Low-maintenance ways to touch up your roots without dye
Considering your last colour appointment was just five weeks ago, we know the last thing you want to do is invest even more money on your stubborn roots. And while box dyes may seem like the most obvious solution for concealing your greys, finding the time to dye your hair at home can often seem impossible — there’s the the prep time, the colouring process, the wait time and of course, the clean up.
Luckily, there are other ways to cover up your greys that don’t require you to break the bank or your time. To keep you and your hair covered until your next salon appointment, we’ve rounded up the best root touch-ups on the market. From a compact solution that you could literally carry in your bag to creamy stick that conceals unwanted colour while filling in the gaps along your hairline, scroll through our top picks.
Garnier Express Retouch
“I have tried many different root camouflage products such as powder you apply with a brush as well as a mascara type. This is by far the best product for root touch up. It’s so compact, easy to use, and has great grey coverage,” said one reviewer.
Designed for on-the-go coverage, this compact retoucher is designed with a soft cushion application that allows for precise and complete conceal grey roots without mess or transferring. Enriched with mineral pearls and pigment, the water-resistant formula last until your next wash. To use, shake the bottle, dab the sponge applicator on both sides of your hair to deposit the colour, let it dry for three minutes and then brush the roots for a natural feel.
Shop it: $14, Shoppers Drug Mart
Color Wow Root Cover Up
An award-winning solution for covering roots, this fast and no-mess mineral powder is best known for its insane ability to conceal grey roots and, believe it or not, extend highlights by covering dark roots.”Best root touch-up ever,” raved one five-star reviewer. Available in seven flexible shades, pigments are formulated with reflective particles to blend in seamlessly. Best of all, it’s water-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about rain or sweat.
“Perfect coverage. Light powder, not oily, applies nicely. My colourist recommended it for between colour treatments. Great recommendation. More expensive than most root cover-ups but you only apply a small amount for a lot of coverage,” added another reviewer. “Compact lasts for months.”
Shop it: $48 (originally $50)
L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up
Perfect for very, very short notice events and dinner plans, this root touch-up spray instantly transforms the look of unsightly grey roots to salon-quality colour, but without the commitment. Made ammonia, peroxide and synthetic dye-free, the spray is available in seven shades.
“I didn't have time to dye my hair so I thought I'd try it. I was holding off not thinking it would work but when I used it it went on great hid my greys in a couple of minutes. Roots cover up is perfect when you don't any time or even in a rush,” said one happy customer.
Shop it: $11, Walmart
Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Stick
A multi-purpose touch-up stick that does it all: cover-up fast-growing greys, fills in the gaps around your hairline, help define the shape of naturally sparse brows. Its unique, lightweight cream formulas contain custom blend pigments that glide on smoothly and are buildable to work on almost every hair colour and type. To use, divide hair into small sections and pull hair straight and swipe the stick across grey roots in long strokes. It stays out until your next shampoo.
“Perfect for hairline greys,” said one reviewer about the light brown shade. “Love it! I had been using the same annoying waxy stick for years ... it was the pits. This one is so easy peasy on my greys that sneak in at my hairline in between colouring sessions. So easy for quick touch-ups, glides on. Great colour too!”
Shop it: $31, Sephora
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