If you dye your hair frequently, you may notice the reappearance of greys, regrowth, and mismatched color between your salon visits. A quick fix? The best root touch-up products to conceal your hair color problems. These handy products are quite simple to use and apply. Keep reading for a curated list of the best root touch-up products for you. These products are available in both temporary and permanent options. All you have to do is dab or spray the color into your roots until your next salon appointment.

13 Best Root Touch-Up Products

1. Zest overall: Clairol Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Color Crème

  This touch-up hair color by Clairol is quite popular and claims that it gives long-lasting coverage that is resistant to sweat, touch, and rain. This permanent hair color can blend easily with your current hair color and work well even with salon hair color. Check this video to learn more about the product. Pros

Color lasts up to 3 weeks Takes barely ten minutes to complete the coloring process Available in a variety of color shades

Cons

Strong odor may irritate the sensitive nose Glove in the package may be too small

2. Best water-resistant: Clairol Root Touch-Up Concealing Powder

You may be waiting for your hair to grow out so you can try new hair color. But you may need a temporary fix to cover your gray hair before the next appointment with your hairstylist. This concealing powder can help cover the graying roots until you color it. Pros

Covers single strands and wider hairline Can be used for eyebrows too Resistant to water Washes off easily with shampoo

Cons

Light shade requires multiple coats to look dark Leaves behind residue after every application

3. Best non-sticky formula: Rootflage Root Touch-Up Hair Powder

This root touch-up powder not only helps cover grays, but its powder formula also helps add volume to the hair. Its direct applicator allows mess-free use, so you can use it even when on the go. Check out this product review video to learn more. Pros

Mineral-based, non-sticky formula Helps tone down brassy hair Large Kabuki style brush enables faster coverage over a larger area Comes with a detail brush to cover smaller areas

Cons

Large brush does not allow control over the amount of powder used Makes hair look dull

4. Best easy-to-wash: Cover Your Gray Cyg Fill-In Powder

If finding your exact color match has been difficult, have a look at this fill-in powder with two shades in one box. Along with graying hair, it can be used for thinning hair and bald spots too. Additionally, the brand claims that the product contains the patented component Procapil that can boost hair growth and reduce hair loss. Take a look at this video link to get more information on the product. Pros

Does not mat or clump Powder comes in two shades Resistant to rain and sweat Easy to wash off with water

Cons

Contains paraben Brush in the package seems to be of poor quality

5. Best sweat-resistant: Premium Root Touch-Up

This touch-up powder comes with a dual brush stick, one used for application, and the other end helps dust off excess powder. It lasts till you shampoo your hair. Pros

Reflective pigments keep hair from drying Resistant to water and sweat Helps maintain hair’s natural shine Can be used on eyebrows too Does not leave an oily residue

Cons

Powder is likely to stick to the scalp instead of hair May not be suitable for coarse hair Not long-lasting

6. Best non-clump: Daggett and Ramsdell Color Stick Instant Hair Color Touch-Up Stick

Easy to apply, easy to remove, this instant hair color helps cover gray roots in no time. This tiny stick can be taken anywhere and used anytime. Pros

Does not mat or clump Blends easily with natural hair color Can be used on sideburns too

Cons

Makes hair greasy Brand offer a very limited range of shades

7. Best Ammonia-free: Style Edit Root Cover Up Stick

If you are most comfortable using a stick for lining your eyes or lips, have a look at this stick-style root cover-up. It makes hair touch-up quick, easy, and mess-free. Pros

Non-sticky formula Does not transfer to clothes Resistant to water Free of ammonia and peroxide Safe to use for any hair texture

Cons

Can make hair look greasy Wipes off easily and need frequent reapplication

8. Best moisturizing formula: Roux Tween Time Instant Root Concealer 4.0/16

Using this instant root concealer is as easy as applying lipstick. One swipe and you get the color you are looking for. This moisturizing formula comes with a soft fragrance and is easy to clear off with shampoo. Pros

Easy to spread over a wider area Thick applicator makes application easy Stick lasts long

Cons

Makes hair sticky Rubs off easily

9. Best paraben- & gluten-free: Madison Reed Root Touch-Up

 

This touch-up color comes in a compact powder form and can be used to eyebrows too. Color lasts until you shampoo your hair. Pros

Resistant to rain and sweat Product offers around 60 applications Multiple swipes help darken the color Does not contain titanium dioxide, parabens & gluten

Cons

Can stain hand when touching the scalp Difficult to apply

10. Best for gray hair: Cover Your Gray Fill-In Powder

Besides gray hair, even hair thinning can be covered up with this fill-in powder that helps cover up the widening hairline. The brand claims that the product contains the patented component Procapil that can boost hair growth and reduce hair loss. Pros

Helps conceal bald spots Covers gray hair Can rejuvenate hair Rain and sweat resistant Easy to wash off with shampoo Does not clump Matte finish enables easy blending with current hair color

Cons

Available shades may be too light Brush may be of poor quality

11. Best pocket sized: Beauty Dust Root Touch-Up

Here is yet another quick-fix hair solution. The caked color is easy to pick in a brush and apply over your grays. It comes in a variety of shades so you can easily blend it with your current color. Pros

Lasts till washed off with shampoo Powder form does not make hair greasy The pocket-sized box makes it travel-friendly Ideal for an emergency, quick solution Free of palm oil, talc, and mineral oil

Cons

Powder tends to smear excessively

12. Best Travel-friendly: Cover Your Gray Hair Color Touch-Up Stick

When you have lots of gray hair, and absolutely no time to visit the salon, you can count on this touch-up stick. This lipstick applicator is broad, so that you can cover maximum hair in less time. It is temporary and lasts for a day. Pros

Quickly covers a large area of gray hair Does not mat or clump Easy to wash off with shampoo Travel-friendly packaging Available in 8 different hair colors

Cons

Makes hair slightly sticky May be ineffective on thick hair

13. Best blendable: Lisa Rachel Cyg C Brush-in Wand

Imagine you have just returned from work and have to head to a party in no time. One last check into the mirror, and you notice a nice long line of grey hair. Is it possible to fix it in a jiffy? Yes. With this brush-in wand, all you have to do is twist open the applicator, apply the color, and you are good to go. Pros

Blends with other hair colors Does not require water or mixing Ideal for a temporary, quick fix Can be used for sideburns and single strands of grey hair

Cons

Formula can be thick and sticky

How To Use Hair Root Touch-Up Products?

If you scroll through the products above, you will notice that these touch-up products come with different application methods depending on the type of product.

Do Root Touch-Up Products Cause Any Side-Effects?

Like any other makeup item, these coloring products also are made of several chemicals, and it is rare to find a chemical-free root touch-up product. These chemicals may or may not necessarily suit every user. So, you must check the ingredients of a product before buying it. Do a patch test before applying the product to your scalp. This becomes imperative if you are allergic to specific makeup components.

Important Safety Tips Before Using Root Touch Products

Since these products are handy and easy to use, buyers are likely to overuse them, which is not advisable. Remember that these products contain chemicals, and the fewer products you use on your hair and scalp, the healthier it will feel and look. A lot of coloring products can cause allergies, which is why a patch test is compulsory before, especially before using liquid base colors. If you are not sure about a product’s safety, you can also seek your dermatologist’s advice before buying it.

How To Choose The Right Hair Root Touch-Up Product?

As mentioned above, these touch-up products are available in a variety of bases. If you are comfortable using a powder base, then go for it. If the lipstick applicator seems easy to use, then you can select that for yourself. Each of these product types offers different coverage. For instance, if you have a wide area to cover, then you can opt for the powdered type or the stick applicator. But if you have a few scattered strands to cover, then you can try the brush-in wand.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Poulami Nag is a seasoned writer and reviewer of makeup, hair care and skincare products. She has reviewed the best hair root touch-up products by considering the intensity of the colors, the ease of application, longevity, and availability of various shades. She has also analyzed the ingredient list of these products to make the selection. Moreover, Poulami has included a buying guide to assist you in choosing the right touch-up product for your hair.

Section your hair into three or four parts following the T-Zone method or the bottom-top method. Apply the dye along the lines if you are following the T-Zone method. Split each section horizontally and work your way up if you are following the bottom-top method. Leave the hair dye for the recommended time and then wash it off.

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