Best Root Touch-Up Products of 2022: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Is that a bit of gray you see on your head? Are those dark roots showing against your vibrant blonde or fiery red?

Some people don’t mind the root-grow-out look. In fact, it can look fine in some heads.

But if you’re not for it, or it doesn’t look great on you, you may want to consider some of the best root touch-up products for the range of superficial hair color problems.

From the reappearance of grays and mismatched color to the regrowth of dark hair, our list of great root touch-up products have you covered in multiple bases.

Ready to see your hair shine anew? Let’s begin!

Best Root Touch-Up Products: A Review

1. R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-up Spray

The perfect root touch-up product for red hair that has eluded you for long has now materialized in the form of R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch Spray.

See what the seven different shades of this amazing formula has in store.

Product Highlights

All it takes is a quick spritz of this formula to cover regrowth, conceal grays, and have your hair looking fresh and radiant again.

With seven shades in all, there’s a good chance you can get one that matches your head of hair.

This biotin and pear-extract-infused formula renews your hair’s vibrance and shine.

It comes with a targeted applicator for precise application no matter the grow-out coverage.

The combination of fig, cedarwood, and bergamot scents infiltrating your olfactory senses during application is all the more reason to have this handy product inside your makeup bag.

What We Like About It

The color looks so real you wouldn’t think it was simply sprayed on at a moment’s notice.

Made with multidimensional pigment, the R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up spray blends seamlessly with your hair so that those around you would be none the wiser.

It’s also packed with powerful nourishing ingredients like mica, biotin, and pearl extract to add strength and shine to your locks.

What We Don’t Like About It

The red shades run dark, so coverage might not be as good for lighter red hair.

Pros:

• Strong and shiny outcome
• Has a great scent
• Blends quite well with your real hair

Con:

• Mostly available in darker shades

2. Madison Reed Root Touch-Up

Blondes can say goodbye to messy and fussy touch-ups with the Madison Reed Root Touch-Up.

It may be more than most people would be willing to spend on root touch-up products, but its amazing benefits speak for themselves. 

Product Highlights

With just a few touches of this product, those disheartening grays and annoying dark roots will be “out of sight, out of mind.”

It’s a formula that stays and blends with your natural hair seamlessly.

Seriously, you will forget it’s even on you because of how natural it looks. Those around you won’t know any better, either.

You get the product in two different shades of blonde, giving your hair more depth.

It also comes with a dual-applicator brush for eyebrows and a mirror.

This is one of the best multipurpose root touch-up products on the market and another must-add to your makeup bag.

What We Like About It

This product further reinforces that blondes really do have more fun.

As if their hair color doesn’t scream “bombshell” enough, here’s another product that can add more depth, dimension, and, dare we say, more sexiness to it.

Plus, there’s a brush you can use for your eyebrows! Who doesn’t love that?

What We Don’t Like About It

There isn’t much not to like about this product. Except maybe it might be beyond most people’s budget for a single root touch-up product.

Pros:

• Second brush for filling in brows
• Especially great for blonde hair
• Includes two colors for shade customization
• Transfer-resistant 

Con:

• Expensive

3. Garnier Express Retouch Gray Hair Concealer

Are those gray roots showing again? Use the sleek and transfer-resistant Garnier Express Retouch Gray Hair Concealer to ensure they don’t see the light of day.

This award-winning gray-hair-formulated cover-up is one of the best and most affordable out there.

Product Highlights

Those sneaky gray strands will never know what hit them.

This product gives amazing gray coverage that stays put thanks to its amazing anti-transfer technology.

There’s literally zero movements onto clothing or anywhere else once the formula dries.

Additionally, it comes with a cushion-tipped applicator that conceals precisely even on hard-to-apply areas of your hair or temple.

Pesky gray strands usually first appear in these areas, which is why the Garnier Express is a must-have.

What We Like About It

The sponge applicator ensures easy and precise application. Moreover, it helps the concealer stay put.

Plus, not only does hair not flake, but it also blends seamlessly with a variety of natural hair colors like blonde, black, or brunette.

What We Don’t Like About It

The product has a sticky residue, so things may get a bit messy.

Pros:

• Does not transfer
• Targeted sponge applicator is easy to use
• Affordable

Con:

• Sticky 

4. L’Oreal Paris Hair Color Root Cover Up

For a quick cover-up of those gray areas, you can rely on none other than the L’Oreal Paris Hair Color Root Cover Up.

We bet you were waiting when this brand would show up. The waiting was not in vain.

The L’Oreal Paris spray lets you breeze through a touch-up, fixing up those regrowth roots in a jiffy, with everyone else being none the wiser.

Product Highlights

When it comes to root touch-up products, the L’Oreal Paris spray ticks a lot of boxes.

It blends perfectly with your color base, comes in nine different shades for a variety of coverages, and is easy to apply.

It’s an affordable root cover-up spray that works for different hair types and provides great coverage across the board. It does not get much better than that!

There’s nine shades in total. From blonde and brunette to red and black shades, chances are this easy spray cover-up has you covered.

Trust us; you’ll want to add this to your cart asap.

What We Like About It

This product will work amazingly, no matter the type or texture of your hair.

Plus, it’s lightweight and vanishes without a trace once it dries; no messy residues or smudging, unlike other brands.

What We Don’t Like About It

Unfortunately, everything that makes this spray stick also makes it stain. So, be careful.

Make sure to cover up your shoulders when applying since it might spread too well for some people’s liking.

Pros:

• Quick and easy application
• Wide spray range for natural coverage
• Lightweight

Cons:

• It stains
• Not ideal for targeting small areas

5. Clairol Temporary Root Concealing Powder

Precise root cover-ups are exactly what you get with the Clairol Temporary Root Concealing power.

This sleek, magical power applies like eyeshadow, so its application should be second nature.

It’s small and compact and comes with a brush that lets you apply precisely on even the smallest areas of grow-out.

Product Highlights

This product wins for seamless blending, even among its counterparts on this list. It’s also incredibly cheap for such a great product.

The portable compact gives you three different shades to choose from, so you can add depth and dimension to your hair.

The application is quick and easy. A quick trip to the ladies’ room, and you’re done. No one would be the wiser.

It blends great with your base color, whether you’re covering root lines, single strands, or hairlines.

Plus, it washes out easily by the end of the day, so you can head to bed without worrying about staining your pillow or sheets.

What We Like About It

The brush is precise, covering those grays and regrowths to the last micrometer.

Plus, it barely takes time—a quick trip to the bathroom to apply the cream, and you’re done.

What We Don’t Like About It

The outcome is a bit more “matte” than some people want. If you’re more for the “shiny, shimmery, splendid hair,” this product may fall short of your expectations.

Pros:

• Looks like natural hair color
• Affordable
• Can be used on brows

Con:

• Shine may diminish 

6. Color Wow Root Cover Up Powder

As the name suggests, this is literally a “wow” root cover-up product.

This particular root touch-up power is said to be the go-to of none other than women’s celebrity icon Jennifer Lopez.

That could have some of you not caring what we say next, right? Jennifer Lopez? Please, take our money right now!

Product Highlights

We kid you not; this is a must-have for hair-color perfectionists. It’s water and sweat-resistant, so you can be confident that it stays up.

It’s not until you shampoo your hair that it washes off, but we don’t mind that one bit.

The Color Wow proves that some root touch-up powders are ahead of the game.

It’s buildable, sticks seamlessly to your hair but is not sticky, and doesn’t feel the least bit greasy.

Furthermore, it comes with a dual-sided brush for precise application.

One end of the brush is rounded, and the other has a more elongated square shape for covering smaller grow-out areas that a wider brush wouldn’t be able to.

What We Like About It

This product delivers the perfect punch on those annoying gray roots.

The coverage is maximum, and the application is quick and easy, thanks to the dual-sided brush.

What We Don’t Like About It

While very precise on smaller areas, the smaller brush can be more time-consuming to use.

This is also one of those pricier products that people may not be willing to spend money on.

Pros:

• Buildable
• Comes with a dual-side brush
• Non-sticky
• Does not flake

Cons:

• Pricey
• Small brush is not ideal for significant grow-out

7. Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Root Touch-Up

The appearance of grays does not necessarily mean you’re due for a new dye job.

It could simply mean it’s time to let Clairol’s Nice ‘n Easy Root Touch-Up do its magic.

And magical it is indeed, transforming your grays, regrowths, and mismatched shades into a vibrant and shiny head of hair with no patches of awkward coloring.

It also covers 28 colors, so don’t worry about not being within its range.

Product Highlights

We want our hair to be perfect, and thankfully, Clairol doesn’t think that’s too much to ask.

They provide some of the best hair care products, and this one isn’t any different.

It’s a formula that blends perfectly with your hair, no matter the shade.

It lets you hide grays and cover up regrowths in minutes with an easy-to-use and precise applicator.

Clairol’s Nice ‘n Easy gives you that wonderful balance of color, depth, and dimension.

It won’t leave you regretting your decision to DIY your touch-up because the outcome will look easy and natural.

What We Like

Leave the cream on for a few minutes and watch as your hair turns from dull and boring to shiny and radiant.

There will be no grays in sight, that’s for sure!

What We Don’t Like

It has a great shine initially, but it may slowly diminish throughout the day.

Pros:

• Applicator brush targets roots effectively
• Excellent gray coverage
• Blends well with natural hair

Con:

• Vibrancy might not last

8. Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray

Are you looking for the perfect root touch-up for thinning hair? Say no more.

The Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-up Spray is the answer to your prayers.

It can work miracles on both small and large areas of grow-outs.

Product Highlights

Gray grow-outs may not be as noticeable on light-colored hair, but they can stick out like a sore thumb on dark hair.

This gives you an idea of how wide the coverage of this Riza Hazan product is.

It provides a natural cover-up for hair colors ranging from light blonde to jet black hair.

Safe to say your shade falls within that spectrum.

It’s a transfer-proof, all-color-addressing product that doesn’t smudge or leave a residue.

Plus, it’s so lightweight that its natural coverage extends to thinning hair.

What We Like About It

Rita Hazan’s touch-up spray offers great concealment across the board.

Additionally, it has a lightweight, buildable color formula that provides optimal coverage within seconds.

What We Don’t Like About It

The product doesn’t stick—once it dries!

Don’t touch it while it’s still drying. Otherwise, the color could transfer to your hands.

It may also be priced more than you’re willing to spend on a root touch-up product.

Pros:

• Does not transfer
• Easy application
• Great coverage, including small patches of grow-outs

Cons:

• Expensive
• Transfers if you don’t let it dry

What to Consider When Buying Root Touch-up Products

Shopping for root touch-up products seems easy. That is, it’s easy to get wrong when you don’t know what you’re looking for.

Before you head to the drugstore or the beauty aisle in the department store to pick out your choice of root coverage, keep these useful tips in mind.

1. Application Type

As you have noticed from the list above, it’s not just brands that differ but also the type of root touch-up products being offered.

The type refers to the application of the product, and it’s usually what you want to look at first as a first-time buyer.

• Liquid

You can compare this to boxed dyes with one tube of hair color and one tube of developer that you mix and apply to your hair using a brush. 

• Powder

This one is similar to eyeshadow. You also apply it directly to the roots with a brush.

• Wand

Otherwise called the brush-in wand, this root cover-up option applies like mascara.

It comes attached at the tip with an applicator wand from where the liquid inside the bottle releases.

You simply swipe the wand over your roots for easy coverage.

2. Side Effects

What is in that formula?

Like when shopping for any other makeup item, you want to be sure you’re not allergic to anything that’s in these products.

Root touch-ups are similar to hair dyes in that they contain some pretty strong chemicals because that’s what it takes to alter biological hair color.

Some product ingredients may not suit you or may cause an adverse reaction. Thus, do what you’re doing now—researching.

You must be aware of the components of an item you’re looking to add to your makeup bag. 

3. Coverage

Root cover-up products come with different types of coverage. You could be concerned with a small grow-out patch or a wider area.

If it’s the latter, a stick or powder type applicator is recommended.

On the other hand, the ideal choice for scattered, sparse areas would be the brush-in wand.

4. Add-ons

What are the product inclusions? You get a few particularly in kits.

Otherwise, it’s just the usual additional applicator or double-sided brush, depending on the type of cover-up product.

5. Formula

Every brand or product uses different formulas, so choose those that best suit your needs.

This ties into the ingredients of your products. Are you allergic to any of them?

Also, is the product specially formulated to provide fast results on your types of skin? Do you want it to wash easily with shampoo or not?

A product’s specific formula helps you answer these important questions, so ensure you’re well-enlightened.

6. Shade

Naturally, you cannot use a product that doesn’t match the shade of your hair. Even if it’s close to it, you still want to be careful.

Another important thing to consider is if you have dyed or highlighted hair.

This may or may not affect your color choice for a root touch-up product, depending on what you want to achieve and how the product may react with the chemicals in dyed hair.

Root Touch-up FAQs

1. How long before I’m due a root touch-up?

As mentioned in the intro, growing out roots can work for some people.

The contrast between the natural dark roots or grays simply compliments the rest of your hair.

However, that isn’t a beauty trend that appeals to or works for most people.

Ideally, you can do a root touch-up at the first signs of root regrowth or the appearance of grays.

Then, check every three to 10 weeks to see if you’re due for another one.

2. What products should I use for root care?

Maintaining hair and scalp health is an essential step between root touch-ups.

Some of the products for this are sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. However, choosing the right products is just one thing.

You must also work it in tandem with proper hair care practices to preserve your hair’s color and shine and your scalp’s health.

3. How do I touch up the roots on my highlighted hair?

While there are root touch-up products specially formulated for highlighted hair, you’ll want to focus more on toning to accomplish the most natural-looking outcome.

Feel free to use touch-up sprays, powders, kits, or wands, but don’t forget to apply the color care routine that works for you, too.

4. How often should I do root touch-ups?

Depending on the product and your tolerance for the said product’s chemicals, you may apply it anywhere between every week to every three weeks.

Salon touch-ups are another story since they use stronger chemicals that may take your hair at least six or eight weeks to recover.

5. How do I do touch-ups at home?

As you may have gathered, the products mentioned above are for DIY or at-home touch-ups.

The first step to doing so is to find a product that works for you.

Once you have, make it a point to do your touch-ups in an appropriate place your kids or house pets cannot access during that time.

We recommend using the bathroom or your bedroom.

Work them on the targeted areas gradually, using small amounts and applying more if necessary.

What Is the Best Root Touch-up Product?

Coming in at first place in our compilation of best root touch-up products is the R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-up Spray.

It’s a relatively affordable product that comes in seven natural-looking shades and provides a variety of coverages for grays, dark roots, and mismatched colors.

Our budget pick goes to the L’Oreal Paris Root Cover Up. This spray belies its incredible root cover-up abilities without compromising on quality.

There you have it! We hope you enjoy choosing this great addition to your makeup bag.