#2 What are the different types of gloss?
“Semi-permanent gloss is typically a professional product – pigment mixed with developer. Direct dyes only have pure pigment and stain the hair,” says Javier. She also notes that there are many types of hair gloss that can be mixed to match your specific hair color .How often you use a hair gloss depends on the lightness and darkness of your color.It is best to check with your color specialist to determine your shine treatment frequency.
While hair shine is great for colored or chemically treated hair, there are also benefits to shining virgin hair. “A gloss can be clear or tinted, depending on your desired result,” says Mondo. “You don’t have to color your hair to use a gloss. If you use a clear gloss, it will not color your hair. It will only add shine and benefit the overall health of your hair.”
#3 Can glosses be an alternative to dye?
“Yes, definitely!” Javier says. “If you don’t have a lot of gray, there are ways to blend your color. Blondes can get away with shining their hair in different tones, even if it’s just the ends. Also, if your hair is light enough, you can just tone it down [to color correct].”
#4 Can glosses help manage brassiness or discoloration?
A gloss can help “fine tune” a shade to become more even, dark, or even lighten the existing color. When done in a salon, “it’s blended specifically for a client and their needs,” she adds. “I have clients who enjoy coming in for a shine more often because of the high shine and subtle difference in the hair.”
Although she advises asking your salon for the best recommendations, Javier broke down the following suggestions for colored hair:
Red/Strawberry Blonde: “Red is one of those colors that fades very quickly. Glossary [should be] more frequently depending on how saturated the color is. Dark red or auburn hair tends to need less color, while strawberry blondes need more maintenance.”
For dark/light blonde: “Depending on the tone of the hair — think silver blondes or very pale whites — shine tends to be done more often.”
For darker hair: Javier says dark tones “can get away with coloring hair less often.”
To figure out which gloss is best for you, “You first need to understand what your priorities are,” says Mondo. “Trying to cut off the heat in your hair and make it more ash? Trying to go darker? If so, then you’ll want to go for a tinted gloss that has the desired result you’re looking for. But if your only desire is to add shine and make your hair look healthier, then a clear shine is great for you.”
#5 How often should you gloss?
Javier says your shine cadence depends on how complicated the color is, but every four to six weeks is a good rule of thumb. “The more you shine, I think you hold a higher standard to the color,” Javier asserts. “[The treatments] lasts about a month, using color-safe conditioner and using water with a cooler temperature will make the color last longer.”
In general, salon gloss will last a little longer. “When it comes to making a clear gloss at home, they are typically semi-permanent, while in the salon they are typically demi-permanent and mixed with a developer. Demi-permanent glosses or “glazes” can last longer because they penetrate the hair a little, whereas a home gloss sits on top of the hair,” says Mondo.
#6 Can you shine your hair at home?
Yes! “You can definitely get a great shine treatment at home,” says Mondo. “This is a pretty simple process, especially when using a clear gloss. All it takes is a quick wash of your hair, then apply the gloss and rinse after about 20 minutes or as directed. It’s foolproof and straight as easy as using traditional hair conditioner. I recommend our XMONDO Super Gloss because it has incredibly beneficial ingredients.”
“When it comes to making a colored gloss, the biggest difference is that in a salon you get a blended formula customized for you and applied by an expert. You don’t get that kind of customization at home, and you’ll end up with a more generic color.” But when you use the right at-home product, “you’ll notice a massive increase in shine and strength in your hair after treatment.”