Choose the right shade of hair color
Your root touch up hair color cannot be darker or lighter than the color of the lengths of your hair. It will make the hair color look shabby and inconsistent. If you're covering your greys during your root touch up, remember to choose a color that is one shade lighter.
Best root cover-up spray overall
L'Oreal's Magic Root Cover Up is the gold standard of temporary silver hair concealers and for good reason: It's available in nine shades, as opposed to the three that many brands offer and, once applied, it quickly and effectively conceals gray roots until your next shampoo.
Our top pick for the best temporary hair dye is the Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Full Coverage. After testing 15 products, we were most impressed by this formula's staying power, color options, and simple application process.
The standard tip for hair services is 15-20% of the total cost. For exceptional service, consider tipping up to 25%. Tip based on the original price, even if you use discounts or coupons. Cash tips are often preferred for immediate impact.
Try a Root Concealer Spray
Root concealer sprays provide a user-friendly option, the aerosols functioning similar to the dry shampoos we've all come to rely on.
The best hair dye for grey hair if you're brunette
You won't be surprised to hear that you should be covering the grey with brown dye, but the best hair dye for grey hair here is a medium-light shade, even if you are naturally very dark, as this will complement your naturally paling skin.
Semi-permanent and temporary hair colours penetrate your hair's cuticle (protective outer layer) to gain access to the cortex (inner layer) where your hair's pigment is contained. Therefore, they can cause moisture loss from your hair, and subsequent dryness.
Our favorite overall pick is the Madison Reed Root Perfection Root Touch-Up Kit, which nourishes strands as it dyes them and covers roots for up to three weeks.
Bumble and bumble Color Stick
It works just like a crayon, shading in gray strands or root regrowth. The velvety formula slid across our hair (even longer strands far from roots), and the color is water-resistant until you shampoo. In that way, it's arguably one of the easiest—and most fun—ways to touch up your roots.
Most people do retouch roots every 4 to 6 weeks, and it's a good rule of thumb to make sure you don't go more than 8 weeks between sessions. This is because you want to make sure that your roots don't get any longer than an inch, and according to All Things Hair, hair grows about half an inch every month.
Unlike a traditional root touch-up, which typically involves a flat application of your base color, root smudging utilizes a softer approach. This softer approach involves blending a slightly lighter shade than your natural color near your roots, creating a subtle gradient that diffuses the line of demarcation.
Why does this happen? The lighter, warmer result at the roots which characterises hot roots can be seen; If you use a colour which is lighter than any older, darker pre-existing color on your mid-lengths or ends. This can lead to a lighter color result at your roots than the rest of the hair.
If you're using permanent Root Touch-Up By Nice'n Easy, reapply every three to four weeks after your last whole head application for an always salon-fresh look.
What hair dye brands should I avoid? Brands that frequently use harmful chemicals include Clairol Nice'N Easy, Garnier Nutrisse, Revlon Colorsilk, and L'Oreal Preference. These products often contain ingredients like ammonia and PPD, which are associated with health risks.
What kind of hair color do salons use? Salons typically use professional hair dyes that are formulated to deliver high-quality, long-lasting results. These include: Permanent Hair Dye: This type requires a developer and offers the longest-lasting color, covering gray hair effectively.
Pick a lighter hair colour
A lighter colour will then look better. Your hair follicles produce less pigment as you're turning older. If there's no more pigment being produced in the hair follicles, your hair turns pigmentless.
The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair
Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.
If they have not been previously coloring I typically suggest a colored demi-gloss treatment like View that will increase shine and camouflage the gray. Alternatively, I will suggest some strategically placed highlights/lowlights to blend the grays and diffuse their appearance.
Root sprays and root powders offer a quick and temporary way to cover up gray hairs: simply choose a shade that matches your natural color and apply to the roots. They're both great options for those moments when new gray growth just barely starts to appear or you need a quick fix between dye jobs.
COVER-UP WITH MAKEUP
If you're in a pinch, reach for an eyeshadow or face powder that matches your haircolor and dust a small amount around your hairline. The color will help soften the discoloration, while also making the hairline look thicker.
Cool shades like ash blonde and mushroom brown are among the best hair colors to hide grays, since the cool tones won't clash with your silvery streaks.