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7 Different Ways To Do Hair Root Touch Ups at Home

Dr. Shireen Singh, MBBS.
Written by Our Editorial Team
Table of Contents
Imagine this: It’s Saturday morning, and you’re looking forward to brunch with friends. You pull back your hair, feeling excited for the day, when suddenly—there they are—those annoying grey roots making their grand entrance. Or maybe you notice that your color has faded and your natural roots are starting to peek through. You don’t have the time for a full salon visit, but you still want to look polished and put together. Sounds familiar?
This is where at-home hair root touch ups become your lifesaver. Whether you’re trying to cover greys, blend regrowth, or refresh your color, root touch ups are a quick and easy solution that gives you flawless hair in just a few simple steps. With a range of products designed for at-home use, you can save both time and money, keeping your hair colored and fresh without stepping foot in the salon. Keep reading to discover various methods of root touch ups at home and choose your best fit.
What are Hair Root Touch Ups?
As your hair grows, your natural color begins to show at the roots, creating an uneven and grown-out appearance. This is where root touch ups come in as the perfect solution. They help conceal regrowth, ensuring your hair looks evenly colored and polished. A root touch up is a simple and efficient way to cover visible regrowth, keeping your hair looking smooth and consistent between salon visits. Whether you’re covering grey roots, maintaining a specific color, or preventing an overgrown, uneven look, touch ups are essential to keep your hair color fresh.
Root touch ups are typically needed every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows, or whenever you notice your color starting to fade. This makes them a great option for those who want to refresh their hair color without committing to those time-consuming salon color sessions.
A variety of at-home products are available for root touch ups, such as sprays, powders, sticks, shampoos, or even full-dye kits, all of which can be applied in just a few simple steps. These methods are convenient, easy to use, and offer a great way to keep your hair looking flawless in between salon visits.
Different At-Home Instant Hair Root touch Ups
1. Root Touch Up Powders & Sprays
Root touch up powders and sprays are temporary hair products designed to cover regrowth, such as grey hair or natural roots, offering a quick and seamless solution for a refreshed, polished look. Available in various shades to match your hair color, they are easy to apply, making them the perfect choice for those seeking a fast, on-the-go fix for regrowth or grey hair between salon visits.
Cost: Ranges From ₹200 to ₹1,500
Convenience: Root touch up powders and sprays are convenient, easy to use, and portable, making them ideal for quick, on-the-go touch ups wherever you need them.
How It Works: Simply shake the product, part your hair, and apply directly to the roots. These products usually last until the next wash.
2. DIY Hair Dye Kits
Hair dye kits can offer a range of results depending on the type of dye used—permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary. Permanent hair dye provides a long-lasting solution, ensuring full coverage for roots and consistent color. It works by using ammonia or peroxide to deeply penetrate the hair shaft, creating a lasting color that doesn't wash out over time. These kits often come with all the necessary tools for a professional finish, making them perfect for precise color matching and achieving salon-like results at home.
Semi-permanent dyes, on the other hand, don’t contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, so they fade gradually with washing. They’re ideal for those who want to experiment with color but don't want a permanent commitment. Temporary dyes are the most short-lived, providing a vibrant color that washes out after one or two washes, perfect for special occasions or a quick change.
Each type of dye offers flexibility based on how long you want the color to last and how much maintenance you're willing to commit to.
Cost: Ranges from₹150 to ₹600
Convenience: Hair dye kits offer medium convenience, but less attention during application can lead to disadvantages. Incorrect mixing, application, or timing can result in uneven color, damage, or poor coverage.
How It Works: Mix the color according to the instructions, then apply it to your roots using the applicator. Leave it on for the recommended time. Afterward, rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
3. Root Touch Up Sticks
These crayon-like products are perfect for quick touch ups in areas with noticeable regrowth, such as your hairline or parting. They offer precise application, allowing you to cover roots seamlessly without the mess of traditional dye, making them a convenient solution for in-between salon visits or at-home coloring.
Cost: Ranges from ₹300 to ₹1,200
Convenience: These crayon-like products are highly convenient and portable, making them easy to carry in your bag for quick touch ups on the go. Their compact design allows for fast, mess-free application, ideal for fixing visible roots anytime, anywhere, without the need for any additional tools or preparation.
How It Works: Simply twist the stick to reveal the product and apply it directly to your roots.
4. Hair Mascara
Hair mascara works similarly to regular mascara but is specifically formulated for hair. It provides a quick, mess-free solution to touch up visible regrowth, offering a temporary fix that washes out easily with shampoo.
Cost: Ranges from ₹250 to ₹1,000
Convenience: Very convenient, especially for small touch ups, hair mascara allows for precise application to cover grays or roots quickly. Its compact design makes it easy to carry and apply anytime, offering a fast and effective solution for refreshing your color without the need for a full dye job.
How It Works: Apply the mascara-like formula to your roots, and as it dries, it effortlessly blends into your natural hair, creating a smooth, seamless look. Once it dries, the color is fully integrated, making it nearly indistinguishable from your hair. It’s easy to wash out with shampoo, making it a great option for quick fixes on small areas of regrowth or grey hairs in between washes.
5. Coffee or Tea Rinse (DIY Natural Solution)
If you're looking for a chemical-free and inexpensive solution, a coffee or tea rinse can subtly darken your hair. This natural method offers a gentle way to enhance your color, providing a temporary, very light color to the hair without the harsh chemicals found in traditional hair dyes.
Cost: Ranges from ₹20 to ₹100
Convenience: Very low to medium, as a coffee or tea rinse requires some preparation and application time. It provides a very light and temporary color, offering a subtle darkening effect that lasts for a very short period.
How It Works: Brew a strong cup of coffee or tea, let it cool, pour it over your roots, leave it on for 10–20 minutes, then rinse; it will leave a light, temporary color that gradually washes out after a few washes, perfect for those with dark hair seeking a natural, budget-friendly tint.
6. Henna Treatment (Natural Hair Dye)
For those who want a more natural, long-lasting option, henna offers a chemical-free way to cover roots and enhance color. This plant-based dye not only provides rich, vibrant color but also nourishes the hair, making it a great choice for those seeking a more holistic approach to hair coloring.
Cost: Ranges from ₹100 to ₹500
Convenience: Medium to high, as henna, requires more preparation and a longer application time. The process involves mixing, applying, and waiting for 1–2 hours. It can be messy and may not work well on lighter hair, limiting color options.
How It Works: Mix henna powder with water to form a paste, apply it to your roots, and let it sit for 1–2 hours to achieve a reddish-brown tint that can last for weeks, making it an ideal all-natural alternative for those with dark hair seeking a chemical-free option.
7. Coloring Shampoos
These shampoos are a hybrid of shampoo + dye and offer a safer, quicker, and more convenient way to refresh your color instantly in one wash. They deposit color immediately, maintaining vibrancy, preventing fading, and enhancing your hair’s appearance. Perfect for busy schedules, they provide a fast touch up solution without the hassle of reapplication or long processing times.
Cost: Ranges from ₹250 to ₹1,000
Convenience: Very convenient, these shampoos work like regular shampoo—just lather and rinse for instant color in one wash. They color your hair and require no extra steps or products. Ideal for busy schedules, they offer a quick, easy way to keep your hair looking fresh with minimal effort.
How It Works: Simply use the coloring shampoo as your normal shampoo. Lather it into your hair, and rinse, and it will instantly cover grey roots and refresh your color. Best for those looking for a quick, easy solution for root coverage without the need for multiple applications.
ThriveCo Hair Coloring Shampoo
ThriveCo Coloring Shampoo offers a quick and effortless way to cover 100% grey hair at home in just 5 minutes. Enriched with Anti-Breakage Technology powered by Hyaplex™, this shampoo strengthens and repairs hair while coloring, reducing breakage and enhancing hair health. Its gentle formula is free from ammonia, silicone, and parabens, ensuring a safe and effective experience. Perfect for root touch ups and quick grey hair coverage, ThriveCo Coloring Shampoo delivers professional results without the need for a complex, multi-step process. It’s the ideal solution for those seeking vibrant color and healthy hair with minimal effort.
Also Read: Detailed Review of ThriveCo Coloring Shampoo
FAQs
1. Is root touch up good for hair?
Root touch up products are good for your hair. They provide a quick and convenient solution for covering grey hair and regrowth, helping you maintain a fresh color between salon visits. When used occasionally, they won’t harm your hair and can keep it looking evenly colored and polished.
2. Which root touch up product is best?
Coloring shampoos are the best solution for quick and convenient root touch ups. They deposit color instantly, cover grey hair, and refresh your color without the need for long processing times. Perfect for busy schedules, they are easy to use, provide mess-free touch ups, and leave hair evenly colored.
3. How long does root touch up last in your hair?
Root touch up products typically last between one to two washes, depending on the product type (powder, spray, stick, etc.) and your hair care routine. Some root touch up formulas, like powders or sprays, may last until your next shampoo, while others could stay a bit longer, especially if you avoid washing frequently.
4. What is hair root retouch?
A hair root retouch is the process of applying color to the regrowth at your hair’s roots to blend it with the rest of your dyed hair. It’s typically done to cover grey hair or to maintain color consistency between salon visits. A root retouch helps keep hair looking fresh without needing a full-color treatment.
5. Is it OK to touch up roots every week?
It’s generally not recommended to touch up your roots every week. Frequent root touch ups, especially with permanent hair dye, can cause damage to your hair and scalp due to the chemicals involved. It can lead to dryness, breakage, and irritation. It's best to space out touch ups, typically every 4-6 weeks, to give your hair a break and maintain its health. For more frequent coverage, you could consider gentler options like root touch up powder or hair color shampoo.
6. Is there a permanent root touch-up?
Yes, permanent root touch-ups use permanent hair dye to provide long-lasting coverage for regrowth or grey hair. The color stays until the hair grows out or is dyed again. These touch-ups typically involve ammonia or peroxide-based formulas, offering a lasting solution, but frequent use can lead to hair damage.
Takeaway
In conclusion, at-home instant root touch-ups offer a variety of convenient and cost-effective solutions for maintaining fresh, vibrant hair color. From quick sprays and powders to natural DIY methods like coffee rinses and henna, there’s a touch-up option to suit every need and preference. Coloring shampoos, stand out as a fast, easy way to cover greys and refresh color, with added benefits like hair strengthening and nourishment. With so many accessible options, achieving flawless, polished hair has never been simpler, saving both time and money while keeping your hair looking its best.
About Doctor :
Dr. Shireen Singh, MBBS, MD Dermatology, is a trusted dermatologist with over 8 years of specialized experience. Passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their hair and skin care goals, she combines cutting-edge technologies with personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual's needs. She's dedicated to helping you achieve vibrant hair and glowing skin. Dr. Shireen loves research and is here to share her expertise for your health and happiness.
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