11 Best Hair Glosses and Color Glazes of 2024, According to Beauty Editors
Hair so shiny, you can see your reflection.
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When it comes to hair care and hair color, I like to save $$$ with at-home hair dye whenever and however I can. (Like, seriously. I’m a box dye expert at this point.) So when I do splurge on a trip to the salon, you best believe I'll do everything I can to make my expensive results last longer. My secret? At-home hair glosses and glazes to boost my color and keep my hair looking healthy, shiny, and toned until it’s time for a professional touch-up. But even if you don't get highlights or color, the best hair glosses and glazes can help smooth and soften your hair, even if they're clear. So if you're not already using one, I'm gonna have to change that rtfn...
Our top picks for the best hair glosses and glazes of 2024:
Whether you want to revive your color in between salon visits or add a boost of shine to dull-looking hair, these glosses and glazes will do the trick. Keep scrolling for all of my picks (including an award winner, NBD), plus the ins and outs of hair glosses from the experts.
Pros
- Coats hair with serious shine
- Feels extremely lightweight on hair (shout-out no silicones)
- Can be used on basically all hair types and colors
Cons
- A few reviewers didn't notice enough of a difference to justify the price and extra step in their routine
When I first heard about this product, I was like, "eh, probably not for me, but great for someone else." My oily hair doesn't need any more shine, ty. But then I heard about the science—how this treatment was developed to mimic glass to give a light-reflecting, blinding shine without using silicones—and I gave it a try. And lemme tell you, I'm obsessed!! This turned my damn hair into a mirror, k? I'm shocked. It's smooth and shiny, but not greasy or weighed down either.
This gloss is completely clear and doesn't add any extra weight to your hair, plus doesn't contain silicones that can stretch out your curl pattern or build up on strands. I just shampoo and condition my hair with my usual lightweight formulas for fine hair, then load my hair with this creamy formula from roots to ends and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing it out. Just look at how good my hair looks below—it's so good.
- Type: Cream
- Size: 6.7 fl oz
Glowing customer review: "Absolutely loved this product. It does what it promises and not sticky or greasy. Leaves my hair soft, smooth and very shiny."
My hair has maybe never looked this good, and mind you, I put zero product in it after the shower and used zero hot tools. Dare I say... My hair is simply raw-dogging life right now, and it's thriving. All thanks to this hair gloss! My single and only complaint is that I feel like I have to wash my hair sooner than normal (think: one and a half days later rather than two days later), but it's worth it for hair that looks this good.
Pros
- Has a gray-toned color to help boost cool tones
- Paraben- and sulfate-free
Cons
- Some reviewers said the scent was too strong
Ideal for crystal blonde, ash blonde, brown, and gray hair, this three- to five-minute treatment has a blend of gray pigments that deposit slate and cool tones—plus tons of lustrous shine—in between salon appointments. Side note: How chic is the packaging?
- Type: Liquid
- Size: 8.4 fl oz
Glowing customer review: "Tried this to see if anything could get my gray hair shiny. It is the first product to do exactly that. I first bought it from my hairdresser, then quickly ordered more from Amazon. Try this. You'll be glad you did."
Pros
- Results last up to 10 washes
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free
Cons
- Some reviewers say it's messy
This two-in-one at-home hair gloss combines semi-permanent hair color and a deep-conditioning treatment, so it not only boosts your hair color a little bit but adds some serious moisture and shine (see the pic of my hair below for proof). Each of the 11 shades (ranging from bright copper to jet black) contains color-boosting pigments that coat the outside of the hair shaft for up to 10 washes. But it also comes in a clear version if you just wanna give your hair a dose of shine and hydration.
- Type: Cream
- Size: 6.5 fl oz
Glowing customer review: "I’m a natural redhead but as I’ve aged, my color has faded a bit. This brightens it, and it looks like my natural color. It's easier to maintain and less expensive than getting my hair colored at the salon. Leaves my hair feeling healthy and looking great."
Red hair is notoriously difficult to keep vibrant, which is where this gloss came in for me. I coated my hair in it once a week after dying my hair copper a few years ago, and it was the only way I was able to stave off monthly salon appointments to zhuzh up my warm tone. It didn't add any greasiness or extra weight to my fine hair either—just a fresh glaze of color and some shine.
Pros
- *So* easy to use in the shower
Cons
- A few reviewers said it felt heavy on their hair
So good, it got a Holy Grail Beauty Award (no big deal or anything...). Assistant shopping editor Jasmine Hyman says no product has ever garnered her more compliments than after she'd used this hair gloss, since it revived her hair color so much with a shiny, glowy finish. And the best part? It's so low fuss. Just shampoo as normal, coat your hair with the gloss from mid-lengths to ends, let it ~marinate~ for five minutes, then rinse it out.
- Type: Cream
- Size: 6 fl oz
Glowing customer review: "I’ve been looking to try a hair gloss for a while now, and I’m glad I waited and found this one. The scents are all wonderful! No detangler or leave in conditioner needed after washing my hair, I just dried it like I usually do. It definitely helps make my thick wavy hair feel sleek and smooth!"
"After using this treatment ONE time, all of my friends asked me if I got my hair dyed recently," Hyman says. "It truly revived my washed-out color, helped improve my hair’s softness, and is an amazing protecting addition to my routine when using heated tools. I also love that you only need to use it once every three washes.”
Pros
- Available in 11 different shades
- Results last three to four weeks
Cons
- Doesn't work as well on gray hair
If you’re reaaaaally looking to stretch out your time between color appointments at the salon, this at-home hair gloss from Kristin Ess is for you. Just mix the activator and gloss, apply to wet hair, and then leave it on for up to 20 minutes. You’ll be left with a fresh, new color that lasts about a month and hair that’s ridiculously shiny and soft. (P.S. It comes in 14 different shades, from platinum to black and everything in between.)
- Type: Liquid
- Size: 2 fl oz
Glowing customer review: "I recommend this for anyone who wants to try a new shade but doesn't want it permanent yet. It's so easy to do by yourself in the shower. I give this product five stars and would give it more if I could."
Pros
- Biotin-infused
- Intensive repair treatment
Cons
- Single-use treatment
- Some reviewers say it made their curly hair look straight
If you've got bleached or color-treated hair, you likely are looking to mend some damage as well as smooth and protect your color, which is where this glossing “shot” comes into play. The single-use treatment is packed with biotin—a vitamin that’s essential for strong, healthy hair—to give your hair a ton of shine and your color (whether it’s golden blonde or dark brown) an instant refresh. It's majorly moisturizing and helps slick down flyaways while protecting and strengthening your hair to prevent damage in the future, making it especially useful to keep on hand before and after color treatments.
- Type: Liquid
- Size: .5 fl oz
Glowing customer review: "Wow! This works! I didn't think it would do much because I've tried so many products with minimal effect. My hair was damaged and large sections were broken off after getting a keratin treatment at the salon," writes one reviewer. "I read tons of reviews and several different products and this one is great. My hair is smooth and shiny and I will be using this regularly for sure!!
Pros
- Helps neutralize brassiness
- Easy-to-use foam formula
Cons
- Can potentially leave a violet hue in your hair if left on too long
Though it won't completely replace a toner if your box dye was kind of a fail—or if your colorist took some, uh, creative liberties—this in-shower foam will continue to neutralize brassy tones and break down orange hues, post-color. Dispense a pump into your palms, then massage into your hair. You can rinse immediately or leave on for up to three minutes (depending on your brass levels), then follow with conditioner.
- Type: Foam
- Size: 3.4 fl oz
Glowing customer review: "I’ve been fighting gold hair for about 18 months. Not only did this get rid of some of the muddy root colors that I ended up with, but it also brightened my gold highlights."
Pros
- Features an easy-to-use precision twist tip
- Formulated without Sulfates SLS & SLES
Cons
- Some reviewers say their hair felt heavy after using it
Sure, all hair glosses tone to some degree, but this one is seriously magical for brunettes, thanks to blue pigments that minimize orange tones in brown hair (similar to how a blue shampoo works). The color-correcting and shine-boosting effects last for up to eight washes too. I love that I can get the nozzle tip right onto my scalp to massage the product into my roots and ends to beat orange tones throughout my entire hair.
- Type: Liquid
- Size: 6.7 oz.
Glowing customer review: "This product is amazing! Completely took brassiness out of my platinum blonde hair and left it soft and shiny. I was looking for something a bit more powerful than a purple shampoo/conditioner since my bangs tend to get brassy faster than the rest of my hair. I just used it for a second time on my whole head of hair, and it worked wonderfully," writes one tester. "My hair looks as bright as it does when I first leave the salon. If you are platinum looking for a boost between appointments..this is the answer! Better than purple shampoo/conditioners."
Pros
- Results last up to 15 washes
- Makes hair for manageable and easy to style
Cons
- Not as effective on brown hair
After you use this hair gloss, you'll immediately notice that your hair feels smoother, shinier, and softer for up to 15 washes. Why? Well, it's loaded with hella moisturizing oils and butters, like coconut oil, shea butter, and sugar beat extract. I personally love the clear one, but the formula comes in 11 other colors—from bright blue to blonde—that will amp up your color while conditioning your hair too.
- Type: Liquid
- Size: 6.8 oz.
Glowing customer review: "In my search for an alternative to my pricey salon glazes, I found this. So easy and the results are gorgeous. It's a winner."
Pros
- Gentle formula
- Most affordable hair gloss on this list
Cons
- Some reviewers didn't like the spray nozzle
After shampooing, spray this affordable hair glaze evenly all over wet hair, leave it on for up to three minutes, layer on your conditioner, and then rinse. It'll help balance your hair's pH levels so it looks ridiculously soft and shiny once you hop out of the shower. And it's so frickin' easy to use since it comes in a spray bottle, aka no excuses.
- Type: Liquid
- Size: 6.7 oz.
Glowing customer review: "I have been using this shampoo, conditioner, and the glaze spray for the last several weeks and they have brightened up my dull hair. My hair has been dyed and is in bad need of recoloring, but this combination has brought some life back to my hair. It makes my hair soft and easy to style. The combo is easy to use and nourishing for your hair. I will definitely continue to use."
Pros
- Available in five different shades for blondes
- Kit comes with gloves and 1-2 applications
Cons
- Some reviewers say it tangled their hair
Ash-blonde, honey blonde, platinum blonde—really any shade of blonde can benefit from using this at-home hair gloss. It's infused with violent tones to brighten your color and cancel out unwanted yellowing—plus, it majorly amps up your hair's natural shine too.
- Type: Liquid
- Size: 4 oz.
Glowing customer review: "Love the gloss, easy and impossible to mess up!! No harsh smells and no irritation."
What are at-home hair glosses and glazes?
At-home hair glosses and glazes are basically fancy words for hair toners, or products that refresh and adjust your hair color, says Felicia Dosso, lead colorist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in NYC. "And unlike bleach or dye, glosses are ammonia-free, so they won't damage or dry out your hair.
"In general, the professional glosses and glazes that you get at the salon are the best option (your colorist will know the exact color and formula to use and how long it should be left on your hair), but when used correctly, at-home glosses and glazes are a great option too, says Dosso.
What's the difference between hair glosses and glazes?
A hair gloss and glaze are very similiar, according to hairstylist Meri Kate O'Connor. But "a gloss typically lasts two to four weeks, whereas a glaze can last up to a week," she says. "But they're both good for people who want to try something new without commitment." Before you choose one, know what you want for your hair, says Jonathan Colombini, a celebrity hairstylist. "If you’d like a quick color pick-me-up and to get rid some minor frizz, then use a glaze," he says. But a gloss is better if you want to boost your color and need some extra longevity.
What do hair glosses and glazes do for your hair?
A hair gloss can do a variety of things for your hair, including:
- Amplify certain tones, like blonde, copper, or brown, depending on the formula you use.
- Tone down brassiness (aka the orangey-yellow hue that usually creeps in a few weeks after bleaching or dyeing your hair).
- Restore shine with a mix of conditioning and smoothing ingredients.
Can hair glosses and glazes cover grays?
Technically no, hair glosses and glazes won't cover grays (you'll need real box dye or a single process at the salon to fully hide them), but you can "stain" them by using a gloss. "On clients who have minimal gray hair, I will sometimes leave a gloss on for up to 30 minutes so that the grays are more camouflaged. Staining them won’t give you 100 percent coverage, but it can make gray hair almost look like a very subtle highlight," says Dosso.
How to choose the best hair gloss or glaze
Consider your hair color concerns.
If your lightened hair or highlights are looking a little brassy (think warm orange or golden tones), choose a hair gloss or glaze that’ll neutralize them by depositing cool-toned pigments. And hi, brunettes with unwanted warm tones, you can use these too!
Or, if you've got dull dark hair, revive your color with a warm gloss, which deposits rich chocolate tones. And redheads whose color isn't reaching its potential will love something with some red pigments that acts as a semi-permanent color as well to make their color appear more vibrant..
Decide if shine is important to you.
We've also got a few clear options on this list. So if you don't color your hair—but still feel like it could use a little zhuzh—choose a shine-enhancing or smoothing hair gloss. These will usually be loaded with oils and butters, or sometimes silicones, to help smooth and moisturize your hair.
Meet the experts
- Jonathan Colombini is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist whose list of clientele includes Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, and Olivia Culpo.
- Meri Kate O'Connor is a celebrity colorist and stylist based at Cooper in West Hollywood. O'Connor has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of drugstore shampoos.
- Felicia Dosso is a colorist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City. Dosso has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of hair trends for 2022.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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