How to Do Glazed Donut Hair That Doesn't Look Greasy

You don’t have to be an expert in trends to know that glazed donut skin, nails and hair are having a massive moment on social media. What started with glowy, dewy complexions, has now made its way to pearly, chrome nails and glossy, shiny hair. While the trend isn’t too far off from the viral glass skin and all of its iterations, it proves that high-shine beauty is here to stay.

While frosted nails or dewy complexions may not be your preference, soft, vibrant and lustrous hair — whether it’s called glass hair, glazed donut hair or something else — is what many people strive for. Not only is it gorgeous but it’s an indication of healthy hair, and that is the ultimate hair goal. While a shiny mane comes easier to some than others, using the right hair products can help anyone achieve the glossy look without crossing the line into greasy hair. 

Inside, learn all about the glazed donut hair trend, including how to get the glossy look at home, and the top hair care products to shop for shiny hair.

What Is Glazed Donut Hair?

Glazed donut hair is hair that looks glossy, healthy and expensive. Think of hair that has an intense shine when it catches the light or hair that has just been freshly dyed and styled. There’s a freshness to it and a healthy luminosity. Warm highlights and ribbons of color woven throughout your hair can also help to amplify the glazed donut look because it creates a multi-dimensional color that shines as it hits the light. But ultimately, glazed donut hair glows and it’s not limited to a certain hair type or color.

What Is the Difference Between Glazed Donut Hair and Greasy Hair?

Glazed donut hair spotlights glossy length, while greasy hair tends to be oily at the roots. Also, glazed donut hair doesn’t have an oily, wet look as greasy hair does — it boasts an all-over luminosity that stems from being healthy, hydrated and well-cared for. 

5 Tips to Get Glazed Donut Hair That Doesn’t Look Greasy

Glazed donut hair looks glossy not greasy, but sometimes, the two can trail a fine line. Here are five ways to ensure that your glazed donut hair is the former — shiny and luminous — not the latter.

1. Use a Shine-Boosting At-Home Hair Color Kit

The path to glazed donut hair begins with your hair color, but that doesn’t mean you have to book a pricey salon visit. The L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color promises luminous, long-lasting hair color in a wide spectrum of lustrous shades from Champagne Blonde to Light Amber Brown to Black Sapphire. Use it as a more permanent means for glazed donut hair that can be touched up every eight weeks if needed. 

2. Add a Glossing Treatment to Your Routine

Think of a glossing treatment as necessary maintenance for your glazed donut hair: It helps to enhance shine while reviving and toning your hair color. One way to add one into your routine is with a weekly, in-shower glossing treatment, like the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss. In as little as five minutes, this easy-to-use treatment corrects dull, faded hair color, boosts shine and deeply conditions your hair. It comes in a range of shades including Copper, Deep Black, and even Clear so there is a shade for everyone.   

Another way to incorporate a glossing treatment into your routine is with a glossing cleansing system. Enter the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced, the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. This trio cleanses hair without stripping color, leaving it silky, shiny, vibrant and smooth. 

First, cleanse your scalp and hair with the shampoo, then spray the in-shower glaze on wet hair and let it sit for one to three minutes, (do not rinse) and follow up with the conditioner.

3. Try a Slick Hairstyle

While slicked-back hairstyles aren’t the first thing you think of when you picture glazed donut hair, a slick hairdo like wet-looking hair or a slicked-back bun or ponytail hairstyle is a quick and easy way to achieve a shiny, well-kept look. 

The most important part of this look is the hair gel because the end goal is shiny hair, not greasy hair. We like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Mega Gel because it provides a glossy finish that keeps your hair in place all day long, without feeling crunchy or looking oily.

To create an easy slick updo, decide on a bun or ponytail and where you want the placement on your head. Once you’ve secured your updo with a hair tie, use your fingers to apply the gel to the crown of your hair, slicking it back. If you have any baby hairs, you can use the gel and an edge brush to style them. 

4. Hydrate Your Hair Properly

A big part of glazed donut hair is having hydrated hair and there are a few different ways to go about this. Much like you use a hydrating serum to give your complexion added moisture, you can do the same for your strands. We like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Moisture Plump Serum, Paraben-Free, a hydrating hair serum infused with hyaluronic acid to revive dry strands and lock in moisture. Spritz it through your hair as needed to deliver a boost of moisture without weighing down your hair.

Another way to add moisture to your strands is with hair oil, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Sheer Oil. This one is formulated with a blend of five natural oils — sunflower, olive, jojoba seed, coconut and rosemary — to reduce frizz and add shine. Use it after a hair serum to trap moisture. Apply it through the length and ends of your hair only to avoid greasy roots.

 

5. Always Use Heat Protectant

Excessive heat styling can lead to dry, lackluster strands, which is the exact opposite of glazed donut hair. While a voluminous blowout may be your signature style, whenever you reach for your hot tools, make sure that you’ve primed your strands with heat protectant, beforehand. We like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant before blow drying because it smooths hair and enhances shine. If you’re curling or flat ironing dry hair, try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In to banish frizz and flyaways.

Next: Skip the Salon and Try the Best at Home Hair Color Kits

 

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Associate Creative Director: Melissa San Vicente-Landestoy, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Associate Content Director: Shalwah Evans, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Digital Tech: Erik Dalzen, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Model: Alexandra Van Zant