Difference Between Hair Gloss vs Hair Glaze

Looking for a way to extend the life of your hair color in-between visits to your colorist? Or a quick fix for damaged hair? Utilizing hair gloss or hair glaze are some of the fastest and easiest ways to bring sad strands back to life. These semi-permanent hair colors and shine treatments combine pigment with nourishing ingredients to smooth the hair cuticle, giving you healthier-looking, and more vibrant hair. Even if you don’t have colored hair, your locks can benefit from a hair gloss or hair glaze. We’re breaking down the benefits of both treatments, including how long they last, and the best hair glosses and hair glazes to try at home ahead!

Hair glosses are semi-permanent hair colors and shine treatments that contain pigment instead of dyes. A hair gloss is often used in-salon by stylists to tweak the hue of a hair color. They can be customized to enhance natural tones, blend gray hair, neutralize brassiness, or create virtually any color you and your colorist come up with. Hair gloss treatments add noticeable shine to the hair, while opening the cuticle to deposit color and prevent your newly-added hair dye from going dull. They boost color results, reduce split ends, tame frizz, and give you overall shiny hair. Hair gloss is not permanent and will gradually fade in four-six weeks. "The word gloss in the colorist world can be another word for toner," says Davines Technical Education Manager Sunny Brewer. "Usually a gloss is adding a bit of color with the benefits of shine, and nourishment, and it last about 15-20 shampoos. At Davines, this would be our demi-permanant color line, View."

Semi-permanent hair gloss is typically a professional product of pigment mixed with developer. Hair glosses can be tinted to subtly boost or tone color, while some are clear. Clear glosses can be used on both non and color-treated hair to smooth down the hair cuticle, creating a reflective surface — almost like a top coat over your nail polish. There are also at-home hair glosses that contain pigment to stain the hair.

The benefits of hair gloss are seemingly endless. They can be used to play around with different colors before fully committing, tweak or tone color that has gone awry, and cover gray hair. Hair gloss seals and smooths the surface of the cuticle by filling abrasions so that the hair surface is smoother and can reflect light better. Using a hair gloss every four to six weeks helps to revitalize dull hair, smooth frizz and flyaways, and prolongs the lifespan of your hair color. In general, it can lead to more healthy hair, no matter your hair type.

For a professional gloss, you should absolutely call your colorist and make an appointment for a treatment.

Hair glaze is a non-permanent hair color treatment that adds shine to the hair and can help smooth flyaways and frizz. Glazes differ from traditional hair color in that they do not have any peroxide or developer. They deposit temporary color without opening or penetrating the hair cuticle and making a permanent color change. Hair glaze lasts up to around a week, gradually fading out of the hair. "A Glaze is a bit different in that it offers shine and a bit of color as well, but the longevity is different and there is no Activator that needs to be added for it to work," says Sunny. "At Davines, this would be our Finest Pigments line. This gives shine and can also provide color support and lasts for about 8-10 shampoos." Our Finest Pigments line is a professional ammonia-free direct coloring system formulated with natural pigments and ingredients of up to 98% natural origin. Ask your Davines stylist about using this line to get beautiful, glossy hair.

There are two different types of hair glazes: clear and tinted. Tinted hair glaze can be used enhance or maintain color while adding a sheer coating to the hair shaft. Clear hair glaze can be used on both virgin and color-treated hair to soften strands and restore shine to dull hair.

Hair glazes can be used to play around with different colors before fully committing, change an unwanted hair color, or cover gray hair. In addition, glazes act as a deep conditioning treatment, with benefits similar to a hair mask. Hair glazes contain no harmful chemicals and fill in any gaps in the damaged hair shaft. This closes the hair cuticle for a smooth texture, taming flyaways and reducing frizz. Hair glaze also prevents the hair cuticles from tangling, making it a great treatment to use on coarse, hard-to-manage hair types.

Just like with a gloss, a hair glaze can be done in-salon by a colorist.

The biggest differentiation between a gloss and a glaze is its lifespan. A hair gloss (at least those done in-salon) requires a developer and penetrates the hair's cuticle, making it last longer than a glaze. Hair glazes on the other hand, have no ammonia or peroxide, and simply coat the shaft with shine and semi permanent color (unless you are using a clear glaze, then there is no color deposited).

Both of these hair color treatments are less intensive than permanent dye or bleach, making both hair gloss and hair glaze good options for non-committal color. But if you’re afraid of damaging your strands, stick to a hair glaze. Since it doesn’t open the cuticle there's less risk for damage. If you want a more permanent finish, go for a hair gloss — it also gives more color payoff. If you're still not sure, consult your colorist with your specific wants to see what's right for you. 

If you’re looking for a way to extend the life of your color or bring dry damaged hair back to life, a hair gloss or hair glaze is your answer. Even if you don’t have colored hair, your locks can benefit from these semi-permanent hair colors and shine treatments. Hair glosses and hair glazes combine pigment with nourishing ingredients to smooth the hair cuticle, for healthier looking, more vibrant strands. All Davines products (including our glosses) use quality ingredients, and are made with renewable energy and packaging that minimizes environmental impact. Our hair care isn’t just good for your hair, it’s good for the planet. 

If you have thin hair, avoid styling products with ingredients like polymers, ammonia, and detergents. These can strip the scalp and hair of their much-needed natural oils. Hair that’s already thinning can look especially stringy after using them. 

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor

Cover photo via Melanie Guille