HAIR GLOSSING – INSTANT SHINE AND FRESH COLOUR

Healthy hair structure goes hand in hand with a healthy shine. Unfortunately, our hair goes through a lot on a day-to-day basis and there are plenty of factors that can rob your hair of its healthy glow.

Bleaching and colouring, dry weather, heat or chemical exposure, lax hair care, and general lifestyle choices can all leave their mark on your head. Fortunately, there are plenty of treatments that can help, and hair glossing is one of the best if you’re looking to restore vibrancy and vigour to dull hair.

Hair glossing is a gentle and semi-permanent treatment that works like a topcoat for your hair, adding an extra layer of shine and protection.

Hair gloss is available as both a clear or a tinted solution and, depending on which one you choose, is perfect for:

• Enhancing hair colour (natural or dyed)
• Improving texture and reducing frizz
• Extending the longevity of your hair colour
• Giving your hair a brilliant shine and radiance

Unlike hair colouring, which triggers a chemical reaction within the hair, glossing pigments mainly settle on the surface of your hair.

This means that a clear gloss will not affect your existing dye or toner, while a tinted solution will only subtly shift your tone lighter or darker; perfect if you just want to fine-tune your existing colour.

The same applies to your natural hair colour, where a hair gloss treatment can apply a cooler, darker, ashier, or more golden sheen to your existing finish. What’s more, hair glossing can also help to correct unwanted yellow tones after bleaching or dyeing.

Note: Not all glossing treatments are the same. Direct-dye and acidic toners, often combined with a hair mask for additional care, are also sometimes classed as hair glossing.

If you’re just looking to refresh your hair colour with a glossing, you don’t necessarily need to visit a professional salon. Do it yourself, at-home glossing products are available.

However, for drastic colour changes, if your hair is very damaged, or if you’re unsure about how to apply the product to achieve your desired result, it might be best to seek help from the professionals.

There are numerous reported benefits of apple cider vinegar. A popular kitchen staple, it can also be used as a natural remedy for the body, skin and hair.

Thanks to its acidity, apple cider vinegar cleanses the scalp and helps rebalance the pH of your hair. Beyond increased shine and better manageability, some claim it is also effective at fighting everything from dandruff to grey hair and hair loss.

However, some of these effects are not yet proven and are likely to depend on individual hair structure and scalp condition, as well as other care products used.

In conclusion, incorporating an apple cider vinegar rinse into your routine offers a simple, natural way to potentially enhance hair health, shine, and manageability. By following the proper dilution guidelines, you can harness the power of this traditional remedy to cleanse your scalp, combat common issues like dandruff, and bring out the natural radiance of your hair.

If you are considering completing your own hair gloss treatment at home, there are a few things you will want to make sure you have in order to achieve a salon-quality shine.

What you’ll need:

• Your chosen glossing product (drugstore glossing products are affordable and easy to use, professional products typically deliver better results but cost more, and natural products are gentle and eco-friendly)
• Gloves
• Wide-tooth comb
• Towels
• Timer

Tip: A shampoo designed for coloured hair is a great way to help you maintain a lustrous sheen for longer.

1. Preparation

• Prepare your workspace and cover surfaces
• Ready some old clothes and a pair of gloves

2. Wash your hair before glossing

• Wash your hair with a mild shampoo
• Towel-dry your hair (don’t rub)
• Put on your old clothes and gloves

3. Apply the gloss correctly

• Apply the glossing treatment strand by strand
• Work from roots to ends
• Distribute evenly with a wide-tooth comb

4. Leave to develop

• Set a timer (always follow the instructions on the packaging)

5. Rinse

• Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
• Apply a conditioner 

The ideal amount of time you should leave the glossing treatment in your hair depends on your hair type, condition, desired intensity, and the product used.

General guidelines:

• Fine hair: 5–10 minutes
• Normal hair: 10–20 minutes
• Thick/damaged hair: 20–30 minutes
• Intense colour correction: up to 30 minutes

Note: To avoid hair damage, never exceed the maximum time stated on the packaging.

How long your hair will maintain a glossy shine or different tint depends on a range of factors, including your general hair care routine, hair structure, and hair condition.

As a very general rule, most at-home products say you can expect the treatment to last for around 4 to 6 weeks.

Tips to make your hair gloss last longer:

• Use sulphate-free shampoos
• Avoid washing your hair every day
• Use cool air when blow-drying
• Protect your hair from UV rays
• Use heat protection products before styling

For at-home remedies, a good general rule is to repeat the glossing routine every 4-6 weeks, to maintain a vibrant sheen. Salon glossing can last a little longer; expect it to stay anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the specific treatment.

Colour-treated hair may need more frequent top-ups of around 2-4 weeks to maintain the same tone. Generally, whenever you feel your hair is beginning to lose its shine, fade in tone, or growing too dry to comfortably comb, it may be time for a new hair gloss!

Just be sure not to overdo it too much, and leave at least 2 weeks between each treatment, as too much can begin to weigh your hair down.

Hair glossing naturally washes out over time. However, if you want to remove it earlier, consider:

Method 1: Use a deep cleansing shampoo, wash your hair several times, and follow with an intensive hair mask.

Method 2: For stubborn glossing, professional salons typically have specialised products that can remove it quickly but gently.