That being said, you can subtly enhance your color without heading to the salon—just snag an at-home hair gloss. Even if your hair has never touched a dye, it can leave your mane shiny and oh-so-rich. “[It’s] a great way to bring some life back to your hair if you feel that your color is looking a little dull, needs a dose of shine, or some extra TLC,” he adds. “If you do get your hair professionally colored, this is a great tool for extending the life of your color and keeping it looking salon-fresh until your next appointment.” “Simply apply to clean, damp hair, making sure to fully coat your strands, and let it sit for up to 20 minutes for maximum results,” Anderson says regarding the dpHue formula. (Of course, all glosses come with their own set of instructions, so be sure to follow your specific label.) The gloss also serves as a deep conditioning treatment (especially if you choose a hydrating, ammonia-free formula), so feel free to swap it in for your conditioner whenever you’re craving some extra richness and shine. The pigment typically lasts up to four weeks or 10 washes, so you can reapply whenever you notice your strands looking dull. Just know that glosses will not completely transform your hair color—if you have lighter hair, using a darker gloss might deepen the color a bit, but it’s not permanent. Glosses won’t exactly lighten your hair, either; it’s mainly for enhancing the pigment you already have or adding richer tones. If you’re hoping for more of a stark change, it’s better to head to the salon, anyway. “I will always suggest leaving the hard work, and full-color transformations, to your professional colorist!” Anderson adds.
dpHUE Gloss+ While the gloss didn’t stain my shower at all, it did stain my palms a teeny bit—but the pigment cleared as soon as I scrubbed in my body wash. If you do notice a lingering hue on your hands, a little soap and water should do the trick. I did what I could to pass the time (body scrub, shave, contemplate life), until I reached the 10-minute mark. As I rinsed my strands, I immediately noticed how much silkier they felt; my detangling comb slid through them with ease. To see the immediate effects (I’m impatient), I opted for a blow-dry. Take a peek at the photo below and notice how much richer and shinier my color looks—granted, I have air-dried hair in the “before” photo, but blow-drying usually mutes my color (since the blast of heat often strips my strands of moisture). With the gloss, my strands appeared way more vibrant and smooth; I can actually notice some auburn undertones peeking through. Who knew!
dpHUE Gloss+
