Frequent coloring, straightening with an iron, blow-drying, and other harmful manipulations and negative factors lead to hair damage and deterioration: Strands become brittle and lose their healthy shine. Thanks to new, progressive technologies, the inventions of various treatments such as hair gloss and hair glaze make it possible to reanimate lifeless and dull hair. Both techniques have a common purpose — to improve the appearance of weakened strands — but what’s the difference between them?

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What Is Hair Glaze Treatment?

Hair glaze treatment is a fairly simple procedure for covering hair with a special “glaze.” It gives the hair a shiny and healthy appearance, adds some volume and elasticity, and makes it silky and well-groomed. The glaze is usually applied to the ends of the strands unless the client wants to cover the entire hair length. The glaze won’t help get rid of split ends, but it will prevent further breakage. The main active ingredients of the glazing product are ceramides (unsaturated fatty acids that protect the strands from external influences) and moisturizing components. According to the stylist Diane C. Bailey, who is also a representative of the brand SheaMoisture, a hair glaze can be clear and just add shine, or it can have a semi-permanent color and change the hair tone by one or several shades. This treatment is decorative in nature — it doesn’t really heal the hair, but it does protect it from the harmful effects of hot tools and aggressive climatic factors.

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How It Works

The principle action of hair glaze is similar to hair lamination (sometimes it’s even called temporary lamination). The difference is that the hair isn’t covered with a thin film of “laminate” but is filled with ceramides that seal the scales of the cuticle and treat the hair. On the other hand, glazing doesn’t work as deeply and comprehensively as hair gloss. In general, glazing gives a quick yet fleeting effect, compared to the hair gloss treatment.