With dark hair, the random gray strands I have tend to glow. This is especially true at the hairline, where they are most noticeable. (It’s so frustrating how quickly after a trip to the salon that happens.) In my home city of San Francisco, California I typically pay around $100 for a professional root touch up. For this reason, I am always on the lookout for a well-priced product I can use at home before an event without having to book an appointment and shell out a lot of money.
Clairol Root Touch-Up Semi-Permanent Hair Color Blending
There are a variety of solutions to this issue, including dab, spray, or paint-on colors that wash out. They’re okay, but not ideal, because I tend to run my fingers through my hair. It gets messy fast. Full or root coloring box kits are effective and permanent, but I often just need a teaspoon sized amount for around by temples so it’s a waste to buy so much.
I wanted a dye color I could apply just around my hairline, as needed. The solution had been Root Erase, a Revlon product that came in a can with two sides; a dye and a developer that allowed you to mix the exact amount necessary. Alas, it was discontinued, so the search was on.
Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up Semi-Permanent Hair Color Blending Gel seemed to be a comparable alternative. It comes in a tube, ready to apply with a built-in brush. The instructions are to apply the gel to the areas you want to color, leave on for ten minutes, and then rinse off. Voila! Almost instant gray coverage without the possibility of smudging, and you’re on your way.
How I Bought Clairol Root Touch-Up and Price I Paid
I purchased Clairol Root Touch-Up Semi-Permanent Hair Color Blending Gel, 5 Medium Brown from Amazon.com. It was $8.77, with free shipping because I’m a Prime member.
The Promise
According to the marketing copy, Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up Semi-Permanent Hair Color Blending Gel is supposed to cover grays in just ten minutes. It’s free of ammonia and peroxide, so there is none of the damage (or noxious smell) those two ingredients cause.
There is no mixing involved, either. Take off the cap, squeeze color through the opening, which coats the attached brush. The brush is about one inch wide, so you can apply the color gel to a large area in a sweep.
This product comes in seven shades: Black, dark brown, medium brown, golden brown, auburn red, light brown, dark blond, and blond. It’s not intended to match your color perfectly, but to blend (hence the name) the difference until you get your real color done.
The Reality
I have now tried Clairol Root Touch-Up on three separate occasions. The first time I followed the directions to the letter. I squeezed the gel through the tube and brushed the gel on the few but annoying temple grays. Because the brush was wide it was difficult to be precise, but I did my best. Once I saturated the areas, I set my timer for 10 minutes. After that, I dampened a paper towel and wiped it off.
What did I get? A vague softening of the bright strands but no real coverage. Easy, yes. Effective, no. I was left disappointed.
The next time I squeezed the color into a plastic cup and used a much smaller brush that I own, so I could apply the product only to the hairs that needed help. Then I doubled the timeframe.
Crossing my fingers, after 20 minutes I did the same paper towel routine. I was more satisfied with the results but still not thrilled. The ultra light hairs were now a pale brown. Better, for sure, but nothing I would call complete coverage.
Finally, attempt number three. Using the same technique as my second go-round, I applied the gel with my personal brush, but gave it 30 minutes and dried the gel with a hair dryer set to hot. Eureka! It blended into my hairline seamlessly, with approximately 80% coverage. Not bad at all. Unless someone is standing inches away and conducting a thorough examination (and why would I want that?), I don’t think anyone would notice the imperfection.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Easy to use
- No bad smell
- Won’t rub off
Cons:
- Does not cover 100% of grays as promised
- Won’t exactly match natural color
- Not right for full root touch-ups
Specs
- Price: $8.77
- Available on Amazon but also most major drug stores
Clairol Root Touch-Up Semi-Permanent Hair Color Blending
Worth the Price
When used sparingly around the hairline Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up Semi-Permanent Hair Color Blending Gel is the bargain of the century. I would give it at least 20 applications, making the per at-home session around 45 cents. Use it as a full root touch up and it would be two complete applications, so around $4.40.
I would not recommend the semi-permanent gel for full root touch up. Box color that is designed for permanent results in a shade that matches my real color (such as the same brand’s Root Touch-Up by Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, in 5A Medium Ash Brown) is far superior for that purpose.
Keep in mind that you do have to modify your expectations. Even with my adjustments, the 100% gray coverage fell short of the company’s promise.
However, for the price, convenience, and level of improvement you can get, Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up Semi-Permanent Hair Color Blending Gel is a deal. It’s better than a brush on color because it won’t stain your fingers when you put your hair in a ponytail or rub off on your clothes when you slip them off your head. Although it won’t last as long as permanent color, it’s still a dye, and you only have to use the amount you need.
If you are annoyed by modest grays at your hairline, having a tube of this blending gel tucked away in a drawer for hair color emergencies makes sense.
