With spring just around the corner, there’s no better time to check out the best hair colour trends of the season and update your look. The best hair gloss can offer a salon-fresh feeling – think, mirror-like shine, smoother strands, and improved hair texture.
By now you’ve probably seen the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss that recently went viral on TikTok after creators posted hair gloss before and after videos with amazing shiny results. But since the Kristin Ess hair gloss sadly isn’t so easy to get our hands on in the UK, there are plenty of other fab glosses on the market to nourish, condition and smooth your hair while adding a hefty helping of shine and volume.
A hair gloss appointment at a salon can cost you a pretty penny, but luckily there are tons of brilliant at-home options to save you money. Instead of spending your precious time researching the best hair gloss, you can rely on us. With the assistance of hair experts, we’ve come up with the 7 best hair gloss at home treatments.
What is a hair gloss?
Similar to the best hair toners, hair glosses can get you that salon-esque look in a number of ways. “Glosses are like toners that add life and shine to your hair and can be coloured, to add tone, or clear to glaze an existing colour,” says Jordanna Cobella, UK&I Colour and Trends Ambassador at Wella Professionals. Jordanna says these products have multiple benefits, including metal detoxing properties, conditioning properties and hair-strengthening properties.
Do hair gloss treatments really work?
Yes, hair gloss treatments do work! They are effective in improving the shine, smoothness, and colour of hair, while also providing various other advantages such as softening strands and damage repair.
How to use a hair gloss treatment at home
To prep for a hair gloss, begin by shampooing your hair to get rid of any product build-up, dirt and oil, then gently towel dry.
For the best results, read the instructions that come with your product. Cover your towel-dried strands with a gloss in several layers for better penetration of the product. Then, wait 15 minutes or as long as is suggested in the instructions, until the gloss is completely absorbed. Rinse your locks until the water runs clear and you’re all done.
TIP: Depending on the shade, the gloss could stain your hands, so wash them thoroughly with soap and water when you’re finished.
Most glosses can last up to 10 days depending on how regularly you shampoo and the condition of your hair. If you want a deeper hue, try using the gloss again after 7 days. If you want to change it before then, you should be able to remove the colour with a clarifying shampoo.
Closer’s best hair gloss treatments at a glance:
Best hair gloss treatment: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss 5 Minute Lamination Treatment for Dull Hair, £8 on LookFantastic
Best value hair gloss treatment: Glaze Conditioning Super Gloss Award Winning Hair Gloss Treatment, £10.66 on Amazon
Best hair gloss treatment for blondes: Davines Instant Bonding Glow, £36 on BeautyBay
Ready for vibrant, shiny hair? Keep scrolling.
SHOP: The best at-home hair glosses
Best hair gloss treatment
L'Orealwww.lookfantastic.com
Fear not, this L’Oreal hair gloss is here to solve all your hair woes. The long-lasting clear hair gloss is filled to the brim with glycolic acid to gloss over (quite literally) any frizz, damage, or dryness. If your ultimate hair goal is to achieve healthy-looking, high-shine locks, this is a great option.
Customer review: I use this in conjunction with the matching shampoo and conditioner and it really makes a difference, my hair is healthier looking and more manageable, easier to brush and looks so glossy. Absolutely recommend this added step in anyone's routine.
Pros
- Shine boosting
- Generous amount of formula
- Works on all hair types
Cons
- Contains silicones
Best shade range hair gloss
Wellawww.sallybeauty.co.uk
UK&I Colour and Trends Ambassador at Wella Professional Jordanna Cobella is a big fan of this particular gloss given its high-powered formula. “Products like Wella Professionals Shinefinity have multiple benefits with metal detoxifying technology, hair strengthening properties and also conditioning properties,” she says. “It keeps colour lasting longer and hair looking healthier and less faded.” Although it comes in neutral colours like Warm Caramel Espresso and Natural Dark Blonde, it’s also sold in bolder hues like Iced Platinum, Pink Shimmer and Violet – and with 40 shades to choose from, you won’t struggle to find yours!
Customer review: I used the crystal glaze on my natural hair and my hair looks glossy and feels amazing. It’s giving my hair the revamp it needed, would definitely recommend.
Pros
- Works on all hair types
- Enhances tone and colour
- Free of silicones, alcohol and ammonia
Cons
- No clear shades available for non-coloured hair
Best value hair gloss treatment
Amazonredirect.viglink.com
Looking for incredibly glossy hair as quickly as possible? You need Glaze Super Gloss in your life. It basically acts as a tinted moisturiser for your hair while repairing the look of damage and adding shine. Although it’s been formulated for coloured hair with 16 shades available, you can also get in on the action if you have natural hair with its clear shade.
Customer review: I have no words for how much I love this product. I literally do feel like I just left a salon every single time I use it. Sometimes I’ll just put the tiniest drop into my regular conditioner just to give my hair some extra life. Absolutely amazing product with great ingredients that are healthy for your hair.
Pros
- It works to condition locks
- It's lightweight and never greasy
- Cute packaging
Cons
- Not sold on popular retailers like Boots and Look Fantastic
Best hair gloss treatment for blondes
Beauty Baywww.beautybay.com
Take your tresses to new levels of shine with Davines' Instant Bonding Glow. This fast-acting hair serum is loaded with a surplus of strand-strengthening ingredients, including biacidic bond complex to help repair the hair fibre and amino concentrate to add luminosity. In the long term, it helps prolong the brightness of your colour and preserve colour intensity, but even after a single use, you’ll notice a visible difference in shine, health and softness.
Customer review: This serum leaves my hair feeling so soft and smooth, and it smells amazing too! Would definitely recommend.
Pros
- Boosts shine
- Works quickly
- Reinforces blonde hair
Cons
- Pricey
Best shine-boosting hair gloss treatment
Look Fantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
Made from an incredibly nourishing blend of shea butter and perilla oil, coloured hair will majorly reap the conditioning benefits. Apply like a conditioner to clean damp hair and in 20 minutes you’ll have glossy, refreshed colour.
Customer review: Absolutely loved this product! Made my curls glossy and shiny and boosted my natural blonde. Instant va va voom!
Pros
- Offers deep conditioning
- Works quickly
- Gloss boosting
Cons
- Contains silicones
Best colour-renewing hair gloss treatment
www.lookfantastic.com
This gloss-boosting treatment is filled with power-packed plant oils that work to renew and protect your colour to deliver vibrant, shiny hair – perfect for those looking to extend time in between salon trips. It’s basically shine in a bottle.
Customer review: Great product to use for in between salon trips, gives a lovely shine to hair and seems to boost natural colour. I use as a conditioner after shampoo.
Pros
- Contains conditioning ingredients like shea butter
- Works on all hair types
- Enhances colour and shine
Cons
- Contains fragrance, which may be drying for some users
Best hair gloss mask
Amikawww.cultbeauty.co.uk
Fast-working, softening and hydrating, this mask from Amika provides ample shine and healthy-looking smoothness – all without weighing down locks. Its formula boosts hair’s elasticity and keeps colour looking vibrant, as well.
Customer review: I purchased this recently after falling in love with the mask and it’s amazing! This range is so good, great value and has genuinely made a huge difference to the look and feel of my hair. It’s now so soft, shiny, and healthy looking – I love doing this treatment before a big event!
Pros
- Works on all hair types
- Instant results
- Boosts shine
Cons
- Some users find the scent too sweet
Are hair glosses bad for your hair?
Joe Hill, International Technical Capability & Design Manager at Aveda says that glosses won’t damage your hair if you use them correctly. “Of course, it would depend on the brand you are working with, but glazes are all about conditioning your hair and really giving it that high impact glossy shine finish,” he said. “With a glaze, you are usually working on the surface of the hair rather than internally which of course is not going to cause any damage.”
How often should you gloss your hair?
Hair experts suggest a gloss treatment just when your colour is about to fade or around every 4 weeks. Whenever you see issues like split ends, dryness, and frizz, do a gloss at home or book in for a hair gloss at salon. Hair gloss prolongs the life of your hair colour and doing regular treatments keeps hair damage at bay.