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How Do I Choose the Best Hair Gloss?

S. Gonzales
S. Gonzales

Hair gloss is a hair product that is applied to the hair to add shine to it. Though its primary function is to improve or restore luster, a hair gloss can also be used to correct the color of the hair as well. The effects of hair gloss can last for up to a month. Though similar in nature, hair glazes can sometimes be confused with hair glosses. Consumers can buy both products in beauty sections of their favorite grocery stores, should they desire to try them at home.

Hair glosses can be often mistaken for hair glazes. Confusion of the two can be further compounded when consumers and hair professionals alike use the terms interchangeably. While the results of both are similar, the main differences between these two products are the methods of penetration and the length of time that the results will remain visible on the hair.

While hair gloss treatments can be performed at a professional hair stylists' place of business, there are also products on the market that advertise similar results to consumers.
While hair gloss treatments can be performed at a professional hair stylists' place of business, there are also products on the market that advertise similar results to consumers.

Glosses add shine and correct hair color, and is often used to bring the color of hair down a notch. For example, if highlights or other supplemental hair coloring techniques don't turn out quite as well as they were planned, a gloss can be incorporated into the hair to make subtle corrections. This is beneficial for both hair stylists and beauty enthusiasts who don't want to use harsh hair coloring treatments on hair that has already undergone coloring. A hair gloss' shine and color correction can last anywhere from two weeks to a month, since the gloss is designed to penetrate the cuticles of hairs, rather than just coat it.

Hair gloss is sometimes used to control frizz and repair split ends.
Hair gloss is sometimes used to control frizz and repair split ends.

Hair glazes are sometimes used instead of hair glosses for the same effect. Glazes also provide shine and color correction properties; however, like the name suggests, they merely glaze the superficial parts of the hair. What results is a coating of shine and color on top of preexisting coloring and associated hair treatments. Glazes, then, only last for about two weeks and require regular maintenance if their wearers intend to enjoy the benefits of the treatments for longer periods of time.

Hair gloss can make locks shiny.
Hair gloss can make locks shiny.

While hair gloss treatments can be performed at a professional hair stylists' place of business, there are also products on the market that advertise similar results to consumers. Application can be messy and results patchy if done by inexperienced users. Should consumers desire to try one of these products, they would do well to look for products that can also address other hair issues like controlling frizz and repairing split-ends.

Discussion Comments

anon305201

My bleached out, frizzy, super dry hair came back to life after using the Shielo Hydrate Conditioner, with their Antioxidant Leave in Protectant. I have very thin hair, and this is light enough that it doesn't weigh it down like most products do. My hair is sleek and shiny after every use.

Jacques6

@minthybear19 - I usually get a deep conditioning every month on top of using henna to gloss my hair. There are lots of recipes online for making your own hair gloss -- so you should dig around before you decide.

You can get henna in lots of colors so that it doesn't dye your hair. If you have had your hair bleached for a long time, it can repair a lot of that damage too. It's completely natural, so there's no worries that you're damaging your hair further! Henna is only temporary, but it is pretty cheap. It used to be hard to find, but now it's available in a lot of stores.

Calvin77

@Almita - I've used lemon juice for years to make my hair shiny. I'm a natural blond, so I've never had to worry about it bleaching out my hair when I go out in the sun. Aside from using lemon, I go in and have a deep conditioning done every month. It keeps my hair glossy.

I heard about using lemon juice in an old 1940s fashion magazine -- the women of the '40s swore by using lemon to make their hair shiny. Of course, being blond was in fashion back then too -- so it bleaching their hair was a bonus.

You can avoid a few chemicals just by using clear hair gloss and fragrance free hair gloss. Tinting it and adding a pleasing scent means adding something that probably isn't good for your hair.

Almita

@minthybear19 - I don't like using chemicals on my hair either, but you can't always avoid them. A lot of the best hair gloss brands use both natural ingredients and chemical ingredients. You just have to know which ones to avoid and which ones are okay to use.

L'oreal hair gloss and Sebastian hair gloss are good choices. I've been using them for a long time. I switch off between the two. Most people believe in changing shampoos a lot and I think the same rule applies to hair glosses.

minthybear19

My hair has been bleached for several years so I use a lot of hair gloss products. I usually try to get something that has more natural oils in it -- I don't like the idea of spray chemicals on my already damaged hair.

Since my hair is bleached, I have gotten by with just using lemon juice on occasional. It make my hair shiny, but it does cause bleaching -- so don't use it if you want to keep your hair dark.

I had a friend who used it on her black hair and lemon juice actually lightened it enough to get a copper tone. So use something else to gloss your hair.

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    • While hair gloss treatments can be performed at a professional hair stylists' place of business, there are also products on the market that advertise similar results to consumers.
      By: gemenacom
      While hair gloss treatments can be performed at a professional hair stylists' place of business, there are also products on the market that advertise similar results to consumers.
    • Hair gloss is sometimes used to control frizz and repair split ends.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Hair gloss is sometimes used to control frizz and repair split ends.
    • Hair gloss can make locks shiny.
      By: Anton Maltsev
      Hair gloss can make locks shiny.
    • Some hair gloss is designed to be used immediately after washing hair.
      By: Roman Gorielov
      Some hair gloss is designed to be used immediately after washing hair.
    • Hair gloss can be used to correct hair color.
      By: Lvnel
      Hair gloss can be used to correct hair color.