Let’s be real, we put our hair through a lot. Between heat styling, colouring, bleaching and hard water exposure, there are so many processes that can dry out our locks and leave them looking lacklustre. Enter: hair gloss treatment – the at-home solution to revitalising dull, tired strands. But what is hair gloss without proper application? In this guide, we’re demystifying this hero hair treatment, beginning with what hair gloss is used for and ending with how to integrate it into your hair care routine for smoother, shinier tresses.
What is hair gloss treatment?
A hair gloss sits somewhere in the realm of semi-permanent hair dyes and treatments. You might have had this treatment in-salon, but what does it mean to gloss your hair at home? A salon hair gloss is usually demi-permanent and mixed with developer, meaning it penetrates the outer cuticle of the hair, lasting around four to six weeks.
On the other hand, an at-home hair gloss treatment is often semi-permanent. This means it doesn’t penetrate the cuticle, instead forming a temporary coat over the hair cuticle that lasts anywhere from six to ten washes.
What does hair gloss treatment do?
So, what does hair gloss do for your locks? A hair gloss treatment is used on colour-treated or bleached hair, helping to boost vibrancy and between salon appointments. However, hair gloss treatments can also be used on natural hair to even out tone, soften strands and encourage shine. Since hair gloss forms a layer over the cuticles, using this treatment is one of our top hair care tips for smoothing the hair, minimising flyaways, taming frizz, and delivering a radiant finish.
The benefits of hair gloss
Think of hair gloss treatment as a ‘hair revival’ for dry, dull hair. As a bonus, glosses can be used on every hair type: curly, coily, wavy and straight.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of using a hair gloss treatment.
Improves tone: your hair gloss treatment isn’t going to dye your hair, but it will help correct and even out tone. If you notice that your hair is brassy or your colour is lacking dimension, a hair gloss is a hassle-free solution to enhance your shade and cancel out unwanted hues.
Revitalises colour: between washing, sunlight, and hard water exposure, it’s natural for colour-treated hair to fade over time. So, what is hair gloss going to do for your colour? This treatment can refresh coloured hair, especially if it’s showing signs of damage or dullness. On coloured hair, you can boost the effects of your gloss with colour-protect shampoo and conditioner.
Promotes shine: our strands can become lacklustre between trims, often as a result of heat damage, hot showers and environmental stressors. This kind of damage lifts the hair cuticles, making the hair look dry and frizzy. A hair gloss treatment helps seal and smooth the surface of the cuticle, giving your hair a much shinier finish.
How to use a hair gloss treatment
Now that we know what a hair gloss does and how it can revitalise tired locks, you can integrate this star treatment into your hair care regime.
L’Oreal Paris’s Elvive Glycolic Gloss hair care range is formulated for all hair types to increase shine and strengthen dull, porous strands. A combination of the four products is recommended to get the most out of this shine-inducing collection with: the shampoo, conditioner, lamination and leave-in serum.
Now, read on for your step-by-step hair gloss treatment routine.
Step 1: Shampoo
Powered by glycolic acid, the Elvive Glycolic Gloss Shampoo seals hair cuticles with a lasting shine glaze. This hair transformation lasts through 10 shampoos*, strengthening hair fibres and imbuing your locks with two times more shine** and 88% more smoothness**.
How to use: Apply onto wet hair and massage gently, then rinse.
*Instrumental test after application of shampoo+ conditioner+ lamination treatment
**Instrumental test on shampoo+ conditioner + lamination treatment + leave-in serum
Step 2: Conditioner
L’Oreal Paris’s first at-home gloss conditioner, the Elvive Glycolic Gloss Conditioner is tailormade for dull, damaged hair: working to smooth the hair surface and deliver a stunning, light-reflecting finish that lasts up to 10 shampoos*.
How to use: After rinsing out your shampoo, apply your conditioner from lengths to ends. Leave on for three minutes, then rinse.
*Instrumental test after application of shampoo+ conditioner+ lamination treatment
Step 3: Lamination
Utilising what hair gloss does best, our five-minute Elvive Glycolic Gloss Lamination smooths and flattens cuticles with conditioning agents that promote shine and suppleness. Inspired by professional gloss treatments, this gloss complex is designed to give you a hair revival that lasts through 10 washes* for a lush, longer-lasting finish.
How to use: Apply onto damp hair, leave for five minutes, then rinse.
*Instrumental test after application of shampoo+ conditioner+ lamination treatment
Step 4: Leave-in hair serum
To finish your hair gloss routine, apply the Elvive Glycolic Gloss Leave-In Hair Serum for a dose of hydration and coat of shine. In addition to boosting radiance and smoothness, this leave-in serum also combats frizz, and is suitable for either wet or dry hair.
How to use: Apply two drops of the serum into your hands and gently rub the product between them. Distribute the serum evenly through the lengths and ends of your hair.
