DAVID TALKS NEW GROWTH TOUCH UP

(read original article here)

10 Best Root Touch-Ups for Gray and Color-Treated Hair

Peekaboo roots? No prob! These expert-approved picks can tide you over until your next color job.

By Erica Metzger

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

(see product picks in the original article here)