Hair Color
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04.02.2025
Glossing 101: Formulas, Techniques and Salon Secrets
By: Jaclyn Harwood
Transform your clients' hair with the power of glossing, a technique that adds vibrant shine and rich depth to any color. Glossing not only enhances existing tones but also creates a polished, healthy finish that keeps clients coming back for more. With Wella Professionals’ expert formulas, you can customize results to suit every client, from soft, natural glows to intense, high-shine looks. In this article, we’ll explore the essential techniques, formulas, and insider salon secrets that will help you perfect the glossing process. Get ready to elevate your color services and deliver stunning, radiant results.
WHAT IS GLOSSING vs. GLAZING?
Glossing and glazing are in-salon services that take color to the next level, adding depth, shine and vibrancy. They're both about the shine, but the difference lies in how long they last, saturation, vibrancy and how the products work. COLOR GLOSSING: is a demi-permanent treatment that deposits color, while adding shine. It's used to refresh faded color, enhance tones or neutralize warmth. Glossing can slightly alter the color or simply add a layer of shine without changing the tone. It also helps to smooth the cuticle, making the hair look healthier and feel softer. COLOR GLAZING: is similar to glossing but typically has a lighter effect on the final result and focusing more on shine and condition. Glazing is often a non-pigmented (clear), demi or semi-permanent color, adding a translucent, reflective finish. It seals the hair cuticle for a smooth texture and is used as a finishing touch to enhance color vibrancy and glow, without committing to a permanent change. Glossing works deeper, penetrating the hair and adding color or tone, while glazing coats the outside of the hair, delivering a short-term shine boost.
GLOSSING PRODUCTS + SERVICES
The Wella Professionals portfolio offers a variety of glossing options with Color Touch, Illumina Color and Koleston Perfect. Choose from an extensive color palette and select your glossing finish from the three haircolor families.
COLOR TOUCH
Wella Professionals Color Touch is a low maintenance, multi-dimensional, demi-permanent haircolor. A comprehensive and versatile portfolio to create high shine and stunning results. Ammonia free, Wella Professionals Color Touch promotes artistic creativity and results with an alkaline composition. Color Touch may be used in a variety of techniques within the salon ranging from tonal transformations, color corrections, balancing, neutralizing and enhancing color results. Delivering a slightly more saturated finish versus Wella Professionals Shinefinity Glaze.
MIXING: Combine Wella Professionals Color Touch + Color Touch Emulsion, 1.9% (6 volume) or Color Touch Emulsion 4% (13 volume) in a 1:2 Mixing Ratio. Process for 15 minutes with heat or 20 minutes, without heat. Select the developer based on the desired end result. For color depositing services, glazes and toning applications, reach for Color Touch Emulsion, 1.9% (6 volume). If a subtle brightening or increased vibrancy is desired, select Color Touch Emulsion 4% (13 volume). The alkaline demi-permanent characteristics of Wella Professionals Color Touch delivers the ultimate tool for color creativity behind the chair.
COLOR TOUCH FORMULAS
FEMME FATALE
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
TONE
Color Touch 10/6 + 10/81
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @hairbyolivia_loveden
APRICOT GLOSS
ROOTS
Illumina Color 7/ + 7/43
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 6% (20 volume)
TONE
Color Touch 8/43 + 9/3 + 7/43 + 8/0 + 0/00
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @NikkiLee901
CHAMPAGNE DREAM
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
ROOTS
Illumina 8/1 + 7/
Welloxon Perfect Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
GLOSS
Color Touch 10/81 + 10/0 + 8/81
Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @aalyhabeauty
ILLUMINA COLOR
Wella Professionals Illumina Color stands out from the rest, delivering a stunning, multi-dimensional finish. With Microlight Technology, Metal Purifier and Microtones - Illumina Color offers one of the most sophisticated dye combinations in the Wella Professionals portfolio. Balance color and revive the mid-lengths and ends, or complete a lightening service with an Illumina Gloss. Mix one part Illumina Color with two parts Wella Professionals Welloxon Perfect Pastel Creme Developer 1.9% (6 volume). Develop for 10-15 minutes. Apply to the lightened areas needing optimal neutralization first, then comb through for balanced results.
#PROTIP: Formulate with golden tones to maintain brightness and lightness. (Even if its just a dash of warmth in your formula). A few of our favorites are 9/03, 10/36 and 9/37.
ILLUMINA FORMULAS
HITCHCOCK BLONDE
LIGHTEN
Blondor Multi Blonde
Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume)
TONE
Illumina Color 10/81 + 10/36
Welloxon Perfect Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @lucyblackhair
VANILLA LATTE
LIGHTEN
Blondor Multi Blonde
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 6% (20 volume)
ROOT
Illumina Color 5/ + 5/81
Welloxon Perfect Pastel Creme Developer 1.9% (6 volume)
MIDS + ENDS
Illumina Color 8/36 + 9/
Welloxon Perfect Pastel Creme Developer 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @byjohnsanchez
PLATINUM PERFECTION
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Developer 3% (10 volume)
TONE
Illumina Color 10/69 + 9/60 (2:1)
Welloxon Perfect Pastel 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @hairbycallum_
KOLESTON PERFECT
Did you know the iconic color line, Koleston Perfect, goes beyond the basics of lightening, darkening and gray coverage? Add a touch of tone and shine from base to ends with Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect glossing and toning services. The perfect addition to any salon menu, offering quick, balanced results for every salon guest. HOW TO APPLY: Mix Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect shades with Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer Pastel 1.9% (6 volume) in a 1:2 mixing ratio. Develop for 5-10 minutes.
KOLESTON PERFECT FORMULAS
CARAMEL TRUFFLE
LIGHTEN
Blondor Multi Blonde
Welloxon Perfect Developer 9% (30 volume)
TONE
Koleston Perfect 7/47 + 9/0 + 9/8
Welloxon Perfect Pastel Developer 1.9% (6 volume)
ARTIST: @marciofuzatto
RED HAUTE
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex Multi Blonde
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 6% (20 volume)
ROOTS
Koleston Perfect 6/34 + 7/43 + 6/45
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 3% (10 volume)
MIDS + ENDS
Koleston Perfect 7/34 + 8/43 + 6/45
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 3% (10 volume)
ARTIST: @kara.kpstyling
MOCHA MOUSSE
LIGHTEN
BlondorPlex
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 3% (10 volume)
ROOT
Koleston Perfect 6/3 + 8/0
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 3% (10 volume)
MIDS + ENDS
Koleston Perfect 10/0 + 12/96
Welloxon Perfect Creme Developer 3% (10 volume)
ARTIST: @anderrateliehair
#GETSOCIAL
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