10 Quick Fixes for Gray Hair Regrowth, Approved by Pros (2024)

Haircolor tastes and budgets may change over time, but one goal remains the same: vibrant color—without making our hair crispy, dry, or damaged in the process. But, like clockwork, the rapid regrowth returns. It's a frustrating creep of roots, and the more often you color them, the trickier it can be to keep your haircolor crisp and strands healthy, especially when you have grays (sorry!). “Hair grows half an inch in four to five weeks on average, but if there's a lot of contrast between your natural color and dyed color, then visible or gray roots can become noticeable as early as two weeks,” explains David Adams, a certified trichologist and co-owner of Fourteen Jay Salon. The solution to this common conundrum? Temporary root touch-up concealers. These nifty, wash-out formulas extend your color between your salon appointments or DIY-dye jobs for a few days or sometimes even weeks.

What to consider

Root touch-ups come in a range of tinted formulas, including sprays, powders, pens, and powders. They are essentially makeup, so they won't ruin or alter your color. And unlike a concealer for your skin, root cover-ups don't need to be a perfect color match. "Darker shades tend to blend more seamlessly, so it’s generally better to opt for a shade slightly darker than your natural color," says Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist and founder of The Second Floor Salon in NYC. Your MVP formula depends on several factors, including coverage goals, application preference, where you'll use it, and, of course, budget. At the end of the day, remember to wash them out to remove buildup—and to protect your white pillowcases. Also, avoid using a root touch-up on the day of your actual color service appointment. “Some are quite water-resistant and can prevent the dye from working properly, especially on those with resistant gray!” warns haircolorist and salon owner James Corbett.

How we chose

In our list below, you'll find our top picks from salon professionals as well as our own beauty experts. In addition to reviewing the current products on the market, we interviewed haircolorists and salon owners to find out which root-touch-up sprays, powders, pens, and powders they trust most and recommend to clients. Next, we extensively reviewed and tested a range of different formulas, textures, and shades. We analyzed performance, ease of use, and color range. Read on to see which root touch-ups made our final list.

The Experts:
David Adams, a certified trichologist and co-owner of Fourteen Jay Salon
Gigi Pogosyan, master haircolorist and owner of Balayage by Gigi
Lauren Paglionico, colorist and founder LRN Beauty
Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist and founder of The Second Floor Salon in NYC
James Corbett, NYC-based colorist and salon owner

This drugstore fan favorite offers excellent coverage for gray roots (and at nearly half the cost of others). "This spray is easy to use. It dries quickly and provides a natural-looking finish without leaving residue," raves Pogosyan. The con? "I wish it would come in a way bigger size—I run out of it way too quickly!" Oprah Daily beauty director Kate Sandoval Box says.

This formula's heavy pigment load is a standout in the powder category (some don't pack enough punch). The double-ended brushes offer more coverage options: Sweep the longer brush over larger sections like your part and use the rounded side to buff in small areas like the temples. "The color blends really well and stays in place until you wash it out. This is also a great option for blondes with highlights," says Paglionico.

A sprinkle of these tinted keratin fibers works wonders at concealing bald spots and thinning hair by clinging together on hair strands. Sandoval Box appreciates the doubly-duty aspect of this temporary hair camouflage: "I love this option for someone looking to cover gray roots and thinning or bald areas." As with any type of loose powder, application is a bit harder to control, so expect some fallout on your forehead and face as you get the hang of it.

Root touch-up powders are like eyeshadow: They create a soft effect that's great for smaller patches of grays (like near the temples) and blending highlights. Our editors recommend this user-friendly pick because it's easy to blend and well-priced. Like most powders, it doesn't have the same staying power as a spray, but since it's so compact, you can easily bring it along for touch-ups.

This dry powder spray also doubles as a root booster, adding instant volume and body to your hair in addition to excellent gray coverage. The extensive 11-shade color range includes a golden and ash option for brunettes, in addition to the typical dark, medium, and light. We also appreciate how the color lasts until your next shampoo, thanks to its water and sweat resistant formula. Of course, if you have a lot of grays, you may go through a bottle quite quickly.

Are you prepared for the next RRE (Random Root Emergency)? Cavalcante appreciates this compact formula for its on-the-go use. No bigger than a chunky marker, this fits in any bag, and the $10 price tag means you can also afford to stash it in more than one. Use it to target smaller areas along the hairline, sideburns, and wayward strands—and take advantage of the sponge on the opposite end of the crayon to blend your work. Available in four shades.

With a concentrated nozzle, this spray provides precise and mess-free coverage. The range of six shades covers most and the colors have a pretty, natural-looking tone. It's a top pick for Corbett, although he notes it isn't a total home run for redheads. Auburn shades can read as too hot, so he recommends opting for a warm brown instead. "Most blonds and redheads look better when their roots are a touch darker," Corbett says.

Clever and compact packaging allows this powder to work double duty. It can be used to blend away grays, and the brush and spoolie means you can easily upkeep your brows, too. "It's a convenient root touch-up option that covers grays and extends the time between full haircolorings," Calvacante says. The powder is sized for small areas, so it works best for those with just a few grays or if you're in a pinch (though the miniature brow brush is a bit easy to lose).

Simple, quick, and inexpensive, Garnier's temporary root cover-up serves up gray coverage similar to a transfer-resistant spray, but newbies will likely find the application less intimidating. Give the bottle a shake, then dab the applicator sponge over grays at your part, temples and hairline. Give the color a few minutes to set before brushing through to blend. Just note that the color variation is a bit limited, with four shades.

This root camouflage is pricey but it offers an extra payoff. "This is very popular with clients who love the Coté D’azur scent, which is featured through the entire line. Some say it is like wearing a perfume," Corbett says. The nozzle produces a broader spray compared to some of the others we tested, so covering your roots may be a little tricky if you prefer a more concentrated application.