We can’t think of a better feeling than walking out of a salon with fresh, blown-out hair — that bouncy, shiny look just feels like pure silk. Sadly, we don’t all have the luxury of being able to pop into a salon every time our hair is feeling dull, but we do have the option to pick up an at-home hair gloss.
Now don’t be scared — glosses are not the same as boxed hair dyes. They won’t permanently change the color of your hair. In fact, according to Devin Toth, a hairstylist at Salon SCK in New York City, hair glosses deposit a lasting amount of concentrated shine and pigment. To add to that, cosmetic chemist Erica Douglas previously told Allure that glosses seal and smooth the surface of the cuticle layer by filling abrasions so that the hair surface is smoother and can reflect light better — giving off that super shiny look.
If you’re looking to ward off dullness or give your color or natural hair a little refresh, you came to the right place. Below, we’ve listed options from the drugstore and some high-end picks that’ll make your hair gleam. Keep scrolling for the best at-home hair glosses to shop for right now.
New York City-based hairstylist Mia Santiago recommends both the Drybar Liquid Glass Instant Glossing Rinse and Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss but for different reasons. The Drybar pick has neroli oil, which acts as a top coat for your hair, leaving behind a glossy sheen. On the other hand, Pureology comes in five vibrant shades, like blue and red, and restores shine, softness, and color in just one wash.
According to Toth, the Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss is a high-shine hair gloss that strengthens and seals the surface of the hair fiber to protect color and leave a high-shine finish. “This gloss will extend the life of your stunning, post-salon hair color,” he says. “When the formula mixes with water, it transforms into a luxurious, creamy texture that fully coats and protects the hair.”
The Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss is another formula that Toth loves. “This nourishing gloss refreshes faded color, corrects tone, and adds brilliant shine with sheer, semi-permanent color.” If you don’t have colored hair, the shade Glassa is a clear option that adds instant shine to all hair types.