-Treated Hair
Colour-treated hair can fade quickly, so use a tinted gloss to refresh your colour and extend its vibrancy.
- Recommended Product: Redken Shades EQ Gloss – A salon favourite for enhancing and maintaining colour between dye jobs.
For Natural or Virgin Hair
If your hair is not coloured, choose a clear gloss to boost shine and improve hair health without altering the colour.
- Recommended Product: Oribe Glaze for Beautiful Color – Ideal for adding shine and softness to natural hair without weighing it down.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Hair Color
Besides regular hair glossing, there are several other tips for maintaining hair colour vibrancy and health. As noted above, you want to be extra careful about the type of products you use for treating your hair. When buying shampoos, always read the label and ingredients to ensure they are free of some damaging components such as sulphates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
Another crucial aspect of colour maintenance is scheduling regular touch-ups and salon visits. Where possible, have your hair stylist refresh your hair’s colour and address any signs of brassiness or fading at least once a month. At Lady and the Hair, we understand the importance of regular touch-ups in enhancing the integrity and health of your hair.
Read more: Best products grow hair faster and Shampoo for Hair Loss/Thinning and Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly/Frizzy Hair
Lastly, you should protect your hair from environmental damage using UV-protective hair products and by wearing a hat when spending time outdoors. This helps prevent colour fading and maintains the overall shine of your hair.
FAQs
1. Can Hair Gloss Damage My Hair?
No, hair gloss treatments are gentle and often contain conditioning ingredients that help improve hair health. Unlike permanent hair dyes, they don’t penetrate deeply, making them a safer option for most hair types.
2. How Often Should I Gloss My Hair?
You can gloss your hair every 4-6 weeks if you want long-lasting shine and colour enhancement. At-home treatments can be used more frequently, typically every 2-4 weeks, depending on the product.
3. Can I Use Hair Gloss on Uncolored Hair?
Yes, a clear gloss can be used on uncoloured or natural hair to add shine, smoothness, and hydration without altering your hair colour.
4. Is Hair Gloss the Same as Hair Dye?
No, hair gloss is a semi-permanent treatment that enhances shine and can subtly refresh colour, but it doesn’t change your hair colour as dramatically as a traditional dye. It’s often used to maintain colour and improve texture between colouring sessions.
5. Can I Gloss My Hair at Home?
Yes, there are many at-home gloss kits available that are easy to use and perfect for maintaining shine between salon visits. Follow the instructions for application and be sure to use heat protectants and sulphate-free products to extend the life of your gloss.