A hair gloss adds shine, clear or tinted to lift colour, and comes as a serum, a spray, a rinse out mask or a treatment. The six picks below are serums, sprays, a mask and treatments that the listings describe as adding shine, smoothness or colour, and we compared them on what each listing says, the rating and how many ratings sit behind it.
If you only want one, start with the top pick. Then use the how to choose section for fine hair, coloured hair and heat styling.
Best overall gloss serum: Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops Shine Serum
Best overall gloss serum: the Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops Shine Serum, because it is sold as a gloss and shine serum and buyers rate it 4.5 stars on over 2,000 ratings.
The listing for this serum is brief. The title gives a 75 ml bottle and the bullet says smoothing, with 100 ml in the same line. The listing gives the bottle as about 3.9 by 3.9 by 13.3 cm and 90 g. It holds 4.5 stars from 2,179 ratings, the most ratings of the three picks that rate 4.5.
It suits anyone who wants a single gloss and shine serum rather than a routine of treatments. The honest catch: the listing text is brief, and the title says 75 ml while the bullet says 100 ml, so check the size on the page before you buy.
Best for frizz prone hair: Kerastase Gloss Absolu Anti Frizz Shine Milk
Best for frizz prone hair: the Kerastase Gloss Absolu Anti Frizz Shine Milk, because the listing describes an all in one smoothing spray with hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid for fine to medium frizz prone hair.
The listing describes a smoothing spray enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and wild rose in oil for glossy, healthy looking hair. It lists a lightweight formula that detangles, hydrates and smooths while easing blow drying, heat protection up to about 232°C and protection against humidity for up to four days. It holds 4.5 stars from 1,895 ratings.
It suits fine to medium hair that frizzes and gets blow dried. The honest catch: it costs more than twice the top pick, and the listing writes it for fine to medium frizz prone hair.
Best glossing treatment for coloured hair: Kerastase Chroma Absolu Glossing Treatment
Best glossing treatment for coloured hair: the Kerastase Chroma Absolu Glossing Acidic Hair Treatment, because the listing says it enhances shine and protects colour treated hair for a glossy finish.
This is a 210 ml glossing treatment. The listing says it strengthens hair fibre, helps seal the surface layer and supports longer lasting hair colour between salon treatments. It describes a texture that turns creamy when mixed with water and coats strands evenly for smooth, protective coverage. It holds 4.5 stars from 1,222 ratings.
It suits coloured hair that you want to keep glossy between salon visits. The honest catch: it is a premium priced treatment, not a quick finishing serum.
Best 60 second shine mask: Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask
Best 60 second shine mask: the Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask, because the listing describes a 60 second treatment that seals the cuticle for immediate shine and softness and controls frizz.
The 200 ml mask is infused with sea buckthorn berry and flaxseed extract, per the listing. The listing says to apply it after shampooing to damp hair from mid lengths to ends, wait 60 seconds, then rinse, using it in place of conditioner on fine hair and after conditioning on thicker hair. It also describes the formula as vegan, sulphate free, paraben free and cruelty free. It holds 4.4 stars from 2,303 ratings, the second largest count on this page.
It suits anyone short on time who wants shine in a single wash day step. The honest catch: it is a rinse out mask rather than a leave in gloss, and it sits at the higher end of these picks on price.
Best tinted gloss for brunettes: John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Luminous Glaze
Best tinted gloss for brunettes: the John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Luminous Glaze, because the listing says it improves natural brown colour and adds gloss for a reflective sheen on coloured hair.
The listing describes shine enhancers that fill in damaged areas to create a smooth, mirror like surface. It is formulated for daily or weekly use: after shampooing and conditioning, smooth it from roots to tips and rinse thoroughly. It holds 4.1 stars from 4,129 ratings, the most ratings of any pick here.
It suits brown hair that looks flat. The honest catch: it rates 4.1 stars, the lowest of the picks, and the listing is written for brown hair only.
Best gloss spray with heat protection: Tresemme Lamellar Shine Ultra Gloss Spray
Best gloss spray with heat protection: the Tresemme Lamellar Shine Ultra Gloss Hair Shine Spray, because the listing describes an extreme gloss effect with heat protection up to 230°C.
The 200 ml spray uses what the listing calls Lamellar Technology, designed to smooth the surface of the hair and lock out humidity and frizz. The listing describes a lightweight anti frizz and anti humidity formula, and suggests pairing it with the Tresemme Lamellar Shine Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatments. It holds 4.4 stars from 801 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants gloss and heat protection in one spray. The honest catch: it has fewer than 1,000 ratings, so the 4.4 score is a smaller sample than the others.
How to choose a hair gloss
The six picks come in four formats. The Paul Mitchell serum is a styling serum, and the two sprays both list heat protection, so they go on before a blow dry or straightener. The Amika mask, the Kerastase Chroma treatment and the John Frieda glaze are rinse out steps. If you want to add another rinse out step, our hair mask guide compares more of them.
Fine hair
Read the listing for who the product is written for. The Kerastase Shine Milk is described for fine to medium frizz prone hair, and the Amika listing says fine hair can use the mask in place of conditioner.
Coloured hair
The Kerastase Chroma Absolu listing is the one built around colour treated hair, and the John Frieda listing is the one for natural brown colour. Our purple shampoo guide covers another wash day step for coloured hair.
Heat styling
Only two listings give a heat figure: the Tresemme spray up to 230°C and the Kerastase Shine Milk up to about 232°C. If you straighten or blow dry often, start there, and see our hair straightener guide for the tools.
Check the size before you buy
The picks run from 75 ml to 210 ml. The Paul Mitchell listing gives two sizes, so read the page before you order.
Look at the rating and the count behind it
Three picks hold 4.5 stars, two hold 4.4 and the John Frieda glaze holds 4.1. The Tresemme spray has fewer than 1,000 ratings, so treat its score as a smaller sample.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hair gloss in Australia?
For most people the Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops Shine Serum is the best hair gloss here: it is sold as a gloss and shine serum and rates 4.5 stars from 2,179 ratings. Choose the Kerastase Gloss Absolu Shine Milk for frizz prone hair or the Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask for a quick rinse out treatment.
What is the best rated hair gloss?
Three picks tie on 4.5 stars: Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops from 2,179 ratings, Kerastase Gloss Absolu Shine Milk from 1,895 and Kerastase Chroma Absolu from 1,222. Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask has 4.4 from 2,303 and the Tresemme spray 4.4 from 801. John Frieda rates 4.1, the lowest here.
What is a hair glaze?
The listings use glaze for treatments that add gloss to coloured hair. The John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Luminous Glaze is described as improving natural brown colour and adding gloss, and the Kerastase Chroma Absolu treatment ranks in Amazon's Hair Colour Glazes list. John Frieda says to use it after shampooing and conditioning.
Are there different types of hair gloss?
Yes. This page covers a shine serum (Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops), a smoothing spray (Kerastase Gloss Absolu Shine Milk), a gloss spray with heat protection (Tresemme), a rinse out shine mask (Amika), a glossing treatment (Kerastase Chroma Absolu) and a colour enhancing glaze (John Frieda). Pick the type that fits your routine.
What is the best hair gloss treatment at home?
Every pick here is used at home. The Kerastase Chroma Absolu glossing treatment is the one for coloured hair, and the listing says it transforms into a creamy texture when mixed with water. The Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask is the quick option: the listing says apply after shampooing, wait 60 seconds, then rinse.
What is the best hair gloss for fine hair?
The Kerastase Gloss Absolu Shine Milk is the pick written for fine to medium frizz prone hair, per the listing, and it describes a lightweight formula. The Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask listing says fine hair can use it in place of conditioner. The honest limit is that these are listing descriptions, not our own hair tests.
What is the best hair gloss for curly hair?
None of the six listings here mentions curly hair, so we do not name a curly pick. The Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask listing says the brand celebrates all hair types, and the Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops listing says smoothing. For curls, our curl cream guide is the better start.
Which hair gloss has heat protection?
Two picks mention it. The Tresemme Lamellar Shine Ultra Gloss Spray listing gives heat protection up to 230°C, and the Kerastase Gloss Absolu Shine Milk listing gives heat protection up to about 232°C. Both are sprays, so they suit a routine that includes a blow dry.
Can I do a hair gloss treatment at home instead of the salon?
Yes, that is what the picks on this page are for. The Kerastase Chroma Absolu listing says it supports longer lasting hair colour between salon treatments, and the Amika Flash Instant Shine Mask listing describes a 60 second step after shampooing. We have not compared them with a salon service.
