What is a blonde shadow root?

If you haven't made it to a salon since the pandemic started, fear not, as your overgrown roots are actually trending. That's right—a shadow root is one of the coolest hair colors you can get this spring. 

Okay, so it's a little more elegant than months-old grow-out, but it is way less upkeep than your usual hair color. Basically, a shadow root, also called a root smudge, is when your stylist goes back over your highlights or fresh color with a shade closer to your natural shade. This not only gives your hair a cooler “lived-in” feel, it extends the life of your color by fading into your natural roots, instead of leaving a harsh demarcation line. 

Lauren Grummel, a hairstylist in New York, loves this technique for both its ability to extend your grow-out, as well as adding pretty dimension. While a shadow root can be done on pretty much any shade, she particularly likes to do it on her blond-haired clients. “I love it for its subtle contrast,” she says. “Ask for brighter ends, with dimension through the midlength and less blond through the roots, and always brighter pieces around your face.” 

Overgrown hair roots that recently looked unattractive and messy are no longer a big deal; moreover, top hair stylists encourage clients to preserve the naturalness of the melted colors and to try a shadow root coloring technique. This means leaving the roots untouched when coloring the rest of the hair lighter, making a beautiful, blurred transition between the shades, as well as allowing the natural hair color to grow out. Read on to find out the most important benefits of shadow roots and to get the best ideas for hair coloring!

What Is Shadow Root Hair?

Grown-out roots are no longer a sign of untidiness or messiness. On the contrary, they’re one of the main trends of recent seasons. If you always follow novelties in the beauty industry, it’s high time for you to stop dyeing your roots, because one of the hot, “new old” trends of this autumn is shadow root hair, which is beginning to overshadow the popular ombre hairstyle.

Shadow root technique lies in the same dark roots and lighter ends, but without a sharp contrast between them. The colorist stretches out the dye along the entire length of the hair, creating a shadow effect: The roots and the hair closest to the root remain untouched, and the tips can be colored in a lighter shade. The result is a stylish gradient that has a blurred transition.

Shadow hair color is a perfect option if you want to try something new and leave traditional single-process hair color behind.

Benefits of Shadow Root Coloring Technique

Speaking of positive options this coloring technique may bring into your dye routine, many points should be mentioned. Shadow roots can really make your life much easier and happier since they:

• add lightness and volume to the hair;
• provide a low-maintenance hairstyle requiring no regular dyeing for up to three months;
• allow girls to grow out their natural hair color to the desired length;
• work with any hair length;
• give fresh vibes and naturalness to your image;
• promote healthier hair since the roots don’t require constant dyeing;
• keep time and spending to a minimum to achieve a well-groomed look;
• make the hairstyle look dashing, as they already became iconic due to trendsetters, celebrities, and fashionable Coachella vibes;
• encourage experimentation with various colors and styles (think purple, blue, or even rainbow roots).

Who chooses this coloring technique? It’s a great option for women who don’t dare to change their image dramatically and for those who are fed up with regular hair appointments. Girls who prefer a casual style will be delighted as well because this hair coloring technique creates a nonchalant effect and looks chic at the same time.

Shadow Root Hair Technique

Root darkening requires adherence to a certain method. The stylist applies the dye to the locks, leaving the roots as they are. It’s important that the transition between the root color and the base tone is blended softly and smoothly. This is the detail that makes shadow root hair look stylish and neat.

In terms of coloring, this transition can be radical — for example, chestnut roots and ash blond ends — or less noticeable, with roots one to two shades darker than the base color.

Celebrity stylists have a few tricks up their sleeves for shadow root perfection. For example, stylist Justin Anderson applies the dye right at the roots. This helps him blend the color naturally with the highlights, which allows the hair to grow out in a subtle manner. The technique also helps get rid of any lines left behind by the foil. The process of coloring takes about 15 minutes, and then Anderson shampoos the hair, holding up the ends while rinsing.

The main desire of stylist Chris Weber is to make the hair shades look as natural as possible. To do so, he tones down the color of the roots, making them just slightly darker than the rest of the hair so the result isn’t too bold and unnatural.

Weber also avoids using permanent dyes on the roots. He prefers keeping the natural color or going with a semi-permanent dye. This is because roots sometimes come in lighter, which can result in a dark band of color that will need to be touched up.

Colored Roots Trend

Do you like vibrant shades? Then, there’s one coloring technique that you should try this year – colored roots. This involves applying the shadow root technique using unicorn colors, smoothly blurring into pastel along the entire hair length – whereas the roots still remain darker than the other hair, creating the shadow effect.

This means that colorists suggest you shouldn’t suffer because of overgrown roots, and that you can diversify with different shades. For example, you can try coloring your roots in pastel tones, or try out some interesting and unusual bright colors. Use any color scheme, and then you’ll definitely be edgy and very stylish!

Shadow Root Hair Looks to Show Your Stylist

If you want to try this intriguing hair coloring technique, but still haven’t decided which option to choose, here are some of the most creative and unique! Choose the best one for you and impress everybody around with your new stunning hairstyle. Let’s take a look.

#1: Shadow Roots Together with Balayage

This combination of techniques looks very attractive on the hair. For brown-haired girls, as well as for blondes, this option is ideal because it’s characterized by the subtle transition from the darkened roots to the luxurious natural shade of burnt hair on the tips, which is very voguish now.

#2: Blonde Hair with Dark Roots

One of еру most “convenient” coloring options is blonde with dark roots. Such a combination resembles ombre, but with an emphasis on the roots. You won’t have to constantly lighten them, and if they grow out a bit – it will look neat and stylish. This coloring technique visually adds some volume to the hair and makes the play of light more visible, which is why many girls prefer a combination of shades rather than one solid hair color. Besides, braided hairstyles on shadow root hair look amazing, don’t they?

#3: Shadow Roots for Red Hair

Red hair with darkened roots looks very glamorous and reminds us of warm autumn! The contrast between the shades makes the hair more voluminous and adds some dynamics to the image.

#4: Purple Shadow Roots

Purple color at the ends of the hair is familiar to everyone and looks pretty ordinary. But try to dye your roots in this shade and see how unusual and brilliant your hairstyle will become. Pastel lavender, violet, lilac, mauve and other beautiful shades of purple will beautifully harmonize with blonde hair and will make the whole look more tender and feminine.

#5: Shadow Roots for Gray Hair

Darkened roots will help to shade the gray color. This method allows a colorist to create a darker base and highlight the wonderful glow of the silver hair.

#6: Rainbow Roots to Keep It Fun

There’s one more beautiful alternative to shadow roots of natural shades: rainbow roots. This bright detail looks fantastic on any hair of any length or color. And it’s a wonderful way to always carry a piece of summer with you!

#7: Soft Pink Roots for Blonde Hair

Tamara DeFelice, the hairstylist of Butterfly Studio Salon in NYC, was the trendsetter for the rose-gold hair color. She advises adding brightness around the face, leaving a deeper blonde with a pink shade at the roots to look stylish and chic.

Now you can forget about any problems you previously had with your hair coloring routine! Today it’s in vogue to delay the root-toning appointment and to grow out the natural color. However, those who yearn for bright shades will also be satisfied, right?

Featured Image via Instagram

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