How to Use Hair Gloss to Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

If you use social media, you have likely seen hair gloss before-and-after photos or reviews. This non-permanent treatment for hair is having a moment, no doubt. Besides providing shine, it improves the overall health of your hair while keeping your base color. It also boosts its tone with a vibrant, glossy finish.

In this article, we’ll break down how to use hair gloss effectively to maintain that freshly colored look for a little longer. From application tips to product recommendations, you’ll learn how to incorporate this simple yet powerful treatment into your routine for lasting, beautiful hair color.

Let’s dive in!

What is Hair Gloss?

Hair gloss is a hair treatment that enhances the color and shine of your hair without permanently altering its natural shade. Unlike traditional hair dye, which changes your hair’s base color, hair gloss adds a subtle shine, boosts vibrancy, and smooths the hair’s surface.

Hair gloss vs. hair dye

Hair gloss and hair dye are not the same. So, what does hair gloss do? The main difference between hair gloss treatment and hair dye is that gloss doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft the way dye does. Gloss enhances your color while preserving its natural depth and tone, whereas dye changes your hair color. Hair gloss is temporary and fades over time, whereas hair dye offers a more permanent color change and is longer lasting.

Types of hair gloss

• Clear gloss: Adds shine and smoothness without affecting your hair’s color. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enhance natural hair or refresh a dyed shade with added luster.
• Tinted gloss: Offers the same shine and smoothness but with a hint of color. It helps refresh and deepen the tone of your hair, ideal for maintaining dyed hair or giving a subtle color boost.

Who should use it and why

Glossing hair is for anyone looking to boost their hair’s shine, improve the vibrancy of color-treated hair, or give natural hair a glossy finish. It’s especially beneficial for those with colored or highlighted hair, as it helps lock in color and reduces fading. Whether you’re maintaining your color or want to add a healthy glow to your hair, hair gloss is a quick, easy way to achieve a more polished, radiant look.

How Hair Gloss Helps Preserve Hair Color

We have already established that hair gloss is a powerful tool for maintaining the vibrancy of your color-treated hair. Here's how hair glossing works:

• Seals the hair cuticle to lock in color: Hair gloss smooths and seals the cuticle (the outer layer of your hair), helping to lock in color and prevent it from fading too quickly. This protective layer keeps your color fresh longer.
• Adds shine and enhances vibrancy: Gloss gives your hair a glossy, polished finish, making color appear more vibrant. It provides depth and reflects light, bringing out the true beauty of your color.
• Helps tone down brassiness or uneven color: Tinted glosses can help neutralize unwanted warm tones like brassiness or uneven color. This benefits blonde, silver, or red hues that can shift over time.
• Reduces the need for frequent coloring: By maintaining color vibrancy and preventing fading, gloss treatments can extend the time between salon visits, saving you time, money, and hair exposure to dye.

How to Use Hair Gloss at Home

Achieving hair glossing that has salon-quality shine and color-preserving results is easy with the correct technique. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide for using hair gloss at home:

1. Prep your hair

Start with clean, towel-dried hair. Gloss works best on damp hair. Wash your hair with a color-safe shampoo to remove any buildup, then gently towel dry to remove excess moisture. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing Shampoo to help you get hair shine and smooth hair fibers that beautifully reflect light.

2. Apply the gloss

Try the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss. This product enhances your hair color and tone, boosts shine, and deeply conditions in one step.

For even coverage, apply the gloss starting from the roots and work your way to the ends. Focus on areas that need extra attention, like dull spots or where color has faded. Use your fingers or a color applicator for precision, ensuring the gloss coats every strand.

3. Leave it on

Typically, hair gloss should sit for about 10 to 20 minutes. If you use a tinted gloss, monitor the color development, especially for brassiness or uneven tones. Remember to always follow the instructions for your product at the exact recommended time.

4. Rinse and aftercare

Rinse the gloss out thoroughly with lukewarm water. Follow up with a color-protecting conditioner to seal in the shine, like theL’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing Conditioner. Avoid using hot water, as it can strip color and gloss benefits.

5. Frequency of use

One common question is, “how long does hair gloss last?”. To maintain the hair glossing effects, use hair gloss once every one to two weeks, depending on your hair’s needs. If you’re working to extend the life of color-treated hair, consider using it more often.

Editor´s tip: While DIY gloss treatments can provide good results at home, professional salon glosses are often more intense and longer-lasting. DIY is perfect for regular upkeep, but a salon treatment might be the answer for a more intense refresh or a more customized color boost.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

To make your hair color last longer and achieve maximum shine with hair gloss, follow these expert tips:

1. Choose the right gloss for your hair color

Select a gloss that matches your hair needs. If your hair is color-treated, try a tinted gloss to enhance and maintain the shade. On natural hair, a clear gloss adds shine and smoothness without altering the color.

2. Use sulfate-free shampoos

Sulfates can strip your hair of natural oils and cause color to fade faster. Choose sulfate-free shampoos to preserve your gloss treatment and keep your color vibrant longer. A good recommendation is the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Shampoo with Citric Acid, which provides strength and smoothness with intense hydration.

3. Avoid heat styling right after glossing

Give your hair a break from heat styling immediately after applying gloss. Heat can cause color to fade and reduce the gloss's effectiveness. If you must use heat tools, apply a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave In.

4. Combine with deep conditioning treatments

Pair your gloss treatment with a deep conditioning mask to keep your hair healthy and hydrated, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing 5-Min Lamination Hair Mask. This combination will maintain your hair's softness, shine, and overall health, ensuring your color stays fresh and vibrant.

Next Up: How To Add A Hair Gloss to Your Hair Care Routine

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris