In an era of innovative beauty products and treatments, hair gloss definitely deserves the spotlight because who doesn’t want ultra shiny hair along with gorgeous hair colour? No more brittle, damaged hair from a hair colour session—thank you. You may have heard whispers about this unbelievably convenient hair treatment before and overlooked it, but we’re about to shine a light on this glossy colour treatment for the sake of your locks. We’ve reached out to renowned hair experts to bring you everything you need to know about hair glosses.
As the name suggests, hair gloss promises glossy results, but what many don’t know is this treatment is largely meant for hair colour enhancement in addition to the gloss. Unlike traditional hair dyes, hair glosses are a much more rewarding way of colouring your hair. It can even replace regular hair dye treatments, as it is less damaging and fairly low maintenance. What is hair gloss?
“A hair gloss is like a topcoat for your hair! It's all about the shine and colour vibrancy without the commitment or damage of traditional hair dyes. It’s a gentler form of hair colour that provides a subtle wash of colour while improving the look and feel of hair by giving it a glass-like shine,” explains Ambrin Feroz, head of education at Redken India.
Hair loss is a colour-enhancing and shine-inducing treatment that can transform dull hair into shampoo-commercial-worthy tresses. The zero commitment part refers to how the gloss naturally and gradually fades over time without looking brassy or drying out your hair. Glosses are typically free of peroxides or ammonia, and they usually contain conditioning agents like natural oils and butters.
How is it different from hair dyes?
“Hair dyes are always alkaline in nature and are paired with few conditioning agents,” says Feroz. “Hair dyes are designed for more drastic colour changes, especially for grey coverage. They are stronger and work by penetrating the hair shaft, altering the natural colour pigment of the hair by darkening or lightening it.”
Hair glosses coat the hair cuticles to deposit colour, whereas hair dyes penetrate the cuticle to either lighten, darken, or deposit colour. This means that hair dyes do have a stronger hold on the hair, but it comes with compromising your hair health. On the other hand, hair glosses are much more gentle and far less damaging; they may not give as pigmented results as hair dyes, but they will deliver enough pigment to tone and enhance your locks with colour and immense shine.
What’s the damage?
Feroz notes, “Continuous usage of hair dyes on the lengths and ends of the hair can compromise on its overall appearance and hair condition.” Strands get brittle, breakage occurs, frizz ensues, and most dyes fade in the most unsightly of ways—the initial results of hair dyes are amazing, but the necessary touch-ups make hair dyes pretty high maintenance.
This is exactly why hair glosses could change things for the better and help you take a break from hair dyes and touch-ups. Since glosses only coat the cuticle and contain conditioning agents, they tend to be helpful in locking in moisture and keeping your hair healthy, shiny, and vibrant from roots to ends. They are semi-permanent and rinse off after a few washes without turning brassy, making them a great low-maintenance alternative.
Can glosses help with brassy hair?
Carole Robequin, international master trainer and hair artist at Jean Claude Biguine and Bounce Salons, says, “Hair glosses themselves do not directly address brassiness. However, brassiness can be neutralised in the salon with a professional colour mix tailored to your hair's needs by an experienced stylist. This helps balance out any unwanted warm tones.”
If you wish to use a hair gloss treatment to correct brassiness caused by faded hair dye, it is best to take it to the pros. The best possible solution is an in-salon hair gloss treatment, where a professional mixes colours specifically to neutralise the brass tones in your hair. While at-home hair gloss treatments are available, a specific requirement, such as neutralising brassy tones, requires a professional approach.
How long does a hair gloss treatment last?
“The longevity of a hair gloss treatment can vary. In-salon gloss treatments typically last longer—up to a few weeks—depending on hair type and aftercare. At-home gloss treatments, on the other hand, generally last until the next wash, making them a quick refresh but not as long-lasting as professional treatments,” explains Robequin.
With hair glosses, you don’t have to fully commit to the hair colour you choose—you can move on to a new hue without incurring any serious hair damage. The freedom to experiment safely and the extraordinary shine are reason enough to give this glossy hair treatment a try.
So, go on, give it a shot and revel in your best hair days ever.
Lead image: Getty
