What Is a Root Smudge?

Keeping up with hair color maintenance can be time-consuming and might even cause damage to the hair if it is treated with color too often. This is especially true for those who choose to have their hair professionally colored with a shade that is very different from their natural color. In order to do this, frequent salon visits are required to treat the new hair growth at the roots. For all-over blondes with naturally dark hair, this can end up being a constant occurrence. Thankfully, the root smudging technique helps new hair growth look more natural and eliminates the need for quite as many touch-up sessions.

Root smudge refers to a technique widely used by hair stylists to make the growth of new hair look less stark or dramatic compared to the hair that was at the root at the time of coloring. Stylists use high-quality professional hair lightener to lighten the area closest to the roots just a few shades lighter than the natural dark hair color, which creates a smooth transition between the lightest color and the natural root color. Keep reading to learn more about the root smudging process, techniques and more. 

Is Root Smudge Different From Other Root Lightening Techniques?

In addition to root smudge, there are also techniques like root tap, root melt and root shadow. Essentially, all of these include the same core idea, which involves altering the hair color near the top of the head to create a smooth transition when the client’s natural roots begin to grow in. Otherwise, they would be left with a specific (and very visible) line where the hair color stops and their natural color begins. While a root melt is a more noticeable and involved process that makes the roots appear as though they are literally “melting” into the rest of the hair, the root smudging technique is a less dramatic approach to transitioning and blending shades of hair.

The Root Smudge Technique

The root smudge itself is done best by a pro. It should only involve the application of a professional semi-permanent hair color and the shade of hair color should be chosen based on both the person’s natural hair color and the lighter color toward the ends of the hair. Stylists should utilize a smudging shade that is a couple of levels lighter than the natural base hair color and also meshes well with the undertones of the lighter hair color as well. The actual smudging technique looks like actual smudging of color onto the hair to emulate a natural, smooth color transition between the natural hair color and color-treated hair. Hairdressers should perform this part of the process until the smudging color reaches an even layer of coverage around the roots. Once the hair color has been processed, blow drying and styling will help the transition look most natural.

Root smudge is great for creating a lived-in look that allows for visible roots without unsightly harsh lines where colored hair meets its natural base color. Stylists can offer a root smudge session to their clients as a way to keep their hair from being overtreated with color at the roots. Once the root smudging process is complete, the hair should appear as though the base color naturally transitions to the color-treated hair within an inch or two, making for a seamless and healthy look.