There is nothing like freshly coloured locks, but hair grows. It's around half an inch in four to five weeks on average, followed by regrowth, and the cycle continues. That annoying contrast between your natural colour and the salon finish, with the visible roots, or that smattering of grey that becomes noticeable as early as two weeks. By editor Trudi Brewer.
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Enter a clever beauty innovation: temporary root touch-up concealers, which are like makeup for your overgrown hair, offering the best solution to a common hair conundrum. These speedy, wash-out formulas extend your colour between salon visits for days or sometimes even months.
When it comes to options, there is a range of tinted formulas, including sprays, powders, and pens. Think of these as a concealer for your hair, but unlike a concealer for your skin, root cover-ups don't need to be a perfect colour match. Darker shades tend to blend more seamlessly, so it’s generally better to opt for a shade slightly darker than your natural colour. Always remember to wash them out to remove product buildup and avoid using a root touch-up on the day of your actual hair colour appointment. Due to their water-resistant formulations, they can prevent the dye from covering the roots, especially on resistant grey hair. Here are the MVPs of root touch-ups.
Boldify Hair Thickening Fibers, $50
Touch up visible regrowth and boost hair fullness at the same time, with these unique hair-boosting fibres. Water-resistant and transfer-proof, this hair-thickening product uses finely milled cotton fibres tinted with natural iron oxides to tint the regrowth, while masking the look of thinning hair. There are four blendable shades, pictured here: Light Blonde.
This root touch-up powder is like eyeshadow: It creates a soft effect that's great for concealing those peaky grys (like near the temples) and blending highlights that need redoing. Well-priced, but it doesn't have the same staying power as other powders, but it’s super compact, so you can take it for touch-ups on the go. I have also been known to use this as a brow powder. There are six shades, pictured here: Black.
This root camouflage is pricey, but it offers an extra payoff. Popular with anyone who loves Oribe’s signature Coté D’azur scent, which is featured throughout the entire collection. The nozzle produces a broad spray compared to some of the other sprays on offer, so covering your roots may be a little tricky if you prefer a more concentrated application. However, the spray is a quick-drying powder formula that also works like a dry shampoo, absorbing dirt and oil to refresh your hair while tinting your regrowth. Finally, conditioning copolymer adds smoothness to coarse grey hair, and a UV absorber helps prevent your colour fading, strengthening the hair at the same time. There are five shades pictured here: Light Brown.
1000HR Hair Mascara, $18
By far the best hair mascara we have tried. Perfectly blends to cover up areas of hair regrowth. Ideal for camouflaging the first signs of grey hair at the temple area or fringe. The results are not sticky or stiff, but ultra-natural-looking, thanks to carnauba wax, glycerin, and nourishing lanolin. At the same time, the four shades are created with natural iron oxides. Fast and effective, it's the perfect addition to your handbag and ideal for travel. Pictured here is Dark Brown.
This clever colour stick is a water-resistant, dry fibre formula that offers a quick and goof-proof touch-up with no drying time required. The mineral pigments leave a velvety texture on the hair, adding instant colour that is easy to blend. This means it stays put until you wash it out. It’s also free from nasties. Pictured here: Brown.
BeautyEQ approved.