Unlike hair masks, they're a quick option if you want to add shine and smoothness to your lengths without the need to wait for ages while it gets to work. Most hair glosses last through around three hair washes, so they require topping up more regularly than in-salon hair gloss treatments.
While hair gloss sounds like something that might simply add shine to your mane, it's actually a demi-permanent hair color service. Demi-permanent hair color uses a developer or a low volume of hydrogen peroxide to gently open the hair's cuticle and deposit a wash of color that lasts anywhere from 12 to 24 shampoos.
A gloss can last anywhere from 4 – 6 weeks, depending on the number of times the hair is washed. Our stylists always recommend color-protecting products to prolong the results of the gloss, and regular appointments to maintain the tone and color.
Your hair gloss schedule depends on personal preference, but Javier says that every four to six weeks is a good rule of thumb. If you color your hair, Javier says that the more you gloss, the more longevity your hair color can have.
Cons of a Hair Gloss
"Do not put a light pink over dark brown hair and expect to emerge with a pink tint. Glosses will not lighten your hair," says Heemskerk. They also can't cover gray hair (you need conventional dye to do that), but they can be used to make silver strands more vibrant.
Glosses aren't just for coloring hair. There are actually two types of hair glosses: tinted and clear. While tinted glosses provide the color pigment you expect from haircolor, there are also clear gloss treatments with all the healthy hair benefits!
Maintaining gloss results
Applying a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner can help maintain the results of your hair glossing treatment. These products can prevent color from fading and keep your hair looking shiny and vibrant for longer.
According to Ruiz, pro colorists can also pair these services with more moisturizing salon treatments to give your hair that extra oomph. Depending on the salon, glosses typically cost between $75–$100, Ruiz says, with the entire process taking about an hour (after which, you should notice an immediate difference).
"You can put [a gloss] on wet or dry hair," Olsen explains.
A gloss also coats your hair, filling in the gaps in the strands' cuticles (the scaly, outermost layer of each hair), which can reinforce it against damaging UV rays, prevent color from fading, and even make hair appear thicker.
The benefits of hair gloss are seemingly endless. They can be used to play around with different colors before fully committing, tweak or tone color that has gone awry, and cover gray hair.
Gloss is a wonderful thing—it can refresh color between dye jobs and give it loads of shine. However, if a gloss is left on too long, it can alter your shade and get too dark. Fortunately, glosses are temporary and will lighten up with shampooing, says Tardo.
If your hair is dirty, oily or has excess product or if you use products that contain silicones, like many shine serums, you can give hair a light shampoo before you apply the gloss. You'll still want to shampoo again and condition after it has processed to make sure all color has been completely removed.
Essentially, a hair gloss is a type of non-permanent hair dye. Rather than simply dyeing your hair a different color, a hair gloss adds shine and adjusts the color of your hair, says celebrity colorist Jennifer Korab. Hair glosses are all the benefits of hair dye without any of the risks.
Next time you're at the drugstore, pick up a box of L'Oréal Le Color Gloss. It's a pretty standard—and notably affordable, at less than $20—gloss that'll leave your hair shiny. After using it, our tester can tell you it delivers similar results to many of the more expensive products on our list.
If you're looking to get your hair toned by a professional, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $200 dollars. Prices vary by location and salon, so if you have questions about how much a hair toning service will set you back, ask your stylist.
If you're using a hair gloss at home, you may need to make it a more regular part of your hair care routine (our glossing system, for example, can be used two to three times per week). Your haircare routine can also play a role in how long your results last.
Hair glossing is available as a salon treatment, but it's super easy to gloss your hair at home using our Color Gloss Up temporary hair color range.
👇 If you have fine hair or an oily scalp, we recommend skipping conditioner when using Hair Gloss. If you have dry or thick hair, you can use your favorite conditioner prior to Hair Gloss. P.S. Hair Gloss lasts up to 3 washes 🚿
When used correctly and by a salon professional, neither treatment should damage hair. However, since hair gloss uses a small amount of ammonia, hair glaze is the gentler of the two.
However, the color in hair gloss fades over several weeks — depending on your frequency of shampooing — so maybe consider washing every other day, instead.
Clear gloss is primarily focused on enhancing shine and maintaining or refreshing the existing hair color without introducing new pigments. On the other hand, a hair mask is a deep conditioning treatment designed to nourish and repair the hair, addressing issues like dryness, damage, or frizz.