The Difference Between Hair Glosses, Glazes and Toners

At Ārdeō Color Studio, we’re often asked one of our favorite questions: “What’s the difference between a gloss, a toner, and a glaze?”

While these services may sound similar, they each serve a unique purpose in the world of luxury hair color—and understanding the difference can help you care for your hair more confidently between appointments.

Let’s break down the difference between the three. 

We refer to glosses as shine enhancers. Think of a gloss as the final polish for your hair. It adds a reflective, light-catching finish that enhances the overall tone, smoothness, and softness of your color.

At Ārdeō, we use professional gloss treatments to:

• Revive faded color

• Add luminous shine

• Seal the cuticle for smoother, softer strands

  
  

Glosses are ideal for any hair color—blonde, brunette, copper, or vivid—and they’re a favorite for guests who want to keep their color looking fresh between full services. A fun bonus: they’re usually ammonia-free, which means minimal damage and maximum glow.

We refer to toners as a color corrector. Toners are all about refining your hair’s tone. After lightening, toners are used to neutralize or enhance certain undertones. For example:

• Blondes: Reduce brassiness or cool down yellow

• Brunettes: Add depth, richness, or warmth

• Reds: Refresh vibrancy and balance undertones

At Ārdeō Color Studio in Austin, we custom-mix every toner formula based on your hair history, natural undertone, and lifestyle. Our goal is to create hair color that looks balanced, effortless, and completely you.

Toners typically last 4–6 weeks and are a must-have for maintaining blonde balayage, highlights, or vivid color.

A glaze is often confused with a gloss, but here’s the difference: glaze is typically a semi-permanent clear or tinted shine treatment that coats the hair and adds a whisper of color and a whole lot of softness.

At Ārdeō, we love using glazes as a way to:

• Add tone to natural hair without commitment

• Soften and smooth dry or frizzy hair

• Provide a sheer, fresh finish before events or seasonal shifts

It’s a beautiful choice for those seeking low-commitment color or a simple enhancement to their natural tone

The Ārdeō Approach to Shine & Tone

Every head of hair is different. That’s why we take time to assess your goals, hair condition, and lifestyle before recommending a gloss, toner, or glaze.

Whether you need a post-blonding toner, a mid-season gloss refresh, or a glaze to revive softness, our expert colorists in Austin, TX will create a plan tailored just for you.

Book your custom refresh at Ārdeō Color Studio today and discover what luxury hair color really feels like.