Gloss Over It: Why At-Home Glossing Treatments Are the Ultimate Hair Investment

Bastian Riccardi

At some point we all wanted to play with vivids. It might have us in high school sneaking a peak-aboo pink stripe from the principal; on the other end of the spectrum we might be ready to cover those roots. In other terms, low maintenance to be high maintenance is the ultimate chic trend of this digital beauty obsessed age. However, the average salon stylist might want you back in their chair, but no more than wanting your hair and scalp to be healthy. With an insider's addition, we can do more than gloss over it, but get down with the budget routines so one may not dye another day.  

Many forums have pestered this notion--but all give the same advice that seems to just scratch the surface.

They say many things of what not to do, rather than what to do. 

For example:
1. Only shampoo with cold water.

2. Avoid washing your hair frequently 

3. Use color safe deep conditioners and touch up with glosses. 

4. Avoid excess heat (blowouts or straightening) 

5. Don’t feed after midnight…I say in jest.  

But really there is a need to pick and choose. Some people can’t stand cold showers, or never styling their hair, or worse, ceasing washing your hair. So let’s talk about our top few safe alternatives. 

Color depositing conditioners and glossing treatments are here to save your passive weekly routine. According to stylists, hair glossing treatments are widely considered effective for preserving hair color by sealing the cuticle and locking in pigments. Stylists also note that these demi-permanent treatments smooth the hair shaft, neutralize brassiness, and intensify shine without causing structural damage. 

Famous stylist and online celebrity Brad Mondo, has even highlighted that instead of glossing every 4-6 weeks, someone with color treated hair would benefit from more frequent glazing. The main reason is because glosses have been shown to improve color payoff and longevity of color even without a salon visit.  

When To Do A Hair Gloss

Compared to other leave in or rinse out products a hair gloss works a little differently. Glossings and glazes force the hair follicle to be completely shut closed, which makes hair ultra shiny and silky. The science behind the hair follicle involves this structure. Every strand of hair we have has small openings up and down its shaft. 

When a gloss is applied it uses an acidic formula that forces those small openings closed, eliminating the look of split ends. But what are the benefits? What does this have to do with color treated hair? It offers a zero damage way to maintain vivid hair in a sense where it can work as a topcoat and act as a pollution and UV protectant. adding shine while also sealing in Color and preventing access loss through showering and environmental habits. As Jessica Ruby, hairstylist and owner of The Flamingo Lounge in Los Angeles, shared with NBC News, a hair gloss is a demi-permanent treatment that "enhances shine, revives color or simply adds vibrancy without altering your natural base". 

Many consumers avoid mid-cycle color refreshes because they fear cumulative chemical damage–and damage to their wallet. Glosses fill this gap perfectly because they are deeply conditioning treatments that fade completely gradually over 4 to 6 weeks. 

Because they do not create a harsh line of demarcation as roots grow out, they offer a low-stakes way for readers to experiment with subtle tonal shifts (like warming up a brunette or brightening a blonde) at home or in the salon.  

When To Do A Color Depositing Product

Compared to a gloss, a Color depositing product acts a little differently. Glossing treatments do not automatically add color but they can assist in preserving color. While a color depositing conditioner or mask is simply desire to lightly penetrate into the hair and add extra color for “touching up” 

It is great if you need extra moisture retention and you can't help but use clarifying shampoos. because let's face it, some people need to wash their hair more than once a week–and that should be OK.

Color depositing conditioners or masks are great if you need an instant boost of color that does not fully penetrate the hair follicle, but rather coats the outside of it. 

Color-depositing conditioners and masks utilize highly concentrated "direct dyes" that stain the outside of the hair shaft instantly. If your color is severely faded, or you need to drastically offset unwanted brassiness, these treatments offer immediate, punchy saturation. Because they contain zero developer or activating chemicals, they are highly effective at temporarily gripping onto porous hair sections that need a quick, rich injection of color.  

Over all you should mainly exclusively use a color depositing product if you need a rich injection of color quickly without the access of acidic chemicals that change your hair. 

Can You Over Do It?

Yes you can. Glossing treatments since they are naturally acidic have a habit of changing the structure of your hair over using a hair glass on a daily or somewhat daily basis can lead to hair shedding or your hair becoming a bit more brittle instead of soft and silky. It's recommended that you use a powerful glassing treatment once or twice a week max. I recommend shopping around and looking for glossing treatments that are either strong and can be used periodically throughout the month or glassing treatments that can be used routinely. and simply choose ones that are based off of your needs If you don't wanna look at the ingredients list then check out our recommendations below.

Product Recommendations 

For color depositing conditioners and masks we looked for something that was deeply conditioning and nourishing to the hair as the average dyeing process can lead to dry hair. If you need a heavy boost of color and a deep moisture treatment then look no further to Xmondo, Infused with Bond Booster, hyaluronic acid, and plant-based protein, this semi-permanent formula hydrates, nourishes, and shines as it colors. Priced at $30 it meets the needs of chronic color wants and wishes. 

For a stronger glossing and bond repair treatment, try the heavily tested REDKEN acid bonding concentrate 5-minute leave-in treatment, priced at $46 it’s infused with Citric Acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) combined with a Bonding Care Complex that reinforces weakened hair bonds at a molecular level. It also leaves the hair very glossy and shiny.  

Overall glossing vs color depositing is a deposition that would belong in the court of beauty, and as you deliberate the verdict for what your hair needs now–the Ambony’s styling team hope that you found this deep dive helpful beyond what many people gloss over.