Visible roots used to be considered a beauty faux pas. But with the rise of ombre and balayage hair color , a few inches of natural hair regrowth has become a cool look. Add in the fact that touching up between salon appointments can be high-maintenance and expensive and it’s easy to see why people are embracing their roots.
There are various ways to achieve intentional roots. One is to cancel that touch-up appointment and let them come in naturally. Fans of ombre or dip dyes can ask their colorists to create a gradient effect that allows the natural hair color to show through. For a completely different take on the trend, try coloring roots and leaving lengths natural.
Get ready to take that hat off, put down the root concealer products and get inspired by the pretty ways to show off roots.
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Golden Curls
Binx Walton has model-off-duty style down pat, but she's also known for rocking regrowth. The few inches of dark roots offset blond curls for an edgy look.
Image: Imaxtree
Pink and Peach
Toughen up cotton candy pink hair with some exposed dark roots. Then add some peach into bangs for another twist. Feeling adventurous? Dye brows peach to match the streaks. We dare you.
Image: Imaxtree
Ombre Away
When an ombre hair color looks this good, no one will think about dyeing their entire head blonde. Dark roots against platinum blond hair create an effortless surfer vibe. Heighten the effect by styling locks in loose waves.
Image: @givemegabrielle
Tangerine Dreams
Add some edge to blorange hair by leaving roots intentionally dark. The orange hair against brown roots creates an autumnal vibe, which is especially good for fall.
Image: @fernandaa_delima
Reveal Roots
Don't wait for hair to grow out. Ask your stylist to create an ombre look that incorporates your natural color. The blue, purple and pink streaks have been expertly woven into this bob.
Image: @meow_artofhair
Bit of Blue
Flip the look by adding hair color to roots and leaving the lengths au naturel. Try coloring roots with a bright hair chalk for a playful twist on rainbow hair.
Image: Imaxtree
Teal Times
Now this is a #colormelt. The way the black roots mix with teal lengths is seamless. It's not clear where the natural hair ends and the hair dye begins — and that's the sign of a good gradient look.
Image: @royal_mane_vibes
Grayscale
Black roots plus gray hair equals an unbeatable combination. And the more hair grows out, the better it looks.
Image: @meagan_at_nomobo
The Root of It
Styled up or down, intentional roots look good. The dark roots prevent the pink double buns from looking too saccharine. Same goes for the dark lipstick.
Image: @nyane
Green Gradient
Concerned that dark roots will look out of place in a green ombre hair color? Tie them into the look with dark streaks surrounding the face. Take inspiration from Chloe Nørgaard and try two-tone black and white streaks for a fun twist.
Image: Imaxtree
Back to Black
Platinum blonde is notoriously hard to maintain. Instead, embrace those dark roots and there's no need to run to the salon every few weeks.
Image: @chelseaonfleek
Blond Ambition
Here's another example of platinum blonde hair with several inches of inky roots.
Image: @swizzzzle_
Purple Pieces
Intentional roots work on any hair length. The way this asymmetric bob fades from natural black plays up the shaved sides.
Image: @ahead_of_hair
Rock Regrowth
Don't fake it — own those dark roots. A few inches of regrowth can actually make an old pink dye job feel like new. Take inspiration from rainbow hair queen Chloe Nørgaard.
Image: Imaxtree
Technicolor Tresses
Irene Kim is always good for inspiration on the hair and fashion fronts. Here, she's serving up some major intentional roots with her grown-out multicolored lob.
Image: @ireneisgood
Grown Out
This is the midway point between grown-out hair and a subtle dip dye. The balance of blue and brown is right on for the mid-length hairstyle. Adjust the proportions depending on hair length.
Image: Imaxtree
Lemon Lengths
This is anything but mellow yellow. Yellow is an often forgotten shade, but this gradient hair color will convince anyone to try the neon shade and intentional roots.
Image: @jaymz.marsters
Black and Blue
Want to try the visible roots trend without getting too extreme? Try a hair color that isn't too far from your natural color. This deep blue blends well with dark hair.
Image: Imaxtree
Root Reveal
Maintaining rainbow hair can be a high-maintenance job. Focus on keeping pinks and blues bold, but let roots grow in. It will add some edge to the pastel lengths. Plus, it will save you the pricey salon touch-ups.
Image: @candyhashi
See the Rainbow
Do away with the idea that roots have to match hair entirely with rainbow roots against silver strands. Create the colorful effect with hair dye or chalk for a temporary look.
Image: @kellymccormickhair
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