Root Shadow Vs. Root Melt—Do You Know The Difference?

We’re Breaking Down The Difference Between A Root Shadow & A Root Melt

Placing a darker color at the roots is a great way to add much-needed dimension AND ensures the fade out is super seamless. Because we’re in the thick of shadow root season, we need to ask: Do you know the difference between a root shadow and a root melt? We do now thanks to a genius post shared by BTC Team Member Carly Zanoni (@the.blonde.chronicles) on Instagram—and we’re breaking it all down below! Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about these haircolor techniques. 

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A post shared by San Diego 💎 Hair Stylist (@the.blonde.chronicles) on Oct 21, 2019 at 6:13pm PDT

Products Used

Demi-Permanent Color

Shades EQ

Redken

Demi-Permanent Color

Color Touch

Wella Professionals

Root Shadow

• When: After traditional foil highlights that go all the way up to the roots.

• Why: To blur or “shadow” the area at the roots where the highlight and natural color meet without completely covering up the highlights.

• How: Apply the shadow root formula in horizontal sections to about 1-inch from the roots, leaving out the hairline foils for a brighter pop in the front. Process for about 2 to 15 minutes.

• What: Carly aims for the root area to be one to two levels darker than the highlights. “My favorite root shadow formulas are any combination of Redken Shades EQ 9N, 8N, 7N, 7P, 9P and 7T⁣,⁣⁣” she shares.

Root Melt

• When: After a teasylight foil when creating a rooty, lived-in look.

• Why: To completely erase any demarcation lines so no one can tell where the natural base color ends and the highlights begin.

• How: Apply the root melt formula about 1 inch past where the teasylights begin, which for Carly is about 2- to 3-inches down from the root. Process for 5 to 20 minutes.

• What: Carly either aims for the same level as the client’s natural color or a level darker depending on the desired look. “My favorite root melt formulas are any combination of Wella Professionals Color Touch 7/89, 5/1, 6/0 and 5/0 or any combination of Redken Shades EQ 4N, 5N, 6N, 6T and 7T ⁣,” she notes.

5 Placement Tips For Creating Depth & Dimension—TAP HERE!