If You Want Shinier, Sleeker Hair, Start With These Glosses
Eight formulas approved by Cosmo editors.
Getting your hair done at the salon is a luxurious experience, sure, but it costs a pretty penny. Blowouts, color glazes, and smoothing treatments—they add up. But even if I’m saving my money, I don’t have to walk around with dull hair since at-home hair glosses exist. They’re the best way to maintain your results (shiny hair, bright color, sealed ends) without booking another appointment. And Cosmo’s team of editors has been testing them on a variety of hair types, textures, colors, and preferences.
Hair glosses come in two categories: Clear and tinted. A tinted hair gloss imparts a little bit of color to help revive, brighten, and/or tone your hair color. For example, I have copper hair and rely heavily on hair glosses (the ones below, to be exact) once a month to reduce inevitable color fading. These can also be used to remove brassiness from your blonde or brunette hair. Clear glosses, though, don’t change your hair color but help your hair look sleek, shiny, and smooth.
Our top picks for the best at-home hair glosses and glazes:
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
Why we love it: 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. It's smooth and shiny, but not greasy or weighed down either. This gloss is completely clear and weightless on hair, plus it doesn't contain silicones that can stretch out your curl pattern or build up on strands.
| Type | Clear cream |
| Size | 6.7 fl oz |
One Cosmo editor says: “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. 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.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Results last up to 10 washes
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free
Cons
- Some reviewers say it's messy
Why we love it: 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 | Colored cream (but also comes in a clear version) |
| Size | 6.5 fl oz |
One Cosmo editor says: “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.”—BG
Pros
- *So* easy to use in the shower
Cons
- A few reviewers said it felt heavy on their hair
Why we love it: So good, it got a Holy Grail Beauty Award (no big deal or anything...). Assistant beauty 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 | Clear cream |
| Size | 6 fl oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "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.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Helps repair hair damage with bond-building ingredients
- Makes hair feel extremely silky
Cons
- Have to use a lot of product if you have a lot of hair, so the bottle can be used up quickly
Why we love it: The trick to hair that looks like glass is keeping it healthy (annoying answer, I know). Hence why this in-shower gloss from Bumble and Bumble is so great. Using a bonding complex (plus strengthening arginine and moisturizing honey), this not only does it make hair silky and shiny, but it actually helps repair damaged hair. Just shampoo as usual, then use the nozzle tip to apply this liquid from roots to ends.
| Type | Clear liquid rinse |
| SIze | 8.5 fl oz |
One Cosmo editor says: “I flat iron and curl my hair regularly, so a clear gloss needs to do more than just add shine. This quick, bond-building rinse also helps hydrate and minimize hair damage. I use it between shampoo and conditioner about once a month, and my ends feel smoother and sleeker as a result.”—SARAH MABERRY, FASHION AND LUXURY COMMERCE EDITOR
Pros
- Only takes one minute in the shower
- Results last multiple washes
Cons
- Most expensive hair gloss on this list
Why we love it: In a matter of a minute, this hair gloss completely smooths out your hair, detangles, hydrates, and adds intense shine. It’s packed with watermelon seed oil and silicones to seal your hair cuticle and leave your strands with a glossy shine. Just coat your hair in this in the shower after shampooing (and conditioner if your hair is very dry), and rinse after a minute.
| Type | Clear liquid rinse |
| Size | 5.9 fl oz |
One Cosmo editor says: “Before I even dried my hair, I could feel a difference. My hairbrush glided through my hair without any effort (which is a rarity for me, TBH, especially this time of year). However, once I blew out my hair, I was fully obsessed. The Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment is hands down one of the most innovative hair treatments I've ever tried. The results are so impressive—glass-like shine, healthy softness, and manageability—but even better the than the results is how easy the rinse is to use.”—MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Available in 11 different shades
- Results last three to four weeks
Cons
- Doesn't work as well on gray hair
Why we love it: 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 | Colored liquid (also comes in clear) |
| Size | 2 fl oz |
One Cosmo editor says: “As a (fake) readhead, I have played around with so mnay at-home hair glosses and even had my fair share of in-salon glosses. And, easily, this one from Kristin Ess is the most similar to the experience I’d get in the salon. It’s the most potent of all the glosses, meaning it definitely has the power to both boost your color or change things up (I’ve used this to take my red from a soft auburn to a true copper, for example). And afterward, my hair feels extra soft and shiny.”—BG
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
Why we love 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 shampooworks). 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. (FWIW, I—Beth Gillette, Cosmo’s beauty editor, use this in the copper shade for my read hair, and it really helps bring my color back to life.)
One shopper says: "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."
| Type | Colord liquid |
| Size | 6.7 fl oz |
Pros
- Great for smoothing frizz and flyaways
- Results lasted for a few days on many of our testers
Cons
- Have to use a lot of spritzes
Why we love it: Don’t feel like spending your precious shower time on a gloss? Don’t have to. Just spritz your damp hair with this cult-favorite hair gloss spray, then heat style. The heat activates polymers within the formula that seals your hair cuticle to repel humidity, making your hair look sleek and glossy longer.
| Type | Spray-on clear liquid |
| Size | 6.5 fl oz |
One Cosmo editor says: "I expected to get one good hair day out of it before everything got frizzy and poufy, but my hair still looks pretty sleek after going to the beach, sitting outside for dinner, sweating during yoga, etc., and I’m honestly baffled. Nothing kills my hair faster than humidity... but nothing has been as effective as Dream Coat has. Just mad I didn’t start using it sooner!"—HANNAH OH, FORMER SHOPPING EDITOR
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 for you:
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.
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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