How to Laminate Your Hair with a Homemade or Store Bought Gloss
The clear gelatin in this homemade hair lamination mask makes a DIY gloss that leaves hair smooth and shiny for up to two weeks.
A DIY Hair Gloss Recipe
One of my favorite beauty hacks is this homemade hair lamination mask. It is a quick, inexpensive DIY hair gloss recipe that uses a natural product (gelatin) to seal and smooth hair. This DIY gloss costs only pennies and uses 2 ingredients (not including water).
What is hair lamination?
Hair lamination uses clear gelatin to coat hair with a clear finish that protects, adds shine, and makes hair easier to style. In theory, laminating hair is similar to laminating paper. The former uses gelatin to laminate; the latter uses a plastic coating.
Can you put gelatin on your hair?
Yes! Gelatin is perfectly safe for hair and is the key ingredient in hair lamination. Gelatin contains protein from the collagen extracted from domesticated animals.
Can gelatin make nails grow?
In addition to being used to treat hair, gelatin is used by many to help nail growth. My dermatologist, Dr. Jo Herzog, gave her opinion on this in this blog post~Gelatin For Long, Strong Nails: Fact or Fiction?.
Which oil works best in hair lamination?
I only use melted virgin coconut oil. It is clear and smells fabulous (like coconut of course). Avocado oil and grapeseed oil could also be used. Just make sure the oil is pure and free from salts or additives.
The photo below was taken after I did a homemade lamination mask treatment. My hair styled easily and was softer than before the treatment.
Apply the gelatin while it is warm.
The gelatin mixture should be applied to the hair while warm before it has time to cool, after which it won’t be usable. The photo (below) is what my leftover gelatin mask looked like after a few hours at room temp. Remember, the gelatin will gelatinize (become thick like Jell-O) as it cools.
Best store bought hair masks and glosses.
If you are too busy to make your own gloss or just prefer to buy products that are ready made, One of my FAVORITE hair glosses is at most drugstores or beauty supply stores. It only takes one step. You can watch me apply the gloss in the short video below.
I hope you find this information helpful in achieving shinier, healthier hair. As always, thanks so much for stopping by my site. Wishing you a joyful, blessed, and savvy day!!!
Homemade Hair Lamination Mask
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 TB (1 packet) Knox unflavored gelatin
- 1 TB extra virgin coconut oil, melted
Instructions
- Place 1/2 cup water in the microwave; heat 1 minute or until just boiling.
- Remove from microwave; add gelatin, stirring until dissolved.
- Add oil, stirring until dissolved.
- When cool enough to apply, comb or "wet brush" through hair (concentrating on dry areas and ends).
- Cover head with a wet, hot towel for at least 15 minutes (reheating towel as needed).
- Wash hair with regular shampoo and conditioner. Style as usual.
- Reapply every few weeks.
Hi Liz!!! Yes’m it can be messy for sure! My best results are when I lean over our free standing tub!!!
Love this, thank you!!
Any tips on how to lessen the mess when applying indoors? I feel like I get it all over my bathroom whenever I’ve applied! I’ve tried over the sink, in the tub, etc….but leaves a jelly residue everywhere. I’ve ruined a few rowels too but trying to line underneath me lol! Any help appreciated! Thanks for your great tips!
Hi!!!! I think you will get best results if you wait a couple of weeks for the kerigloss to start fading. Save the lamination for when you need a good refresh!!!!
I just had my keragloss treatment yesterday. I found your site just now. May I ask, when can I possibly try this DIY hair lamination? Thank you so much!
Hi Lynn, I would wait a few weeks just to make sure the color will permeate. You are so welcome!!!