Root Color [1 Inch]

What a root touch up covers

Root touch up (also called a root retouch or root colour touch up) applies colour to regrowth only — typically the first 1 inch of new growth at the scalp. The rest of your hair is left untouched.

This keeps your colour looking even without overlapping product on previously coloured hair. Less overlap means less damage and more consistent tone from roots to ends. It's the most common maintenance service for anyone who colours their hair regularly.

Who should book a root touch up

A hair root touch up is right for you if any of these apply.

• Visible regrowth — Your natural roots are showing and the contrast with your coloured hair is noticeable. Most people reach this point 4–6 weeks after their last colour.
• Grey coverage — Grey hairs growing in at the roots are the most common reason for a root touch up. Grey coverage hair color targets those new greys without reprocessing the rest of your hair.
• Maintaining a lighter shade — If you've gone lighter than your natural colour (especially with single-tone colour), roots grow in darker and more noticeably. Regular root retouches keep the look clean.
• Budget-conscious maintenance — A root touch up costs less than a full colour service because it uses less product and takes less time. If you're happy with your current shade, there's no reason to redo the whole head.

How the root touch up works

Your stylist starts with a consultation to match your existing shade. Here's the process.

1. Shade matching — Your stylist checks your current colour under salon lighting and selects the formula that blends seamlessly with your lengths and ends.
2. Application — Your stylist applies colour to the roots only, section by section, using a brush and foil or comb-through technique depending on your hair type.
3. Processing — The colour develops for 20–35 minutes depending on the formula and your hair's condition.
4. Wash and finish — Your stylist rinses, shampoos, conditions, and blow-dries. The result is even, natural-looking colour from root to tip.

Root touch up vs full colour

Both services use the same colour formulations. The difference is coverage area and cost.

• Root touch up ($130–$145) — Covers regrowth only (up to 1 inch). Faster, less product, less damage. Best for maintenance between full colour appointments.
• Full colour ($130–$235+) — Applies colour from roots to ends. Needed when you want to change your shade, even out patchy fading, or refresh dull colour throughout.

Grey coverage at the roots

Covering greys is the most frequent reason clients book a root touch up at our salon. Korean colour formulations are good at blending grey seamlessly — matching warmth, depth, and shine so the grey roots disappear without a harsh line.

If your grey is concentrated at the temples or hairline, your stylist pays extra attention to those areas. The goal is grey coverage hair color that looks natural, not painted on. Most clients on a grey coverage routine come in every 4–6 weeks.

Recommended add-ons

These pair well with a hair color touch up service.

• Non-Ammonia upgrade (+$30) — Swap to a gentler, ammonia-free formula. Good for sensitive scalps or clients who prefer organic colour.
• Hair Mask ($35) — Hydrating mask applied after colour rinse. Restores moisture and smooths the hair.
• Olaplex Bond Protection ($50) — Added to your colour formula to protect hair during processing.

Root touch up pricing

Root colour is a flat rate based on stylist level — no extra charge for hair length since only the roots are treated.

• Stylist / Director / Senior — $130
• Creative Director — $145