written by - Kimberly guelDNer, founder & owner voël hair extensions
The Many Surprising Uses OF ROOT CONCEALERs (and my favs)
Root concealers are mostly marketed to cover gray roots in between salon appointments. But as a freelance salon stylist specializing in extensions for fine hair and trying all the different methods, I have found many additional uses for them.
Sometimes on film sets or photo shoots, the lighting will blowout the color or create a lot of backlight. To combat this, I use root concealer to create a shadow. This way the hair doesn’t get too light and I can create dimension no matter where the light is coming from. I can also use them to root extensions on set if the actor or musician already has roots, it really helps to blend the extensions and make them look more natural.
+ how to use root concealer at home:
If you have fine hair around your hairline, it’s great for creating a shadow and making your hair appear thicker. If your crown is finer, you can spray it at the crown to create a thicker appearance. And if you have extensions, this will also help to blend at the root. Root concealers can add great coverage to your hair where hair is lacking.
+ My Favorite Root Concealers:
I have tried a lot of them, believe me. The powders can be great but a little messy so I usually use the sprays.
+ In my freelance kit, my go-to is the Temptu One Airbrush Touch-Up and Hair Color System. This is the Ferrari of root touchup sprays. I love it because it gives such nice light coverage and is almost translucent which makes it really easy to get the density you want without overdoing it. The high tech-i-ness of it (and the price point) may seem daunting, but I think it’s definitely worth it. After a little practice it easily becomes a standard tool in your arsenal. I toss that thing in my kit like an old ipod and it hasn’t quit on me yet.
And you can use it with makeup too! So even if you get it just for personal use, you get more bang for your buck . Here are many tutorials out there you can find with a simple search.
Jerome C, insta: @natureofportraits
+ In the salon I go for a low tech, but in no way lesser, option and always have Rita Hazan’s Root Concealer Touch Up Spray in a few shades on hand. I worked at Rita’s salon when she was developing it so I got to know the product very well. Even with all the copycats coming out after, hers is still the best and perfect for use at home. It has a consistent spray and it’s not messy like most of the others. I like that it’s heavily pigmented, it makes hair look thicker with light use and can easily cover grays if needed.
•Pro Tip•
To control the thickness, spray from a further distance and it wont land so thick on the hair. I test on a tissue before I spray it on the root so I can the see the consistency I want.
+ If you’re not into sprays (maybe for eco reasons) or just need to do a small area around your hairline, I usually keep a root touchup powder in my kit that comes in a palette just like eyeshadow. Also good to practice this on a tissue or dummy head with a good quality brush to get the feel.
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