Need a Hair Pick-Me-Up? Consider a Gloss Treatment
Have you ever looked at your hair and just thought it needed something? Bangs, maybe? A trim? Maybe your color has faded a bit? Or you're taming more flyways than normal? You just can't put your finger on it...
Enter: hair gloss.
You know how that Venti coffee hits on a Monday after vacation? Gloss treatments are kind of like that but for your hair. Read on for everything you need to know about them.
So what is a hair gloss, exactly?
It's a temporary treatment that can help with both the condition and color of your hair."A hair gloss adds shine and smoothes down the cuticle of the hair, but it can also add or remove tone from the hair as part of the color process," explains Lauren Miller, hairstylist at Nashville's Element Salon.
In fact, if you regularly color your hair it's likely you've had a gloss as a final step in your appointment and didn't even know it.
What makes hair lose its shine?
"When the hair cuticle is smooth it reflects light and produces a shiny appearance," explains Lana Grand, celeb hairstylist and owner of Los Angeles-based salon Petite Mason. "Hair dye and heat styling, as well as exposure to the sun, chlorine, and salt water, are common culprits for wearing out the hair cuticle. Once the cuticle is damaged, the shine disappears."
Do you have to change your natural hair color to reap the benefits of a gloss?
Not at all! In addition to tinted glosses used to maintain tone or color, clear gloss treatments are also an option. These are primarily used to amplify shine and are safe for those who color their hair and those who don't. (Think of them like a conditioning treatment on steroids.)
Is a gloss different from a glaze?
Yes and no. Both Grand and Miller say it depends on who you ask.
"These days, we often see the terms "gloss" and "glaze" used loosely and interchangeably," says Grand. (You may also hear gloss treatments referred to as a "color glaze.") And when you get down to it, they're pretty much the same thing: both give hair a boost in the shine department and can add some pigment without a huge commitment. And both treatments can also be clear.
So where's the confusion? Unlike a gloss, some glaze products don't contain peroxide or ammonia, which keeps the treatment from penetrating the hair shaft. (It sort of sits on top of the hair the way a top coat sits on nail polish.) This can make a glaze a little more temporary. (You can expect a lifespan of 1-2 weeks for a glaze versus 2-4 weeks for a gloss, but both can last longer depending on how often a person shampoos their hair.)
When should you get one?
You can get a gloss or glaze every few weeks if you want, which can be especially beneficial in winter months when your hair is likely to be on the dry side. A gloss can also offer a quick boost between color appointments, especially for blondes whose color can go more brassy in tone or redheads who tend to fade quickly.
"I always recommend my clients come in for a gloss at the halfway mark between their color appointments just to keep things looking really fresh," says Miller.
Can you do one at home?
You can! But a clear gloss or glaze is the safest way to go. If you're looking to shift your color or crank up your highlights, leave it to the pros to customize and apply a tinted treatment. Here are some options if you do try to DIY:
