Format: How-to / Step-by-step | Topic: DIY hair gloss
A hair gloss is a semi-permanent, low-commitment color treatment that adds shine, tone, and richness to the hair without the permanent commitment or significant damage of a full color service. It works by depositing a small amount of pigment or toning pigment onto the outer surface of the hair, enhancing the depth of color and smoothing the cuticle to create an exceptionally glossy finish. At-home hair gloss kits are widely available and can be used between salon visits to refresh color or simply to add luminosity to natural hair.
What Is a Hair Gloss?
A hair gloss or glaze is a demi-permanent treatment formulated with a very low developer volume — typically volume 5 or 10 — that opens the cuticle just enough to allow a small amount of tone to deposit without permanently altering the hair’s color. Clear glosses add shine without any color change. Tinted glosses add depth, enhance tone, or neutralize unwanted brassiness depending on the color selected. The treatment lasts between two and four weeks before gradually fading with washing.
Step 1 — Choose Your Gloss
For natural dark hair, a clear gloss or a rich brown tinted gloss adds depth and shine without altering the natural color significantly. For color-treated hair that has become brassy, a cool-toned gloss in ash brown, cool mocha, or violet neutralizes warm tones. For gray natural hair, a silver or violet-toned gloss refreshes the brightness of the gray without changing its fundamental character. Read the product instructions carefully before purchasing to ensure the selected color is appropriate for your starting hair color.
Step 2 — Prepare the Hair
Apply the gloss to clean, towel-dried hair — it should be damp but not dripping. Hair that is too wet will dilute the formula and reduce the intensity of the result. If your hair has significant product buildup, clarify before applying the gloss to ensure even, unobstructed absorption. Section the hair into four parts for easier, more even application.
Step 3 — Apply the Gloss
Using the applicator brush provided in the kit or a color application brush, apply the gloss from roots to ends in each section, ensuring every strand is saturated with the product. Work quickly, as most gloss formulas have a relatively short processing window. Comb through each section after application to ensure even distribution and prevent patchiness.
Step 4 — Process and Rinse
Allow the gloss to process for the time specified in the product instructions — typically between 10 and 20 minutes. Do not exceed the recommended time, particularly for fine or previously processed hair. Rinse thoroughly with cool water until the water runs completely clear. Follow with a conditioner to seal the cuticle and lock in the gloss’s shine-enhancing effect.
Step 5 — Maintain the Gloss
To extend the life of a hair gloss treatment, use a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo after the treatment is applied. Sulfates strip deposited color molecules more rapidly than gentle cleansers. Washing with cool rather than hot water also helps preserve the gloss longer. Repeat the treatment every three to four weeks to maintain the added depth and shine.