What is a Hair Gloss? Hint: It May Save You Time & Money

If you’re looking to elevate the look of your red hair, enhance your color or add more shine, you’ve probably heard of hair glosses. A hair gloss is a hair treatment that adds shine, enhances color, and improves the overall look and feel of the hair. It’s usually a semi-permanent, ammonia-free formula that coats the hair shaft with a sheer tint of color or a clear gloss. Hair gloss treatments can help to smooth the hair cuticle, reduce frizz, and temporarily enhance the vibrancy of hair color. They’re often used to refresh dull hair, add dimension to hair color, and improve hair’s texture and shine.

A hair gloss can be done professionally or in some cases at home and adds shine and a subtle hint of color. Hair glosses add richness and depth to the hair without permanently altering the color — a big deal in the redhead community.

Here’s everything you need to know:

1. Salon hair gloss (recommended)

A salon hair gloss for redheads is a treatment that enhances and refreshes the color of red hair. It adds shine, depth, and vibrancy to the hair while also helping to neutralize any unwanted tones that may have developed over time. It’s a semi-permanent treatment that can be done at a salon to maintain and revitalize the red tones in the hair. This is one of the best ways to get a hair gloss because your stylist will be able to choose the perfect color and formula for your hair.

2. At-home hair glosses

Doing a gloss at home saves time and money, but you are gambling a bit on how it will turn out. The good thing is (unlike a box dye) you really can’t mess a gloss up too much and if you do, it’s temporary. If you stick to a gloss that is close to your natural color and follow the instructions you can absolutely do it at home.

An at-home hair gloss usually comes in the form of a conditioning treatment or a rinse that you apply after shampooing your hair. These products help to add shine, vibrancy, and depth to your red hair, and they can also help neutralize any unwanted tones that may have faded or changed over time. Keep in mind that results may vary based on the specific product you choose and your hair’s individual characteristics.

Using an at-home hair gloss is generally straightforward. Here’s a basic guide to help you:

1. Shampoo: Start by washing your hair with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. This will help to clean your hair and prepare it for the gloss treatment.

2. Towel Dry: Gently towel dry your hair to remove excess water. Your hair should be damp, not dripping wet.

3. Gloves: Put on a pair of disposable gloves to protect your hands from staining.

4. Apply Gloss: Follow the instructions on the at-home hair gloss product. Generally, you’ll apply the gloss evenly from roots to ends, making sure to saturate your hair thoroughly. Use a comb or your fingers to distribute the product evenly.

5. Wait: Depending on the product, you’ll need to leave the gloss on your hair for a specific amount of time, usually around 10-20 minutes. Check the instructions for the exact time.

6. Rinse: After the waiting time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water until the water runs clear. Avoid using shampoo at this point.

7. Condition: Some products might come with a corresponding conditioner to use after rinsing. If provided, follow the instructions and apply the conditioner as directed.

8. Dry and Style: Gently pat your hair dry with a towel and then proceed to style your hair as usual.

Remember that results may vary depending on your hair’s condition and the specific product you’re using. It’s a good idea to do a patch test first to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions to the product. If you have specific questions about the at-home hair gloss product you’ve chosen, refer to its packaging or reach out to the manufacturer for guidance.

3. Is a hair gloss dye, though?

Although we answered this above, we know natural redheads will really want to know this? So, we’re going to dig in a little deeper.

While a hair gloss, unless clear, will add a hint of color. It’s not the same as hair dye. The biggest difference is the ingredients and the way it’s created. Hair glosses aren’t going to lift any of your existing color and won’t fully change the color of your hair. It will add a hint of color and is often used to just enhance the color you already have natural or not. Hair glosses are also not permanent, and will only last about a month or two. Here are some differences between hair gloss + hair dye:

Hair Gloss:

Hair gloss is a semi-permanent treatment that adds shine, depth, and vibrancy to your hair.
It doesn’t contain strong chemicals like ammonia or peroxide, which are commonly found in permanent hair dyes.
Hair gloss can enhance your natural hair color, refresh faded tones, and help neutralize unwanted brassy or dull shades.
It typically doesn’t drastically change your hair color; instead, it enhances and enhances your existing color.

Hair Dye:

Hair dye, also known as hair color or hair dye, uses chemical reactions to permanently alter the color of your hair.
Permanent hair dyes usually contain ammonia and/or peroxide to open the hair cuticle and deposit color molecules deep inside the hair shaft.
Hair dye can completely change your hair color, covering grays or lightening/darkening your hair.
Unlike hair gloss, hair dye is more long-lasting and requires root touch-ups as your hair grows.

In summary, while both hair gloss and hair dye can alter your hair’s color, hair gloss is a milder, semi-permanent treatment primarily focused on enhancing and refreshing your hair’s appearance, whereas hair dye is a stronger and longer-lasting option for making significant color changes.

Will a hair gloss damage your red hair?

No! Hair gloss is free of things like bleach and ammonia so it won’t damage your hair. It will add shine, enhance the color and help to seal the cuticle which can actually prevent split ends from getting worse.

However, while hair gloss is generally gentler, it’s still important to keep a few things in mind:

Allergies and Sensitivities: Even though hair gloss products tend to be milder, some individuals may still have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients. It’s a good idea to do a patch test before using any new hair product, including hair gloss.
Product Variability: The effects of hair gloss can vary based on the specific product you use, your hair’s condition, and your natural hair color. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consider consulting a professional if you’re unsure.
Frequency: Using hair gloss too frequently might lead to build-up on the hair, affecting its appearance and manageability. Follow the recommended usage guidelines.

Overall, if you’re looking for a way to enhance and refresh your hair color without the potential damage associated with traditional hair dyes, hair gloss could be a suitable option.

Hair Gloss vs Finally Glossy:

Contrary to what some redheads may think, our signature shampoo Finally Glossy is not a hair gloss treatment! It’s a glossy shampoo that adds shine, hydration, and nourishment to red hair but is non-color depositing and won’t edit the color of your hair.

Finally Glossy® is a special shampoo to help strengthen, shine, and add hydration to red hair. This clean formula is formulated with Vitamin B3, olive oil, coconut oil, and green tea. This is NOT a color-depositing shampoo. It is red because we want it to feel satisfying when applying. It’s just for appearance and will not edit your red hair. It is suitable for frequent washes and for ALL shades of red hair. Are you ready to add a natural radiance to your red hair?