So one question that we hear a lot in the hair-coloring world is hair gloss versus hair glaze. What are they, and are they really that different? If so, which one should you ask for? Well, there are subtle differences, and it comes down to your commitment to the color. It’s also often an at-home thing (the most common reason for in-salon glazes is someone with their natural hair color playing around with a new hue and direction; you may want to test out a new direction first, for example) and can be used weekly to keep the shine levels consistent. The convenience does, however, come with a major drawback: “The con for glaze is that they’re not formulated specifically for you by a pro,” says Rez. So while there are plenty of people out there who fancy themselves a kitchen colorist (and can probably master it pretty easily), newbies may end up picking a color with unwanted undertones or the wrong outcome. Colorists often use glosses for slight tweaks to hair color. A few examples: A colorist might recommend this to subtly enhance otherwise uncolored hair; they might add it to the top layer to add depth to the base or color-correct an undertone; they may use it to blend grays; or if you get highlights, they may brush on a gloss at the roots for a more gentle, blended transition between the scalp and streaks. As for deciding between either, here are some general guidelines to consider:
