Hair Gloss: The Essential Shortcut to Shiny, Luxurious Locks Without a Salon Visit
Brassiness? Forget about it.
The undeniable feeling of having gorgeous hair straight out of a salon is something we all long for—vivid colors, impeccable shine, and silky softness. Unfortunately, managing color-treated hair requires a bit more diligence than just a simple wash and go. To keep your color investment intact, revamping your wash day routine with high-quality nourishing products is a must. Regular root touch-ups are also part of the routine. Yet, despite cautious care, fading or brassiness can still sneak in, courtesy of heat styling, sun exposure, or mineral-heavy water.
But here’s the great news: you don’t need to scramble for an expensive emergency salon appointment to bring your hair back to life. Enter the at-home hair gloss, your new best friend for reviving dull strands. Once available exclusively at salons, this treatment not only conditions your hair deeply but also boosts its shine and softness. If your gloss is tinted, it can help neutralize unwanted brassiness or those annoying yellow or orange tints that can emerge over time.
Before we dive into the top ten hair glosses you ought to keep in your shower, let’s break down the key differences between salon and at-home glosses.
Professional Glosses Versus At-Home Options
A professional hair gloss is a semi-permanent treatment designed to enhance shine, refresh color, and deliver softness to your mane. According to celebrity colorist Chase Kusero, a salon gloss smooths hair strands while providing an ultra-reflective finish. These treatments can be clear or tinted, tailored to your hair’s specific density, porosity, texture, and color. In contrast, at-home options are more generalized with a limited range of effects but can still enhance shine, softness, and color.
Kusero points out that while salon glosses typically last six weeks, their at-home counterparts range from two to four weeks. The good news is that at-home glosses are generally easier on your wallet.
How to Apply Hair Gloss at Home
Unlike salon-grade glosses, at-home versions come pre-mixed, so there’s no need to custom tailor the treatment to your hair’s specific characteristics. To prevent mess—especially when using a tinted gloss—apply it in the shower on damp, freshly cleaned hair. Work the product through your strands as you would shampoo, then rinse thoroughly. Because most at-home glosses are nourishing, you can even skip the conditioner. For optimum results, Kusero suggests using a clear gloss once or twice weekly, while tinted formulas should be used according to specific instructions.
Here are the top at-home hair glosses you need to consider:
- Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment – $64
- Consider this a highlighter for your hair. It hydrates and smooths the hair cuticle for a sleek, glossy finish.
2. IGK Expensive High Shine Gloss Treatment – $32
Get that salon-quality look at home. This formula seals the cuticle to fend off dryness and fading while protecting against UV rays.
3. Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss – $36
This toning gloss neutralizes brassy tones while restoring vibrancy and shine to your locks.
4. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day High-Shine Gloss Hair Treatment – $36
With light-enhancing technology, this in-shower gloss results in smooth, frizz-free hair that’s noticeably shinier.
5. dpHUE Gloss+ – $38
Keep your color looking fresh longer with this easy-to-use, color-depositing treatment that lasts up to eight washes.
6. Redken Acidic Color Gloss Activated Glass Gloss Treatment – $38
This clear, professional-strength gloss restores your hair’s luster, whether it’s freshly colored or still in its natural state.
7. Ouai Hair Gloss – $34
A clear gloss that hydrates and protects your hair’s color. It features a refreshing Bondi Beach scent, combining floral and white musk notes.
8. L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step Toning Gloss – $16
A game-changer for those pesky brassiness issues, this treatment corrects fading while giving your hair a glossy finish.
9. R+Co Gemstone Ultra Shine Glossing Treatment – $38
Whether your hair is natural or dyed, this gloss deeply hydrates and enhances shine, ideal for combating winter dullness.
10. Kérastase Chroma Absolu High Shine Gloss Treatment for Color-Treated Hair – $58
Designed specifically to minimize damage from coloring, this gloss revives softness and shine without stripping your color.
Get ready to revolutionize your hair care routine and keep your hair looking salon-fresh without ever leaving the house.
