If you want to get work done on your unmanageable roots, but are flustered by the sheer number of hair coloring techniques, then this guide is for you. Here are all some common and less maintenance root work you can get done on your hair that also go well with balayage hair highlights.

Should I Choose Root Melt, Root Smudge, Or Shadow Root?

What Is Root Melt?

Root melt is probably one of the least intense root work that you can go for. It is not just concentrated on the roots. It can be done way down passing your mid-length too, and it is either done to keep the roots less dramatic or it can be done to hide any botched hair dye mistakes, because that can happen a lot of the times.

A root melt gives the appearance of – you guessed it – melted roots. It gives the look of the color dripping from the roots in a very soft and almost unnoticeable transition. It is seriously so beautiful and if you want to go for something really light and less drastic since it’s your first time getting your hair done, then a root melt will be perfect. It is also low maintenance and it can be done on any type of hair, either light or dark.

How Is It Done?

The different and unique thing about root melt is that it is done on wet hair to get the best results. It is seriously an amazing technique for the hair and here is how it is done.

1. The color chosen for a root melt is 1 to 3 shades darker or more intense than your natural hair color. There is a lot of room to create a transition, so you can go bold with the color choice too.
2. Then, on wet hair, the color is applied and then smudged all the way to your desired length. During this process, care is taken to create that diffused, soft, and blown out look, kind of like the root color melting into the hair color. It sounds complicated, but it is really fun and easy to do, and the right hair colorist will get it done in a second.
3. Then, your hair is left to develop for some time, the roots being the longest to wait, since you want the color to be intense at the top and barely visible at the bottom. Then the hair is washed and you’re good to go.

What Is Root Smudge?

When you see your natural hair, you will see that the roots are at the top and there is a slight demarcation that separates the color of the roots and the rest of your hair along its length.

When it comes to a root smudge, the technique involves the use of a color, and then it is blended and smudged into the mid length of the hair. This creates a very nice and seamless ombre-like transition from the roots to the actual color of the hair and it is very beautiful. It is fitting for when you want to do balayage or some other painted and streaked color technique.

If you have darker roots and you want to transition to a lighter color as your hair length increases, then a root smudge will literally be perfect to do. Root smudge is also perfect with highlights. It will create a longer transition because the roots are smudged, and the results will be beautiful.

How Is It Done?

So, here is how to do a root smudge. You can get it done with highlights, lowlights, and balayage.

1. Firstly, the color of the transition and the roots you choose is imperative. You want to go for a color that is close in shade range to your natural hair color and the color you want to continue following the transition. So, the best shade lies in the range of two to three shades darker.
2. Once the color is selected, it is applied liberally on a small part of the hairline closest to the root. This will ensure that the color is all over the roots and is saturated.
3. Then, a technician will use a smudging brush or even their gloved hands and they will rub the color into the mid lengths of the hair. This is a very important step and the colorist will go back and forth until all the hair is nicely blended.
4. Then the hair is allowed to rest so that the hair dye can set in place and then it is washed off. And your beautiful hair is now smudged to perfection.

What Is Shadow Root?

A root shadow, as well as a root smudge, might seem similar when it comes to appearance, but they are slightly different. First of all, shadow root, as the name suggests, will create a shadow like transition from the root, where the color will be the deepest and richest, to the top of your crown, where the color will be in wisps, kind of like a shadow.

This is a wonderful hair root coloring technique if you want to make the hair look effortless and very striking at the same time.

Maintaining a shadow root is also easy. You don’t need to do a lot. You just need to maintain the hair, once it grows out and that is pretty much essential for every root technique you go for.

How Is It Done?

If a shadow root interests you, then here is how you can achieve that wispy, shadowy look on your roots. Keep in mind that this root technique works best with either highlights, partial or no highlights, or even a lighter hair transition. The top of the hair will be darker, whereas the remaining length of the hair will be lighter and wispy.

1. The color you choose for a shadow root should be about one to two shades or even three shades darker than your natural hair color. Keep in mind that a root shadow is much more darker and potent than a root smudge and it is all concentrated at the top of the head and then it creates a shadow as you go down, so the color you choose is really important. Go with darker colors as this will give the root shadow a lot more dimension.
2. The color is applied very potently on the roots. The purpose is to make the roots look very dark and then lighten the color as you go as it will give a transition of shadows peeking out from the roots, which is really beautiful once it is done.

The shadowing technique is kind of the best part, since this is not as meticulous, and it can be free-handed too, kind of like balayage. It is very random and sporadic, and it can be deeper in some parts and wispy and light in other parts. The purpose is to create a discontinuous shadow, which will add a lot of dimension to the hair.

Conclusion

Roots are some of the most stubborn and very maintenance-heavy things to deal with when you’re concerned about your hair. So, which one are you getting done on your hair? If you need help in deciding on the right technique or need excellent results, get in touch with hair salons specializing in color Rockville.