Put to the test root concealers

Best for: full coverage

Garnier Express Retouch Root Concealer, £7.99 What’s that there? I’ve got a friend who’s a serious hair dyer who swears by this retoucher. simply dab it onto silver flecks, wait a few minutes, then brush through to zap away greys. how’s the hair? as fresh as the day it was actually coloured. the concealer is water-resistant too, so it doesn’t run in the rain. Best for: precision

Bumble and Bumble Color Stick, £23 What’s that there? this creamy pencil is a doddle to use and completely mess-free (it didn’t transfer onto my skin at all). but what I love most about it is how precise and customised you can get the coverage – I could really get in there and “scribble” over problem areas.

how’s the hair? the stick works great for tiny touch-ups (including filling in sparse eyebrows like mine). the colour is buildable and completely believable – it’s like make-up for your hair! Best for: pro results

Josh Wood Colour Root Smudger, £12 What’s that there? Created by expert colourist and beauty ed favourite, Josh Wood, this literally does what it says on the tin – smudge roots. Just twist and squeeze to load the colour, then apply. easy. how’s the hair? brighter, fresher and hardly root-y at all. sounds weird, but it was actually enjoyable to apply it too – I felt quite the professional! Best for: Quick results

L’Oréal Paris Magic Retouch, £5.99 What’s that there? For those, “oh god, my roots!” moments, this ammonia-free, instant spray concealer revitalises your hair, pronto. the pinpoint microdiffuser meticulously covers problem areas in a rich pigment that lasts until shampooed out. how’s the hair? If you’re time-starved (who isn’t?), then this will be your roots-no-more go-to. I did have to be careful not to squirt my forehead, but the coverage is insanely good. Best for: highlights

Color WOW Root Cover Up, £28.50 What’s that there? Cleverly housed in a tote-friendly palette, it comes with a doubleended brush so you can apply the powder to large or small sections. how’s the hair? It takes a little patience to get the desired coverage, so I use it for extending highlights or disguising fine greys rather than root regrowth, but the finish is great. w&h