The 6 best hair glosses for instant shine, smoothness, and enhanced color

What I like about this particular gloss is that the formula contains ingredients that can help seal damaged cuticles and protect your hair color from the UV rays that can compromise it. Even though the formula feels ultra-rich, it didn't weigh down my fine hair or make it look greasy.

The instructions on this one say to apply the gloss to wet hair, leave it on for five minutes, and then rinse well. I used it in place of a conditioner after shampooing in the shower. The formula feels like a rich mask, so I didn't even miss my conditioner.

After stepping out of the shower, I noticed that my hair felt super easy to brush through. While the shine payoff wasn't dramatic, my hair felt softer and looked smoother than it has in a long time.

Right off the bat, I really appreciated that this gloss comes in a bottle with a pump applicator, which makes it easier to ensure I'm evenly applying the formula and thoroughly coating my hair. The instructions indicated that I should apply it to clean, damp hair and leave it on for anywhere from 3-20 minutes before rinsing. So, I just squeezed out the excess water after shampooing and rinsing my hair, smoothed on the gloss from roots to ends, set a timer for 10 minutes, and stepped out of the shower to do a quick face mask. Then, when the time was up, I stepped back in the shower to rinse it out. While rinsing the gloss from my hair, I could already tell that my hair felt significantly silkier — I definitely didn't need conditioner.

Overall, my hair felt a lot softer and looked a lot smoother after using this gloss than it usually does. I'm guessing that's due to the addition of dimethicone, which creates a coating on the hair's cuticle and seals in moisture. Another noteworthy ingredient is behentrimonium chloride, a hair conditioning agent known for reducing static and frizz. Next time, I might try leaving it on for the full 20 minutes and see if the effects are even more noticeable.

A huge advantage to this gloss is that it comes in 13 different colors (as well as a clear, colorless option) — and dpHUE even offers a shade finder tool to help you find the right one.

The first thing I noticed about this gloss is that the formula felt thicker and creamier than the others I tried. It's meant to be used in place of a conditioner, so I applied it to wet, clean hair in the shower and waited a few minutes before rinsing it out. A perk to this one is that you only have to leave it in for about three minutes to work, so it's an ideal option if you don't have much time on your hands.

I was genuinely surprised by how silky soft my hair felt after just a few minutes. I didn't need to use detangler or leave-in conditioner after showering like I normally do. My hair was already easy to brush through. I also saw a subtle bump in shine after blow-drying my hair, and my split ends looked less noticeable.

This also seems like a great gloss to use in the summer months or right before a beach vacation. That's because, in addition to a medley of moisturizing plant-based oils, the formula also contains a unique ingredient — ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, which is a chemical UV filter that can shield the hair from sun damage.

Most hair glosses contain silicones — typically, dimethicone — which can have some benefits but drawbacks as well. While silicones may help boost shine and smoothness, they work by coating the hair shaft, and this coating may block out moisture and important nutrients if the silicones aren't washed properly out of the hair. Fortunately, this particular gloss is free of silicones — instead, it's loaded with science-backed hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

I tend to prefer products that smell citrusy, and this gloss is right on target with a really crowd-pleasing lemon-y scent. I'm also a big fan of the fact that I can use my regular conditioner before applying this gloss, whereas many other glosses are meant to be used in place of conditioner. Per the instructions, I saturated my hair with the product from roots to ends while still in the shower, and left it on for just five minutes.

Before blow-drying, I could easily run a brush through my hair (which means less breakage). And after blow-drying my hair, I could tell that it was slightly smoother and shinier. Something worth noting: Many reviewers claim they observed more benefits to this gloss after using it three or more times. So, if you include this product in your routine on a weekly basis, you may start to notice the effects amplify over time.

If I have one gripe about my curls, it's that no matter what products or techniques I use, my hair always looks dull and frizzy. So, I was eager to try this gloss, which promises to offer shape, definition, and shine that lasts all day.

Unlike the other glosses I tried, this product serves as a styling product — meaning it's meant to be applied to damp, clean hair and not rinsed out. The consistency feels like a gel, but without all the stickiness — almost like a serum that's a little more tacky.

When applying this, I didn't want to disrupt my natural curl pattern, so after brushing through my hair wet and letting it air dry a bit, I just scrunched it in with my fingers without combing through it again.

Once my hair dried, I was blown away by the results. Usually, products that provide a lot of definition also leave my curls crunchy to the touch. But not this gloss: my curls kept their shape yet felt incredibly soft.

As a bonus, Oribe claims the humidity-fighting formula helps lock in and maintain your style while protecting hair from damaging UV rays.

This at-home gloss is a no-brainer if you want to enhance your hair color, whether you're a natural blonde or dye it red. It comes in a whopping 16 different shades, so you're bound to find one that matches. For the purposes of testing, I tried the shade "Vanilla Lights."

This product has a gel-cream consistency and is meant to be applied to damp hair after shampooing. Per the instructions, I left it in for 10 minutes and rinsed until the water ran clear.

The change in color was subtle, but I did notice that my roots from regrowth looked softer and less obvious. It also made a noticeable difference in the smoothness of my blowout. This is a great product to use between salon visits when your roots are growing out or you need a quick tone refresh.

Color selection:

I tested clear glosses (besides the Glaze Supergloss, which I tested in a toner for my blonde hair) for this guide, but multiple glosses on this list come in various color options. While glosses aren't designed to radically change your hair like a salon-quality gloss treatment or a semi-permanent home kit, they do a great job at maintaining color until your next appointment. If you're unsure which shade works best for your color, we recommend buying two shades to mix.

Ease of application:

Each gloss has differing recommended applications, whether that's an in-shower application meant to be left on for a few minutes and then rinsed out thoroughly or a serum scrunched into damp hair. Depending on your preference, you can find the right application method for you.