What Is Hair Gloss and Why We Love It
You know we don’t gatekeep at Sephora, and #hairgloss is taking over TikTok right now with over 617.3 million views and counting *hair swish*. So, we’re shining a light on the glosses that give long-lasting shine and an ultra-smooth finish. In the name of research, we have tried and tested the best hair glosses for all hair types and textures. Let’s glow…
Best hair glosses at a glance - our top picks:
Best for next-level luminosity: Living Proof High Shine Gloss Treatment, £30
Best for salon-quality results: Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acid Chroma Gloss, £47
Best for colour-treated hair: Redken Acidic Colour Gloss Conditioner, £35
Best for blonde hair: Davines Heart Of Glass Instant Bonding Glow, £36
Best for adding brightness: Pureology Colour Glaze, £34.80
Q: What does hair gloss do?
A: The clue is in the name with this one, but a good hair gloss does more than just add glass-like shine - it also has colour and care benefits, too. The very best hair glosses will enhance your colour, moisturise your strands, and improve your hair texture. They will also deeply condition, increase softness, and restore your hair health. Hair glosses are real multitaskers.
Q: How often should you gloss your hair?
A: Working a hair gloss treatment into your weekly routine is becoming as essential as a classic wash and blow dry. Most hair glosses are used in the shower and last for several washes, and others are lightweight enough to be used everyday, take your pick and prepare to shine.
Q: Do you put hair gloss on wet or dry hair?
A: Generally, hair gloss is used on wet hair, but there are hair glosses that can be used on dry hair overnight, too - dreamy. Check the bottle of your chosen gloss and follow instructions to add a little gleam to your hair wash routine.
Q: How to apply hair gloss at home?
A: You don’t just shine in the salon - you can hair gloss at home, too! Super easy to use, most hair glosses are designed to be used in the shower after you’ve shampooed your hair. Some before conditioning and some after, depending on your hair type. If you have fine hair, skip the conditioner, if you have thicker hair, continue to condition. Typically, you squeeze out any excess water, smooth in your hair gloss from root-to-tip, and rinse out a few minutes later. Et voilà!
By Sephora UK Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 21 November 2024
Shop all Hair Products & Hair Care at Sephora UK.
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Living Proof High Shine Gloss Treatment
Best for next-level luminosity
If you like the reflective look, reach for the Living Proof in-shower clear hair gloss. Promising 2x more shine (and the reviews agree), it transforms dull, lifeless hair and leaves your locks feeling silky smooth. Holding its shape and shine until your next hair wash, this High Shine Gloss Treatment brings all the vibrancy with results that last. Now, that’s what we call a wash and glow.
Expert tip:
Use to prep hair for the ultimate slicked back bun.
Tried and tested:
“The best hair product I have ever used! My hair looks so shiny, healthy, and frizz-free with this product.” - Stacey, Customer Review
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OUAI Hair Gloss In-Shower Shine Treatment
Best for your healthiest-looking hair
Healthy hair is this OUAI. Made with nourishing Hyaluronic Acid and Rice Water, this hair gloss protects colour, boosts shine, reduces frizz, and increases strength - all in five minutes. And not only that, it also defends against colour fading, helps treat damage, and provides heat protection. Give it a go and soak up the compliments.
Expert tip:
Use before styling for a sleek and protected look up to 450 F.
Tried and tested:
“With this product, my hair is softer, shinier, and feels moisturised without being weighed down. I also love the scent. Will buy again!” - Gracie, Customer Review
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amika Flash - Instant Shine Hair Gloss Mask
Best for hair speed
Go from dull to dazzling with the amika Flash Instant Shine Hair Gloss Mask. It’s a super-fast, 60-second treatment that softens and hydrates all hair textures. Simply apply before bed and wake up with super-glossy locks. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Coconut Water, it reduces breakage by 26%, boosts moisture for 72 hours and lasts for four washes - sign us up.
Expert tip:
An office essential, keep at your desk and glow to after work events.
Tried and tested:
“I use this product almost every time I wash my hair and it has been a game changer! The shine it gives to the hair is impressive, I get compliments on how shiny and healthy my hair looks every time I use this. Highly recommend!” - Sofia, Customer Review
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Davines Heart Of Glass Instant Bonding Glow
Best for blonde hair
If your blonde needs a little more bombshell, this reinforcing hair colour gloss was created especially for natural and treated blondes. Enriched with Biacidic bond complex and illuminating Amino concentrate, it’s a fast-acting super shine serum which also repairs, strengthens, and boosts the brightness of your blonde. Maybe blondes do have more fun?
Expert tip:
After shampooing, remove excess water from the hair and apply to the lengths and ends. Massage in and comb to reveal the radiance.
Tried and tested:
“Helped my bleached hair to appear smooth and soft as if by magic. A really great product.” - Miriam, Customer Review
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Pureology Colour Glaze
Best for adding brightness
Designed to neutralise brassiness for both blondes and brunettes, the Pureology Colour Glaze is a high-gloss top coat that takes away orange or yellow tones while also delivering next-level softness. Choose the blue top coat for brunettes and the purple top coat for blondes, and you won’t just beat brassiness, you’ll also achieve reflective shine. We’re ready to start a craze for glaze…
Expert tip:
For an out-of-this-world shine, pair with the Pureology Hydrate Superfood Deep Treatment Mask.
Tried and tested:
“Wow. This stuff really worked. I wish I were the type to take before and after photos because the results were actually a drastic improvement for my hair. Yes, my hair is softer and shiner and omg the colour looks better than when I left the salon!” - Danya, Customer Review
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Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask Platinum
Best for platinum strands
Is it a hair gloss, is it a hair colour? Well, actually, it’s both. The Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask Platinum is a hair colour gloss for platinum blondes who want to boost their hair colour and condition between salon visits. Packed full of nourishing ingredients including an Amino Acid blend, Apricot Kernel Oil and reparative ArganID™ technology, it refreshes and restores your locks, as well as adding radiant shine.
Expert tip:
For a pastel effect, mix ¼ part Color Depositing Mask with ¾ parts Moroccanoil’s Light Hydrating Mask to soften the colour result.
Tried and tested:
“Used this for a few months and loved it! Was great to add some colour to my hair without damaging it.” - Sierra, Customer Review
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RANAVAT Glossing Hair Masque
Best for a lightweight feel
RANAVAT’s Glossing Hair Masque is a lightweight in-shower hair gloss that brings moisture and shine to even the most parched of locks. Powered by RANAVAT’s Veda4 Bond Strengthening Complex™ along with transparent Henna, Hyaluronic Acid, and Moringa Seed Oil, it hydrates dull, brittle and damaged hair, making hair 3x shiner and bonds 93% stronger after each and every wash.
Expert tip:
Use as the last step in your in-shower hair ritual, let it sink in for 3-5 minutes and then rinse with cool water.
Tried and tested:
“Where has this been all my life? This masque makes my hair so shiny, soft, and frizz-free, and the craziest thing is it doesn’t contain any Silicones or nasty ingredients.” - Customer Review
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Redken Acidic Colour Gloss Conditioner for Colour Treated Hair
Best for colour-treated hair
Looking for salon-quality colour care without leaving the comfort of your home? Then reach for Redken’s Acidic Color Gloss Conditioner. This moisture-boosting hair colour gloss offers vibrancy, strength and shine to struggling strands. With a nourishing blend of Citric Acid, Amino Acids and conditioning agents, it smooths from root-to-tip for a mirror-like shine.
Expert tip:
Use before a special event and shine for up to 72 hours long.
Tried and tested:
“Have been loving this entire range - the shampoo works best with the conditioner and heat protectant!” - Customer Review
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Color Wow Pop & Lock High Gloss Finish Mini
Best for locking in moisture
Shine inside and out with Color Wow’s hair gloss treatment. Loaded with re-hydrating humectants, 75% of the formula works inside the hair restoring elasticity and suppleness, while the serum wraps around your strands to smooth the cuticle and lock in all that nourishing goodness. As the name suggests, just wow.
Expert tip:
We always keep this in our holiday suitcase to stay hydrated.
Tried and tested:
“Stunning. Makes hair so shiny and love that you can use it on wet and dry hair.” - Lauren, Customer Review
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typebea G4 Hydra-Gloss Treatment Mask
Best for mega-watt shine
Offering instant shine for thirsty strands, typebea’s G4 Hydra Gloss Treatment Mask strengthens, lengthens and moisturises - all in just a few minutes. A hydrating and hard-working hair gloss, it uses clinically-tested biomimetic Ceramide to decrease damage while Hyaluronic Acid, Argan Oil, Avocado Oil, and Shea Butter work together for hydration. A true hair hero.
Expert tip:
No need for conditioner, follow with G1 Overnight Boosting Peptide to promote hair growth.
Tried and tested:
“Gorgeous hair mask, leaves the hair feeling incredibly soft and shiny! Smells great, too.” - Sophie, Customer Review
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Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acid Chroma Gloss
Best for salon-quality results
Described as a ‘miracle formula’, the Kérastase Chroma Asolu Soin Acid Chroma Gloss is a hair gloss treatment that has a big name, and even bigger stats to back it up. Do you fancy hair that is 94% more hydrated, 96% stronger, 70% shinier, and colour that’s 92% more intense? We thought so. And did we mention that it smells absolutely divine… Be right back, we’re adding this to our haircare routine immediately.
Expert tip:
Apply one dose to fine hair or two doses to thick hair once a week for glowing results.
Tried and tested:
“I am new to this product and absolutely love it; my hair is soft and shining which is pretty good for an over 70 year old!” - Jennifer, Customer Review
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