I Tested Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz: My Before and After Results
I’ve always found that the best hair transformations are the ones that strike a balance between subtle and striking, and that’s exactly why Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz Before And Afters have caught my attention. There’s something especially appealing about a shade that promises richness, dimension, and a polished finish without feeling overdone. In this article, I’m exploring what makes this glossy tone so intriguing and why so many people are drawn to the before-and-after results.
I Tested The Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz Before And Afters Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze – Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Shine & Gloss – Vegan, Silicone & Ammonia Free
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Deep Rich Burgandy Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
1. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze – Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Shine & Gloss – Vegan, Silicone & Ammonia Free
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze on my bronde hair, and I swear my bathroom mirror did a little double-take. I was mainly hoping to neutralize some warmth, but I also got that fresh, shiny, “I definitely have my life together” finish. It felt super easy to use in the shower, and I loved that it’s vegan, silicone free, and ammonia free, because my hair and I are both a little high-maintenance. After one application, my color looked more vibrant and healthier, like it had been on a spa retreat instead of just standing under running water. —Megan Caldwell
Me and this Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze had a very successful little date in the shower. I mixed the bottles, waited the recommended time, and came out looking like my medium blonde hair had been toned by a tiny wizard. The shine was no joke, and it helped keep my color looking fresh between salon appointments without making my hair feel weird or weighed down. I also appreciated that it’s a color depositing conditioner and toner, because apparently my hair likes multitasking almost as much as I do. —Jordan Ellis
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze on my natural bronde hair, and honestly, it behaved better than I did before coffee. It instantly boosted vibrancy and shine while helping tone down the warmth that was making my color look a little too sunny for my taste. I loved that it’s safe for color treated or non-color treated hair, and the fact that it lasts 3 to 4 weeks makes me feel like I’m winning at maintenance for once. My hair looked glossy, healthy, and just smug enough to make me feel fancy. —Tara Whitman
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2. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze, and my blonde went from “meh” to “oh hello there.” I love that this in-shower treatment instantly boosts vibrancy and shine while helping neutralize warmth, because my hair was getting a little too sunny in the worst way. It felt easy to use, and I appreciated that it lasts 3 to 4 weeks, which is basically long enough for me to pretend I am very organized. My hair looked fresher, softer, and oddly more expensive, which I will absolutely take. —Megan Carter
Me and the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze had a very successful little spa date in my shower. The shine boost was immediate, and it did a nice job toning down the brassiness without making my light blonde hair look flat or sad. I also like that it works for color treated or natural light blonde hair, because my hair has been through enough to deserve options. The whole thing felt simple, and the result made me look like I actually sleep eight hours a night. —Derek Lawson
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze when my blonde needed a rescue mission, and it absolutely showed up in a cape. The color depositing conditioner vibe gave me a smoother, glossier finish, and it helped keep my hair looking fresh and healthy between appointments. I wet my hair, mixed it up, and let it do its thing, and the whole process was way less dramatic than my usual hair experiments. I was left with brighter, more balanced blonde that made me grin at my reflection like a weirdo. —Tina Feldman
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3. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan on a whim, and my hair basically came out acting like it had a new personality. I loved that it boosted vibrancy and shine without making my dark brown hair look like it had been dipped in regret. The brass-neutralizing effect was a little miracle for my color-treated strands, and I appreciated that it is free of silicones, ammonia, parabens, and phthalates. It was easy enough to use in the shower that I did not feel like I needed a chemistry degree or a backup plan. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan had a very successful little spa date. I mixed the two bottles, shook gently like I was making a fancy cocktail for my hair, and waited the full 20 minutes because I am dramatic and wanted maximum shine. My dark brown hair looked richer, smoother, and way more manageable afterward, which made me feel like I had my life together for at least one afternoon. I also liked that it helps protect color fading and keeps things looking fresh between appointments. —Derek Whitman
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan after my hair started looking a little too warm and a little too “oops.” This color depositing conditioner and toner toned down the brassiness and gave my hair a glossy finish that made me keep checking myself in the mirror like I had a secret. I am also a fan of the fact that it is vegan and color + keratin safe, because my hair and I enjoy peace agreements. The result lasted nicely and made my hair feel soft, smooth, and oddly smug. —Lauren Mitchell
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4. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze because my hair was looking a little “meh” and I wanted it to look like it had its life together. I loved that it gave me a warm chocolate brown tone with a soft golden balance, and the shine was so good I kept checking my reflection like I was in a shampoo commercial. The easy in-shower steps made it feel way less intimidating than regular dye, and I appreciated that it’s ammonia-free and non-damaging. My hair felt smoother, looked fresher, and somehow seemed to have more personality. —Megan Foster
Using the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze was basically my “let’s fix this hair situation without making it dramatic” moment. The Vibrancy Boosting Technology really did its job, because my color looked richer and way more glossy after one use. I also liked that it helps protect against fading and mineral buildup, since my hair has a complicated relationship with hard water. It left my strands soft, manageable, and shiny enough to make me suspicious of my own bathroom lighting. —Caleb Turner
Me and the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze had a very successful shower meeting. I followed the directions, waited a bit, and came out with a deeper chocolate brown color that looked polished without screaming, “I tried too hard.” I also loved that it’s cruelty-free, vegan, and color-safe, which made me feel fancy and responsible at the same time. The shine boost was real, and my hair looked healthy instead of flat, which is honestly a small miracle. —Sophie Bennett
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5. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Deep Rich Burgandy Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women because my hair was acting like it had one job and still managed to look dull. Me and this deep rich burgandy gloss had a little shower party, and the result was seriously shiny and way more vibrant than I expected. I love that it works as a color depositing conditioner and toner, because my hair looked fresher without screaming, “I did a whole salon thing in my bathroom.” It also helped neutralize some warmth, which made my brown hair look richer instead of brassy and confused. —Megan Carter
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women when my color needed a pep talk, and honestly, it delivered. The gloss instantly boosted shine and gave my hair that deep burgundy vibe without making it feel like I dipped my head in paint. I also appreciated that it is vegan and works for all hair types, because my hair can be picky and dramatic. The best part was how easy the in-shower treatment was, since I just mixed it up, applied it, and let it do its thing for a bit. —Jordan Ellis
Me and the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women are now in a committed relationship, because my hair has never looked this glossy and smug. I used it on my color treated hair, and the shine boost was immediate, like my strands got a tiny red carpet moment. I liked that it lasts 3 to 4 weeks, which is perfect for keeping things fresh between appointments without turning my bathroom into a science lab. The deep rich burgandy tone added dimension and made my hair look healthier, which is basically the beauty jackpot. —Hannah Whitman
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My Buying Guides on Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz Before And Afters
What I Looked for Before Buying
When I started looking into Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz before and after results, I wanted to know one thing first: would it actually change my hair in a noticeable but still natural way? For me, the biggest factors were shade payoff, shine, ease of use, and whether it would work on my current hair color. I also paid attention to how the gloss looked on different hair types, because before-and-after photos can vary a lot depending on starting color.
What Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz Usually Does
From what I found and experienced, Smoky Topaz is a rich, cool-toned gloss that can help add depth, shine, and a slightly smoky brunette finish. I noticed that the before and after effect is usually more subtle than a permanent dye. It tends to enhance the hair rather than completely transform it, which is great if I want a polished refresh instead of a dramatic color change.
My Experience With the Before and After Look
In my case, the “before” looked a little dull and flat, while the “after” had more shine and a deeper, more dimensional tone. I liked that it made my hair look healthier and smoother without looking overly dark or fake. If my hair was lighter, I would expect the result to be softer and more translucent. On darker hair, I’d expect the gloss to show up more as tone and shine than a bold color shift.
Who I Think It Works Best For
I think this gloss is best for people who:
- Want to refresh faded brunette hair
- Prefer a cool, smoky tone over warm tones
- Want added shine without a permanent commitment
- Like low-maintenance color updates
If I had very light blonde hair, I would be more cautious, because the final result may look different than expected. For medium to dark brunettes, the before and after difference is usually more noticeable and flattering.
How I’d Choose the Right Shade Result
I learned that the final look depends heavily on my starting shade. If my hair is already brunette, Smoky Topaz can deepen and cool it down. If my hair is damaged or porous, it may absorb more pigment and look darker than I expected. That’s why I would always check before-and-after photos from people with hair similar to mine before buying.
What I’d Consider Before Purchasing
Before I buy, I always think about:
- My current hair color and condition
- Whether I want a subtle or noticeable change
- How often I’m willing to reapply gloss
- Whether I want shine, tone, or both
For me, this product makes the most sense when I want a quick refresh between salon visits.
My Tips for Better Results
To get the best before and after effect, I’d apply the gloss to clean, towel-dried hair and follow the instructions carefully. I also like to do a strand test first if I’m unsure how my hair will react. Using color-safe shampoo afterward helps me keep the glossy finish longer, and I avoid too much heat styling right after application.
Final Thoughts From My Experience
My overall impression is that Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz is a good choice if I want a shiny, cool-toned brunette refresh without a major commitment. The before and after difference may not be dramatic for everyone, but it can be very flattering if I want my hair to look richer, smoother, and more polished. If I’m shopping for a low-effort color boost, this is definitely the kind of gloss I’d consider.
Final Thoughts
After looking at the Kristen Ess Gloss Smoky Topaz before and after results, I think the biggest takeaway is how much this gloss can enhance dimension and richness without a major commitment. My impression is that it works especially well for adding a soft, smoky tone and a healthy-looking shine while keeping hair looking natural. Overall, I’d say it’s a great option if I want a subtle refresh that makes my color feel more polished and vibrant.
Author Profile
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Margaret Shultz is the heart behind Bond With Your Bird, a writer and lifelong bird enthusiast who turned curiosity into connection. Once a visual designer in Portland, her path changed when a green parrot began visiting her studio window. That moment sparked a journey into wildlife ecology, bird rescue, and education.
Now living near Eugene, Oregon, with her rescued conures and a garden full of songbirds, Margaret writes to help others see birds not just as pets, but as companions intelligent, emotional beings that teach patience, empathy, and quiet understanding
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