21 Best Root Touch-Ups To Save Your Hair Between Salon Visits
Color your hair roots instantly at home with these products before hitting a party.
Rebekkah is a Master Stylist with over 7 years of experience. She specializes in the most popular colors and balayage and the most extravagant restyles. From managing a busy salon to working internationally with clients on their big days, she has gained knowledge in every aspect of her profession.
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Experience: 5 yearsSakshi Bahal is a commerce writer with a master's degree in English Literature from Calcutta University. She was a part of the editorial team of her school magazine. Her love for writing inspired her to take up literature and follow that up with creative writing after completing her education.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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While we all wish to achieve a salon-quality finish for our hair, visiting parlors each time is not only time-consuming but impractical as they burn large holes in our pockets. Especially for things like color touch-ups after roots regrowth that could quickly be done at home, visiting a salon seems redundant. All you need are the best hair root touch-up products that will enable proper hair color maintenance and give you the hair of your dreams with minimal effort.
To help you get your hands (and hair) on the perfect product, you don’t need to search the web and undergo multiple experiments tirelessly. Simply skim through our list of the 20 best root touch-up products available online and find one that works best with your hair type. These products allow you to retouch the color at the roots, rescuing you in this situation and saving your time and money. You can do this right at the comfort of your home without having to take a step outside, and it will especially come in handy during times like the pandemic for at-home hair maintenance. We’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you learn more about root touch-up products.
In This Article
What Is Root Touch-up?
Root touch-up is the procedure of dyeing your hair roots. Hair color starts to fade around the roots as the new hair grows in its natural color. A root touch-up helps to cover up the visible difference between your natural hair color or grays at the roots against the dyed color on your lengths and tips. It will keep your color-treated hair last longer and save extra trips to the salon.
If you are a newbie when it comes to applying root touch-up products at home, check out these useful tips.
How To Touch Up Your Roots At Home
- If your dye is a subtle change from your natural hair color, a root touch-up at home is not that challenging. A cover-up spray or a root touch-up powder can do the job efficiently.
- If your dye is markedly different from your natural hair color, it will show up as a conspicuous line of demarcation. This requires more work, and you might need a permanent hair dye.
- Avoid putting a touch-up product on the part of your hair that already has color. Stick to applying it on the roots only. If used on colored hair, it will make the hair look opaque and unnatural.
- Use a shade finder to select the color closest to your current shade. Consider whether your current color is neutral, warm, or cool.
- If your hair tends to pick up color quickly, always go for light colors when choosing between shades.
- Before you begin, prime your hairline with chapstick or Vaseline to prevent staining the skin.
- For best results, apply the touch-up only on clean, shampooed hair. Oil or dirt on the scalp can interfere with the performance and give poor results.
With these tips in your mind, giving yourself a quick touch-up at home should be a piece of cake. Let’s check out the 20 best root touch-up products that do the job flawlessly.
Top 21 Hair Root Touch-Up Products
1. Best Non-Sticky:Color Wow Root Cover Up
The Color Wow Root Cover Up is a powder-based hair root touch up that hides grown out roots and covers the grays effectively. It comes in a compact powder form with a dual-ended brush for easy application. Just load your brush with the hair powder, dab it on your roots, and brush off the excess to cover up your roots. It is available in eight shades. Here’s an honest review of the product. Here’s an honest review of the tester’s experience with the product.
- Available in 8 shades
- Water-resistant
- Non-sticky feel
- No-mess application
- Travel-friendly
- Lasts up to 60 uses
- No stiff residue
- Wax-free
- Dye-free
None
StyleCraze Trivia
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 4,287 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
2. Best Gray Coverage: Style Edit Root Touch Up Powder
The Style Edit Root Touch Up Powder for Light Brown Hair is perfect for refreshing any brown hair. It works on both cool and warm undertones. This lightweight powder is formulated with intense color-adaptive pigments and binding agents that stick to your hair strands and cover gray hair without leaving behind any sticky residue. Apart from using it on your roots, this touch-up powder is perfect for defining brows and beards and concealing thinning hair. It comes with a unique sponge applicator that allows precise application. The touchup powder is produced with ethically sourced ingredients, suitable for all skin and hair types.
- Travel-friendly
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Easy application
- Sweat- and water-resistant
- Easy to wash out
- Can be used on wigs
- Suits all hair types
None
3. Best For Quick Results:Clairol Root Touch-Up
The Clairol Root Touch-Up kit contains a permanent color cream, a color-activating lotion, a tray, and a precision brush. It blends with your hair color seamlessly in just 10 minutes and lasts for three weeks. The color provides optimum gray hair coverage that will save you the trip to the salon. The engineered brush inside the pack helps you to apply the product easily without staining your skin.
- Easy to apply
- Lasts up to 3 weeks
- 100% gray coverage
- Ergonomic brush
- Might cause allergic reactions
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 2,194 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
Color Wow Root Cover Up Best Non-Sticky | Style Edit Root Touch Up Powder Best Gray Coverage | Clairol Root Touch-Up Best For Quick Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | - | - | 5 Medium Brown |
| Dimensions | - | - | 2.4 x 2.19 x 6.37 inches |
| Weight | - | - | 3.84 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 4,287 | 1,470 | 2,194 |
| Price | $34.5 | $35.99 | $15.14 |
4. Best Waterproof:Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray
The Rita Hazan’s Root Concealer Touch Up Spray is a high-end and high-quality solution for grown-out roots. This hair root touch-up spray comes in five shades and is packaged in a travel-friendly way. Moreover, it claimHere’s a videos to be waterproof and transfer-proof. This formula disperses evenly and adheres to your hair for full. Here’s a video featuring a detailed review of the product through the tester’s experience.
- Ammonia-free
- Peroxide-free
- Alcohol-free
- Quick-drying
- Waterproof
- Transfer proof
- Available in 5 shades
- May leave a sticky residue.
Quick TipRita Hazan’s Weekly Remedy Treatment is recommended for daily users of the touch-up spray. The remedy pack consists of two solutions: Treat It, which nourishes your hair cuticles and prevents deep absorption of the spray; and
Seal It, which locks in nutrients and moisturizes the hair thoroughly.
5. Best Wax-Free Formula:EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touchup Quick Stick
The EVERPRO Gray Away Root Touchup Quick Stick quickly covers grays on your temples, hairlines, roots, and hair partitions. The stick has dual ends – an angled tip to precisely apply the color and a sponge on the other side to blend the color effortlessly. This highly pigmented stick provides a mess-free application without pulling your skin. It settles in a powdery finish and lasts for 24 hours. The creamy formula of the stick helps it to glide easily on your hair without leaving behind a waxy or sticky residue. It is lightweight and transfer- and water-resistant.
- Comes with a pointed tip and a sponge applicator
- Mess-free application
- Creamy
- Flake-proof
- No sticky residue
- Lightweight
- Transfer-proof
- Water-resistant
- Ammonia-free
- Peroxide-free
- Synthetic dye-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Some may find the pigment very light
6. Best Lightweight Formula:Style Edit Drop Red Gorgeous Root Touch Up
The Style Edit Drop Red Gorgeous Root Touch Up is designed for redheads. This powder-based formula is easy to apply as it includes an inbuilt sponge applicator. The Drop Red Gorgeous range has three shades for varying degrees of reds, so pick the one closest to your current hair color. This root touch-up powder is free of harsh chemicals. This video featuring the reviewer’s experience will help you understand the product better.
- Lightweight formula
- Includes sponge applicator
- Suitable for all hair types
- Cruelty-free
- No greasy residue
- No harsh ingredients
- Mineral oil-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Paraben-free
- Peroxide-free
- Does not provide a clean finish.
7. Best Flake-Free:Style Edit Root Concealer Spray
The Style Edit Root Concealer is a hair color spray that covers grays and grown out roots and extends the time between your salon appointments. It contains naturally derived adaptive color pigments that stick to your hair and adjust to perfectly match the hair color. This hair root touch-up product is great for hot days and sweaty workouts, as it does not bleed or stiffen your hair.
- Precise application
- No flaking
- Quick-drying
- Easy to apply
- Paraben-free
- Peroxide-free
- Cruelty-free
- Might make your hair sticky.
"This root concealer touch-up spray helps me with interim root coverage. It blends seamlessly with my hair color and lasts for weeks. It gives me a mess-free application without pulling my skin."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 5,808 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
8. Best Travel-Friendly:Protege CoverAge Premium Root Touch Up
The Protege CoverAge Premium Root Touch Up is a powder-based formula that can be applied easily. The package includes a dual-tip precision brush for precise application. It covers your roots accurately without staining the scalp or temples. The formula contains a blend of mineral-based, reflective ingredients that imparts a natural shine to your hair.
- Lasts up to 60 applications
- Lightweight
- Includes precision brush
- Mineral-based ingredients
- No oily residue
- Water-resistant
- Travel-friendly
- Not transfer-proof
9. Best Long-Lasting:L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up
The L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up is a hair root touch-up spray that comes in eight natural shades, ranging from blonde to black hair color shade. Pegged as a “Makeup For Hair” by L’Oreal, this spray conceals grown-out roots instantly for blondes, brunettes, redheads, and people with black and gray hair. Just spray and comb it through to blend it in with the rest of your hair, and let it dry.
- Suitable for all hair types
- Quick-drying
- Lightweight formula
- No sticky residue
- Ammonia-free
- Long-lasting
- Smudge-free
- Peroxide-free
- Water-resistant
- Not tested on animals
- Can get messy during application.
10. Best For Multidimensional Shine:R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray
The R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray seamlessly covers gray hair in-between salon appointments. The spray does not leave behind any sticky or dusty residue and is transfer-proof. This spray imparts a mess-free application and optimum coverage that lasts until your next hair wash day. The formula is enriched with amino acids and pearl extracts that moisturize your hair and boost its shine. The biotin in the formula also stimulates hair growth. The mica in the formula reflects light to create a multidimensional shine, while the tapioca starch imparts a natural texture to your hair and absorbs oil from the roots. The spray is not tested on animals. Many reviewers found the coverage perfect and multiple reviews also state that the powder did not feel patchy.
- No sticky or dusty residue
- Easy to apply
- Transfer-proof
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Not long-lasting
11. Best Quick-Drying Formula:TRESemmé Root Touch-Up
The TRESemmé Root Touch-Up instantly covers gray roots. The spray dries in a minute after application without leaving behind a sticky residue. This lightweight formula offers quick color blending into your dark brown tresses. The bottle features a spray nozzle for targeted application. This temporary spray does not smudge and lasts up to your next wash.
- Lightweight
- Easy to apply
- Leaves no sticky residue
- Ammonia-free
- Peroxide-free
- Synthetic dye-free
- None
12. L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Rescue
The L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Rescue contains a conditioning developer, a color gel, a precision tip applicator, a soft brush tip applicator, and gloves. It is a permanent root-touch-up kit that imparts even colored hair in 10 minutes. This product blends seamlessly with your hair color and covers your gray hairs seamlessly. This low ammonia formula has a pleasant fragrance. The quick precision brush applicator helps you to apply it easily without messing up.
- Quick results
- Pleasant fragrance
- Comes with a quick precision applicator
- Easy to apply
- Value for money
- Long-lasting
- Might cause skin irritation
13. TouchBack Pro Marker Applicator
The TouchBack Marker is a liquid hair color filled up in a marker that has become one of the hair touch-up essentials because of its quick and easy application. Just swipe it on your roots and run a comb through to blend it into your hair perfectly. This product is not tested on animals and is available in eight shades that blend beautifully with your current hair color.
- Easy application
- No shiny finish
- No harsh chemicals
- Peroxide-free
- Ammonia-free
- Cruelty-free
- No airborne particulate
- Suitable for all hair types
- Not enough coverage
- Not transfer-proof
14. Rootflage Temporary Root Touch Up
The Rootflage Root Touch Up comes in a unique packaging with the powder inside a pot and a fluffy kabuki brush attached to the lid. The powder is dispensed through a hole in the cover, and you can brush it onto your roots without unscrewing the cap. This hair root touch-up product comes in 25 shades that include natural colors and shades of blue, pink, and purple.
- Available in 25 shades
- Includes a big kabuki brush and a small precision brush
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- No bleach
- Dye-free
- Messy application
- Not travel-friendly
15. Belle Ame Root Touch Up
The Belle Ame Root Touch Up is what you need when you are in a hurry and want an instant solution. It covers grays seamlessly and gets you going within minutes. It also lasts until you shampoo your hair. The applicator brush helps you with a mess-free, quick, and easy touch-up experience. The reflective pigments in the formula stick to your hair without drying it out.
- No sticky residue
- Includes applicator brush
- Mess-free application
- Travel-friendly
- Available in 5 shades
- Not enough coverage
16. NATURTINT Root Retouch
The NATURTINT Root Retouch covers unwanted gray tresses. This permanent hair color blends in with your hair color to give you seamless, natural-looking results. It conceals gray hair in less than 20 minutes. This color is infused with plant-based and nourishing ingredients, like meadowfoam seed oil that conditions the hair and extends its shine, argan oil that nourishes the hair, Abyssinian crambe that softens your hair while boosting its shine, and sunflower extracts that combat free radical damage and prevents the color from fading. The moringa seed extracts, linseed extracts, and lemon fruit water in the formula also hydrate your hair and improve its texture. The dye kit comes with a mixing bowl and a precision brush for easy application.
- Quick results
- Easy to apply
- Value for money
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan-Friendly
- Ammonia-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- PPD-free
- Less petroleum-derived substitutes
- May cause hair loss
- Not long-lasting
17. Boyd’s Brush It Away Instant Hairline Touch-Up
The Boyd’s Brush It Away Instant Hairline Touch-Up comes in a slip, pocket-size, mascara-style packaging. It offers full gray coverage and colored hair root maintenance that lasts until your next shampoo. The double-fiber wand applicator provides a natural finish without clumping. It comes handy for when you are in a rush. It works on all hair types and textures and is also suitable for men’s beards, sideburns, and mustaches.
- Available in 6 shades
- Suitable for all hair textures
- Easy application
- Can be washed out with shampoo
- Travel-friendly
- Non-greasy
- Sweat-resistant
- Not suitable for wide roots.
- May harden the hair.
"This root touch-up is a reliable quick fix for those pesky grays, especially between salon visits. It blends easily and helps maintain a natural look without crunchiness. It also washes out without a fuss. Overall, a good choice for temporary gray coverage."
18. Mineral Fusion Gray Root Concealer
The Mineral Fusion Gray Root Concealer can be used for covering gray strands and concealing roots. The brush end is meant for gray strands, while the wand end helps to cover roots. Application is easy and quick – wait for 2 minutes after applying the product where needed, and then brush your hair for even distribution. The formula is enriched with argan oil that deeply nourishes your hair and prevents it from drying out. Many reviewers praised this product for its applicator, which helps cover the tiniest gray hair.
- Blends easily
- Non-drying
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Phthalate-free
- No artificial color
- No synthetic fragrance
- Shades may not match exactly.
- May stain your clothes.
"This product is very useful for a natural-looking finish. It's versatile, having both a brush and a sponge applicator. It does not make the hair stiff. It's a good choice for temporary gray coverage."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has made it to our top favorite list with more than 268 rave reviews on Amazon.
19. Jar God Waterproof Root Touch-Up
The Jar God Waterproof Root Touch-Up is available in five shades of hair loss concealers. It blends with your hair color seamlessly to create a uniform and natural look. It provides instant results and is easy to apply. This is not a permanent or semi-permanent hair color and can be washed out with shampoo easily.
- Includes applicator
- Long-lasting
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
- Contains parabens
- The applicator tip is wide for narrow areas.
20. Madison Reed Root Perfection Root Touch Up
The Madison Reed Root Perfection Root Touch Up provides 100% grey hair coverage. Within 10 minutes, the cream-based permanent color colors your roots to blend with your hair color and decrease the number of your salon visits. The touchup lasts for three weeks. The skin-loving nourishing ingredients in the color, like ginseng root extract, argan oil, and keratin moisturize your hair and boost its shine.
- Cruelty-free
- Permanent color
- 100% gray coverage
- Quick results
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- SLS-free
- Ammonia-free
- Resorcinol-free
- PPD-free
- Titanium dioxide-free
- May cause hair to fall out
21. Bumble & Bumble Bb. Color Stick
The Bumble And Bumble Bb. Color Stick is a velvety crayon that covers up roots, hides grays, and refreshes the faded spots. The best way to use this crayon root cover-up is to apply it to dry hair and blend it into your hair with your fingers.
- Water-resistant
- Travel-friendly
- Gentle formula
- Long-lasting
- Crayon can break off.
- Not enough shade options.
Infographic: Root Touch-Up Quick Fixes
Root touch-up hacks are lifesavers for covering up mismatched hair roots between salon appointments. The best part is, there are plenty of options to save the day. Whether you choose a root touch-up spray, pen, powder, or use eyeshadow or hair mascara as temporary solutions, you can use them to your advantage to maintain a flawless look on the go. Check out the infographic below to be ready to face any hair emergency with confidence and style!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Rebekkah O’Neill, Master Stylist, says, “Root touch-up products are great to tie you over whilst you waiting for your next hair appointment to come around! With so many different products on the market now, you’ll be able to find your closest shade match with no problem. If you do use a root touch-up product always make sure you’re washing it out before your next salon visit and it could create a barrier between your hair and the color that’s being applied, which may make it fail to take or leave the color patchy.” When your colored hair starts growing, the mismatched roots are a sure way to spoil the entire look! Root touch-ups are a cost-effective way to blend your roots into the rest of your hair seamlessly. The Color Wow Root Cover Up is a good option for natural-looking tresses and easy application, while the Clairol Root Touch-Up smoothly integrates with your hair color in only 10 minutes and lasts for three weeks. Further, the L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up is popular for its ability to temporarily conceal roots and grays with a hit of a spray. Get the best root touch-up kits to save your time and money from frequent salon visits. All these products will help you achieve the hair of your dreams with minimal effort. The reviewed products in this article allow mess-free application and are available in various shades so that you can make your best pick!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Author Sakshi Bahal is into all things hair care, and she’s got all the info you need about the latest hair care products. She believes that you can achieve the hair of your dreams with the right hair root touch-up products. Therefore, she conducted thorough research to find the best products that meet users’ needs and budgets. As a result, retouching the roots with these products is a breeze that will save you both time and money in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can you use an at-home root touch-up product?
A root touch-up product is a temporary solution for covering grays when you cannot make it to the salon. The at-home product works best when you have tiny roots or grays. With more hair regrowth, you have to go to the salon for a professional color treatment.
How long does root touch up last?
Most products for home use offer temporary root touch-ups. While they may be sweat and water-resistant, the product will wash out after you shampoo.
How do I remove it from my clothes?
When applying hair color at home, keep your shoulders covered with a towel to avoid staining your clothes. If an accident occurs, you can use bleach and heavy-duty detergents to get rid of the stains.
What is the best product to use for root touch up?
The Color Wow Root Cover Up, the Oribe Airbrush Root Touch Up Spray, and the Toppik Root Touch Up Spray are some of the best products for root touch-ups. These products are skin-friendly, chemical-free, and offer salon-quality results.
Does root touch-up powder damage hair?
No. Many brands offer skin-friendly, non-toxic formulas that do not damage the hair. They effectively deposit color on your roots and thus, increase the longevity of your hair dye.
Is it OK to dye roots every 2 weeks?
Yes, you can dye your roots every two-three weeks. However, more frequent dying can cause harm to your hair roots.
What is a root touch-up called in a salon?
Root touch-up is also known as a retouch of the roots or application of dye to the roots.
Why do my grey roots show so fast?
The primary reason for this could be your hair’s resistance to holding on to color pigments. Other reasons may include a faster rate of hair growth.
Does root touch-up cause hair loss?
No, a healthy, chemical-free, premium root touch-up formula will not cause hair loss. However, if you use it too often, it can cause some damage leading to hair fall.
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