Root Refresh: 17 Root Touch-Up Products to Hide Your Grays

Root touch-up products allow you to cover up grays without a lengthy salon visit. Learn more and discover 17 of our favorite root touch-up products here.

By Jazmine A. Ortiz & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

Update Date: 20 Dec 2023

Between the hustle and bustle of life, squeezing in an appointment with a colorist can feel next to impossible. The good news: You don't have to. Root touch-up products like L'Oreal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up allow you to mask grays and regrowth faster than it'd take to dial up your stylist.

Ahead, L’Oreal Professionnel stylist and brand ambassador DJ McGinley dives deep into how root touch-up sprays work and explains how to find the best shade match for your mane. We’ll also introduce you to more of our favorite root touch-up products for camouflaging unwanted grays between salon appointments.

Whether you prefer the convenience of temporary concealment or seek a long-lasting solution, we've got you covered—literally.

What is a root touch-up spray?

Root touch-up spray is a sprayable hair color that temporarily conceals grays. These aerosol formulas are temporary and work much like makeup works to cover up any discoloration or blemishes on your skin. While there are a number of root touch-up products you can choose from (from powders to pastes), sprays provide the easiest (and fastest) application.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up is a professional-quality formula designed to mask grays—and the seven shades complement up to 41 different hair colors. Unlike many similar sprays, it lasts until your next wash day.

Who should use root touch-up spray?

If you’re seeing unsightly regrowth or are worried your grays are showing, a root touch-up spray is probably a good fit for your lifestyle. Unlike dyes or in-salon services, root touch-up spray is a reasonably low-stakes product. It washes out with shampoo, which means there’s little risk of messing up the application and regretting the whole thing.

But covering up roots isn’t the only way you can use a root touch-up spray. McGinley says there are several different ways to put the product to work in your life. In the salon, she uses it as a tool to show women what a shadowed hair color might look like.

How do you use root touch-up spray?

Using root touch-up spray is simple—just part, mist, and blend. Start by creating fine, thin sections of hair near your hairline. You want to coat them in such a way that the product can cover your roots in every direction. Then, give your visible roots or gray hairs a light coat of the spray, holding the can four to six inches from hair. Depending on the formula, you may need to let it dry before styling as usual.

How long does L'Oréal Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up last?

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up spray lasts until your next shampoo, so you won’t have to refresh your roots every day (unlike many similar products).

How do I find the right shade of L'Oréal Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up for me?

When choosing which color of Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up to go with, consider your hair type. McGinley recommends opting for one shade lighter than you think you need for fine or thin hair.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up Shades

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up- Dark Brown/Black

This shade is ideal for true black to darkest brown hair color with warm or cool tones.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up- Brown

Brunette hair colors are always trending, so keep your fresh with this shade for dark brown hair colors.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up- Warm Brown

This shade works for medium brown hair with warm, caramel tones like chestnut and cinnamon hair colors.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up- Light Brown

Softer shades of brown hair with cool undertones will blend perfectly with Root Fix in light brown.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up- Blonde/Dark Blonde

Both cool and warm-toned blondes can keep their color intact with this dark blonde shade.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up- ​​Light Warm Blonde

Even those with the lightest shades of blonde hair can use a root touch-up spray to blend grays. We suggest this one for blondes with warm, golden tones.

L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up- Auburn

Redheads who jumped on the Copper Cowgirl trend (or any of its many variations), this warm red shade is for you.

Ask your colorist for help to determine which L'Oréal Professionnel Instant Root Fix Hair Touch Up spray is best for you if you’re still unsure.

Choosing the Right Root Touch-Up Product

If a root touch-up spray isn’t for you, there are other great options on the market to consider. When choosing a root touch-up product, always consider your hair color, texture, and desired level of coverage.

For quick and easy hacks that hide gray roots, stylers like mousse and dry shampoos are great options. Take preventative measures against color fading with color-depositing masks or conditioners for long-lasting coverage. Those with stubborn grays can use high-coverage formulas like demi-permanent or permanent dyes for less frequent trips to the salon.

Permanent Root Touch-Up Solutions

Redken Color Gels Oils

Redken’s Color Gels Oils is a permanent hair color that leaves hair soft, shiny, and rejuvenated. This innovative formula targets grays, ensuring flawless coverage from root to tip with a unique blend of oils. Most users report color vibrancy for 4-6 weeks, while some even claim their color lasts up to eight weeks with proper care.

Matrix SoColor Pre-Bonded Permanent Cream Hair Color

It’s no wonder why the ammonia-free formula of SoColor Pre-Bonded is a salon-exclusive. Offering gentle yet effective root coverage, it’s a high-coverage solution ideal for the most stubborn of grays.

Find out more about the trend in our guide Here’s How to Transition Into Natural Gray Hair Using Highlights.