14 Best Hair Glosses of 2024, Tested by Experts

A go-to product for professional hair colorists, both Lorena Martinez, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, and Giselle Luza, founder of Giselle Luza Studio in New York City, are big fans of Redken's gloss. "It is translucent and demi-permanent, which makes it perfect for creating a custom shade, canceling unwanted tones or enhancing any existing color," Luza says. "It doubles as a conditioning treatment, so hair always feels amazing after." But take note: It's for professional use only, so you'll have to head to Redken's website to find a salon that carries it near you.

To boost shine without depositing color, reach for Oribe's luxurious salon-quality glaze. A pricey pick, "this glaze is my absolute favorite — it provides a silky and shiny finish that can’t be beat," Martinez says. "While it doesn’t change the color of your hair, it adds so much reflection that makes it worth it." She loves that it also helps detangle hair and can replace conditioner when you use it.

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In GH Beauty Lab testing, eSalon's treatment ranked high for both uniform color distribution and being easy to apply in GH Beauty Lab testing. This gloss is an updated formula and offers a range of 12 shades, suitable for a wide variety of tones and colors. “I loved how easy the product was to apply," one tester said of the original formula. "It smells great and didn't stain my tub, shower curtain or anywhere." Others raved about the results and its ability to revive faded color: “It provided shine to the hair and enhanced the color and left the hair soft and easily manageable.” One tester did note that the formula can be runny coming out of the tube.

This color-depositing hair mask does double duty: "I use a shade that is the same color as my hair and it performs like a gloss, too," says Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. "As someone who doesn’t color her hair, I loved the extra vibrance and shine it instantly gave my hair, and the color was definitely richer post-treatment." Be sure to use gloves when applying — a few reviewers noted staining on fabrics and skin.

Luza loves the variety of shades that dpHue's gloss comes in, including four brown tones. "They have a clear formula to add shine, along with several shades to choose from that will enhance your natural hair color," she says. It's super hydrating, so it will leave your hair feeling smooth and healthy.

You may want to try a test patch before applying all over; a few reviewers found that it changed their color extremely and wouldn't come out after multiple washes.

Think of this balm as the perfect partner to an in-salon gloss treatment. "I recently tried Goldwell's Colorance Gloss Tones in-salon hair gloss which helped make my months old highlights look fresh and vibrant," says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. "Post-gloss, I extended the shine and smoothness by applying this lightweight leave-in balm on both my damp and dry hair." Since it is a leave-in product, use sparingly on super fine hair, as it may be too thick for some.

Even black hair can benefit from a gloss, thanks to its shine-boosting benefits. "Kristin Ess's Signature Gloss is my favorite at-home gloss for anyone who wants to enhance super dark brown or black hair," Luza says. You apply it in the shower — meaning less mess — and it enhances black color in a natural-looking way. "It’s affordable as well which is always a plus," she adds.

Reviewers overall love this gloss but a few felt that the formula is thin and can be runny.

If you're someone who likes instant results, look no further. Amika's gloss mask works its moisturizing and shine-enhancing magic in just 60 seconds, according to the brand. "I have very dry hair and after trying a sample of this product... I was amazed at how shiny and healthy my hair looked after a single use," shared one Sephora user. Keep a comb handy; a few reviewers commented that it left their hair tangled.

Franzino recently tested this new gloss and really noticed a difference in her hair's shine. "I love that it doesn’t alter my color and contains botanical conditioning ingredients like coconut and camellia oils," she says. The clear formula makes it ideal for any hair color or type, although it won't enhance hair color.

If you're looking for instant shine and fewer flyaways, Color Wow's spray gloss is for you. "It's an easy application and maintains shine in the hair in between color appointments," Martinez explains. The spray is heat-activated and also functions as an anti-frizz product by blocking moisture from getting into the hair, which is ideal for wavy and curly hair types. Plus, it doesn't contain color, making it ideal for any hair shade. Note: it won't enhance your color so keep that in mind if that is the goal when choosing a gloss.

When you color or chemically treat your hair, it can alter the hair's pH which can often lessen the shine factor. L'Oréal Paris' fast-acting spray balances the pH levels in just three minutes, bringing back shine and making hair super soft, stat. Plus, it has UV filters to help prevent color fading. Reviewers love the salon quality and instant shine effect. "This has saved me so much money from having to get this at a salon and pay $75 every time I want a gloss," one Walmart reviewer said. "It has changed my hair." Some users did have a hard time using the spray nozzle, especially in the back of the head.

Martinez loves the ease of this clear gloss from Kérastase, as it is a "replacement for your conditioner and will make your hair feel shiny and soft" after just one use. Plus, the blend of amino acids, lactic acid and tartaric acid helps strengthen strands, heal damage from color and prevent fading. If you are scent sensitive, smell it before you apply — a few reviewers didn't like the strong chemical-y scent.

While designed for blondes, this Kérastase treatment masque — which acts like a gloss — "helps neutralize yellow tones, enhances gray or silver tones and keeps color looking bright," Luza notes. Plus, "since it's in a moisturizing mask formula, it helps keep hair healthy," she says, as opposed to purple-toned shampoos, which can be drying. FYI: It isn't designed to boost shine, moreso to brighten haircolor.

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You don't have to spend a mint on a hair gloss to get professional-level results. John Frieda's formula received high marks in GH Beauty Lab testing. Users loved the effortlessness of a no-mess application, enjoyed its fragrance and thought it rinsed out easily. They also loved that it added noticeable shine. One user shared a suggestion before applying: wear gloves when using, as this gloss can stain your skin.