I’m a very firm believer in the DIY approach, especially when it comes to my beauty routine. Trimming my own bangs? Check. Press-on nails? Ofc. Dyeing my eyebrows? You know it.
Which is why I headed to Sephora the second I discovered DIY hair glossing kits exist—and they’ve been my favorite little beauty secret ever since.
For those whose feeds aren’t filled with tress trends, allow me to introduce you: Hair gloss is a temporary color and body boost that lasts about eight to 10 washes (say hi to a nourishing, shine-ifying, in-between-hair-appointments treatment). And the fact you can do it from the comfort of your own bathroom? Even better.
“A hair gloss is a demi-permanent treatment that deposits tone [think: dye that sits on top of strands instead of sinking in] and seals the cuticle to temporarily smooth hair,” says master colorist Tiffanie Richards.
So if you want to make your mane more manageable, intensify your color and have locks with luster, here’s my strand superhero that makes the hard work of amazing hair easy.
What’s in a Gloss?
“At-home hair glossing kits can either be conditioners with color added or a formula that needs to be mixed, similar to how a salon would do it,” explains colorist Lorena Valdes. Choosing a glossing kit close to your natural shade will give your hair added dimension and impart a healthy, luxe luster.
Like the box dye you see on drug-store shelves, some hair glossing kits include the liquid product and a developer (aka a compound that works with your hair to absorb the product), says Valdes. You will need to mix the two before applying to your hair.
Sounding more complicated than chem class? It isn’t, promise. “Home hair glosses are made for foolproof use,” Richards assures us. “Mixing the product is easy, and since glosses only coat the outer layer of the strands, you won’t have to worry about a permanent hair color ‘oops.’”
Get Glossing
Glaze Super Hair Gloss in Pearl Blonde, $18, target.com | dpHUE Gloss+ in Light Blonde, $38, ulta.com | L’Oréal Paris Le Color One Step Toning Hair Gloss in Copper, $16, amazon.com | Madison Reed Color Therapy Color Depositing Hair Mask in Castagna, $24, ulta.com | Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) High-Shine Gloss Hair Treatment, $36, sephora.com | Overtone Hair Care Semi-Permanent Color Depositing Treatment Mask in Espresso Brown, $15, target.com | Glaze Super Hair Gloss in Luminous Liquorice, $18, target.com
Every kit will have its own method, but always start with clean hair, a shower cap and a pair of disposable gloves (no stained hands in this house).
Section off your hair into quadrants, then apply product starting at your roots before working down the length of your hair (it’s easier to saturate each section before moving on to the next).
Take extra care to get every root—especially with the sections of hair that frame your face—and the back of your head. If it’s your first time, ask a parent or sibling to check your work. Otherwise, you risk an uneven gloss (not a great look, trust).
And practice makes perfect, says Valdes. “I’d recommend doing a test piece before you apply a new gloss to your entire head of hair. A clear gloss is a fantastic place to start, too.”
Once you’ve applied your gloss, wrap it up in a shower cap and set a timer (the box will tell you how long). Rinsing a bit sooner will leave you with more temporary benefits, while waiting longer will give a more vibrant and lasting result. Then all that’s left to do is style and shine on, sister.
Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know, this piece originally ran in our February/March 2025 issue. Want more? Read our print mag for free *today* when you click HERE!
Top image: @tessapeay
