How To Use a Root Spray for Gray Hair and Regrowth

Visible roots are inevitable if you dye your hair, but squeezing in time for a professional root touch-up every couple of weeks can be tough (on your schedule and your wallet). That’s why we love root sprays—these temporary color sprays allow you to quickly and easily conceal regrowth without the need to pencil in a visit with your favorite colorist. Better yet, they’re incredibly easy to use, even if you’re a DIY color novice. Below, we’re sharing a rundown on what root sprays are and how to use them, plus details on our favorite root cover-up spray to snag next time you hit the drugstore.

What Are Root Touch-Up Sprays, and How Do They Work?

A root touch-up spray is a sprayable hair color designed specifically to camouflage root regrowth. These pigmented formulas deposit color pigments onto the hair to help blend gray (or otherwise visible) roots with the rest of your mane. Unlike traditional hair dyes, root sprays are temporary—they’ll typically last about one day or until your next shower. While they’re not a permanent solution for visible regrowth, root color sprays can be incredibly useful for those who need to cover up errant grays in a pinch. You can also use them to help extend the time between salon appointments or DIY hair coloring sessions.

The Best Root Touch-Up Spray From L’Oréal Paris

If you’re sporting visible roots and are looking for a quick and easy solution to tide you over until your next permanent root color touch-up, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up. The easy-to-use root spray comes in nine quick-drying shades to suit a range of hair colors from blonde to black (there are even two red shades for redheads). The lightweight formula is water-resistant, non-sticky, and designed to stay put without smudging or flaking once dry. Plus, it’s ammonia-free and suitable for all hair types and textures, making it an excellent pick for anyone in need of a quick root retouch.

How To Use Our Root Touch-Up Spray

Using our root cover-up spray is incredibly easy. Simply select the shade that best matches your hair and follow the steps below for seamless color from root to tip.

Step 1: Shake well before applying

Shake the can of root spray before each use to ensure the pigments in the formula are evenly dispersed for a seamless application. Give it a good shake for about five seconds, and you’ll be ready to go.

Step 2: Apply the spray evenly

Next, part your hair the way you intend to wear it. Then, holding the can upright about four to six inches from your hair, begin misting the root spray onto areas you’d like to cover. We recommend spraying it on from the root to about an inch below your line of regrowth to help ensure an even blend. Keep in mind that less is more—it’s a pigmented formula, so a little goes a long way.

Step 3: Blend and let dry

Finally, comb your hair to help blend the temporary dye, then let your hair dry for about a minute before going about your day.

How Long Does The L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Last?

Our water-resistant root touch-up spray is designed to last until your next shampoo. That being said, submerging your head in water, getting caught in a downpour, or touching your roots frequently may cause the color to fade more quickly. To help prolong wear, keep your hands off and use an umbrella if it’s raining outside.

Does Root Cover-Up Spray Wash Out?

Yes, most root cover-up sprays will wash out with shampoo and water. When you’re ready to remove your root spray, simply hop in the shower and give your scalp a good shampoo (follow up with conditioner). Pick a shampoo and conditioner system made specifically for your hair type and concerns.

For color-treated hair, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Conditioner.

The shampoo gently cleanses hair to rid it of any impurities like dirt, oil, and product buildup while helping to strengthen hair damaged from chemical processing. Follow up with the creamy conditioner to soften, smooth, and moisturize your strands.

Is Root Cover-Up Safe for Hair?

Our root cover-up spray is suitable for all hair types and textures (you can even use it if you have synthetic hair, such as extensions). However, as with any leave-in hair product, root sprays can contribute to buildup if you don’t wash them out thoroughly enough. Be sure to wash your hair well after using a root spray and add a clarifying shampoo, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo with Antioxidants, into your routine if you use a lot of styling products or notice product buildup.

4 Other Ways To Cover Up Root Regrowth

Root sprays for hair are convenient and easy to use, but they’re not your only option for gray hair cover-up. Here are a few other options worth considering.

1. Use a root concealer pen

If you’re on the go, you can use the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen to target scattered grays and touch up your roots quickly. The unique precision brush allows for an easy, smooth application to hide stray grays along the hairline or at the temples. The formula is suitable for all hair types and textures and comes in three shades.

2. Experiment with a colorful root spray

Root sprays don’t have to match your hair—if you’re up for trying out a bold look, mist your roots with a temporary hair color spray in a vibrant hue like pink, blue, or purple. Just make sure to use a washable option so you can remove the color at the end of the day.

3. Lean on accessories

If you don’t have any of the above on hand, covering your root regrowth with accessories will be your saving grace. Whether you opt for a laid-back baseball cap or opt for something a bit trendier like a silk scarf, hair accessories can be a great way to quickly hide grown-out roots.

4. Use a permanent root color touch-up kit

For a longer-lasting solution, consider picking up a permanent root coloring kit, like the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Permanent 10 Minute Root Coloring Kit. The DIY root kit offers 100% gray coverage in just 10 minutes, and application is a breeze, thanks to the kit’s soft brush-tip applicator. Choose your closest match from the lineup of 14 shades, brush the dye onto your roots as directed, and enjoy up to four weeks of gray coverage—without the salon visit.

Next Up: How To Seamlessly Blend Grays With Highlights and Lowlights

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris