What Is a Hair Gloss? (And Why Your Color Needs One)
If you’ve ever left the salon with hair that felt shinier, silkier, and more refreshed than usual, chances are you’ve had a gloss treatment. A hair gloss is one of the simplest services you can add to your appointment, but it delivers impressive results. At Newfound Hair Co. in Portland, ME, we use gloss and glaze services to keep color vibrant, neutralize unwanted tones, and restore healthy shine between bigger appointments.
So what is a gloss exactly? Think of it as a topcoat for your hair. A professional gloss smooths the cuticle, enhances reflection, and can either refresh existing color or deposit tone to shift it slightly. Many people use a gloss to extend the life of balayage or highlights, since it can bring faded tones back to life and cancel out brassiness. Others choose it simply for the shine — even if they don’t color their hair, a gloss can add softness and polish that makes hair look healthier and more luminous.
You may also hear the term “glaze” used alongside gloss. The two are often used interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference. A gloss usually deposits pigment while boosting shine, which makes it perfect for correcting warmth or enhancing depth. A glaze is typically clear and designed only to add shine and smoothness without altering the base color. Both are gentle, conditioning treatments that do not damage the hair, and your stylist can help you decide which option is best for your needs.
The benefits of a gloss are straightforward but powerful. It refreshes your color, corrects tone, adds shine, and does so in a quick, low-maintenance service. The treatment is applied at the shampoo bowl, processes in about 20 minutes, and leaves hair looking like it was just freshly colored. Many of our clients book a gloss midway between balayage, blonding, or highlighting appointments as a way to keep their hair looking salon-fresh without committing to a full color service.
If your color feels faded, brassy, or dull, a gloss can bring it back to life. If you have natural hair and simply want it to look shinier and healthier, a clear gloss is a great option too. At Newfound Hair Co., we specialize in creating color that not only looks beautiful the day you leave the salon but continues to feel vibrant and healthy in the weeks that follow. A gloss is one of the best ways to extend that fresh color feeling and make the most of your appointment.
Ready to experience the benefits yourself? Book your gloss or glaze appointment with Newfound Hair Co. in Portland, ME, and see how a simple service can transform your hair.