If you've noticed your colour looking a bit flat lately, you're not imagining it. Winter does that. Less sun, more hats, more dry heat inside, and by the time spring rolls around your colour's usually lost some of its shine along the way. This is where a gloss treatment comes in, and it's worth understanding exactly what it does before you book, because it's not the same thing as a colour.

gloss versus colour, what's the actual difference

A full colour service changes your colour. A gloss refreshes what's already there. Think of it as a topcoat rather than a rebuild, it deposits a sheer layer of tone and shine over your existing colour rather than lifting or changing it. That's what makes it such an easy add-on if you're not ready for anything more drastic, or if your ends have just faded and lost their vibrancy since your last appointment.

what's actually happening to your hair

The formula we use is built around hyaluronic acid, the same ingredient you'll recognise from skincare, and it works in a similar way here. It hydrates the hair fibre instantly, which matters because dryness is usually the first sign of damage before you notice anything else. On hair that's been bleached or lightened, it also helps strengthen the fibre and reduce breakage. The result is colour that reads up to 82% glossier, hair that feels smoother, and a finish that looks genuinely healthy rather than just shiny on the surface.

how long it actually lasts

A gloss isn't a one-off shine for the weekend. Results last up to six weeks, which makes it a solid option if you've got an event coming up, or if you just want that fresh-from-the-salon look to stick around longer than a wash or two.

who this is actually for

If your colour's faded since your last appointment, if your ends look duller than your roots, or if you've been bleached recently and want to add some resilience back into the hair, this is worth booking. It's also a good option if you're simply not ready to commit to a full colour change but want to feel like you've done something.

We're running this as Spring Gloss Refresh through spring, short and long length options, at our Mount Maunganui studio.