Whether your trying to keep your not-so-freshly dyed hair from fading even faster when you wash, or if you just need a basic go-to shine cream to smooth your stray hairs and impart some serious high shine, we have some of the top tried and true favorites of our editors. These can also make great inexpensive holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for everyone from your besties to your dog walker, especially if you’re tired of gifting candles and hand cream.
First, the basics: the difference between “gloss” and “shine.” Although these names can be used interchangeably on hair products, a “gloss” is generally used to extend the life of colored hair, by brightening the dye in the hair and giving it a glossy look.
Hair gloss can also come in clear and colored hues. While the clear enhances any color you have, the colored hues can also be used to “try” out a deeper more vibrant color than the shade you currently have.
Boost:
Mademoiselle J’Adore L’Amor Biotin Boost Hair Serum is a protein-rich hair Yuzu-scented serum for the scalp and hair. Boosts the appearance of smoother, stronger hair. Helps improve dryness and provides scalp moisture. Nourishes hair for shine and thicker appearance. Moisturize and nourish with natural antioxidants and enzymes for shiny, volumized hair. The amino acids in this biotin-boosted serum moisturizes the scalp and helps improve the appearance of fuller, thicker hair. Mademoiselle J’Adore L’Amor’s Biotin Serum’s herbs include Sage, Chinaberry, Red Seaweed, Tumeric, Basil, Holy Basil and Yuzu. Key ingredients include Amino Acids, Pea Sprout Extract and Vitamin E.
Shine + Color:
Christophe Robin Nutritive Mask with Temporary Coloring. This hair gloss evenly deposits color and stops dehydration to keep hair moisturized, soft and bright. It’s infused with apricot oil and honey for a glow.
Shine + Smooth:
Kenra Shine Spray protects color, imparts high shine and also controls frizz. The spray goes on lightly so you don’t need to use too much.
Gloss + Smooth:
Schwarzkopf Vibrance Gloss & Tone helps color-treated hair retain its glimmer for 20 washes. Although a bit more expensive, the multi-tasking product makes hair glossy and soft so we think it’s worth the spend.
Perfect for Every Hair Type:
Rita Hazan True Color Shine Gloss This in-shower product is easy to use and works great on every hair type from wavy to kinky and stick straight. With vitamin B5 and silk proteins, it removes any brassiness and imparts lasting shine.
Clear High Shine:
Not to be outdone by those products with color, Frederic Fekkai makes some of the most amazing non-color shine leave-in or spray-on products. You’ll want to grab both the Frederic Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Spray, which uses olive oil and mica to impart high diamond level shine. The Fekkai Glossing Cream uses Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and Mica to bring a 24k gold shine to any color of hair as well as tame the flyaways. One important thing to note is that it takes very little to impart shine and tame frizz, so don’t overdo it. A pea-size amount is all you need for long hair, less for short hair.
