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What is Glossing Cream?

B. Miller
B. Miller

Glossing cream is a hair product designed to make hair smooth, soft, shiny, and more easily manageable. It may also be referred to as hair gloss or shine cream. Glossing cream is designed to give hair a more attractive and eye-catching appearance without making it appear oily or greasy, and is a popular styling product for everyday use.

Typically, glossing cream is applied as a finishing touch to hair that has already been washed, conditioned, and dried. Hair may then be styled with the hair gloss; it works well for hairstyles where the hair is up or down. Usually, only a small portion of the cream is required; it is then rubbed between the palms and smoothed over the hair. It is best to use it in moderation, as too much can make the hair oily. In addition to making hair shiner, hair gloss may help prevent frizz and flyaways, even in humid locations where frizz is a problem.

A glossing cream can help restore luster and shine to dry and damaged hair.
A glossing cream can help restore luster and shine to dry and damaged hair.

Glossing cream is usually made with oils to condition and shine, along with other inactive ingredients. Olive oil is a popular inclusion. Continued use of glossing cream that also includes conditioning ingredients can actually improve the condition of the hair, as well as style it on an everyday basis. In addition, some glossing creams contain UV reflectors as well, to protect hair from sun damage.

Glossing cream may help to tame curly hair and make it appear less frizzy.
Glossing cream may help to tame curly hair and make it appear less frizzy.

Glossing cream is typically fairly inexpensive, and may be found in most stores with shampoo, conditioner, and other hair styling products. It may also be purchased at a salon, and a hair stylist may be able to recommend a hair cream that is appropriate for different hair types. In general, glossing cream tends to work best on hair that is thicker, and normal to dry in texture. When it is used on hair that is thin or naturally oily in texture, it can actually weigh the hair down and make it appear greasy. In that case, a leave-in conditioner or conditioner spray might be a better bet, as they tend to be slightly lighter.

Glossing cream is designed to help hair become more manageable.
Glossing cream is designed to help hair become more manageable.

Most glossing creams will last all day once applied to the hair, and will not need to be reapplied as some other styling products do. Some may include a fresh scent as well, but be careful that the scent does not mix unpleasantly with the scent from shampoo or conditioner. Hair creams may also be used in conjunction with other products, such as gel, mousse, or hairspray, but it may not be necessary.

Discussion Comments

CellMania

@dill1971: Thanks for sharing your recipe! I am definitely going to try it!

dill1971

I have a homemade version of smoothing gel and it works just as well as the high dollar items that we often buy at salons. You would need the following items: olive oil, vegetable shortening, water, lemon rind, a peppermint tea bag, flaxseed oil, grape seed oil, and a double boiler.

Put the vegetable shortening in the double boiler and let it melt. Add the peppermint tea to the melted shortening and remove from heat. Pour that mixture into a mixing bowl. While your shortening is still melted, put 2 parts vegetable shortening, one part olive oil, ½ tsp. grated lemon rind, 1 Tbsp. flaxseed oil and 1 Tbsp. grape seed oil.

Stir all of the ingredients very well and let it sit for a few minutes to cool. Once it is fairly cooled off, use a hand mixer and blend on medium setting. Slowly, add ½ cup water and then mix on high for two more minutes. You can add more water if the consistency is not what you want.

Spoon the mixture into a container and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to cool. Apply sparingly to your hair and massage it in well. Once you have it massaged in, comb it through your hair. You don’t have to rinse it unless you just want to because it is considered a leave in glossing cream.

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    • A glossing cream can help restore luster and shine to dry and damaged hair.
      By: Laurent Hamels
      A glossing cream can help restore luster and shine to dry and damaged hair.
    • Glossing cream may help to tame curly hair and make it appear less frizzy.
      By: indiraswork
      Glossing cream may help to tame curly hair and make it appear less frizzy.
    • Glossing cream is designed to help hair become more manageable.
      By: takasu
      Glossing cream is designed to help hair become more manageable.
    • Most glossing creams will last all day once applied to the hair.
      By: Picture-Factory
      Most glossing creams will last all day once applied to the hair.
    • Glossing cream should be applied after hair has been washed.
      By: Ariwasabi
      Glossing cream should be applied after hair has been washed.