Are you an enthusiast of hair color and want to know about all the fine-tuning tricks there can possibly be? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place!
Because today I’m going to discuss two of the most delicate techniques known to hair stylists that can enhance your colored hair to a whole new level with some minor adjustments!
People often get confused between two concepts, and thus the title is held as an argument of ‘root smudge vs shadow root’.
Let me assure you, these are not the same thing since there exists some fundamental difference among the concepts.
Why not embark on this debate to find out which of these transcends over the other after going through all of their technicalities side by side?
Table of Contents
Your Guide to Root Smudge & Shadow Root in 2023
Before getting into the advanced and more technical stuff, let’s make sure that we stand on the same platform regarding the basics for root smudge and shadow root.
As you already know, stylists don’t bleach or colorize your hair root and usually leave a room of an inch untangled to retain your strand’s strength. It creates a stark contrast between your original color and the one you’ve applied if they are from different palettes.
That’s why root smudge and shadow roots are essential in order to blur the difference. There are additional benefits to both, which you’ll learn about after going through this section.
Root Smudge
In the hair industry, root smudge is a widely popular technique – especially when it comes down to hair coloring and highlighting. Root smudge isn’t a standalone application, rather it’s followed by applying highlights or hair color that’s something different to your natural hair tone.
This technique functions as a blender between your original color and applied color. It’s generally achieved by selecting a shade sitting in-between these two colors. This helps in smoothing out the color transition to make your hair look more natural!
Shadow Root
Shadow root is also a highly used technique in the field of hair styling and grooming. This technique is utilized by stylists to add more depth to your existing hair. How does it work, you may ask? As suggested by the name, you can already understand it has to do with your hair roots.
There, a darker shade of your original or applied color is put on as a coating after getting your hair color done. It functions as a shadow of hair which mimics a more engaging colorization. With the soft contrast toward darker tones, your colored hair comes out with a higher degree of brilliance!
Why Do You Need a Toner for Both?
Upon dyeing your hair, you might find some blind spots that have been missed out by your bleaching or coloring procedure and it’s quite normal. Toners are used to even out these gaps so that the overall hair color is adjusted or enhanced.
Toner itself is a hair product like hair dye and the most common applying context is when you’ve just dyed your hair. Since root smudge and shadow root both are adjustments after getting your hair color or highlighting done, using a toner is the orthodox method stylists these days opt for.
So in short, the core function of a toner is to neutralize, enhance or balance colored hair and these align perfectly with shadow root or root smudge. Since toners come in different shades, all you need to do is to find the perfect one fitting your color!
The Difference Between Root Smudge & Shadow Root
To be very frank, the answer to this question is simple: it’s completely up to your preference. This depends on the look you’re trying to achieve as well as the final outcome you expect from your hair coloring or highlighting.
If it helps you make up your mind, go for root smudge should your prime concern lies with the new color or highlight you’ve applied and want every eye to focus on that. Root smudge helps you stand out from the lot with a captivating set of hair no matter where you might go!
Shadow root on the other hand caters more toward the ones who prefer gravity in their looks instead of bubbly styles. It tends to minimize the exotic nature of a hair dye result and fits perfectly with any formal to semi-formal setting without raising a brow.
End of the day, you have to consider all of the factors and expectations regarding your hairstyle as well as your looks. Consult a stylist if needed. All of these will help you in reaching a verdict between root smudge and shadow root.
Difference in Application
In terms of applying root smudge and shadow root, the technical procedures are somewhat similar. Both are applied after coloring or highlighting your hair, both require toners for a smooth gradient and the waiting time is almost identical upon execution.
A major difference you’ll notice is at the extent of each technique. Root smudges are strictly restricted to the roots with a span of around an inch or two. Shadow roots can exceed this confinement by a couple more inches if it satisfies your taste bud.
Another thing to consider is your hair color – both the original and the one applied manually. Root smudge doesn’t bother much about these colors as its only goal is to create a gradient between the two.
But when it comes to shadow roots, it’s more visible when the two colors in concern are toward a lighter tone. That way, the darker shadows make themselves more visible than they would over a dark set of hair.
Thus, root smudge is lighter in contrast with shadow root and it’s something important you should keep in your knowledge.
Maintenance Variance for Shadow Root & Root Smudge
Since shadow root and root smudging both utilize similar toners or color-safe products, the maintenance routines are almost identical for both. The factors that are slightly different from one another should be the ones you understand broadly.
- Intense Washing & Shampooing: Intense washing and using sulfate-based shampoos can deteriorate the quality of shadow root and root smudge alike. But the fact that shadow roots are based on darker tones, this one is more vulnerable to the other in terms of loss. So all shadow root enthusiasts must be more careful than root smudge applicants.
- Regular Touch-ups: On the same note, shadow roots require a little bit more frequent touch-ups than the ones with root smudge. As root smudges are lighter, they’re made apparent over a longer period of time than shadow root would. Thus, keep regular contact with your stylist to know when’s the right time for a small tough-up to keep the hair look seamless.
- Avoid Swimming Pool Water: The chlorine in swimming pool water tends to be quite aggressive on colored hair. Root smudges take the heat at a higher degree than your shadow roots would because of the different gradients each belongs to. So bring your swimming cap every time if you feel obligated to dive into the pool!
And of course, visit your stylist once a month. They’re a better judge of these maintenance since all of the root smudge and shadow root contexts are unique for each individual. A professional’s inspection should guide you toward a sustainable and healthy post-color phase!
FAQ
We’ve already discussed the most important and necessary factors about root smudge and shadow root. This FAQ section answers a couple of minor queries which individuals with hair color tend to look for the answers to!
Q: Which one lasts longer between root smudge and shadow root last?
Ans: It all depends on your maintenance, the color of your hair and the color you’ve applied afterward. Also, the lasting duration varies between lighter colors to darker ones. If you maintain correctly, both should last you between 4-8 weeks with a slight edge to shadow roots.
Q: Are there any other blending methods than shadow root and root smudge?
Ans: There are tons of other hair color blending techniques other than the two we’ve been talking about. These two are similar in the sense both are concerned with the root of your hair. Additionally, Balayage, Ombre, Somber, Color Melt, Foilyage etc. are some of the most common techniques for hair color blending.
Q: What is the root smudge formula?
Ans: There exists a formula for applying root smudge in the right way with perfect precision each time. It’s called “Ashley’s fave Shades EQ formulas” and they have one for root smudges as well. The formula is: 7N + 7T, 7N + 6T, 6N + 6T, 7M + 6N + a splash 6T or 6N + 5G (where, N=Natural, T=Tonal, M=Mahogany or Burgundy and G=Gold or Golden).
Thoughts
With all of the aspects, technical differences and basic foundations discussed on the root smudge vs shadow root debate, I hope each of the concepts has become clear to you now.
To sum up, root smudge is of a lighter tone while shadow root puts darker shades on display. That’s why, the former can almost work with any hair color or highlight while the latter struggles to make itself apparent on darker colors.
But the goals are simple – for a smooth transition, root smudge should be your ideal choice. And to add some depth and finesse to your newly done hair color, shadow root will treat you just right!
However, do consult a professional for a specialized opinion to make either of these techniques work out perfectly!
