10 Best Root Touch-Ups for the Most Stubborn Gray Hair, Reviewed by Beauty Pros

What made it a winner: Like makeup for visible regrowth, grays, and scalp, this GH Beauty Award-winning Me Cosmetics mirrored pressed powder compact (in nine shades from black-brown to gray and white) allows for discreet application on the go. The product effectively covers roots, looks natural, and applies easily with the corresponding brush, Beauty Lab evaluation showed. (Note that the brush is sold separately, making the product more expensive than other options.)

Tester said: “The finish was shiny, like real hair, unlike other powder root touch-ups that are matte,” one user commented.

What made it a winner: Brush the powder pigment in this bargain Clairol mirrored compact, a GH Beauty Award winner, onto strands to temporarily hide regrowth (it washes out). GH Beauty Lab evaluations confirmed that 83% of users said it blended naturally with their color, and it scored highly for being easy to use, not messy, and feeling light on hair.

Testers said: This powder comes with an applicator brush, but some users found its small size made it take longer to apply.

What made it a winner: If you have dark hair, you’re likely to find a match with this L’Oréal Paris permanent root touch-up dye (at less than $7!), which Ikeda recommends. It comes in seven shades of brown, from light to dark, and two shades of black. Even better: The dye is dispensed through a handy brush applicator to minimize mess.

Expert said: Ikeda likes that this kit “comes with everything you need” for application and calls it “easy to use.” Some users reported that it didn’t cover their grays well, though.

What made it a winner: Unlike many root touch-ups, which have just one (or zero!) options for red hair, Style Edit offers three shades of red: light, medium, and dark red, in addition to brown, blonde, and black hues. Even better, the powder comes in a compact with a built-in mirror and sponge applicator, making it easy to dab on anywhere.

Expert said: The formula earned praise from Ikeda: "It's easy to use and blends well," she says. Some users found that the coverage wasn't as strong as they'd like, however.

What made it a winner: The GH Beauty Lab evaluated this Clairol temporary root touch-up spray on gray human hair swatches and found it provides strong color coverage that is water-resistant. When water was added to the hair swatches, the product repelled the droplets, preventing absorption, and the color stayed on the hair after water exposure.

Expert said: "The nozzle distributes color evenly and covers hair well in the first spray, yet doesn't appear messy," says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann, though hair does get a bit damp before the product dries. "The result looks even and natural."

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What made it a winner: Color Wow's temporary root cover powder, a GH Beauty Award winner, is simple to apply and feels weightless on hair. GH Beauty Lab testers also raved that it did not look cakey or flake after application, and that its powder form also works for hiding small areas with thinning hair. The dual-ended brush makes this root touch-up perfect for both large sections and highlights that need coverage. Expert tip: While you may be inclined to sweep the brush through your hair, this formula actually works best when gently pressed on.

Testers said: "Covered the gray and a few hair loss spots," a user reported. One drawback is that the compact houses a small amount of product.

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What made it a winner: With a built-in no-mess sponge applicator and mirror, GH Beauty Award winner Calista hides hair regrowth fast in an impressive range of 11 shades, including three blonde colors as well as white and gray. It scored well for its sweatproof performance, according to the GH Beauty Lab evaluation.

Expert said: The GH Beauty Lab’s former executive director is a fan of the travel-friendly formula: “All I need is a few dabs on my hair part to cover new growth and blend it with the rest of my hair,” she noted. “The mess-free sponge applicator gets the powder where it’s needed without getting on my fingertips.” Some users did complain that the finish was too “powdery,” however.

What made it a winner: Brush this Madison Reed temporary root touch-up powder on to blend any growth that might be peaking through. Since this root touch-up comes with two colors, it can also add more depth and dimension to blonde tones, including highlights. The compact includes a built-in mirror and two applicator brushes for on-the-go.

Expert said: GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek also uses the product on her eyebrows, thanks to the included dual-ended applicator brush. Be aware that some users found that the powder didn't provide enough color coverage.

What made it a winner: Ikeda recommends Oribe's temporary root touch-up spray, which can cover larger areas of the hair and scalp. While it dispenses in the form of a spray, it's actually a quick-drying powder formula that helps absorb any oil on the scalp, much like a dry shampoo.

Expert said: This formula comes in "good blonde shade choices," Ikeda notes, and blends well with hair, making it a great pick for anyone transitioning to their natural color. A caveat: Some users reported that the formula transferred onto their pillowcases.