If your strands are feeling dull or your hair color looks a little off, a hair gloss treatment might be the upgrade your routine needs. Whether you’re hoping to enhance shine, refresh your hue, or extend the life of your salon color, hair glossing offers a quick, low-commitment way to boost the overall look and feel of your hair. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this must-try treatment, from what it does to how to make the most of it.
What is a hair gloss?
A hair gloss is a demi-permanent treatment that works by coating the hair shaft and filling in areas of damage or roughness along the cuticle. The result is hair that looks shinier, feels smoother, and shows off a more even tone. Glosses are available in both tinted formulas that subtly enhance your current color and clear hair gloss options that add shine without changing the hue.
Because it doesn’t lift your natural color or penetrate deeply like permanent dye, hair gloss is gentler on strands and less likely to cause breakage or dryness. Many formulas are infused with conditioning ingredients that smooth and nourish the hair during treatment, making it a smart pick if you want results without compromising hair health. It’s also a great option if you're looking for a short-term enhancement or want to revive faded color without re-dyeing.
Hair gloss vs. hair glaze: What’s the difference?
While both treatments promise added shine and temporary color tweaks, the key difference lies in how they work. A hair gloss can penetrate slightly into the hair shaft, delivering conditioning benefits and longer-lasting results. In contrast, a hair glaze only coats the surface, offering a quick fix that typically fades within a week. If you’re after lasting vibrancy and softness, glossing is the more impactful option.
A hair glaze might be a better fit if you're prepping for a last-minute event or just want a short-lived refresh, but if you're after results that go beyond a single wash, a hair gloss is the way to go.
Is hair gloss damaging?
One of the biggest advantages of glossing is that it’s typically less harsh than traditional dye jobs. Since hair gloss treatments don’t use ammonia and don’t lift your natural pigment, they help improve shine and tone without compromising hair health. In fact, many formulas include conditioning agents that can leave your strands feeling softer post-treatment.
So, if you’re wondering if hair gloss is damaging, the answer is no. It's one of the gentlest ways to improve your color and condition. If you frequently color or heat-style your hair, a gloss can be a great way to restore softness and shine.
Who Should Get a Hair Gloss?
The beauty of a hair gloss is its versatility. Whether your hair is dyed, natural, curly, straight, or somewhere in the middle, your hair can definitely benefit from a gloss treatment. If you’re dealing with brassiness, fading color, dullness, or even just a lack of shine, a gloss can help tone, refresh, and restore your hair’s luster. Even virgin hair can get a healthy-looking boost with a clear hair gloss.
A hair gloss treatment is also a go-to option if you’re looking to experiment with subtle color changes without a big commitment. It’s great for refreshing your balayage or highlights, adjusting your tone from warm to cool or vice versa, or simply adding a little extra glow.
How Often Should You Get a Hair Gloss?
Glosses generally last between four and six weeks, depending on your hair care routine. So, scheduling a hair gloss treatment every month and a half is a good way to keep your tone vibrant and your strands looking their best. This timing also works great if you're keeping up with salon color because glossing in between permanent dye sessions can help stretch the life of your shade and bring back that fresh, glossy look.
Can You Gloss Your Hair at Home?
Absolutely. While a salon gloss provides a personalized finish, there are plenty of at-home options that make it easy to extend your results or refresh your color between appointments. If you’re looking to tone your strands while adding shine, we recommend the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone collection. These glosses, formulated with oat milk, olive oil, and camellia seed oil, help seal the cuticle and enhance softness while neutralizing unwanted tones. Choose from five shades, including a universal clear hair gloss or tone-specific options like purple for blondes and blue for brunettes.
If you’re looking for shine, the Redken Acidic Color Gloss Activated Glass Gloss Treatment is one of the best hair glossing options to try. Formulated with citric acid and apricot oil, this at-home gloss delivers salon-like shine and vibrancy while helping to maintain healthy-looking color. It’s a great solution when your hair needs a quick pick-me-up, and it’s gentle enough to use regularly without causing buildup or damage.
How To Gloss Your Hair at Home
Application varies by formula, so your first step should always be to read and follow the instructions included with your specific gloss. Generally, most at-home glosses are applied after shampooing, worked through mid-lengths to ends, and left on for about five minutes before rinsing. Some may require a conditioning step afterward, while others offer built-in hydration. Regardless of the product, consistency is key to achieving and maintaining that just-glossed finish.
Be sure to apply evenly and avoid overlapping with other treatments like masks or protein-rich products, which may interfere with the finish. For best results, pair your hair gloss treatment with color-safe shampoo and conditioner to lock in the shine.
How To Gloss Your Hair at the Salon
If you're looking for a fully tailored glossing service, the salon is your best bet. One of the most trusted pro gloss formulas is Redken Shades EQ Hair Gloss, a demi-permanent, acidic color that enhances shine, tones brassiness, and corrects uneven color without causing damage. It’s often used post-color to refine tone or on its own as a tonal refresh. This gloss only takes around 20 minutes to apply and lasts up to six weeks, making it a fast and effective option if you want to revive your color or add dimension.
Glossing at the salon also means your stylist can customize your formula based on your exact hair goals, whether you’re going cooler, warmer, brighter, or just shinier. Plus, they’ll be able to spot other needs your hair might have, from moisture support to pH rebalancing, and recommend the right hair gloss treatment to match.
How To Care for Your Hair After Glossing
To make the most of your hair gloss results, your aftercare does matter. Use a dedicated glossing system that supports color vibrancy and shine. The Redken Acidic Color Gloss collection includes the Redken Acidic Gloss Activated Glass Gloss Treatment, plus a shampoo, conditioner, heat protection leave-in treatment, and glossing oil designed to extend your salon finish. This combo helps seal the cuticle and maintain a healthy balance, promoting longer-lasting gloss effects.
Sticking to sulfate-free, color-safe products is key, especially in the days right after your gloss. Avoid clarifying shampoos or anything that might strip the hair. And when possible, use a silk pillowcase or wrap your hair in a microfiber towel to help reduce friction and preserve that smooth, shiny surface.
Next Up: Frizzy Hair Treatment: 5 of the Top Salon Treatments To Try
Now that you know all about hair glossing, use our salon locator to schedule a visit with a professional in your area.
Header image credit: @pureology
