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Keeping up with root touch-ups can feel like an uphill battle, especially as the gray starts to come in more quickly. It’s a trip to the salon after a trip to the salon, and it can be exhausting and expensive. But there is help! Whether you’re fully committed to covering grays or just looking for a quick fix between hair appointments, temporary root touch-up might be exactly what you’re looking for.
To identify the absolute best root touch-ups specifically for mature women, we consulted with top celebrity hairstylists who work with stars including Gwen Stefani, Kim Cattrall and Holly Madison. These experts understand the unique needs of mature hair—from coverage concerns to application techniques that flatter thinning areas.
From powder formulas that won’t clump to sprays that stay put all day (but wash out easily!), these expert-approved root touch-ups will help keep your roots (and entire head of hair!) looking picture perfect.
Top Root Touch-Ups for Gray Hair
Best Overall: Boldify Hairline Powder
Best for Thin Hair: Color Wow Root Cover Up
Best for Full Coverage: Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray
Best Spray Formula: L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up
Best for Precision: R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-up Spray
Best for Dry Hair: Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray
Best for Faking Full Hair: Toppik Hair Building Fibers
How Do I Choose a Root Touch-Up for Mature Hair?
First things first: Finding the perfect root touch-up for gray hair comes down to understanding your specific needs and hair type. For those with thinning hair, powder formulas often work best. “Sometimes, the sprays can be too dense for someone with fine hair and look too fake. Brushing on the color gives you more control over how dark you need it to be,” explains Kimberly Gueldner, founder of Voël Hair, who has styled for celebrities including Gwen Stefani and Kim Cattrall.
If you have thicker hair or need more substantial coverage, sprays might be your best bet. “[It provides] quick, on-the-go coverage, especially for larger root areas,” adds Gela Hunkins, celebrity hairstylist to Holly Madison, when describing other great options.
For those concerned about product transfer, Hanna Oh, celebrity hairstylist and owner of 821 West Salon, recommends looking for “no transferring on pillowcases or clothes” in product marketing, and you’ll usually be pretty safe.
Related: This 54-Year-Old Makeup Artist Has a Genius Hack for Aging Eyebrows
How Do I Apply Root Touch-Up to Gray Hair?
The right application technique can make all the difference when it comes to natural-looking results. For powder formulas, Gueldner offers this advice: “It’s like an eyeshadow palette for the hair, [allowing] you to layer the color and not add too much.”
When using spray formulas, Gueldner recommends this technique: “I will first spray on a tissue so I know what pressure to use. When spraying, you want to keep your hand moving so you don’t spray too much in one spot. Start in the back and work your way towards the front so you don’t get any spray on the forehead.”
Hunkins adds that you should “hold the spray a few inches away from scalp using airbrush motion and cover forehead with hand” to protect your skin from product transfer.
7 Best Root Touch-Ups for Gray Hair, According to Celebrity Hairstylists
Best Overall: Boldify Hairline Powder, $19.51
“[It has the] best compact packaging with all-in-one mirror and hidden applicator,” raves Oh. “The powder is a great formula that is fine but packs a punch with coverage.” She loves the applicator, saying that it allows for excellent surface coverage.
This all-in-one option offers convenience, excellent coverage, and a transfer-proof formula that won’t rub off on your clothes or pillowcase, making it ideal for mature women who want a reliable, everyday solution. It also comes in a whopping 14 natural-looking shades.
Best for Thin Hair: Color Wow Root Cover Up, $34.50
“I have been using this on clients with finer hair or sparse areas they want to fill,” shares Gueldner. “Sometimes, the sprays can be too dense for someone with fine hair and look too fake. Brushing on the color gives you more control over how dark you need it to be.”
Hunkins also endorses this option, saying that it looks natural and is water-resistant. She adds that it’s ideal for sparse areas, gray roots, and quick touch-ups between salon visits. “This is one of my favorites because it doesn’t get stuck to the scalp as many of the spray formulas can.” It comes in eight shades, including hard-to-find red.
Temur Hamilton, celebrity colorist and owner of TEMUR salon, also likes this product. “I suggest going to the salon every four to eight weeks, depending on your age and how quickly your hair grows out. However, in a pinch, Color Wow’s Root Cover Up is by far the best one that I’ve tested, and the only one I would use.”
Best for Full Coverage: Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray, $15.30
For those with more significant graying, Gueldner recommends this powerful spray: “These are full-pigment products, so if you are fully grey, this brand is great for coverage. This spray works great on medium to thick hair.”
She adds that “the product is also waterproof and non transferable, so you don’t have to worry about getting pigment on your clothes or hands,” making it perfect for all-day wear with no touch-ups needed.
Related: Kate Middleton’s Trendy Hair Accessory Has Everyone Buzzing—Here’s Where to Get One
Best Spray Formula: L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up, $11.99
“[It’s] quick-drying, easy [to] spray [and] blends well with natural hair,” says Hunkins. This user-friendly option provides “quick, on-the-go coverage, especially for larger root areas,” making it perfect for busy mornings when you need a fast solution. It comes in 11 shades, including a blonde specifically for those with darker, graying roots.
Best for Precision: R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray, $20.11
Hunkins specifically recommends this option for “women with fine or thinning hair who want precision.” The targeted spray allows for more controlled application, ensuring you’re only covering the areas that need it without overwhelming thinning areas.
Best for Dry Hair: Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray, $34.20
“More of a wet-to-dry formula, this formula might feel like it has more coverage power on somebody with dry hair,” notes Oh. Mature hair often tends to be drier, making this luxurious option particularly effective for women with more parched strands.
Toppik Hair Building Fibers, $24.95
When it’s not only gray hair you’re worried about but thinning/balding spots, reach for Toppik’s Hair Builder, available in seven natural-looking shades. The powder is made from actual keratin fibers that are electrostatically charged to form a magnetic attraction with your existing hair. This makes it great for men, too!
Sources:
Hanna Oh, celebrity hairstylist and owner of 821 West Salon
Gela Hunkins, celebrity hairstylist
Kimberly Gueldner, founder of Voël Hair
Temur Hamilton, celebrity colorist and owner of TEMUR
Related: 7 Best Shoulder-Length Hairstyles, According to Celebrity Stylists
