How Hair Gloss Treatments Turn Dull Strands Smooth and Shiny

Everyone loves a good hair day. And while many different hairstyles can be categorized as a good hair day, it usually involves smooth and shiny strands that are full of life. The easiest way to guarantee that? With a hair gloss, of course.

“A hair gloss is a semi-permanent color or hair treatment that enhances shine, conditions, and smooths the hair,” says R+COLOR Vice President Color Development and Collective Member, Richy Kandasamy. “A hair gloss can also intensify tone or darken the hair color. It works by coating the hair cuticle with a reflective hue or transparent gloss, which helps to seal in moisture, reduce frizz, and make the hair appear healthier and more vibrant.” It's a quick pick-me-up for your hair, says celebrity colorist and IGK Hair Care co-founder Chase Kusero. “It revives dull strands, giving your hair that healthy, just-left-the-salon look,” he emphasizes.

Convinced you need to set aside some time to gloss your strands? Ahead, learn everything there is to know about the benefits of hair glosses, how long the treatment lasts, and more.

Meet Our Expert

• Richy Kandasamy is the Vice President of Color Development at R+COLOR, and an R+COLOR Collective Member.

• Chase Kusero is a celebrity colorist and a co-founder of IGK Hair Care.

• Vickie Vidov is a celebrity stylist and the owner of Vidov Salon.

Benefits

• Boosts shine

• Enhances vibrancy

• Neutralizes unwanted tones

• Extends life of color services

• Seals the cuticle

• Reduces frizz

• Softens strands

• Semi-permanent, so no major commitment

• Easy grow-out

As the name implies, hair glosses are most renowned for their glossy, high-shine results. “The biggest benefit is the shine,” Kusero admits. “Hair glosses instantly make your hair look smoother and healthier. A gloss can also help tone your color, neutralize brassiness, and bring out richness in your natural or colored hair. Plus, it helps extend the life of your color between salon visits. It’s also great for taming frizz and giving your hair a softer, sleeker finish.” See before and after photos here.

Because of the myriad benefits, hair glosses are often recommended as add-on services at cuts, root touch-ups, and full-color appointments, Kandasamy says. “For clients who want to subtly change or enhance their color without a long-term commitment, glosses provide a way to add richness or depth,” he shares. “And because of its acidic base and being ammonia-free, the gloss fades gradually. So there's no harsh line of regrowth or need for frequent touch-ups, making it a great option for those looking for a low-maintenance treatment.”

How long does it last?

Hair glosses are semi-permanent hair treatments. This means that the benefits won’t last forever and will require touch-ups to be maintained. According to celebrity stylist Vickie Vidov, owner of Vidov Salon, the longevity of a gloss depends on the gloss in question. “There are at-home products that are wonderful—these products can be used in the shower and give a beautiful shine that lasts a few shampoos,” she says. “An in-salon gloss treatment can last four to six weeks depending on what your daily routine is.”

The lifespan of your gloss can also be impacted by your hair’s porosity and how well it holds the product. “Glosses are gentler on the hair, as they don’t penetrate the hair shaft deeply.,” Kandasamy says, noting that the more porous your hair, the shorter-lived your gloss effects may be.

Hair Gloss vs. Hair Glazing

Hair gloss and hair glaze may sound synonymous but they’re not the same. “They’re both all about shine, but the difference lies in how long they last and how they work,” Kusero explains. “A gloss works deeper, penetrating the hair and adding semi-permanent color or tone, while a glaze just coats the outside, giving you a shorter-term shine boost. Think of gloss as more of a long-lasting refresh, while a glaze is like a temporary topcoat.”

Generally speaking, Kandasamy says that hair glosses last four to six weeks while glazes typically only last one to three. “Glazes give you temporary shine and temporary color without significant tonal correction or hydration,” he points out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hair gloss damaging to the hair?

Since hair glosses offer similar shine and smoothing benefits to controversial keratin treatments, many people wonder if they can be damaging to the hair. Kandasamy and Kusero assure us that that’s not the case.

“Hair gloss is a nourishing service because it typically contains conditioning agents that smooth the cuticle and improve the overall appearance and elasticity of the hair,” Kandasamy points out.

“Hair gloss is super gentle and can even be good for your hair,” Kusero adds. “There are no harsh chemicals like ammonia or peroxide, so it doesn’t strip your color or damage your hair.”

What does hair gloss do?

Hair gloss enhances shine, refreshes color, reduces frizz, smoothes strands, and boosts overall hair hydration.

Can you do a hair gloss at home?

Yes. There are various at-home hair gloss products that deliver hair-enhancing benefits that last for a few washes. Find our favorite hair glosses here.

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