Should You Add “Preservation Gloss” To Your Service Menu?

Could This Be Your Newest Service Menu Item?

We’re always looking for quick services that keep your clients coming in frequently, which is why we were so intrigued by this “preservation gloss” we heard about through Color Space. We’re diving into the benefits, pricing, and how-to of preservation glossing services to bring you all the deets to determine if this service belongs on your menu! 

What Is A “Preservation Gloss” ?

A preservation gloss is a stand-alone haircolor service that is different from a toning service. This service can bridge the gap between color appointments to extend the life of color and preserve vibrancy—a big win for you and your clients!

Toners are typically used as a finish to a service using demi-permanent color. A preservation gloss is different because it uses permanent haircolor to restore shine and color saturation while boosting the hair’s condition and refreshing your client’s all-over color. For color clients that typically have a long appointment every 2-3 months, preservation gloss is the perfect add-in around the 4-6 week mark to keep things looking and feeling fresh!

Taylor Smits (@smitties), Color Space hair educator says day-to-day factors like washing the hair, heat tools, and sun exposure can contribute to client concerns such as loss of luster, longevity of color and even the condition of hair. A preservation gloss can fix these concerns and more in just one quick 30- to 45-minute service for easy client upkeep and quick turnaround in your chair!

Benefits of Preservation Gloss:

• Restore shine
• Restore saturation
• Restore condition
• Extends life of color
• Shadow root replacement
• Increased appointments

How To Perform A Preservation Gloss

Before you begin this service, assess your client’s hair. Do they have ANY of their natural color showing? Here’s what Taylor says is best for each situation:

• Color Space Zero Ammonia-Free Permanent Hair Color is perfect for clients with natural hair color showing within their professional color because the ammonia-free formula will not alter the natural hair.
• Color Space Primary Low Ammonia Permanent Hair Color is the best option for clients with all over color and no natural hair showing due to the ammonia content of a level 7 in the formula, which can contribute to lifting and color shifting. 

1. Formulate The Preservation Gloss  

Be honest about how light the hair has been previously lifted. “Honest Toning” as Taylor refers to it, is only toning on the hair color level (or darker).

This is important because Color Space color has a non-progressive dye molecule, meaning the hair will not get darker the longer the gloss sits on the hair. Refer to 4:50 on Color Space IGTV linked below for an example of choosing gloss colors!

Next, determine the level of saturation you want the preservation gloss to achieve:

• Tonal: Zero Clear + Push Tone (level dependent on what you are toning)
• Sheer: 1 part natural or pre-blended + 3 parts Zero Clear or Push Tones
• Blended: Equal parts natural or pre-blended + Zero Clear or Push Tones
• Heavy Blended: 3 parts natural or pre-blended + 1 part Zero Clear or Push Tones
• Shadow Root: Choose from “Blended” or “Heavy Blended” as listed above 

Mixing Ratios: Use 5-Volume developer (creme or liquid) for the prevention gloss service. 

• 1:2 — Recommended for beginners to glossing, provides even toning
• 1:1.5 — Recommended when more saturation is desired
• 1:1 — Recommended for fashion colors or the most saturation of tone

Timing: 5-15 minutes—gloss should be checked every 5 minutes and not exceeding 15 minutes for processing time.

• Taylor found that the “sweet spot” is generally between 5-7 minutes

2. Application & Processing 

You can apply the preservation gloss on damp OR dry hair, but know this: you’ll get the most saturated result from glossing on dry hair. However, this service can totally be done in the bowl for a more sheer result.

Depending on saturation and formula(s) selected, the preservation gloss will be applied in your preferred sectioning pattern on the regrowth area and through the hair shaft and ends. 

Process for 5 to 15 minutes, remembering to check the gloss every 5 minutes and not exceeding 15 minutes processing time. (Taylor found that the “sweet spot” is generally between 5-7 minutes.)

3. Booking & Charging For A Preservation Gloss

This service requires quite a bit of technique and ranges from 30-45 minutes per gloss appointment. Because of this, Taylor recommends charging in comparison to color services as opposed to toning services.