Frequent coloring, straightening with an iron, blow-drying, and other harmful manipulations and negative factors lead to hair damage and deterioration: Strands become brittle and lose their healthy shine. Thanks to new, progressive technologies, the inventions of various treatments such as hair gloss and hair glaze make it possible to reanimate lifeless and dull hair. Both techniques have a common purpose — to improve the appearance of weakened strands — but what’s the difference between them?
What Is Hair Glaze Treatment?
Hair glaze treatment is a fairly simple procedure for covering hair with a special “glaze.” It gives the hair a shiny and healthy appearance, adds some volume and elasticity, and makes it silky and well-groomed. The glaze is usually applied to the ends of the strands unless the client wants to cover the entire hair length. The glaze won’t help get rid of split ends, but it will prevent further breakage. The main active ingredients of the glazing product are ceramides (unsaturated fatty acids that protect the strands from external influences) and moisturizing components. According to the stylist Diane C. Bailey, who is also a representative of the brand SheaMoisture, a hair glaze can be clear and just add shine, or it can have a semi-permanent color and change the hair tone by one or several shades. This treatment is decorative in nature — it doesn’t really heal the hair, but it does protect it from the harmful effects of hot tools and aggressive climatic factors.
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How It Works
The principle action of hair glaze is similar to hair lamination (sometimes it’s even called temporary lamination). The difference is that the hair isn’t covered with a thin film of “laminate” but is filled with ceramides that seal the scales of the cuticle and treat the hair. On the other hand, glazing doesn’t work as deeply and comprehensively as hair gloss. In general, glazing gives a quick yet fleeting effect, compared to the hair gloss treatment.
Hair Glaze Treatment at Home
It’s not necessary to get this treatment at a salon. There are many hair glaze products for home use that are a perfect alternative to expensive services. First, you need to clean your hair with a special clarifying shampoo. It will detox your strands in a more thorough way than regular shampoo does. Then cover the slightly dried strands with a glaze in several layers for better penetration of the composition. After that, wait 20 to 30 minutes until the product is fully absorbed. Next, stretch the hair with a flat iron, apply a mask, and then wash the hair again.
Here are the best at-home hair glaze products:
- Clairol Natural Instincts Shine Happy Clear Shine Treatment — There are three kits, and each of them includes weekly conditioning treatments. The effect of brilliant and smooth hair lasts up to three weeks. One thing to note: These products aren’t recommended for gray hair.
- John Frieda Clear Shine Luminous Glaze — This is a one-step treatment for a more temporary result at an affordable price. It’s very easy to use, and it makes the hair surface even and super-shiny.
- Matrix Color Sync — To prepare the glaze, mix it with Matrix Color Sync Activator according to the instructions. For toning the hair, you can add a suitable dye from the Matrix Color Sync line. After the procedure, the hair doesn’t become brittle or frizzy.
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Effect Duration
Hair glaze washes out quickly enough, within two to three weeks. You’ll notice a reduction of effect after the first hair wash. You can repeat the treatment after three to five weeks, but don’t do more than three or four procedures in a row, in order to let the hair rest.
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Clear Hair Glaze for Virgin Hair
Since hair glaze products don’t contain ammonia or peroxide, this treatment is a perfect option for complementing natural hair color without any dyes or toners. It will not only give an extreme shine and beautiful highlights but also will make the natural hair softer and help reduce frizz. You’ll definitely notice the difference before and after the treatment because the result will be fantastic.
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Benefits of Hair Glaze Treatment
- The product is composed of harmless components (ammonia-free dye and useful ceramides).
- Hair glaze doesn’t make the hair heavier, so you can use it for any hair length.
- It’s appropriate for toning even gray hair.
- Hair becomes easier to comb and style.
- Hair dyed before the procedure will retain its bright and rich color for longer.
- The hair is protected from aggressive environmental influences.
- You can do it either at home or in a beauty salon.
Disadvantages of Hair Glaze Treatment
- You can’t color the hair after the treatment.
- The effect of the treatment decreases after each hair wash.
- It’s not a medical treatment, so the effect is cosmetic only.
What Is Hair Gloss Treatment?
In the process of hair gloss treatment, mostly natural components are used, in contrast to chemical products that are used for hair lamination. Special glossing products usually contain hydrogen peroxide to help lift the cuticles and treat the hair from within by penetrating its shaft and sealing the active substances inside. Hair gloss product closes the cuticles and smooths the hair surface, giving it extreme shine and making it stronger. This procedure is aimed at restoring the hair structure, protecting it from external negative influences and refreshing its color. Paul Cucinello, a beauty expert with the Chris Chase Salon in NYC, also mentions that hair gloss treatment can revive sun-damaged and fragile hair, which is vulnerable after the summer. This treatment makes the hair obedient, shiny, and well-groomed, and the color becomes more saturated, even, and natural looking. In addition, during hair gloss, the hair can be toned with warm or cold pigments to achieve the necessary color.
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How It Works
The glossing product fills the hair, closing the cuticles and smoothing the hair surface. The hair reflects light better and becomes extremely shiny. The gloss covers the locks and creates a protective shield, which keeps color molecules in the hair and maintains the freshness and brightness of the tone.
Hair Gloss Treatment at Home
Just as with hair glaze, you can try hair gloss at home. Here’s a list of the best professional products for home use:
- Rita Hazan — Ultimate True Color Shine Gloss – This product slightly tints and gives shine to color-treated and damaged hair. It also helps prevent shade fading and dullness, making the hair radiant as if it’s freshly dyed. Apply it after washing your hair with a shampoo and leave in for several minutes — simple and quick.
- Bumble and Bumble Color Gloss Clear — It boosts the radiance of color-treated hair of any texture (straight to curly) or density (fine to thick). The gloss gives a conditioning effect and makes the hair more brilliant.
- Matrix Gloss Sync — It creates a new shade on natural or on previously dyed hair without lightening. It’s used to restore the hue of persistent dyes, as well as for color correction. The caring and restoring complex of ceramides helps to smooth the porous areas of the hair and preserve its health, and it gives silky effect.
- PRAVANA Silk Degrees Demi-Permanent Shine Treatment — This is a gloss restoration system consisting of the Silk Degrees Demi-Permanent and the Silk Degrees Shine Serum. The products act as a therapeutic deep conditioning, leaving the hair looking and feeling healthy and fresh. The treatment combines silicones filled with silk with silk amino acids to create a natural and long-lasting radiance. It also nourishes the hair with oils and protects from sunlight and high temperatures.
- John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss — The treatment is available in six different shades. It represents special toning products, which add shine and enhance the hue of color-treated hair. It should be applied once a week on the wet hair after a shampoo and a conditioner. Leave it for three to five minutes and rinse.
Effect Duration
Hair gloss is technically a demi-permanent dye, which means that it will fade away over time. The effect of hair gloss treatment lasts about four to six weeks before washing out.
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Hair Gloss for Gray Hair
Gray hair reflects light less than blonde or dark hair does. This is why proper care is especially important for it. Hair gloss treatment will add some luster to the hair, as well as make it smooth and set off its shades.
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Benefits of Hair Gloss Treatment
- The hair becomes super glossy, elastic, and smooth.
- Hair gloss gives a refreshing, hydrating, and revitalizing effect.
- You get a new color without changing your natural tone.
- You can ask your colorist to dye the roots a couple of shades darker or lighter. And when they grow out, there won’t be a noticeable contrast in colors, but a smooth and neat gradient.
- Hair gloss makes color last much longer, and you can postpone your next hair appointment for at least five to six weeks.
- You can do hair gloss treatment at home, saving money and time.
- Hair gloss products don’t contain ammonia, so the treatment is absolutely safe and useful for hair.
Disadvantages of Hair Gloss Treatment
- The color brightness will gradually fade away with each hair wash.
- This treatment can’t cure extremely damaged hair or totally replace the necessary daily hair care routine.
So, What Is the Difference Between Hair Glaze and Gloss?
Hair glaze covers the strands with a special glaze that contains ceramides and moistening ingredients. This treatment is especially useful for natural, thin, and damaged hair that needs some cosmetic improvement. The effect lasts for two to three weeks, washing out within this time.
Hair gloss is best for the color-treated hair, as its main action is aimed at refreshing, protecting, and maintaining the brightness of pigments. It also restores the hair structure after dyeing and makes the strands silky and smooth, preparing them for the next hair color appointment. The treatment has quite a long-lasting effect, up to six weeks.
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