A hair gloss is a semi-permanent or demi-permanent treatment that adds shine and adjusts the tone of your hair without lightening it. Here's what sets it apart, who it suits, what to ask your colorist for and how to keep it looking fresh.
Hair gloss at a glance
- Type: Treatment
- Tone: Clear, or tinted warm or cool
- Lightening needed: No. A gloss deposits tone and cannot make hair lighter.
- Maintenance: Low
- Touch-ups: 4 to 6 weeks
What makes it different
It closes the hair cuticle so light reflects better, and it deposits a sheer layer of color that can warm, cool or deepen your shade. It's the quickest way to refresh faded color.
Hair gloss vs toner
Toner is a term for correcting tone after lightening, for example removing yellow from blonde. A gloss also tones, and adds shine and conditioning. Many salons use the words for the same service.
Who it suits
Anyone with dull, brassy or faded color, and natural hair that needs shine. Clear gloss works on any shade.
Not sure whether you're warm or cool? See how to find your undertone and the best hair color for your skin tone, or get your full palette with the free color analysis.
What to ask your colorist
- Say the problem: brassiness, dullness or faded color.
- Ask for a clear gloss for shine only, or a tinted gloss to shift the tone.
- Ask how many washes it should last.
- Bring photos taken in daylight, and say what you don't want as well as what you do.
How to maintain it
Wash less often, with sulfate-free shampoo and cool water, to make it last.
Shades and variations
- Toner: used after bleaching to neutralize yellow or orange; a gloss often does the same job more gently.
- Glaze: a no-peroxide shine treatment that sits on the surface and lasts a week or two.
- Clear gloss: shine with no color change.
- At-home gloss: a milder version to use in the shower.
Try it before you dye
Color is hard to undo. Upload a selfie to the AI hair color changer and see a hair gloss on your own hair before you book.
Related hair colors
FAQ
What is a hair gloss?
A hair gloss is a semi-permanent or demi-permanent treatment that adds shine and adjusts the tone of your hair without lightening it.
Who suits a hair gloss?
Anyone with dull, brassy or faded color, and natural hair that needs shine. Clear gloss works on any shade.
Do you need bleach for a hair gloss?
No. A gloss deposits tone and cannot make hair lighter.
How often does it need touching up?
About every 4 to 6 weeks.
How long does a hair gloss last?
About 4 to 6 weeks, or roughly 20 washes.
