Gloss vs Toner: What It Does, What It Costs and How Often to Book

A gloss is the most underrated service on the color menu. It won't change your hair dramatically, but it fixes the things people notice most: brassiness, dullness and blonde that has gone yellow. Here's what a gloss and a toner actually do, what they cost at AGENCÉ, and how often to book one.

Gloss vs toner: what's the difference?

People use the two words for the same appointment, and in the salon they overlap. A toner neutralizes unwanted tones, like the yellow or orange that shows up as lightened hair fades. A gloss is a sheer, demi-permanent color that adds shine and can deepen, warm or cool your shade. Most AGENCÉ gloss appointments do both at once: correct the tone and bring the shine back.

• Blondes use it to cancel brassiness and keep a clean, bright tone between lightening visits.
• Brunettes use it to restore richness and a glassy finish without a full color.
• Balayage and babylights use it to soften the grow-out and keep the blend looking intentional.

How much is a gloss at AGENCÉ?

Our gloss service, The Refresh, starts at $95 at both the San Dimas and Old Town Monrovia salons. It refines or shifts tone, restores shine and refreshes existing color without extra lightening. If your roots also need attention, The Blend (root shadow + gloss) starts at $185 and gives you a softer grow-out at the same visit.

Prices are starting rates and vary by artist, length and density. See the full color menu.

How often should you get a gloss?

Most guests book a gloss every 6 to 8 weeks, or roughly halfway between blonding appointments. You'll know it's time when:

• Your blonde looks yellow or orange in daylight
• Your brunette looks flat instead of rich
• Your hair feels fine but has lost its shine
• You have an event coming up and want your color at its best

Because a gloss is demi-permanent, it fades gradually rather than leaving a line, so there's no wrong time to book one.

Gloss or a full color: which one do you need?

A gloss changes tone and shine, not lightness. If you want to go lighter, add more brightness or cover a lot of gray, you'll need a lightening or permanent color service instead. A quick guide:

• Brassy or dull, but the level is right: The Refresh gloss
• Roots or grays showing: The Maintenance root touch-up, from $110
• Want to be brighter: a blonding service
• Uneven color or banding: The Reset, after a consultation (see our color correction guide)

Make your gloss last longer

• Wash with a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and use cool water when you can.
• Use heat protection every time you style.
• Blondes: a purple shampoo once a week keeps yellow away between visits.
• Skip clarifying shampoos for the first week after your appointment.

Ask your artist which products fit your hair, or shop color care from Oribe and Formula 18 online with pickup at either salon.

Book a gloss in San Dimas or Monrovia

Book The Refresh online at our San Dimas salon on Bonita Avenue or our Old Town Monrovia salon on Lemon Avenue. Not sure if you need a gloss or more? Call San Dimas at (909) 599-5021 or Monrovia at (626) 359-3111 and we'll point you to the right service.

Gloss and toner FAQs