What is a root melt?

Root melting is the effect of smudging the root to create the transitional lived-in colour. Your hairstylist will blend colours to avoid harsh demarcation lines between colours.

How long does a root melt last?

"How low of maintenance it is really depends on how dark you choose to shadow, but I don't suggest taking it more than one to two levels or the grow out will be very noticeable. The touch-ups can be every three to four months."

What is the difference between a root melt and balayage?

What is balayage? Whereas color melting is all about depositing tone to achieve the right color, balayage is a lightening technique that uses clay lightener. Balayage involves applying product to hair in a natural manner (quite literally painting it on) in order to achieve a natural, sun-kissed, lived-in look.

How is a root melt done?

If you've heard of root shadow, you may have heard of root melt. The root melt technique is done after foiling services like highlights or babylights to completely blur out any lines of demarcation (AKA the line where darker hair meets lighter hair.)

What's the difference between shadow root and root melt?

Unlike the root shadow, which creates a harsher line between the hues, the root melt seamlessly blends the colours together for a smoother balayage. "A root melt is different from a root shadow as root melting eliminates the harsh line of colour demarcation, however, root shadow creates a slight shadow.

HAIRBUSTERS: Root Shadow vs. Root Melt

How much is a root melt?

However, before you rush off to the salon, you should be aware of a very real fact. Proper color melting won't come cheap. According to ModernSalon.com, color melting can cost anywhere between $150 to $175 for the process.

Can you do a root melt on blonde hair?

This look is low maintenance as it lets you embrace your roots and natural color while also having the lightness and brightness of highlights or balayage lower down. A root melt is for clients who love a deep-rooted look. Perfect for brunette melts, high-contrast blondes, and summer to fall blonde transformations.

Should I get a root smudge?

A root smudge is best suited for when a client wants to achieve a more blended root after foiling, or when they simply want a more seamless blend after another service. You can also use this technique to create more depth or tonal change on someone who doesn't like their natural tone.

What's the difference between shadow root and balayage?

Balayage is similar to the shadow root style since it incorporates a type of blending where the darker hair is up top and the lighter hair is on the bottom. The difference is in the way the stylist applies the color. The balayage technique focuses on lightening the ends of the hair.

How long does it take to do a color melt?

20 minutes is typically the maximum amount of time you should let hair process.

Can you color melt with permanent color?

To achieve a successful color melt and keep your hair safe, you must be using a semi-perm pigment additive dye, NOT a permanent dye that uses a chemical process to change or lighten the appearance of your hair.

What does it mean to color melt hair?

Finally, color melting is when a stylist uses three or more colors and overlaps them in a way to create a seamless blending of shades that looks like it could've naturally occurred, even if the colors used to achieve the effect aren't natural hair colors.

How long does a root stretch take?

A root melt usually lasts around 4-6 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. It will gradually fade and blend in with your natural hair colour over time. You can touch up the roots as needed to keep the look fresh.

Does a root smudge cover GREY?

Root smudge is actually the same type of application as a color retouch that you would get when covering your gray hair.

Can I do a root smudge at home?

Part your hair as usual, and 'smudge' the hair color onto your roots along your natural part so that it covers 1” of your root hairs. Continue to apply the hair color to your roots in layers, about every ¼” along the hairline, to thoroughly cover all root hairs. Create the root shadow.

How do you blend dark roots with blonde hair at home?

What's a shadow root?

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.

Can you do a root smudge on wet hair?

One of the most important rules when doing root smudge is to work on damp hair. If you apply any color to dry hair directly, it will instantly get absorbed into the strands and makes the blending process hard.

What is a root melt toner?

Root melting is the effect of smudging the root to create the transitional lived-in colour. Your hairstylist will blend colours to avoid harsh demarcation lines between colours.

Can you shadow root with toner?

When toning, always apply the root color first, says Cassandra. This helps with timing and allows the root to process the longest—giving it the max depth and deposit necessary. Pro Tip: Cassandra says she always tones on damp hair, and when working on blondes, she rarely goes darker than a Level 6.

Do I want highlights or balayage?

"Highlights are often placed much closer to the scalp and applied in specific sections while the balayage process includes a graduated painting the color onto the hair in random sections," says Rivera. If you are looking to add non-uniform chunks or sweeps of color, balayage is a better option.