Shiny hair is kind of an enigma. Everyone wants it, yet no one really thinks they have it. At-home glazes sometimes have color specifications, but most companies make a clear version as well. Confused about what glazes are and how they should be used, I turned to Zaza, who is the Creative Director of Charm beauty salon  in New York City.

How do at-home hair glazes work?
Zaza: If you do a glaze at home, it has more peroxide than the kind we do at the salon. Anything you buy at home has to be stronger. They make it so no matter which color you choose you’ll see a result, whatever your hair type. Even a clear gloss can lift your natural color a little bit. If you are blond, it might be ok if you want to lighten it, but it would be more of a brightener. At the salon, we can do something more gentle.

What can too much peroxide do to your hair?
Zaza: Too much peroxide can dry out your hair. After the glossy part wears off, it will be drier [than before]. The salon kind will leave your hair in the same position as before you did it. We use Goldwell, which is an acid color, so it closes the cuticle and makes the hair really shiny.

To learn more glaze tips from Chris, read more.

What type of glaze would you recommend?
Zaza: Outside of the salon, stick with a clear gloss or ask your colorist what they suggest, if you’re going to be doing it at home anyway. We have clients that buy them to use in between uses at the salon. The thing people don’t think of about color is it’s chemicals and they can have a chemical reaction on the hair. What you see on the box is not what you get.