How to Touch Up Roots Between Hair Appointments: Best Products and Tips (2025)

Keeping up with regular hair appointments can feel like a full-time job. Between work, family, and life in general, it’s not always possible to get to the salon every four to six weeks — especially when it feels like your roots pop up overnight.

If you’ve ever found yourself facing a big meeting, a special event, or just an ordinary Tuesday with a stripe of gray or faded color staring back at you, you’re not alone. I’ve absolutely been there — stretching appointments a little longer than planned and needing a quick, low-stress fix that didn’t undo the work my stylist put in.

Funny enough, I was just having dinner with a few girlfriends the other night, and we were all laughing (and slightly panicking) about how suddenly our roots are gray — which is strange because, in our heads, we’re still 22. Somehow, we’ve gone from an occasional touch-up to booking appointments every four weeks like clockwork. It’s wild how fast it sneaks up.

The good news? Touching up your roots at home has never been easier — if you have the right products and a few simple techniques. Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know to keep your color looking fresh between appointments, without damaging your hair or making more work for your stylist down the road.

Let’s dive in.

Why You Should (and Shouldn’t) Touch Up Your Roots at Home

Touching up your roots at home is a great way to:

• Stretch the time between salon visits
• Keep your hair looking polished for events or busy weeks
• Save a little money when you need to

But it’s important to know your limits.
If you need a full recolor or highlights, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Home touch-ups are meant to camouflage new growth temporarily — not replace your stylist’s expertise.

How to Find the Best Color Match for Root Touch Ups

Choosing the right color for a root touch-up can feel overwhelming — especially when drugstore aisles are lined with a hundred shades that somehow all look the same. The good news? Finding your best match is simpler than you think with a few quick tips:

• Stay close to your natural color.
  If you’re covering gray, match your natural base shade — not the color you wish you had. Trying to go significantly lighter or darker at home almost always ends badly.
• Go slightly lighter if you’re unsure.
  A color that’s half a shade lighter than your current color is more forgiving. Roots that are too dark are much harder to fix than ones that are a touch too light.
• Stick to neutral tones.
  When in doubt, choose a neutral (sometimes called “natural” or “medium”) shade instead of anything marked “warm” or “cool.” Neutrals are designed to blend easily without throwing unexpected tones like red or ash.
• Look for color-specific root touch-up kits.
  Some brands, like Clairol and dpHUE, design their kits to match popular salon tones. If you know your salon formula (like 6N or 7A), you can often find a close match on the box.
• Ask your stylist for guidance.
  If you have a great relationship with your stylist, don’t be afraid to ask for a quick recommendation. Many will happily point you toward the best shade to hold you over between visits.

The Best Products for Root Touch Ups

There are so many great options now, depending on how much coverage you need and how long you want it to last. Here are my favorites:

Best Temporary Root Touch-Up Sprays

L’Oréal Magic Root Cover Up, $11.99

• Quick, easy, and budget-friendly
• Sprays on like dry shampoo and instantly conceals gray roots
• Washes out with one shampoo
• Available in a wide range of shades

Style Edit Root Concealer Spray, $39

• Salon-quality finish
• Blends beautifully without feeling sticky or stiff
• Water- and sweat-resistant for longer wear

Tip: Always hold the can several inches away from your scalp to avoid oversaturating.

Best Root Touch-Up Powders

Color Wow Root Cover Up, $34

• Award-winning, cult favorite
• Mineral-based powder that clings to hair, not scalp
• Water-resistant but shampoos out easily
• Great for precise application around part lines and temples

Madison Reed Root Touch Up + Brow Filler, $34

• Multi-tasking powder that covers grays, fills in brows, and even touches up thinning hairlines
• Lightweight, natural-looking finish
• Water-resistant but easy to wash out
• Each compact offers about 60 uses, making it a great value

Tip: Use a small blending brush (like an old eyeshadow brush) to apply powder for a natural look.

Best Semi-Permanent Root Touch-Up Kits

Clairol Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Color, $9.19

• Lasts up to 3 weeks
• Matches professional salon colors impressively well
• Comes with a small applicator brush for precise coverage
• This might be a good option if you get a single-process color at the salon or already color your hair at home.

dpHUE Root Touch-Up Kit, $35

• Gentle formula free of sulfates and parabens
• Leaves hair soft and shiny, not dry or crunchy
• Good option if you’re between salon visits by a month or more
• Also ideal if you’re comfortable touching up your roots with demi- or semi-permanent color.

Tip: Always do a strand test first if you’re using semi-permanent color at home.

How to Touch Up Roots at Home: Step-by-Step

1. Start with clean, dry hair.
   Products adhere better to hair that’s free of heavy oils or styling products.
2. Section your hair.
   Clip your hair into manageable sections to ensure even coverage.
3. Apply sparingly.
   Start light and build up if necessary — you can always add more, but it’s harder to tone down over-applied product.
4. Blend carefully.
   Use your fingers, a brush, or a comb to blend the product into your hair for a seamless look.
5. Let it set.
   Allow sprays and powders a few minutes to fully dry before styling.

Pro Tips for Better Results

• Choose a slightly lighter shade if you’re between two colors — darker shades can look harsh at the root line.
• Avoid heavy products like oils or serums on the same day as your touch-up to prevent slippage.
• Use a root blending brush for powders — it gives a softer, more natural finish.
• Less is more. Build up coverage slowly for the most believable result.

Final Thoughts

Root touch-up products aren’t a replacement for professional color, but they are lifesavers when life gets busy. A quick spray, powder, or kit can buy you time, help you feel polished, and take one more thing off your to-do list — without stressing about your next appointment.

The best part? Today’s formulas are lightweight, easy to use, and designed to enhance your color without damage or mess.

Whether you’re covering a little gray or just freshening up your color between visits, these products make it simple — and a little bit magical — to look and feel like your best self.