Are you hoping to breathe some new life into your hair’s color but aren’t sure whether a hair glaze or hair dye is the better option? Or maybe you’re wondering about the differences between hair glaze and hair dye.
Read on to learn more about hair glaze and hair dye, including the pros and cons of both products.
What Is Hair Glaze?
Hair glaze is a mixture that can be clear or tinted in color and acts as a semi-permanent way to add color and shine to your hair.
Semi-permanent hair glaze enhances the hair’s natural color by simply coating the hair. It doesn’t penetrate the hair cuticle, and because of this, the benefits of a hair glaze only last about a week or two.
Pros and Cons of Hair Glaze
Like any product, there are always pros and cons, and a hair glaze is no different. Some people may find these pros and cons trivial, while others consider them dealbreakers. Read on to learn about the most significant pros and cons of using a hair glaze.
Pros
No Damage
Because a hair glaze doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like ammonia, parabens, sulfates, etc., you won’t damage your hair. Instead, your hair will look and feel healthier.
No Commitment
Because a hair glaze doesn’t penetrate the hair cuticle, you don’t have to worry about committing to a color that doesn’t suit you. Instead, the subtle color change focuses on improving your hair’s natural color and tone.
Cons
Doesn’t Last Long
Since it’s only a hair glaze and doesn’t penetrate the hair cuticle, the added vibrancy won’t last long and needs to be reapplied, typically every two weeks, to keep up the boost in your hair’s natural color and shine.
Doesn’t Change Hair Color
If you’re hoping to alter the color of your hair significantly, then a hair glaze is not for you. For example, if you’re hoping to go from a medium blonde hair color to a light brown hair color, a hair glaze will not achieve this for you.
What Is Hair Dye?
A hair dye is a mixture that uses chemicals to change your hair’s natural color.
For example, if you have natural light brown hair color but want to change the color to a shade of red like auburn, then you would use a hair dye to achieve this.
Pros and Cons of Dyes
While hair dye is a great way to get an entirely new hair color, like the hair glaze, hair dye has its pros and cons. Read on to learn about the most significant pros and cons of using hair dye.
Pros
Change Hair’s Color
With hair dye, you can completely change the color of your hair. For example, a hair dye makes it possible to go from a cool blonde to a warm red hue.
More Vibrant Color
However, if you’re hoping to use a hair dye to match your natural hair color and add vibrancy to your hair color, that is starting to fade harsh environmental factors. Such as the UV rays of the sun or the chlorine in swimming pools. Then a hair dye will make your hair’s color pop again and look stunning.
Cons
Contains Harmful Chemicals
Unlike a hair glaze, hair dyes contain harsh chemicals, which are known to cause allergic reactions when they come into contact with the skin. They also have ingredients like sulfates and phthalates, which can damage your hair.
Color Commitment
You cannot wash out a permanent hair dye, meaning you’re committed to that hair color for six to eight weeks. Six to eight weeks is how often you can dye your hair again without causing irreparable damage to it.
What Does Dyed and Glazed Hair Look Like?
The difference in the appearance between hair that has a glaze applied to it and hair that has been dyed closely to the hair’s natural color is in the vibrancy of the color.
Glazed hair offers a more subtle improvement, while hair dye is more noticeable in the overall color improvement.
Key Differences Between Hair Glaze and Hair Dye
Now on to the essential part of this article, what are the significant differences between a hair glaze and hair dye? Let’s cover everything from the preparation required for each to the risks involved.
The Preparation
Hair glaze doesn’t require preparation like hair dye. While hair dye requires mixing multiple formulas, a hair glaze is a no-mix solution that can get applied directly to the hair.
The Process
Applying a hair glaze and hair dye is relatively the same. Apply the formula to the hair strands, wait for the required time, and then wash out the solution.
Cost
It’s slightly cheaper to glaze your hair than to dye it at a salon. However, purchasing a boxed version from a store is around the same price. At a salon, the cost of dyeing or glazing your hair depends on your hair’s length and volume.
Dyeing your hair can cost you between $60 to $150 at a salon, while a box of hair dye from the store can cost between $9 to $15. On the other hand, glazing your hair at a salon can cost between $50 to $100, while purchasing a box of hair glaze can cost between $9 to $15.
Ingredients
A hair glaze is typically free of ammonia, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and mineral oils. However, hair dyes are known to have ingredients like ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and para-phenylenediamine (PPD).
Types
A hair glaze is always semi-permanent because it only coats the hair strands and never penetrates the hair’s cuticle. Hair glaze and hair gloss are often used interchangeably in store-bought versions. However, salons differentiate between hair glaze and gloss. In salons, a hair glaze is semi-permanent, while a hair gloss is demi-permanent.
On the other hand, hair dyes can either be semi-permanent, demi-permanent, or permanent.
Semi-permanent hair dye offers a change in hair color with the shortest time commitment and is only temporary. So, it will wash out after about five to eight shampoos.
Demi-permanent hair dye will change your hair color with the second shortest time commitment, and like a semi-permanent hair dye, it’s only temporary. So, it will wash out after about 30 shampoos.
However, permanent hair requires the lengthiest time commitment and will not wash out of the hair after so many washes. Instead, you must wait for your hair to grow out or six to eight weeks to redye it.
Risks
A hair glaze is relatively risk-free since it includes fewer harsh chemicals. However, a skin reaction is possible, so you should perform a patch test before applying.
However, because it contains harsher chemicals, hair dyes have increased risks and require application in well-ventilated areas.
Like a hair glaze, you should perform a patch test before applying hair dye. The most common risks with the two hair color options are eye and skin irritation if they aren’t properly applied and used.
Touch-Ups
A salon hair glaze requires bi-weekly touch-ups, while a store-bought version usually requires weekly touch-ups. In contrast, hair dye can get reapplied typically every six to eight weeks.
Hair Glaze Vs. Hair Dye
Here is a hair glaze vs hair dye comparison table showing the differences for a quick glance:
| Hair Glaze | Hair Dye | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Salon: $50 – $100, Store: $9 – $15 | Salon: $60 – $150, Store: $9 – $15 |
| Risk | Safer | Risky due to harsh chemicals |
| Types | Semi-Permanent & Demi-Permanent | Semi-Permanent, Demi-Permanent, & Permanent |
| Touch-Up | 7 – 14 Days | 6 – 8 Weeks |
| Ingredients: Ammonia, paraben, sulfate, phthalates free | Yes | No |
Finally, you know what the difference between glaze and hair dye is, as well as what precisely hair glaze and hair dye are and their most significant pros and cons. As a result, you’re better prepared to decide which is more suitable for you and how each will benefit you and your hair.