There's glass skin, glass lip gloss and now, glass ... hair? Out of all the beauty trends we've heard and tried, glass hair has intrigued us the most — and it seems to have captivated the Internet, too (some TikTok videos on the trend have over 3 million views and counting). But how exactly do you achieve the look? It's quite simple: Hair glosses.
You might've heard about this treatment through your local salon, but there are also at-home options to achieve the look without sitting in a styling chair. While most salons will have you come in every few weeks, some at-home hair glosses can be applied every few days or whenever a touch-up is needed.
Despite salon gloss treatments being around for some time, the interest in at-home solutions has seen a recent surge. We reached out to experts to discover more about the trend, any potential risks and if it is suitable for all hair types.
Keep reading to learn more about hair glosses or click the options below — plus, some expert and editor favorites to shop.
What do hair glosses do? | Disadvantages | How to apply hair gloss | How long does it last? | Best hair glosses | How we chose | Meet the experts
What do hair glosses do?
"Beyond adding radiance, glosses seal the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and making hair easier to manage," explains celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Korab. Cosmetic chemist Dr. Shuting Hu adds that ingredients like conditioning agents, silicones and oils inside the treatment "create a barrier that locks in moisture and boosts shine, providing hair with a glossy, reflective finish that lasts beyond the first hair wash."
Some hair glosses even have color pigments to enhance color and/or to improve brassiness. "Unlike traditional dyes, glosses are gentle, as they don’t penetrate deeply and fade naturally over time, making them a safe option for a quick refresh," says Korab.
Although you’ll find these treatments at a salon, there are at-home options, too, that provide equal, if not similar, results.
What are some disadvantages to using hair gloss?
While the experts noted that there aren't any disadvantages to using a hair gloss, they all agreed that if you want more permanent results, you may want to opt for a salon treatment. But if you prefer less commitment, at-home treatments are a temporary and popular option.
"At-home glasses are designed to be gentler and easy to apply; at-home glosses usually provide subtle toning effects," says Korab.
How do you apply a hair gloss?
Following instructions is key to achieving your desired results, but Korab suggests using a wide-tooth comb to disperse the product evenly. The hairstylist also loves using hydrating treatments or moisturizing conditioners for added maintenance.
However, those opting for an at-home alternative will want to be conscious of how often they apply. "Overuse or improper application (such as applying too often or leaving the product on for too long) can lead to build-up or dryness," notes Hu. You may even notice hair weighed down and less shine due to the formula potentially "blocking natural moisture from entering the hair," Korab adds.
As a preventive, "use a clarifying shampoo every few weeks to eliminate build-up and ensure an even application for the next gloss treatment," the hairstylist suggests.
Although you can use at home treatments more often than the permanent pick (some may even suggest once a week), celebrity hairstylist Michelle Cleveland says she doesn't "recommend doing it more than two or three times a month."
How long does hair gloss last?
Whether you get it done at the salon or use a treatment at home, hair glosses are designed to be demi- or semi-permanent, meaning the results are long-lasting, but will go away with time. If you're heading to the salon, your stylist will most likely have you come in once a month for a treatment.
Standardly, a salon hair gloss treatment should last you about six to eight weeks, note our experts, depending on how often you wash your hair, your hair type and maintenance. These treatments are what our stylists call demi-permanent.
At-home treatments most often have formulas that last between six to eight washes, based on the product recommendations below. To make your results last longer, "try using a sulfate-free shampoo and avoid too much heat styling," recommends Hu.
Best hair glosses, according to experts and editors
Most customizable: Schwarzkopf Glossify Color Gloss
- Has two different effects
- Ammonia-free
- Demi-permanent
- Only six shades
Size: 4.76 oz | Key ingredient(s): None
"Schwarzkopf Glossify comes in six different shades (including clear)," notes Cleveland. "Ammonia-free and cost-effective ($10-16), this is a great way to add a ton of shine back into your hair color between salon visits."
What's also unique about this gloss is that it has two different effects, depending on how you apply it. For sheer color, apply the gloss on wet hair. But if you're desiring more rich results, the brand recommends using the product when hair is dry.
Best drugstore option: L’Oreal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water Lamellar Hair Treatment
- Promises results in 8 seconds
- Color-safe
- Warming sensation when wet
Size: 6.8 oz | Key ingredient(s): None
Hu loves L'Oreal's gloss treatment for these three reasons: "It’s lightweight, non-damaging and adds shine for under $15," she adds. According to the brand, results should appear within eight seconds. And when wet, the product is activated and adds a soothing warming sensation to your experience.
An ammonia free pick: Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss
- Ammonia-free
- Claims to last 3 to 4 weeks
- Reviews mixed on longevity
Size: 2 oz | Key ingredient(s): None
Looking for a more gentle and vegan formula? Look no further than this at-home treatment from Kristin Ess. "It is available in many shades, which allows you to enhance or refresh your tone," explains Korab. "This formula is gentle and ammonia-free which helps provide a salon-like finish that lasts three to four weeks, I love that it can be applied in the shower and leaves your hair soft and weightless."
Most lightweight: Eleven Australia Smooth & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum
- Softens with argan oil
- Lightweight for all hair types
- Offers lasting shine
- Seal can be leaky
Size: 2 oz | Key ingredient(s): Argan oil
If you're worried that a hair gloss might be too heavy on your strands, opt for this lightweight option from Eleven Australia. "It will help give that lasting shine without weighing down the hair," suggests Hu. "Itʼs really good for frizz control, and adds a beautiful gloss that lasts."
Most color-enhancing: DpHUE Glossy Glaze
- Gives former color more life
- Improves hair softness
- Highly moisturizing
- Might be heavy on fine hair
Size: 4 oz | Key ingredient(s): Lemon peel extract, castor seed oil
Need a touch-up? Not a problem with DpHue's Glossy Glaze. It provides just as much conditioning as it does shine, offering results that are sleek and smooth with a touch of tint. "I didn’t think it’d make much of a difference but I took before and after photos, and my hair looks so much better!,” associate editor Kamari Stewart boasts. “It’s meant to be used in place of conditioner, and still left my hair feeling soft and moisturized, just with more blended color.”
To smooth and tame frizz: Ouai Hair Gloss
- Pleasant scent
- Improves softness
- Some didn't notice difference
Size: 6 oz | Key ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid and rice water
Production associate Audrey Eckman tested and reviewed Ouai's Hair Gloss when it first launched, and immediately replaced her usual conditioner and mask with the treatment. "My usually unruly, frizzy split ends were tamed and glassy, sans smoothing balm or hair oil," she wrote. "I swear the color looked more vibrant and dimensional, too. Even my coworkers noticed a difference, commenting on how 'glossy' and 'beautiful' my hair looked."
Best for brunettes: Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss
- Neutralizes brassiness
- Available in other tones
- Can be messy
Size: 6.7 oz | Key ingredient(s): Oat milk and camellia oil
When I was dyeing my hair, my stylist recommended I use this hair gloss in between sessions. It made upkeep easier and less time consuming, since it neutralizes brassiness in just a few minutes. I used it about once every two weeks whenever I noticed my color losing its pigment.
Most professional quality: Redken Acidic Color Gloss Treatment
- Great for color-treated hair
- Prevents fading and dulling
- Reviews mixed on smell
Size: 8 oz | Key ingredient(s): Apricot oil and citric acid
"My favorite at-home gloss is Redken Acidic Color Gloss Treatment," raves Korab. "[It] is a professional-quality at-home gloss that boosts color vibrancy and provides intense shine for color-treated hair. This pH-balanced formula, enriched with citric acid and apricot oil, effectively seals the hair cuticle, helping to lock in moisture and shine."
Loved by editors and hair stylists: dpHUE Gloss+
- 13 color options
- Vegan formula
- Requires a lot of product
Size: 6.5 oz | Key ingredient(s): None
I've recently replaced my weekly mask with DpHue's Gloss+, as it acts as a deeply conditioning treatment to leave hair looking and feeling its shiniest and healthiest yet. I've noticed my hair is softer and more manageable after a wash, without looking oily (which some moisturizing treatments can make it look). I own the sheer version, but the brand also offers Gloss+ in 13 shades for when you need to touch up or refresh dyed hair.
Cleveland is a fan of the product, too, especially for its practical packaging. "The easy to disperse bottle allows you to pump it out directly into your hands and coat your strands without having to hold the bottle in your slippery hands!," she says. "You also only need to leave the product on for about 5-10 mins, so it’s a great DIY service to include in your shower routine!"
Seen on the show: Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment
- Good for all types/textures
- Lightweight texture
- Some felt it left hair greasy
Size: 5.9 oz | Key ingredient(s): Polymer blend and plant-based ingredients
Oribe's Mirror Rinse treatment was recently featured on our most recent Trend Report for its reflective results. Better yet, it only takes just a minute, according to the brand, to have locks both hydrated and illuminating. Julie Ricevuto, Shop TODAY's commerce editor and producer, said on the show that she uses it at least once a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
In short: Yes! But depending on your hair type, results may vary. "Fine hair benefits from lightweight glosses, while coarse or curly hair often gains shine and manageability," says Korab. "Color-treated hair typically experiences the most significant benefits, as gloss can refresh color and tone unwanted brassiness."
Thus, you'll want to choose the right gloss for your hair type. "For curly or coarser hair types, glosses with added moisture or oils can help tame unruliness while adding definition," recommends Dr. Hu. "On finer hair, try lightweight glosses to avoid limpness."
"It can if it’s silicone-based," mentions Ginger King, an award-winning cosmetic chemist, and Hu agrees. Those with fine or thin hair might want to avoid formulas with a high amount of oils or silicones to prevent the hair from weighing down.
"For those with fine/thin hair, I suggest using lightweight, volumizing glosses or formulas specifically designed for thinner textures," advises. Hu. "Please do not apply to the scalp directly."
Kings also notes that newer hair glosses on the market make "hair shine through the use of acidity to close down the cuticle," giving it a smoother look with just a bit less shine. "It’s no comparison to a silicone-based gloss," she adds, but it may be lighter on select hair types.
Hair glazes and hair glosses provide similar, if not, the same results. Both will give you more sleek and shinier hair, but how long and effective these results are differs. For instance, hair glosses penetrate into the cuticle, while hair glazes coat around the shaft, leading to one being more temporary than the other.
If you want to use the two, hair glazes are best for temporary fixes, compared to a hair gloss that might provide more longterm benefits.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Shuting Hu is a cosmetic chemist and the founder of Acaderma.
- Jennifer Korab is a New Jersey-based celebrity hairstylist, certified colorist and the owner of Renaissance Salon+Spa.
- Michelle Cleveland is a celebrity hairstylist, extension artist, and the owner of Hair Addict Salon.
- Ginger King is an award-winning cosmetic chemist.
