Is there is any hair product that flies under the radar as much as the humble hair powder? Given how multifaceted it is, not enough people know about its powers, IMO. Of course you can use one to touch up your dyed hair that's in need of a salon appointment asap and you can use it for grey coverage in a snap but did you know they also come in handy for giving your hairline and partings a fuller look, which is especially great if you are experiencing hair thinning, or if you are getting any awkward hair regrowth and you just want to create the illusion of a bit more volume. Here, we’ve sussed out the four best for your hair routine...
Color Wow Root Cover Up
Pros
- The palette lasts a while, as a little goes a long way
- Easy application
Cons
- Pricey
Features at a Glance
Colours 8
Pros
- The palette lasts a while, as a little goes a long way
- Easy application
Cons
- Pricey
Features at a Glance
| Colours | 8 |
|---|
With well over 20,000 positive reviews online and an army of celeb hairstylists that swear by this as a surprising red-carpet must-have (led by none other than Chris Appleton, who is constantly raving about it), this is the root cover up that I recommend the most often. It comes in such a handy palette, and while it’s not a waxy formula, it doesn’t look powdery or chalky when you apply it, and it sticks around until you wash it out.
Glowing Customer Review: "Great product and cleaner alternative to the sprays. It covers great where I need it and doesn't dye my pillow! Easy to apply."
Josh Wood Colour Root Smudge
Pros
- Compact and easy to carry on the go
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited colours
Features at a Glance
| Colours | Three |
|---|
Josh Wood Colour Root Smudge Brown 4g
Josh Wood is known as one of the kings of colour on the streets of London, and so you just know his brand will hook you up for root cover-up solutions for in-between salon visits. This palette is super similar to the Color Wow but better for the pocket for those of us that are balling on a budget.
Glowing Customer Review: "Gave me confidence to ditch my headscarf when applied to the scalp to mask alopecia. Doesn’t quite last all day but easily fixable"
L'Oreal Magic Retouch Root Concealer
L'Oreal L'Oreal Magic Retouch Instant Grey Root Touch Up 75ml
Pros
- Super affordable
- Covers a big surface area
Cons
- Can transfer easily
Features at a Glance
| Colours | 9 |
|---|
Ok, no, this isn’t a powder, but you can apply it to dry hair, and it dries down within three seconds, so can you let us off the hook? This classic buy has an army of fans thanks to its easy spray-and-go packaging. It’s best for thinning in the crown of the head, rather than temples or hairline, as the spray can disperse widely.
Glowing Customer Review: “I have used this spray before and it is really effective. I spray my hair and then I brush it out a little to spread it more evenly. It looks great and covers the white hairs well. It lasts for more than a day which is good as it is a temporary fix. Then it washes out well without leaving a stain on my scalp.”
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
Pros
- Refreshes hair
- Smells great
Cons
- Minimal pigment
You know we love a hybrid product in these parts, and this dry shampoo really delivers. While I wouldn’t say it works for intense root covering, it degreasifies your scalp giving your roots an oomph, and it gives super subtle colour coverage just adding to the fuller look. Think of this as an amped up dry shampoo rather than a full-blown root-booster.
Glowing Customer Review: This dry shampoo is great! I love the darker tones and it smells amazing. Works a treat as I have dry ends and greasy roots. Can’t recommend it enough!
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
