Root touch-ups while travelling

Short answer: A pressed root powder is a compact travel option, with its own mirror and applicator. There are no bottles to decant or colour to mix in a hotel bathroom. Pack it closed, apply it to dry hair before heading out, and wash it out later. It is a temporary touch-up, not a lasting change.

The problem with roots on holiday

You colour your hair, you book a trip, and somewhere around day ten the regrowth appears. Hotel bathroom lighting, a dozen photos a day, and not a colourist for hundreds of kilometres.

You have three options: go for a colour before you leave, do a quick fix while you are away, or accept the roots and enjoy yourself. All three are fine. If you want the middle one, here is how to do it without making a mess of your suitcase.

Why a powder suits travel

• It is dry. No liquids, no leaks, and nothing to fall foul of cabin luggage limits. Always check the current rules with your airline and the airport security authority, as they differ between countries and change over time.
• It is small. One compact does the job of a bag of supplies.
• It has its own mirror and applicator, so you are not hunting for a good mirror in a dim hotel bathroom.
• It is quick. A minute before breakfast, a minute before dinner.
• It rinses out with a normal shampoo, so you are not stuck with a decision if you change your mind.

What to pack, and what to skip

Pack:

• Your root powder compact.
• A small, soft brush or a spare applicator.
• A dark hair tie or a headband to keep hair in place while you apply.
• A pair of cotton buds for tidying the skin along the hairline.
• A dark towel for the hotel, if you are the nervous type about marks.

Skip:

• A box dye. They take time, need a patch test, can stain basins and towels, and you will not want to be doing this in someone else's bathroom.
• A large, heavy can of spray. Aerosols are limited on flights, and sprays can drift onto hotel furniture.

Travel realities, honestly

Humidity and sweat. Tropical heat, a long day in the sun or a beach walk means sweat and moisture. Expect to top up, and keep the compact in your day bag. We go into more detail here: how long it lasts.

Swimming. If you are going in the pool or the ocean, plan to reapply after you are dry. Do not rely on it staying put in water.

Hats and sunglasses. A hat band or sunglasses pushed up on your head can rub the hairline. If you are going to be wearing one, apply a little lighter and let it settle first.

Hotel linen. A little powder can transfer to a pillow. A dark scarf over the pillowcase, or just brushing off the excess before bed, keeps the housekeeping happy.

Photos. You will be taking a lot of them. Check your roots with your phone camera before you leave the room, because that is how they will be recorded.

A tiny routine for the road

1. Do your hair as usual, with the part where you want it.
2. Tap a little powder onto the applicator and press along the parting and front hairline.
3. Blend outwards with light strokes, then check in the compact's mirror.
4. Brush off any excess, particularly from the forehead and collar.
5. Pop the compact in your day bag and reapply if you need it.

For a step-by-step walk-through, see how to apply root cover powder.

Planning ahead for a trip

If you are heading overseas for a big trip and the compact has not arrived yet, remember that our delivery to Australia is 10 to 18 business days. Order well before the packing starts, or you will be doing your colour at the airport newsagent.

Where BUNEE fits

BUNEE is a pressed root-cover powder in a compact with a mirror and an applicator, in 12 shades. It is not a dye, does not contain PPD or peroxide, and washes out with one shampoo. It is the kind of thing that lives in a toiletries bag for a week and comes home with you, which is the whole point.

FAQ

Can I take root powder in hand luggage?

Rules differ between airlines and countries, and they change. Check your airline and the airport security authority before you travel. A solid pressed compact is generally easier to deal with than liquids and aerosols, but we cannot guarantee how any particular airport will treat it.

Will it survive humidity?

Sweat and moisture can lift a surface powder, so expect to touch up through the day in hot, humid places.

Can I swim with it on?

Swimming can shift a surface powder, so plan to reapply once you are dry.

Should I colour my hair before I leave instead?

If you have time, a colour a week or so before you go gives a longer-lasting result. A powder is a good backup for the in-between days.

Will it mark hotel pillows?

A little can transfer. Brush off the excess and use a dark scarf or pillowcase if you are concerned.