dpHUE Gloss+ Semi Permanent Deep Conditioner Review 2026
Your hair color looks flat. The shine faded three weeks after your salon visit. Your roots are starting to whisper, and your ends look dusty. You want a fix that takes minutes, not a Saturday afternoon.
dpHUE Gloss+ promises exactly that. It is a color depositing conditioner that works in the shower. You apply it to damp hair, wait a few minutes, and rinse. No peroxide. No ammonia. No mixing bowls.
But does it actually work? Or is it just an expensive conditioner with dye in it? I tested it, read hundreds of user reports, and broke down the formula. Here is the honest answer, including the parts dpHUE does not advertise.
In a Nutshell:
- It is a deposit only formula. Gloss+ adds tone and shine. It cannot lighten your hair. If you want to go lighter, this is the wrong product entirely.
- The conditioning is the real star. The base contains cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, and behentrimonium chloride. Hair comes out soft, smooth, and glossy even when the color payoff is subtle.
- Color lasts up to 8 washes. The 6.5 oz bottle delivers 8 to 12 applications depending on hair length. Long, thick hair burns through it faster.
- Gray coverage is blending, not covering. Grays pick up a tint and soften into your base. Stubborn wiry grays may still show. This is a blender, not a dye.
- Processing time controls intensity. Three minutes gives a light refresh. Twenty minutes gives the deepest tone the formula can reach.
- Staining is a real risk. Darker shades can mark skin, nails, and light colored towels. Gloves and an old shirt are not optional.
What Is dpHUE Gloss+ and Who Made It?
- FIND YOUR SHADE - The Medium Brown shade is best for brunettes who want a natural finish with a warm tone. For highlights or balayage, choose the shade closest to the lightest part of your hair. Not sure? Try the 3 oz before you switch to full size!
- BOOST COLOR, ADD SHINE - Gloss+ is a semi-permanent dye that enhances your current hair color by adding richness, shine, and softness. Perfect for all hair types, even for conditioning dry, curly & coily hair.
Last update on 2026-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
dpHUE Gloss+ is a semi permanent color depositing deep conditioner. The brand was co founded by colorist Justin Anderson, who works with celebrity clients in Los Angeles. The idea was simple. Bring the salon glossing service home in a bottle anyone can use.
Gloss+ sits in a category between a conditioner and a hair dye. It does not open the cuticle. It does not use developer. Instead, basic dyes sit on the outside of the hair shaft and coat it with pigment.
That coating does two jobs at once. It refreshes faded tone, and it smooths the cuticle so light bounces off evenly. The shine you see is partly color and partly physics.
The product comes in 6.5 oz and 3 oz sizes. The larger bottle is the better value for regular users.
Unboxing Experience and First Impressions
The packaging is calm and clean. A white squeeze bottle with a flip cap arrives in a simple printed box. No plastic window, no glittery sleeve, no wasted material.
Inside the box you get the bottle and an instruction insert. No gloves are included. That is the first disappointment, and it matters more than it sounds. Buy a box of disposable gloves before your first use.
Pop the cap and the texture surprises you. It is thick like a hair mask, not runny like a toner. The shade color shows clearly in the cream, so Medium Brown looks genuinely brown in the bottle.
The scent is soft and clean with a faint floral note. There is no chemical sting. No ammonia smell. That alone makes the shower experience far nicer than boxed dye.
Key Features and Specifications
Here is the plain breakdown of what you are buying.
The formula is semi permanent and deposit only. It contains no ammonia, no peroxide, and no PPD. Processing time runs from 3 to 20 minutes on clean damp hair. Color holds for up to 8 washes.
Bottle size is 6.5 fl oz, which the brand rates at 8 to 12 applications. The 3 oz travel size suits short hair or a single test run.
The conditioning base is built around cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, polyquaternium 10, and behentrimonium chloride. Those are standard, well understood smoothing and detangling agents. Two newer shades, Caramel and Golden Blonde, swap in shea butter and argan oil for a richer base.
Pigments come from basic dyes such as Basic Blue 99, Basic Brown 17, and Basic Yellow 57.
Shade Range Explained
The lineup covers most natural hair colors plus a few fashion tones.
Blondes get Light Blonde, Medium Blonde, Dark Blonde, and Golden Blonde. Brunettes get Light Brown, Medium Brown, Cool Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Caramel, and Black. Red lovers get Copper, Auburn, and Strawberry.
Sheer is the clear option. It has zero pigment and acts as a pure shine and conditioning treatment. It is also the smart way to dilute a shade that feels too strong for you.
Picking a shade follows one rule. Go with your current color or one step cooler. Gloss+ cannot lighten, so choosing a shade lighter than your hair does nothing useful.
Cool Medium Brown is the pick for anyone fighting brassy orange tones in brunette hair.
Top 3 Alternatives for dpHUE Gloss+
- Rich treatment benefits
- Instantly increases softness
Last update on 2026-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask
- "I’m finally able to give them, and you, something that is easy to use at home. This in-shower treatment is formulated to instantly boost vibrancy and shine, while neutralizing warmth on color treated or naturally ultra light blonde hair. It will help you keep your color looking fresh, shiny and healthy between appointments. Choose this color if you have ultra light blonde hair and want to neutralize or tone down warmth." - Kristin Ess
- Gloss: This in-shower treatment instantly boosts vibrancy and shine while adding dimension to color treated or non-color treated hair. Glosses can help your color stay fresh and healthy-looking between salon appointments.
Last update on 2026-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Kristin Ess The One Signature Hair Gloss
- Vibrant Semi-Permanent Color Conditioner: A hydrating treatment hair mask that restores and colors your hair, it's simple right? Do it yourself at home! Infused with nourishing moisture and natural oils, achieve semi-permanent hair color results in just 15 minutes
- Color Despositing Semi Permanent Hydrating Hair Mask for all Hair Types: Designed for all hair textures including color-treated, natural, curly, straight or coily hair. Pastels work best for light hair or a bleached base; Vibrant & Extreme shades show on brown hair. For a more saturated color add our bleach
Last update on 2026-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
oVertone Color Depositing Semi Permanent Conditioner
How to Use dpHUE Gloss+ Step by Step
The process is short, but order matters.
Shampoo first and skip conditioner. Squeeze your hair until it stops dripping. Wet hair dilutes the pigment, so excess water weakens your result.
Put on gloves. Section your hair into four parts. Apply the cream from roots to ends, using more than you think you need. Comb it through with a wide tooth comb so every strand is coated.
Set a timer. Three to five minutes gives shine with a hint of tone. Fifteen to twenty minutes gives the strongest color deposit the formula can produce.
Rinse with cool water until it runs clear. Cool water keeps the cuticle flat and locks in shine. Skip conditioner afterward, because the gloss already conditioned your hair.
Performance on Gray Hair
This is where expectations need adjusting. Gloss+ blends grays. It does not cover them.
On salt and pepper hair, grays absorb pigment and turn into soft highlights. The overall effect reads as dimension rather than solid color. Many users love that look because the grow out line stays invisible.
On hair that is more than 50 percent gray, results get patchy. Coarse resistant grays around the temples often grab less pigment than the rest. You may see a halo of lighter strands after rinsing.
Processing the full 20 minutes helps noticeably. So does a second application a few days later.
If you want opaque gray coverage, a permanent color is still the right tool. Gloss+ is better used between those appointments to stretch the time.
How Long the Color Actually Lasts
dpHUE claims up to 8 washes. Real world results land close to that number for most people.
Expect 4 to 6 washes if you shampoo daily with a clarifying formula. Expect 8 to 10 washes if you shampoo twice a week with a sulfate free product. Your washing habits matter more than the gloss itself.
Porous hair holds pigment longer. Healthy virgin hair releases it faster because the cuticle is tight and smooth.
The fade is gradual and even, which is the best part. There is no harsh demarcation line and no orange surprise. Color simply softens back to your base.
Most users settle into a rhythm of one application every two to three weeks. That pace keeps tone consistent without buildup.
Conditioning Benefits and Hair Feel
- WHY SHEER - Sheer is universal and can be used on all hair colors, including gray, to help infuse moisture. It can also be used to dilute other Gloss+ shades and create your ideal color.
- SHINE & SOFTNESS - This deep conditioning treatment adds shine and softness to hair that lacks vitality. Perfect for all hair types, even for conditioning dry, curly & coily hair.
Last update on 2026-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Strip away the pigment and Gloss+ is still a good conditioner. The Sheer version proves it.
Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that softens and smooths. Behentrimonium chloride is a conditioning agent that cuts static and tangles. Dimethicone forms a thin film that reflects light and reduces friction.
The slip is immediate. A wide tooth comb glides through soaking wet hair with almost no resistance. That alone reduces breakage during detangling.
After drying, hair feels dense and smooth rather than coated or greasy. Frizz drops noticeably in humid weather.
One caution matters here. Dimethicone is a silicone. Curly hair fans who follow a silicone free routine will want to skip this formula or use a clarifying shampoo monthly to prevent buildup.
What dpHUE Gloss+ Does Not Do Well
Honest reviews name the weak spots, so here they are.
It cannot lighten hair. Not by a shade, not by a fraction. Deposit only means deposit only.
It stains. Dark Brown, Black, and Copper leave marks on tile grout, fingernails, and light towels. Wipe your shower immediately after rinsing.
Pigment strength varies by shade. Red tones like Copper and Strawberry hit hard and fast. Blonde tones land softly and can disappear in two washes on resistant hair.
The pump free squeeze bottle gets messy once your gloves are covered in product. Dispensing one handed is awkward.
Coverage on heavy gray is inconsistent. Coarse hair types may need two rounds for a visible result.
Finally, the price per ounce is higher than drugstore glosses with similar function.
Pros and Cons of dpHUE Gloss+
Pros
- No ammonia, no peroxide, and no PPD, which makes it gentle enough for weekly use on color treated hair.
- Conditioning performance is genuinely strong. Hair feels softer even when the color effect is subtle.
- Processing takes as little as 3 minutes, so it fits inside a normal shower.
- Shade range covers blonde, brunette, red, black, and a pigment free Sheer option.
- Fades evenly with no harsh root line or demarcation.
- One bottle delivers 8 to 12 applications, which lowers the real cost per use.
Cons
- Cannot lighten hair in any way.
- Gray coverage is blending only and leaves resistant grays visible.
- Dark shades stain skin, nails, and bathroom surfaces.
- Gloves are not included in the box.
- Contains dimethicone, which silicone free routines avoid.
- Blonde shades fade faster than the advertised 8 washes on many users.
Price and Value for Money
The 6.5 oz bottle sits in the premium end of the drugstore range and well below a salon service.
Run the math. A salon gloss typically costs between 40 and 80 dollars per visit. One bottle of Gloss+ covers roughly 8 to 12 at home sessions. The cost per application lands in single digits.
That value only holds if you use the whole bottle. Buying three shades you never finish defeats the point.
Short hair gets the best deal because each session uses less product. Long, thick hair may only get five or six full applications from one bottle.
The 3 oz size is the smart first purchase. It costs less, and it tells you whether your hair responds to the formula before you commit.
dpHUE Gloss+ vs a Salon Gloss Service
A salon gloss uses a demi permanent formula with a low volume developer. That developer opens the cuticle slightly and allows pigment to sit inside the hair shaft.
The result lasts longer, usually 4 to 6 weeks, and gives truer tone correction. A colorist also customizes the mix to your exact base.
Gloss+ works differently. Pigment coats the outside only. Nothing penetrates and nothing processes chemically.
That makes it safer and more forgiving, but less powerful. You trade precision and longevity for convenience and zero damage.
The smartest approach combines both. Book the salon gloss when you need real correction. Use Gloss+ every two weeks in between to hold the tone and keep the shine alive.
Who Should Buy It and Who Should Skip It
Buy it if your color looks dull three weeks after a salon visit. Buy it if you have mild gray and want soft blending instead of solid coverage. Buy it if your hair feels dry and you want conditioning and tone in one step.
It also suits anyone easing into at home color for the first time. The formula is forgiving, and mistakes wash out quickly.
Skip it if you want to go lighter. Skip it if you have more than half gray hair and need full coverage. Skip it if you follow a strict silicone free regimen.
Skip it too if you shampoo every single day with clarifying products, because the color will barely survive a week.
Final Verdict
dpHUE Gloss+ delivers on shine and softness every single time. It delivers on color most of the time, depending on your shade and your hair.
Think of it as a maintenance tool, not a transformation tool. It keeps good color looking good. It will not create new color.
Rated honestly, it earns a 4 out of 5. The conditioning base is excellent, the application is easy, and the fade is clean. Points come off for the gray coverage gap, the staining, and the missing gloves.
If your main goal is shine between salon visits, this is one of the easiest wins in your bathroom. If your main goal is covering gray, look at a permanent color instead and keep Gloss+ as the follow up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dpHUE Gloss+ damage hair?
No. The formula contains no ammonia, no peroxide, and no PPD. Pigment coats the hair rather than processing inside it. Most users report softer hair after each use.
Can dpHUE Gloss+ lighten my hair?
No. It is deposit only. Choosing a lighter shade will not lift your base color. It may just add a subtle warm or cool tone.
How often can I use it?
Once a week is safe for most hair types. Many users apply it every two to three weeks to maintain tone. Watch for buildup if you have fine hair.
Will it cover my gray roots completely?
It blends grays rather than covering them. Expect softened, tinted grays that read as highlights. Coarse resistant grays may need two applications.
Does it stain the shower or skin?
Darker shades can leave marks. Wear gloves, wipe surfaces right after rinsing, and use an old towel. Light shades rarely cause problems.
Which shade should I choose?
Match your current color or go one step cooler. Pick Sheer if you only want shine and conditioning with no color change at all.
Hi, I’m Rosalie Celeste, your trusted product reviewer and the voice behind Purely Rated. I’m passionate about helping everyday shoppers make informed decisions by sharing my honest, first-person experiences with Amazon products across fashion, beauty, supplements, and lifestyle categories. With a keen eye for quality and value, I test and review products that I genuinely use in my daily life, so you know you’re getting authentic insights.
