In 2025, a mirror-like finish has replaced feathered 1970s fluff as the hair trend for tap. Whether you're channelling vintage Cher or modern muses like Kim Kardashian for liquid-looking locks, we've consulted experts to help you embrace the trend and discover the best hair gloss products to shop now
Is glass hair the new glass skin?
In short, yes. As with any beauty trend, there are firm camps on either side of the fence – those who favour fluffy curls and those who steer clear of the smallest sign of frizz, focusing solely on perfectly polished 'dos. The latter, however, is a growing faction, with celebrities and hairstylists alike seeking out ultra-sleek styles. And the easiest way to achieve this? An at-home hair gloss.
"I think it's a direct response to the growing focus on healthy hair in recent years," says Miriam Johannes, Oribe Educator for the Nordics. "We're all striving for shiny, healthy hair that looks its best." Glossing products are part of that effort to achieve maximum hair health and shine, with more and more formulations hitting the market. "There's also a crossover from the skincare world – just as we've embraced the glassy skin trend, it's natural that we'd want to achieve the same radiant, glass-like finish for our hair."
Emma Gouteva, hairdresser at Bangerhead Studio, concurs: "Glass hair is definitely a competitor to the 'glass skin' trend. Or let's say, it's part of the same mindset and overall look: beauty from within.” Just like glass skin focuses on achieving a dewy, radiant, and smooth complexion, glass hair is about hair that looks shiny, healthy, and perfectly smooth. “Both trends prioritise a flawless finish."
What is hair gloss and what does it do?
At-home hair gloss is a treatment that enhances your hair's shine and texture and can subtly adjust its tone, making it the perfect treat to spread those pricey salon appointments out. Unlike traditional dyes, glosses are ammonia-free and deposit colour without penetrating the hair shaft, making them gentler on your strands. They work by sealing the hair cuticle, which reduces frizz and adds a reflective sheen, resulting in smoother, more vibrant hair.
"Healthy, shiny hair is a lifestyle nowadays," notes Gouteva. "Glossing products often offer added benefits like shine, frizz control, and a healthy look, which makes them highly appealing to consumers who want quick and easy results without the need for intensive treatments." Johannes adds, "It's amazing to have products like the Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment, which gives you that glossy, smooth, and shiny look at home in no time."
Not only can they improve your hair texture, but they're also about as low-maintenance as they get, often requiring mere minutes in the shower for an instantly lacquered look.
How to choose the best at-home hair gloss treatment for you
Selecting the right hair gloss depends on your hair type, colour, and the desired outcome. Some key considerations span hair colour, hair type, the desired effect and how busy your schedule is.
If maintaining your hair colour between salon appointments is your main concern, look for a tinted gloss to refresh your hue. Similarly, if you fear the brassy blonde, a neutralising gloss can help keep the orange at bay. If your desired effect is solely shine-focused, a clear version will do the trick.
Understanding your hair type and your individual need is also important when picking an at-home hair gloss. For thicker or coarser hair, look for glosses with moisturising properties. Johannes recommends pairing treatments like the Oribe Mirror Rinse with a conditioner for added hydration.
Finally Consider how much time you're willing to invest. Some glosses require only a few minutes, while others may need longer processing times. If you don't want to even spend 60 seconds polishing your strands in the shower, you might want to consider in-salon glossing treatments. As Gouteva emphasises, "Don't forget – the intensive treatments [i.e salon treatments] are still key to truly healthy, good-looking hair. There are no shortcuts."
The top 10 at-home hair gloss products of 2025
From one-minute splash masks to colour-correcting creams and humidity-sealing sprays, there’s a gloss solution for every timetable, tone and texture. Below are ten editor-vetted picks, broken down by need – from best-in-class luxury to colour-refreshing tints.
The best luxury hair gloss
What it is…
As the name suggests, Oribe's Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment is an in-shower glossing essence that smooths the hair shaft and amplifies reflectivity for a “glass hair” effect at home. It’s a clear gloss (meaning no pigment, no peroxide) and can last up to 15 washes.
Why we love it…
Luxury in every sense: the texture, the scent, the shine. This one mimics the afterglow of an in-salon gloss without adding weight or disrupting your colour. A signature staple for those who see haircare as skincare.
The best hair gloss on a budget
What it is…
L’Oréal Paris's impressive Elvive Glycolic Gloss 5-Minute Lamination is a drugstore gloss formulated with glycolic acid to smooth and seal the cuticle, mimicking a lamination treatment in five minutes flat.
Why we love it…
Delivers slip and shine with minimal effort or expense. Especially impressive for the price point, and works solo or as part of the three-step system for ultimate shine.
The best hair gloss for a busy schedule
What it is…
Amika's Flash Instant Shine Mask is a one-minute in-shower treatment that smooths and seals the hair cuticle with amino acids and UV filters. It’s silicone-free and closer to a “splash mask” than a classic conditioner. Think fast, feather-light gloss on the go.
Why we love it…
It’s rare to see results this visible in under 60 seconds, but this one delivers on slip and shine without weighing hair down. Bonus: it’s colour-safe, cruelty-free, and smells like vacation in a tube.
The best mask-meets-gloss
What it is…
Yes, Gisou's Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask is technically a barrier-repair mask rather than a gloss, but thanks to ceramides and honey, it leaves hair silky, soft, and light-reflective.
Why we love it…
The results are gloss-adjacent, with bounce and hydration at the forefront. In short, it is ideal for colour-treated, coarse or dry hair needing both care and shine.
The most aesthetic gloss (and not just the bottle)
What it is…
Ouai's hair gloss is a tinted, in-shower gloss that enhances tone and shine while delivering hydration via rice protein and hibiscus extract – all nestled in a very pretty bottle.
Why we love it…
As a brand, Ouai is a firm favourite among minimalists who meticulously curate their 'shelfies', and this hair gloss fits perfectly into its aesthetic universe. Serious frizz control and the brand’s signature scent are standout features, making it especially good between salon visits or before a night out.
The best long-lasting hair gloss
What it is…
Living Proof's long-lasting gloss is a silicone-free shine treatment designed to boost vibrancy and softness in five minutes, with results lasting up to three washes.
Why we love it…
This one has staying power for those who don’t want to re-gloss midweek. It's a great choice for textured hair or those trying to stretch time between salon visits.
The best anti-brass hair gloss
What it is…
Kevin Murphy's Cool.Angel is a grey-pigmented gloss that cools warm undertones in blonde and silver hair. As if that weren't enough, it also doubles as a conditioning treatment with mirror-like results.
Why we love it…
Less drying than purple shampoos and more forgiving than toners, this one balances brass while leaving hair silky.
The best colour-depositing hair gloss
What it is…
Available in six shades, BHBD's semi-permanent, oil-infused treatment refreshes tone while adding soft shine. In fact, it can even be used on wigs and extensions.
Why we love it…
This fresh-on-the-market find has already become a local favourite for a reason: it has a soft colour payoff and a hydrated finish. We especially adore this version for beige and honey blondes.
The best hair glossing product for your styling step
What it is…
If you're looking for additional shine in your styling step, ColorWow's hyped Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is a heat-activated styling mist that forms a humidity-proof, high-shine barrier for your hair.
Why we love it…
Not a gloss in the traditional sense, but its glassy, frizz-proof finish earns it a place here. A must for flyaway-prone or fine hair in humid climates.
The best hair glossing product between washes
What it is…
A high-shine finishing oil that smooths frizz and enhances reflectivity without weighing hair down thanks to its blend of wild camellia oil, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid.
Why we love it…
The perfect finishing step: adds slip and gloss, plays well with heat tools, and smells divine. Especially great for dry or porous hair.