The 9 Best Root Touch-Up Products to Use Between Hair Appointments, Approved by Testers

Best Overall

Madison Reed Root Touch Up Kit

View on Ulta $34 at madison-reed.com Madison-reed.com

Ingredients: Ethanolamine, peroxide, keratin, argan oil, ginseng root extract | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you want a more permanent solution to your root regrowth without heading to the salon, pick up this demi-permanent root touch-up kit from Madison Reed. The comprehensive kit comes with everything you need to mix and apply the dye at home, including a cleansing wipe that Heather used to clear up any stray dye or residue from her neck and face, keeping the process mess-free. She found that the formula is insanely easy to apply, dries quickly (within three to four minutes), and the finished result looked almost salon-level; grays were seamlessly covered without uneven patches or telltale streaks.

The formula contains peroxide in the activator to make the dye last around three weeks. If you’re concerned about the ingredient drying out your strands, don’t sweat it; the formula also boasts strengthening keratin and hydrating argan oil—Heather’s hair was noticeably softer and shinier after the treatment. She also appreciated that the kit contained extra gloves and enough product for at least a couple of treatments, extending the time between salon colorings.

Heather | tester age 45-54 | Hair Type: 2b

“This is by far my favorite over-the-counter color. It actually works as a root fix. This product covers grays quickly and easily and with less mess than alternatives. I'm very pleased and will buy this one instead of other dyes going forward!”

Best Budget

Clairol Nice'n Easy Root Touch-Up

$15 at Amazon Amazon $9 at Ulta Ulta $8 at Target Target

Ingredients: Ammonium hydroxide, erythorbic acid, resorcinol | Shades: 27 | Size: N/A | Cruelty-Free: No

This budget-friendly permanent dye from Clairol worked like a dream for ElizaBeth, who prefers to color her own hair at home. The hair dye comes in 27 shades, making it easy to find a color match, and the process was so straightforward that she felt like a pro. Mix the color cream and the activator, then apply it to the roots with the brush, and the treatment is complete within 10 minutes.

ElizaBeth found the result to be impressive: grays vanished, the color blended perfectly, and every strand looked soft and healthy. She got so many compliments it was like she had been to the salon for a professional treatment. The results should last for three weeks and there was plenty of product left over for the next touch-up. The only downside she noticed was a lingering chemical smell, which is expected with permanent dyes like this one.

ElizaBeth | tester age 34-44 | Hair Type: 1a

“The finish was amazing. It made my hair feel healthy and fresh, and the color was a fantastic match. This product is a dream come true for someone who needs to touch up roots.”

Easiest to Use

Bumble and bumble Color Stick

$31 at Sephora Sephora $31 at Nordstrom Nordstrom $31 at Nordstrom Nordstrom

Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, jojoba esters, castor seed oil | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you wake up one morning and realize your roots are long overdue for a touch-up, but your hairstylist is booked out weeks in advance, reach for this color stick from Bumble and Bumble. Applied directly to the roots in stroke-like movements, the pigment clings to strands and temporarily colors gray hairs, offering an instant, easy solution when you need it.

Our tester, Stephanie, appreciated that she could quickly swipe this on and be out the door five minutes later. She noticed that the velvety, eyeliner-like consistency was easy to apply and blend using her fingertips and didn’t need time to dry or set; once it was on (which took about four rounds of swiping back and forth along her strands), the color lasted all day without any transfer or fallout. The water-resistant formula also seemed to absorb oiliness at the roots, giving Stephanie’s hair a little extra bounce and lift.

Stephanie | tester age 35-44 | Hair Type: 1b/1c

“It successfully covered up my roots and the black color really blended in with my dark brown hair seamlessly. The color payoff is quick and instant—even with multiple applications—as this pencil would only add one or two extra minutes to my routine.”

Best Spray

dpHUE Color Touch-Up Spray

$28 at Ulta Ulta $21 at Dermstore Dermstore View on Dphue.com

Ingredients: Mica, titanium dioxide | Shades: 10 | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When it comes to speed and ease of application, it’s hard to beat a spray. This formula from dpHue delivers a steady spray of pigment and provides two settings to make the process seamless: a narrow nozzle for concentrated color and a wider one for blending and individual strand coverage.

The dual nozzles reduce mess, but our tester, Sunita, used a cape and gloves to protect her clothing and skin, just in case. She found the color was easy to apply and dried fast with minimal transfer onto her gloves. As you might expect from a spray, it came out matte and was a little tacky to the touch, but Sunita said it blended well with her hair color and covered grays effortlessly.

Sunita | tester age 55-64 | Hair Type: 2b

“I think this product worked well for my hair type and the color. It successfully covered up my roots and wasn’t overly pigmented. A little bit was all I needed for the color to show up.”

Best for Grays

Gray Away Instant Root Cover Up Spray

View on Grayaway.com

Ingredients: Mica, iron oxides | Shades: 6 | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you need instant gray coverage, this richly-pigmented cover-up spray can help. It’s available in six easy-to-blend colors that disguise roots for up to 24 hours before washing out easily when you’re ready.

Kim, whose hair grows fast, was familiar with this spray, having used it between salon visits in the past. She noted that the application can get messy—the product comes out quickly and can coat your skin and clothes—so she advised pressing the nozzle in quick bursts angled directly toward the hair root. Also, the pigment does come off on your hands if you touch your hair right afterward, so use this cover-up as the final step in your hair routine.

With those caveats in mind, Kim said this spray covered her roots really well and matched her hair color perfectly. The formula also has impressive staying power; once applied, the product stayed put until her next shampoo several days later.

Kim | tester age 55-64 | Hair Type: 1

“I like the easy targeting of the affected area and that it stays covered pretty much until my next hair wash, which is generally two or three days.”

Best Stick

Gray Away Root Touch Up Stick

View on Grayaway.com

Ingredients: Tapioca starch, titanium dioxide, iron oxides | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you only have a small area to camouflage, this stick is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Its dual tips allow for precise targeting of the affected area—the hairline or temples—enabling quick touch-ups that look virtually imperceptible.

Lisa found that a single stroke with the stick’s velvety pigmented tip was enough to coat her gray strands, and the sponge was useful for blending the color with her natural hair tone. Once applied, the color looked natural and still felt soft to the touch, not stiff or sticky with residue. She also appreciated that it made her part look fuller.

Lisa | tester age 45-54 | Hair Type: 1c

“I thought my hair looked great after using the product. The grays were immediately covered with just a stroke.”

Best Multipurpose

Madison Reed Root Touch-Up + Brow Filler

$32 at Amazon Amazon $32 at Ulta Ulta $32 at Target Target

Ingredients: Talc, argan oil, keratin, iron oxides | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.13 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Who doesn’t love a multitasker? This cover-up powder formula from Madison Reed is a root touch-up and brow filler in one, helping you cover grays and create defined eyebrows with the use of one compact. It’s available in six shades, including a duo for lighter hair tones, and comes with two brushes for precise application.

Michelle found this powder formula really easy to use. The pigment didn’t require multiple applications; one stroke with the thicker brush was enough to cover her roots completely. The shade she picked was a great match for her own hair color, and smudging was minimal—errant product was easily removed with a wet cloth. The color applied really smoothly, and unlike spray applications, it left her hair feeling soft and light (perhaps thanks to the argan oil in the formula).

Michelle | tester age 55-64 | Hair Type: 2a

“The color I chose matched and blended perfectly with my hair color. It covered my roots on the first application, and I didn’t have to use too much powder to cover the necessary areas—a little goes a long way.”

Best Matte

Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray

$12 at Amazon Amazon $12 at Walmart Walmart View on Ritahazan.com

Ingredients: Butane, hydrofluorocarbon 152A, ethyl trisiloxane, phenyl trimethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate, iron oxides | Shades: 5 | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re concerned about a noticeable mismatch between the cover-up color and the rest of your strands, give this spray-on root hair concealer a try. It comes in five universal shades and provides matte, buildable root coverage, allowing virtually everyone to achieve a near-perfect match.

Sunita, who was familiar with spray cover-up formulas, was impressed with how well this one covered her gray roots. The color was immediately noticeable and applied evenly, though it required some building to achieve the right shade for her dark hair. Even after drying, it felt a little tacky to the touch, and there was a small amount of transfer when she rubbed her roots. However, the product was surprisingly long-lasting; even after a shampoo, some of the color remained, creating a gentle fade effect.

Sunita | tester age 55-64 | Hair Type: 2b

“My hair felt matte, and I did not notice any shine. It was a quick and good solution for a temporary cover-up as it covered my root grays well, but it did need some building up.”

Best Sponge Applicator

Tarte Big Ego Dab-and-Go Hair Concealer

$26 at tartecosmetics.com Tartecosmetics.com $23 at QVC QVC

Ingredients: Amazonian clay, argan oil, grapeseed oil, castor oil | Shades: 7 | Size: 0.26 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tarte’s Big Ego Dab & Go concealer goes on like a cream and dries as a powder, covering roots and creating an overall appearance of thicker, fuller hair (ideal if you’re conscious of thin spots and glaring gaps). The sponge applicator allows you to simply dab on color, blending and covering roots without mess. We also love the ingredients, including argan, grapeseed, and castor oils, which moisturize your strands while also camouflaging regrowth and grays.

Madison likened the applicator to a stamp, noting that she needed to pump it into the cap a few times to bring enough product into the sponge. The formula wasn’t super pigmented, so it required layering to achieve the desired color and coverage. However, she found it easy to blend, and once the color dried, it camouflaged her grays seamlessly. Although the formula stayed put fairly well, Madison noticed transfer when she touched her roots—even hours after the initial application. On the plus side, it made her roots slightly drier, which was useful on between-wash days when her strands were oilier than usual.

Madison | tester age 25-34 | Hair Type: 2a

“It worked! You have to go over the gray spots a few times, but it did the trick. If I wanted a little midday touch-up, this is a nice product to carry in your purse or work bag.”