L’Oreal Magic Retouch vs Color WOW Root Cover Up, which is the best of the best?
Thanks goodness for root touch ups. Life is busy and there isn’t always time to visit the salon or dye your own hair the moment those pesky ageing roots begin to show through.
That’s why root touch ups were invented, and we will forever grateful that they exist to keep our coloured hair looking lush.
In our best root cover up reviews, we took you through the best root touch ups on the market this year. But how do you know which one is right for you?
Table of Contents
Which root cover up is right for me?
The most important consideration is colour.
Applying root touch ups is trial and error and in time you’ll get the hang of applying any root cover up you choose. What really matters is that you’ve matched the right colour so that it blends into your hair.
Do:
Choose a shade darker than the rest of your hair colour. Roots are naturally darker so you’ll want to pick a shade that looks like you have natural growth rather than painted on dye.
Apply the dye at your parting, hairline and temples.
Use natural lighting to apply your root touch up. Bathroom and bedroom lights can give a different hue and you may end up applying too much/not enough.
Don’t:
Over do it. Root touch ups give a powdery and will dull your hair’s natural shine. The more you use, the more it will look noticeable and caked on.
Don’t forget that hair has natural highlights too. So apply your root touch up evenly but consider the places in which your hair will be naturally lighter – particularly when framing your face – and thin it out a little here.
Don’t get any on your skin! This is a dead giveaway that your roots are less than natural!
Which is the best root cover up?
In our reviews, there were two stand out-brands for us that take care of all your root hiding wishes. Each has their own pros and cons about what makes them the best around.
Now, we’re putting L’Oreal Magic Retouch and Color WOW Root Cover Up HEAD to HEAD to find the best of the best in covering up our hair colour sins.
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TOP PICK!
COLOR WOW Root Cover Up.
Easy to use total coverage that lasts.
No mess, no gunk, no trying to aim the spray exactly where you need it – these guys have cornered the market in easy-to-apply essentials. It’s kind of like applying an eye shadow to the roots of your hair but the effects are brilliant and it stays on until you wash it off. It’s also one that worked well for lighter colours. This is the top pick out of these two for us!
#1 L’Oreal Paris Magic Retouch.
Available in colours: Black, Brown, Dark Iced Brown, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Light Brown, Light Golden Brown, Red, Dark Blonde, Medium Blonder, Light Blonde.
They say:
- Magic retouch conceals greys and roots in just a quick, easy to use spray.
- Hits the spot when, where and how you need it.
- The science? Pinpoint micro-diffusers targets greys and rich pigments give long-lasting, blended coverage.
- Three seconds to flawless roots.
Reviewers say:
“Having never tried a root touch-up product like this, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have grey roots that seem to go from nothing to an inch long overnight! I was worried that the colour wouldn’t match so I tested it before leaving the house and it was great – It lasted until I washed my hair.”
“It’s quick, simple, and easy to use but probably best for darker hairs like black or brown. I have red hair and unfortunately the red one of these made my roots look orange! However the coverage was good so I’m not giving up – I may experiment with a light brown? I’ll report back!”
“I think this product covers well. It does come off a bit on your fingers and made me worry about if it rains. As it’s a spray, it’s quite powerful when it comes out so took me a while to get the knack of applying on just my roots and not my forehead too! You really only need it along your parting. Worked well for me.”
We say:
We love this range for the variety of colours, it’s won awards for being one of the best root touch-ups and regularly tops the charts. It’s powdery almost like a dry shampoo and does take a few goes to get the spray technique right!
If your roots are not too bad, you could try L’Oreal Magic Retouch Black Precision Instant Grey Concealer Brush which is easier to apply as you can be more precise. But Magic Touch spray is best for more coverage. We agree with the review above that it’s best for darker colours. Once you get the hang of applying it, it sticks until your next shampoo so a great root touch-up solution.
Pros:
- Good coverage.
- Long lasting.
- Best for darker hair shades.
- Good value for money.
Cons:
- Spray is hard to control.
- Not so good for lighter hair shades.
- One can only lasted a few applications.
Overall rating: 8/10
#2 COLOR WOW Root Cover Up.
Available in colours: Black, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Light Brown, Dark Blonder, Light Blonde, Platinum, Red.
They say:
- It’s not sticky or waxy like mascaras and crayons.
- Looks completely natural.
- Water resistant!
- Makes hair look thicker and colour more vibrant.
- Covers even dark roots without chemicals like peroxide.
Reviewers say:
“I”ve been using the medium brown root cover-up product which is so easy to apply, it’s brilliant. It stays on perfectly until hair is washed. When I first bought it, I bought it as a treat for myself as I thought it was rather expensive for what it was. But it lasts for AGES and works so well that I’ll always buy it now.”
“I find it’s good for my eye brows too! Seems to last well. This is my second one – the other one lasted a year!”
“This matches my hair colour to a tee! Perfect for in between color appts and leaves no yucky residue like other sprays and mascaras I have tried in the past. So glad I found Colour Wow.”
We say:
We first recommended this one in How to look after your coloured hair and keep it luscious for longer.
No mess, no gunk, no trying to aim the spray exactly where you need it – these guys have cornered the market in easy-to-apply essentials. It’s kind of like applying an eye shadow to the roots of your hair but the effects are brilliant and it stays on until you wash it off.
The brush allows for precision and a little goes a long way so you don’t need a lot. Comes in a range of great colours (the red is to die for) and in a case that’s handy for your handbag if you need to retouch throughout the day. Definitely worth the money for hiding hair sins and one of the best root touch-ups there is.
Pros:
- Great coverage.
- Waterproof so doesn’t come off in the rain!
- Lasts for ages.
- Amazing coverage for lighter colours too.
- Easy to apply.
Cons:
- Pricey but a little goes a long way so it’s economical in the long run.
Overall rating: 9.5/10
TOP PICK!
COLOR WOW Root Cover Up.
Easy to use total coverage that lasts.
No mess, no gunk, no trying to aim the spray exactly where you need it – these guys have cornered the market in easy-to-apply essentials. It’s kind of like applying an eye shadow to the roots of your hair but the effects are brilliant and it stays on until you wash it off. It’s also one that worked well for lighter colours unlike L’Oreal Magic Retouch. This is the top pick out of these two for us!
