There are some things people tell you in life that you probably don't listen to and others you, well, should.

"Put on a coat," says your mum. "Never sleep in your makeup," demands your dermatologist (who is absolutely right, of course [1]!). "If you dye your hair, make sure to get your roots touched up every four to six weeks," pleads your colourist. It's likely you rarely play by the book with all of them, particularly the latter. I'm here to tell you exactly why you should listen to your colourist and get your roots touched up consistently, without fail, if you want to save money, time, and hassle.

To give you a little context, I joined the root touch-up club after going copper [2] five weeks ago and Jack Howard [3] from Paul Edmonds Salon [4] in London schooled me on why it's so important to play by the rules when it comes to root touch-ups.

Howard encourages clients to book a follow-up appointment every four to six weeks. He explained it's very important to stick to this timeline, as the keratin in the hair is softer during this period, and when the regrowth application is applied, the colour takes evenly with the rest of the hair. If you wait any longer than six weeks (for example, eight to 12 weeks), the keratin won't be as soft, and a colourist has to commit to a "long regrowth application plus adding the colour development." He said, "This is an unnecessary, lengthy application and will cost a lot more money in the long run. If left longer than six weeks, the client will be left with 'hot roots,' which is when the root colour is brighter than the rest of the hair."

Sounds like a waste of time and money, right? That's because it is. So consider this a warning to your wallet and your hair. Why spend money and effort on new colour if you aren't going to look after it? Keep reading if you want to see exactly how Howard touches up my copper hair.

Before Root Touch-Up

This is what my hair looked like before getting my roots done (I'm not staring into your soul, I promise, just an awkward salon selfie). And let's just say I took full advantage of a professional hair wash at the end of the week and left it maybe a touch too long.

Feathering Technique

Howard used a feathering technique to touch up my roots, which avoids harsh regrowth lines.

Colour Processing

This was left to marinate (if we're being technical) for 20-30 minutes.

Gloss

Once the roots had processed, it was all washed out, then a gloss was applied to refresh the shine without adding any more colour.

Finished Result

The finished result is seamless roots, an all-over refresh gloss, and one happy client.