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The Best Root Touch-Up

Last updated on September 30, 2022

We looked at the top 9 Root Touch-Ups and dug through the reviews from 32 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Root Touch-Ups.

Our Review Process

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When it comes to coloring your hair, one of the biggest downsides is the constant maintenance. Your roots are eventually going to show, whether they’re greyer, lighter or darker than your natural hair. For some people, it’s just not cost effective to go to a salon to have their roots colored, so they prefer to do it at home with a root touch-up product. This is a great way to refresh your hair color at the roots while not having to re-color your whole head.

Root touch-up products typically come in a spray, paste or powder, making them easy to apply directly to your roots. Often, root touch-ups don’t require a lot of prep or time, so they are easy to apply without any notice. Temporary root touch-up products can be applied on the go while permanent ones take a little more time and need to be washed out.

The most important aspect to consider when buying a root touch-up product is ensuring you get the color match right. If not, your roots could end up looking darker, lighter or a completely different color than the rest of your hair, giving you a very unnatural appearance. It’s important to try find the exact color match so that your root color blends in flawlessly with the rest of your hair.

If you’re getting a temporary root touch-up, look for products that last all day without transferring onto your clothes or hands. They also should not flake off if you touch your hair. Typically, root touch-up formulas that are temporary only last until the next time your shampoo your hair. The permanent varieties will last longer.

Our Picks For The Top Root Touch-Ups

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick
10.0

L’Oreal Paris Concealer Spray Root Touch-Up, 2-Pack

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

L'Oreal Paris

Concealer Spray Root Touch-Up, 2-Pack

This root touch-up spray works quickly in seconds. It’s a lightweight formula that doesn’t get sticky. The spray lasts until you shampoo your hair.

Overall Take

Works in SecondsThis root touch-up provides coverage fast.

Pros
" Covers effortlessly for an affordable price. This concealer spray, a best-seller on Amazon, ensures flawless roots in three seconds. It leaves no stickiness or weird residue, and it'll last until your next shampoo."
Cons
"Can get messy during application."
 Runner Up

Clairol Color Cream & Brush Root Touch-Up, 2-Pack

Clairol

Color Cream & Brush Root Touch-Up, 2-Pack

This root touch-up is easy to apply and conceals greys. It provides coverage that lasts up to three weeks. The hair color matches leading shades of dark brown.

Overall Take

Easy ApplicationThis root touch-up gets you closer to permanent hair color.

Pros
" Long lasting result. Color accuracy rivals professional products. Great for gray hair coverage."
Cons
"Strong odor may irritate the sensitive nose. Glove in the package may be too small."
 We Also Like

EVERPRO Sponge Tip Applicator Root Touch-Up

EVERPRO

Sponge Tip Applicator Root Touch-Up

This root touch-up has self-adjusting technology that blends to match your hair color. It doesn’t flake or come off. The sponge applicator is mess free and easy to use.

Overall Take

Self-Adjusting ColorThis root touch-up blends in to match your hair color.

Pros
" Dries quickly. Angled-tip applicator. Includes a sponge tip for blending."
Cons
"Small size may not be ideal for covering large areas of gray."
 Strong Contender

Kiss Quick Cover Water-Resistant Root Touch-Up

Kiss

Quick Cover Water-Resistant Root Touch-Up

This versatile root touch-up can also be used on mustaches and beards. It is water resistant but comes off with shampoo. The hair color is easy to apply.

Overall Take

Versatile ChoiceThis root touch-up also works on mustaches and beards.

Pros
" Water-resistant. Easy to apply. Travel-friendly. Available in 6 shades. Suitable for all hair types."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the root touch-ups available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

32

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: SheKnows, Zotos Professional, Byrdie, Good Housekeeping, Mom Junction.

126,372

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Root Touch-Ups and also dug through the reviews from 32 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Root Touch-Ups.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Kiss Quick Cover Water-Resistant Root Touch-Up

Our Expert Score

0.0
2 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.4
2,615 user reviews

Our Take

This versatile root touch-up can also be used on mustaches and beards. It is water resistant but comes off with shampoo. The hair color is easy to apply.

What other experts liked

Water-resistant. Easy to apply. Travel-friendly. Available in 6 shades. Suitable for all hair types.
- Style Craze
This particular magic wand is a smart choice because it works for all hair types, doesn’t clump, and is also water-resistant but washes out with ease.
- Reader's Digest

What other experts didn't like

Contains parabens. May stain the skin and clothes.
- Style Craze

What to Look For

  • How often should you touch up your roots? It all depends on your look. For some people, a little bit of roots showing is no problem as it works with their overall aesthetic. For others, even a little bit of overgrown roots is problematic. This is why the range for touching up roots is so large: between three to ten weeks.
  • If you go to a salon to have your hair colored, it’s best to know what kind of color your colorist uses – as this will affect whether you use a root touch-up. For example, if your colorist uses a demi-permanent color in your hair, then it’s best if you avoid root touch-up products so you don’t mess up your overall hair color.
  • When you color your hair – roots and all – it’s important to take care of your scalp and ensure your hair remains healthy. Be sure to wash your hair with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. This will prevent your color from coming off your hair and looking dull. It will also keep your hair type and texture moisturized. Many colorists recommend washing your hair in cold water and not shampooing more than a couple of times per week.
  • Some root touch-ups are designed for specific hair types, such as for straight hair or for coily hair. Be sure to check the hair type to ensure it works with your hair. Sometimes, applying temporary root touch-up products to curly or coily hair can be challenging, so you may need to spend a little extra time styling your hair once you’ve applied the color.

Root Touch-Up Rankings

1. L’Oreal Paris Concealer Spray Root Touch-Up, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 10.0
Reviews Included: 7

2. Clairol Color Cream & Brush Root Touch-Up, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 6

3. EVERPRO Sponge Tip Applicator Root Touch-Up

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 5

4. Kiss Quick Cover Water-Resistant Root Touch-Up

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 3

5. Oribe Airbrush Spray Root Touch-Up

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 7

6. AGEbeautiful Spray Concealer Root Touch-Up

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 4

7. TRESemmé Smudge-Proof Root Touch-Up

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 5

8. Madison Reed Brow Filler & Root Touch-Up Compact

Overall Score: 7.9
Reviews Included: 6

9. Color Wow Sweat-Resistant Root Touch-Up

Overall Score: 7.9
Reviews Included: 7

More to Explore

People have been coloring their hair for centuries. In fact, the ancient Egyptians used to dye their hair using henna, often using it to cover up greys, with the reddish-brown hue of the product. The ancient Greeks and Romans also colored their hair, but used a formula made with leeches that were fermented in a lead vessel – this hair dye was black. The Romans required prostitutes to have yellow hair to advertise their profession, and this was achieved with wigs – while some dyed their hair using a ashy mixture of burnt plants and nuts.

More to explore