How to Cover Gray Roots Between Salon Visits

You are far from alone if you have gray roots between salon visits. After a few weeks, our fresh hair looks decidedly less impressive, and it can be tempting to do a quick all-over color to get rid of those roots.

However, before taking any drastic action, make sure you consider alternative ways to cover up your roots between visits to the salon.

Covering Gray Roots Between Salon Visits: A Summary

If you want to cover up your gray roots between salon visits, you have plenty of options. Take these seven easy steps to look your best no matter your root situation.

The Short Answer

These steps will help you maximize the time you can spend between salon treatments and look your very best no matter what type of roots you have. 

1. Dry Shampoo
2. Invest in a Scarf
3. Add Some Oomph
4. Change Your Part
5. Use Hairspray
6. Get a Root Touch-Up
7. Be Proactive 

If you notice gray roots peeking through your hairdo, the good news is that you have plenty of options. You need to decide what you’d prefer to do; cover the roots through scarves or volume, or use a root touch-up spray to match them to your hair until the next appointment.

The best answer really is contingent upon how much your roots are bothering you, how visible they are, and how long it will be until you can get to the salon. Of course, you can always do a mixture of different steps to achieve even better results.

How to Cover Gray Roots Between Salon Visits in 7 Steps

There are plenty of different alternatives that you have to cover your gray roots between salon visits fully. But take these steps, and you will be bound to look fresh and fabulous until the next time you’re able to get to the salon.

1. Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a fantastic way to cover up your gray roots because it gives your hair a little extra texture and camouflages your roots better.

You can use traditional dry shampoo or shampoo with a small amount of pigment in it for even better results. Just be careful not to saturate your roots too much, especially if you have highlights or more subtle color on your hair. 

Read Next: How to Use Dry Shampoo

2. Invest in a Scarf 

Sometimes the best way to deal with something that you don’t want to is just to cover it up. Scarves and headbands are excellent ways to hide roots between salon visits.

Experiment with different looks to find the one that works best for you. Instead of worrying that your roots are dragging you down, you could look fabulous and chic.

3. Add Some Oomph

Volume hides roots, so consider going for a larger or wavy look between salon visits. The waviness will add visual interest to your hair and take the spotlight off your grays.

In addition, you can curl your hair, flat iron certain pieces, or simply blow-dry it upside-down and add some product to help it look its very best. 

4. Change Your Part

This step is probably the easiest way to hide grays for good. Changing your part will add volume to your hair and help you to hide more prominent grays.

Plus, if you go for a deeper or more dramatic part, your hair will automatically look more attractive, taking your eyes off your gray roots. 

5. Use Hairspray

Hairspray does two things; it gives you mega amounts of volume and hides gray hairs.

You can even use hairspray that coincides with your dyed hair color or play around with temporary dyes. Since hairspray washes out, why not experiment with a funky color while you’re waiting for that salon visit to open up?

6. Get a Root Touch-Up Kit

Although it’s not a good idea to totally re-dye your hair before you visit the salon, you can always give your roots some love with a root touch-up kit. You can get these kits at virtually any drugstore or specialty beauty shop, and they are totally remarkable in a pinch.

Root touch-up kits come in powders and pen form and usually take just minutes to apply. As a bonus, you won’t damage the rest of your hair.

7. Be Proactive

Get proactive if you find yourself stressed about grays between salon appointments. Certain hairstyles work really well with gray hair, like blonde highlights.

Blonde can mask the gray and add a little more visual interest to your hair, so the grays are less noticeable than they would be with a one-tone color. Many people get the best results by doing a few of these steps.

But first, work with your natural hair and determine what’s best for you. Since these steps, except highlights, are temporary or easily reversible, you can certainly experiment to see what works best for you and your hair.

Covering Gray Roots FAQs

These frequently asked questions can help you make the best decisions for you and your hair and aid you in covering up your roots successfully, no matter what life throws at you.

Can I Use Permanent Dye?

Although you can use permanent dye, it’s probably not the best idea. Permanent dye generally goes all over your hair, and it can cause breakage in the bottom parts of your tresses.

Over-dying your hair, especially if it’s a lighter color, is one sure-fire way to damage it. Although it might be tempting to reach for a store-bought box of at-home color, it’s a much better idea to wait.

Instead, you can touch up your roots with many types of sprays, pens, or shampoos. This should tide you over until you can get into a salon for a proper visit. 

Can I Put Highlights Over Gray Hair?

You can undoubtedly put highlights over gray hair, especially if you’re interested in growing out your grays. One of the best aspects of highlights is that they camouflage gray hair and make it more visually attractive.

This means that your roots will look less stark and is one of our top tips for being proactive with your hair. Although all highlights work with gray hair, blonde ones are some of the best. Talk to your hairstylist about the look that you’re going for.

You can also ask how often you want to visit the salon and ask them for additional tips to minimize the number of salon appointments you will need.

How Do I Go Gray Gracefully?

These days, going gray gracefully is all the rage, but unfortunately, gray roots can look a little jarring when they are first growing out. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to embrace your gray tresses without cutting off all of your hair or dealing with long gray roots.

You can go with some highlights or try toning shampoos or treatments. Your stylist should be able to recommend an at-home treatment that you can either buy from their shop or find at a specialty beauty store.

For the best results, get one that’s specifically designed to work with your hair color and texture. For example, these toning treatments will help blend your dyed hair and roots together, making the difference between the two looks less pronounced. 

How Often Should I Get My Roots Touched Up?

Since everyone’s hair grows differently, there is no one answer to this question. But you should get your roots touched up and your hair trimmed once every month to a month and a half.

Although it might sound a little counter-intuitive to cut your hair if plan to grow it out, you actually help it grow by making it healthy.

If you have highlights or are using a toning treatment, you can even go longer between salon visits if you prefer. Talk to your stylist about your specific needs, and they will be happy to put together a routine that works best for you. 

How Do I Ask for a Touch-Up at the Salon?

It can be intimidating to ask for a touch-up at your salon, especially if you’re worried that they will re-dye your entire head of hair. The best way to do it is to explain that you don’t want the rest of your tresses touched and merely freshen up your roots.

It will help to build a relationship with your salon professional and talk about your hair goals. You may also want to talk to your salon professional or stylist about any treatments you’re using or any problems that you might be facing.

For example, they can help you select bonding, strengthening, conditioning, or moisturizing treatments that can help repair damaged hair.

You can also talk to them about going gray, using toners, and asking them for advice on virtually anything else. Think of your salon professional as a trusted friend, and don’t be afraid to tap into their expertise if you need to do so. They are happy to give advice.

Can Gray Hair Look Sophisticated?

Gray hair can definitely look sophisticated, so much that younger starlets and influencers are dying their locks gray. We know the look as the “granny trend”, and it is one way of setting themselves apart.

If you have naturally gray hair, you can certainly embrace it. An additional benefit is that you won’t spend as much time or money at the salon, and your hair will look and feel healthier because you use fewer chemicals.

If you want to embrace the granny trend, talk to your stylist about the best way to do it. They will have some pointers and advice to transition as seamless as possible.

So, How Do You Cover Gray Roots Between Salon Visits?

Covering your gray roots between salon visits is relatively easy if you know a few tricks of the trade. For example, you can cover up your roots with a pretty scarf or a fun headband or add a little curl or volume to make them less visible.

You can also apply root spray, colored hairsprays, or root touch-up pens to your grays. This will keep them substantially less visible until you can get to the salon. Use the time between salon visits to experiment with fun colors or new styles, but avoid dying your hair.

Once you get into the salon, remember to consider going for highlights. Highlights can help camouflage remaining grays and give you a lot more interest in your look.

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