We all love that fresh-from-the-salon feeling. Your color is vibrant, your confidence is high, and you feel ready for anything. But that feeling can fade fast when you spot the first signs of regrowth. Seeing those grays reappear can be frustrating, but the solution doesn't have to be. Instead of reaching for a sticky, dulling concealer, there's a better approach. You can effectively cover gray roots while actually nourishing your hair, keeping your color looking flawless and your hair feeling healthy and strong between appointments.
But what about the days and weeks – or even months – in between your color appointments? Even though regularly-scheduled appointments with your stylist is the best way to keep your color looking fresh, you’re bound to experience some root regrowth along the way.
Unfortunately, gray roots can put a serious damper on a good hair day, whether you’re a regular in the stylist’s chair or a box color devotee. Once you spot the grays sneaking in, you might find yourself feeling less vibrant or confident than usual. Luckily, there’s good news: there are plenty of options for covering up gray roots in-between color touchups.
From innovative root concealers to creative hair hacks, here are our best tips and tricks to cover up those gray roots for good – or at least until your next color session!
Use a gray root concealer that matches your hair color.
With easy, spray-on application and temporary color, a gray root concealer is one of the fastest ways to eliminate grays for the day. Top-quality root concealers are typically formulated in a variety of shades, including blonde, light brown, dark brown, black, and red, so getting a perfect match is simple. In just a few moments, you can refresh your color and head out the door!
It might be tempting to grab a root concealer from your local drugstore, but when it comes to your hair, you don’t want to skimp on quality. Not all hair products are safe for all hair types, and you might be surprised to learn that a surprising number of options can actually damage your hair long-term. Instead, select a stylist-recommended brand and take advantage of benefits like reduced breakage and added strength.
Put your hair into a classic bun.
Don’t have the time to grab a root concealer? With just a few minutes, you can still reduce the visibility of grays. Try styling your hair into a slicked-back bun for a modern yet timeless look that can help hide your roots.
First, work a light smoothing cream into your hair to get rid of frizz and flyaways. Then, gently pull your hair into a ponytail – you can go with a high ponytail or a low one, it’s completely up to you. Then, carefully wrap your ponytail around the base, forming a bun, and using bobby pins to secure it. Use a keratin-infused hairspray for a sleek, finished look that’s the epitome of chic.
Add some new hair accessories into your routine.
Gray roots can be the perfect reason for adding a few new hair accessories to your collection. If you’ve ever wanted to try the headband trend for yourself, consider this the ideal opportunity. Stylish, versatile, and fun, a headband will help hide your roots and elevate your overall look. Not only is this accessory a cute complement to your outfit and an excellent gray roots concealer, but a headband can also cut down on frizz and flyaways.
Switch up your signature part.
Most of us have a certain way we part our hair, whether it’s a timeless middle part, a subtle side part, or a deep side part with plenty of attitude. But changing your part can be an instant and easy way to make gray roots less noticeable.
For maximum root coverage, try a deep side part. You’ll also enjoy some serious volume as a result, which can be a welcome boost for anyone with thin or fine hair. Use a light hairspray to keep hair in place without weighing it down, then have fun with your fresh new look.
Top off your look with a hat.
We all have days when there’s simply no time to do our hair, but that doesn’t mean you have to head out with obvious gray roots. With a hat, you can completely cover up gray roots with next to no effort. And with a huge range of styles to choose from, including baseball caps, berets, and bucket hats, you can pick one that suits your personality and taste.
Weave grays away with a fishtail braid.
Fishtail braids have long been a styling trend, but recent years have brought them back in style even more. Despite their complex appearance, fishtail braids are actually easier than you might think. In addition to giving your hair a gorgeously mermaid-inspired look, the twists and turns of this braid style make gray roots far less noticeable.
Here’s an easy fishtail braid tutorial to get you started:
- Brush through your hair, using your favorite styling product to prepare for braiding.
- Split your hair into two individual sections (or four if you want to do two fishtails).
- Take a small piece of hair from the outside of one of the two sections, then cross it over the top of the other. Repeat on the other side.
- Continue the pattern until the braid is complete, then finish the look off with a small clear elastic.
- If you have any flyaway hairs, add a light spritz of hairspray to smooth them away.
Pump up the volume.
A bit of extra volume can go far when you’re trying to hide gray roots, and the secret to voluminous locks is the right product selection and a hairdryer. Use a salon-quality blowout spray to maximize height, adding in a root booster for even more volume. Grab your round brush, then treat yourself to an at-home blowout for a stunning, gray-disguising look!
How to Cover Gray Roots Between Salon Visits
Gray roots are easily one of the most frustrating aspects of having color-treated hair, but what about color-treated hair that looks dull, dry, and damaged? Without the right products for at-home care, you may as well skip the professional color appointment – because you’re undoing it all with every wash, dry, and style.
Color-treated and highlighted hair requires special care, including salon-quality products to guard against various stresses and prolong color brilliance. With the right product lineup, you can not only extend the life of your color but also keep your locks looking better than they ever have before. Maintaining your color doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, especially not when you’re stocked up on the premium products that stylists know and trust.
The Challenge: Why Salon Touch-Ups Can Be Hard to Maintain
Let’s be real: keeping up with salon appointments can be tough. As Vogue notes, "Gray roots are easily one of the most frustrating aspects of having color-treated hair." Life gets busy, and finding the time and budget for a salon visit every four to six weeks isn't always feasible. Between work, family, and social commitments, scheduling that crucial touch-up can feel like one more thing on an already overflowing to-do list. This is why having a solid at-home strategy is so important. It’s not about replacing your stylist—it’s about empowering you to feel confident in your color every single day, even when your next appointment is still weeks away. Having the right tools and techniques on hand can make all the difference.
Quick Fixes for Instant Gray Coverage
When you spot gray roots just hours before a big meeting or a night out, you need a solution that’s fast and effective. That’s where instant gray coverage products come in. These temporary fixes are designed to conceal grays in minutes, giving you a seamless look that lasts until your next shampoo. Think of them as makeup for your hair—a quick touch-up that perfects your appearance without any long-term commitment. From sprays and powders to creams, there’s a format that works for every hair type and preference. These products are lifesavers for extending the time between color appointments, ensuring your hair looks flawless even when regrowth starts to show. They offer a simple way to maintain your color confidence on your own terms.
Root Concealer Sprays
Root concealer sprays are one of the most popular choices for a reason: they’re incredibly fast and easy to use. As experts point out, these sprays "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." With a quick spritz along your part and hairline, you can make grays disappear in seconds. Our Gray Root Concealer & Thickener not only covers regrowth but also contains keratin to help strengthen your hair. It’s a dual-action formula that provides instant coverage while caring for your strands, ensuring your hair looks and feels healthy. The lightweight formula dries quickly without leaving a sticky or stiff residue, blending perfectly with your existing color for a natural finish.
Root Touch-Up Powders
If you prefer a more precise application, root touch-up powders are an excellent alternative. Unlike sprays, which cover a wider area, powders allow you to target specific gray strands with a small brush. This method gives you complete control over where the color goes, preventing any mess on your scalp or skin. According to Color Wow, their "easy-to-use hair root powder blends seamlessly for natural-looking coverage, keeping your color fresh between salon visits." You simply press the pigmented powder onto your roots for buildable coverage that looks completely natural. It’s a fantastic option for filling in a thinning hairline or tackling those stubborn grays that frame your face, offering a polished look with minimal effort.
Concealer Creams
For those seeking a product with a bit more substance, concealer creams or sticks offer rich, concentrated coverage. These formulas are thicker than sprays or powders, making them ideal for coarse or resistant gray hairs that are harder to cover. They often come in a crayon-like stick or a compact with a sponge applicator, allowing for direct and precise application. As noted by blogger Jo-Lynne Shane, while sprays and powders are popular, different formats work for different people. Creams are great because they adhere well to the hair and won't flake or dust off throughout the day. They provide opaque coverage that can withstand a bit more wear and tear, giving you peace of mind that your grays will stay hidden until you’re ready to wash them out.
Application Tips for Temporary Concealers
Using a temporary root concealer is simple, but a few key techniques can make the difference between a good result and a great one. The goal is always a natural, seamless blend that makes it impossible to tell where your color ends and the concealer begins. Whether you choose a spray, powder, or cream, mastering the application will ensure you get flawless coverage every time without any tell-tale signs of a touch-up. It’s all about applying the product strategically and blending it correctly. With a little practice, you’ll be able to cover your grays quickly and confidently, leaving you with nothing but beautiful, consistent color from root to tip. These simple tips will help you get professional-looking results right from your own bathroom.
Applying Sprays Without the Mess
The key to a clean spray application is distance and control. To avoid a messy, concentrated splotch of color, hold the can about six inches from your hair. As one user shared, "She sprays it about 6 inches from her hair, combs it through, and lets it dry for about a minute." This technique helps disperse the product evenly for a more natural look. Use your free hand to shield your forehead and scalp as you spray along your hairline. Apply the color in light, sweeping motions rather than a single, heavy spray. Once applied, let it dry completely before touching it to prevent smudging. If you get any on your skin, a little makeup remover on a cotton swab will wipe it away easily.
Perfecting Your Powder Application
With root powders, the mantra is "less is more." It’s always easier to add more product than to take it away. Start by loading a small amount of powder onto the brush. Instead of sweeping it on like eyeshadow, use a pressing or stippling motion to pack the color onto the roots. This technique ensures the powder adheres directly to the hair for maximum coverage. As the makers of Color Wow explain, "You just press the powder onto your roots with a brush – no messy spraying or complicated steps." For a soft, natural-looking hairline, use the smaller end of the brush and a lighter touch. This precision helps you blend the color seamlessly without creating a harsh line, making your touch-up completely undetectable.
Longer-Lasting Temporary Solutions
While daily concealers are perfect for a quick fix, sometimes you want a solution that lasts a bit longer. If you’re tired of applying a root touch-up every day, longer-lasting temporary options can bridge the gap between salon visits more effectively. These products, such as semi-permanent and demi-permanent colors or glosses, offer color that can withstand multiple shampoos. They provide a low-commitment way to keep your grays covered for weeks at a time, saving you time and effort in your daily routine. These solutions are gentler on your hair than permanent dye, as they don't typically contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, making them a great choice for maintaining hair health while managing regrowth.
Semi-Permanent Color
Semi-permanent color is a gentle way to blend grays without committing to a permanent change. According to Vogue, "This type of dye colors the outside of your hair strand without changing your natural hair color or using bleach." Because it only deposits color on the surface of the hair, it gradually fades over four to twelve washes. This makes it an ideal choice if you want to experiment with covering your grays at home without worrying about a harsh grow-out line. It’s a simple, one-step process that enhances your existing color and adds shine, all while subtly masking any stray grays that have appeared. It’s a perfect refresh for your hair between more intensive color treatments.
Demi-Permanent Color
If you need a bit more coverage than a semi-permanent dye can offer, a demi-permanent color is the next step up. This type of color penetrates the outer cuticle of the hair, allowing it to last longer—typically up to 28 shampoos. It’s effective enough that it "can hide up to 70% of gray hairs," making it a reliable option for those with more significant regrowth. Like semi-permanent color, it doesn’t contain ammonia, so it’s still a gentle choice for your hair. Demi-permanent color provides richer, deeper results and fades more slowly over time, ensuring a soft and blended grow-out. It’s a great middle-ground solution that offers noticeable coverage and longevity without the commitment of permanent dye.
Hair Gloss Treatments
A hair gloss is like a top coat for your hair color. These treatments are fantastic for boosting shine, toning your color, and subtly blending grays. As Vogue explains, "Gloss treatments make your hair shinier and can also help with grays. They soften the look of grays and can deposit a little bit of color to blend them in." You can get a gloss treatment at the salon or use an at-home version between appointments. It’s a wonderful way to refresh your color and add incredible vibrancy and dimension. By coating the hair shaft, a gloss helps smooth the cuticle, which not only increases shine but also helps your hair feel healthier. It’s a perfect pick-me-up for dull, color-treated hair that needs a little life put back into it.
At-Home Root Dyeing Kits
For those who are comfortable with a more hands-on approach, at-home root dyeing kits can be a cost-effective and convenient way to manage gray regrowth. These kits are specifically designed to target just the new growth, allowing you to extend the life of your all-over color without having to dye your entire head of hair. They come with everything you need, including a small amount of color, developer, and a precision brush for easy application. While it requires a bit more care than a temporary concealer, mastering an at-home root touch-up can save you significant time and money. The key is to work carefully, follow the instructions precisely, and choose the right shade for a seamless blend.
Choosing the Right Shade
Selecting the right color is the most critical step for a successful at-home root touch-up. A common mistake is choosing a shade that’s too dark, which can result in a harsh, unnatural look. A helpful tip from a Reddit beauty discussion suggests, "When using these home kits, try a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color." This is because hair dye often processes darker than the color shown on the box, especially on porous gray hair. Opting for a slightly lighter shade provides a much safer margin for error and helps ensure the final result blends beautifully with the rest of your hair, creating a soft, multi-tonal effect rather than a flat, one-dimensional color.
A Smart Trick for the Hairline
The fine hairs around your hairline are often the first to show grays and can be tricky to cover. For a super-targeted approach, some people have found success with an unconventional product: men’s beard dye. One user shared a clever trick: "Just For Men dye can be used on specific gray patches, like the hairline. It helps to tint the grays so they blend in and are less noticeable." These products often come with a small brush that’s perfect for detailed work, and their formulas are designed to process quickly. This allows you to apply color just where you need it without having to mix a full batch of root touch-up dye, making it a quick and efficient solution for those prominent grays.
Working With Your Stylist for Better Results
Even with the amazing at-home options available, your hairstylist is still your most valuable partner in the fight against grays. They have the professional expertise to create a long-term color strategy that works for your hair type, lifestyle, and budget. Instead of seeing at-home touch-ups as a replacement for salon visits, view them as a way to complement your stylist’s work. An open conversation about your struggles with gray regrowth can lead to solutions you may not have considered. Your stylist can offer personalized advice on which products to use, help you perfect your application technique, or even adjust your salon color to make regrowth less noticeable. You can find a professional near you using our salon locator.
Discussing Gray Blending Techniques
If you’re tired of the stark line that appears when your roots grow in, ask your stylist about gray blending. This technique "involves adding a mix of highlights and lowlights to your hair. It helps blend your gray hairs with your natural color." By breaking up the solid block of color at your roots, the regrowth becomes much less obvious. This multi-dimensional approach creates a more graceful grow-out process, allowing you to go longer between appointments. It’s a strategic way to work with your grays rather than against them, resulting in a beautiful, natural-looking color that requires less frequent maintenance.
Permanent vs. Semi-Permanent Color for Roots
During your salon visit, it’s worth discussing the type of color your stylist uses on your roots. While permanent color offers the most complete coverage, it also creates a more defined line of demarcation as your hair grows. Some people find success by "asking the hairdresser to use permanent color" for maximum longevity. However, you could also discuss using a demi-permanent color at the roots. While it may not cover grays as opaquely, it fades more gently over time, resulting in a softer grow-out. Talk to your stylist about the pros and cons of each option to decide which approach is the right fit for your hair and your maintenance schedule.
What to Avoid: The Risks of DIY Remedies
In the quest to cover grays, you might come across some unconventional DIY "hacks" online that suggest using common household items. While these might seem like clever, budget-friendly solutions, they can often do more harm than good. Your hair, especially color-treated and gray hair, is delicate and requires carefully formulated products to stay healthy. Many kitchen ingredients have pH levels or properties that can strip your hair of its natural oils, cause damage to the cuticle, and even alter your expensive salon color in unexpected ways. It’s always safer to stick with products specifically designed for hair to ensure you’re nourishing your strands, not harming them.
The Dangers of Using Baking Soda on Hair
One of the most common—and riskiest—DIY remedies you might see is using baking soda on your hair. While it’s a great household cleaner, it’s not meant for your strands. As one hair expert explains, "Baking soda is alkaline and abrasive. Using it too much can damage your hair, especially gray hair, which is already delicate." Its high pH can disrupt the natural acidity of your hair and scalp, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage. The abrasive texture can also physically wear down the hair cuticle, leaving it weak and vulnerable. Instead of helping, it can strip your color and leave your hair feeling brittle and straw-like.
Safer Alternatives for Hair Health
Instead of reaching for risky kitchen ingredients, focus on using products that are formulated to protect and nourish your hair. For a deep clean that’s safe for your color, "consider using professional clarifying shampoos." And to keep your grays looking bright and silvery instead of dull or yellow, you can incorporate purple shampoos into your routine. Most importantly, invest in a high-quality hair care system designed for color-treated hair. Our Color Protect collection is infused with keratin to strengthen your hair while locking in moisture and shielding your color from fading. Using the right products will not only help you manage your grays but will also keep your hair healthy, shiny, and vibrant between salon visits.
Keep Your Color Vibrant with Keratherapy
Keratherapy has created an expertly-formulated series of products for color-treated hair, offering an exceptional selection of high-quality options for protecting and nurturing your treasured tresses. Our keratin-infused Color Protect series features every product you’ll need to wash, condition, and style color-treated hair, providing safeguards against damaging stressors. Plus, with our gray root concealers on hand, you’ll always look like you’ve just stepped out of the salon.
Invest in the health and happiness of your hair by choosing Keratherapy Color Protect products and Perfect Match root concealers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the quickest way to hide my gray roots before I head out the door? For a super-fast fix, a root concealer spray is your go-to. A few light spritzes along your part and hairline can cover grays in seconds. If you don't have a concealer on hand, simple styling changes like switching to a deep side part or pulling your hair into a chic bun can also make regrowth much less noticeable.
Will using a root concealer spray or powder affect my professional hair color? High-quality, temporary root concealers are designed to sit on the surface of your hair and wash out with your next shampoo. They shouldn't interfere with or alter your salon color. Just be sure to choose products from trusted brands that are formulated to be gentle on color-treated hair, like those with nourishing ingredients such as keratin.
How do I pick the right shade of root concealer so it looks natural? The key to a natural look is a seamless blend. When in doubt, it's often a good idea to choose a shade that is slightly lighter than your colored hair. Hair color products can sometimes appear darker once applied, and a slightly lighter shade will blend more softly, avoiding a harsh, obvious line at your roots.
Are there any at-home options that last longer than a single day? Absolutely. If you're looking for something that can withstand a few shampoos, you might consider a semi-permanent or demi-permanent color gloss. These products deposit color that fades gradually over several weeks. They offer a great middle ground between daily touch-ups and a full salon appointment, keeping your grays blended for longer.
My grays seem resistant to temporary color. What should I do? Some gray hairs can be more coarse or stubborn. If you find that sprays or powders aren't giving you enough coverage, try a concealer cream or stick. These formulas are thicker and offer more opaque coverage. You can also discuss gray blending techniques, like adding highlights or lowlights, with your stylist to make regrowth less apparent from the start.
Key Takeaways
- Master quick fixes for immediate coverage: For a fast and simple solution, use a temporary root concealer spray or powder that matches your shade. You can also make grays less noticeable with clever styling, such as changing your part, trying a new updo, or adding a headband.
- Extend your color with low-commitment options: If you want coverage that lasts longer than one wash, consider an at-home gloss or a semi-permanent color. These products gently blend grays and refresh your tone, helping you go longer between salon appointments without daily touch-ups.
- Support your salon color with smart at-home care: The health of your hair directly impacts how long your color lasts. Use products specifically designed for color-treated hair, like a keratin-infused system, and avoid harsh DIY remedies that can strip color and cause damage.