4 genius ways to touch up your roots without going to the salon

Method 1: Tinted dry shampoo

The product: Jet Set Black Dry Shampoo, $28, AG Hair. The promise: To cover up roots between colourings and restyle limp, second-day hair with no white residue. The verdict: Dry shampoo that won’t make me look like I have more greys then I already do? Life-changing. Compared with other brands I've tried, this worked really well to absorb oil. Bottom line: The black dry-shampoo can transfer onto your hands (or onto the collar of a white blouse) if you run your fingers through your hair throughout the day. So either avoid wearing white clothes or stop playing with your hair.

Method 2: Pressed powder
The product: Rusk Deepshine Color Touch Up Compact Box, $15; refill, $20, Trade Secrets. The promise: Instantly covers up roots and blends greys away until your next shampoo. The verdict: This compact (that looks like an eyeshadow palette) requires no expertise—the small brush applicator applies a water-resistant powder that mutes stray grey hairs. For a deep side part, I liked using a larger applicator like a contour brush to cover more hair. Bottom line: This product is for great for small areas like temples or along your part but not for major hair colour re-growth. The pressed powder easily blends into your natural hair, leaving no residue and tones down the silver-y bits.

Method 3: Tinted rinse
The product: Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper In-Shower Treatment, $13, John Frieda. The promise: Weekly treatment that takes hair one shade darker and evens out tone in just 5 minutes. The verdict: If you are looking to add richness and depth to your hair colour, this is for you. Massage into clean wet hair, comb through and set your timer. I like to clip my hair up while the product sets to keep the treatment concentrated and contained. Then rinse and voila! Bottom line: Doesn’t disappoint, but better to think of this as a darkening gloss rather than touch up for your roots.

Method 4: Tinted spray
The product: Root Cover Up, $14, L'Oréal Paris. The promise: Temporary root touch up spray that’s ammonia and peroxide free. The verdict: It worked especially well when my roots were just growing in and the colour matched my hair perfectly so the coverage was seamless. Bottom line: This was great for small touch-ups but when my roots were longer and I needed more coverage, it felt a bit sticky.

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