How to Use Color Wow Root Cover Up: Press, Don't Sweep
Short answer: Start with dry hair. Load the small end of the brush with powder, pull the hair flat and taut, and press the brush firmly into the roots from the scalp outward, in a stippling motion rather than a sweep. Repeat until the area is covered, then dust off excess with the wide end of the brush. To extend highlights, Color Wow says to use the side edge of the small brush. It lasts until your next shampoo.
Color Wow's three steps
- Dry hair, loaded brush. Make sure your hair is dry, then load the small end of the brush with powder.
- Flat, taut, press. Pull the hair flat and taut, then press the brush firmly into the roots, starting at the scalp and working outward. Add powder as needed. Color Wow says to avoid a sweeping motion, and its FAQ calls it a stippling or stenciling motion.
- Dust off. Lightly dust off excess powder with the wide end of the brush. For grown-out highlights, use the side edge of the small brush.
These steps are from colorwowhair.com, checked on 2 November 2026.
Area by area
| Area | How | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Part line | Hold the hair flat on one side, press along the part in short sections, then do the other side | Check from above with a hand mirror |
| Hairline and temples | Small amounts, pressed close to the root | A lighter layer here looks more natural next to skin |
| Grown-out highlights | The side edge of the small brush, as Color Wow suggests | Follow the direction of the highlight |
| Crown and back | Section with a comb and use a second mirror | Do this first, while your arms are fresh |
The back of the head is covered in more detail in how to cover roots at the back of your head.
Why it looks patchy or too dark
- Sweeping instead of pressing. A sweep moves powder along the hair and leaves gaps at the root.
- Damp hair. Color Wow starts with dry hair for a reason: moisture makes powder grab unevenly.
- Too much in one pass. Build it up, then dust off. A heavy layer looks matte and flat.
- A shade that is too dark. Next to skin, the darker of two shades is the one people notice.
- Oily roots. Powder clumps on oil.
Fixes are in why root powder looks chalky or patchy and root cover powder on oily hair. Choosing the right shade is in Color Wow Root Cover Up colors.
Dry shampoo, hairspray and heat
Color Wow's page does not say where Root Cover Up goes in your styling routine. Madison Reed, for its own root powder, suggests a light mist of hairspray on freshly washed hair before applying. The order that works for most people is in our separate guides:
- Dry shampoo before or after root powder
- Hairspray before or after root cover powder
- Root powder before or after blow-drying
Taking it off
Color Wow says it washes out completely with shampoo. On skin, a cleanser or makeup remover lifts it.
See how to get root powder off skin and the hairline. For what the product is and what the brand claims, see Color Wow Root Cover Up explained.
Where does BUNEE fit?
BUNEE is a temporary root-cover powder in a pressed compact with a mirror and applicator puff. It comes in 12 shades: Black, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Light Brown, Golden Brown, Auburn, Blonde, Medium Blonde, Light Blonde, Dark Grey, Grey and White. It washes out with shampoo and is not a dye. It comes with a puff instead of a brush: tap on a thin layer, add only where the scalp still shows, then soften the edge with your fingertip. Delivery is 10 to 17 business days, so order ahead of the date you need it.
FAQ
Do you put Color Wow Root Cover Up on wet or dry hair?
On dry hair. Color Wow's first step is to make sure your hair is dry.
Which end of the Color Wow brush do you use?
The small end to press powder into the roots, and the wide end to dust off excess. The side edge of the small brush is for highlights.
How often can you use Color Wow Root Cover Up?
Color Wow says whenever you see gray or regrowth, and that you can use it every time you wash.
Can you use Color Wow Root Cover Up on highlights?
Yes. Color Wow says to use the side edge of the small brush to extend highlights.
Why does my Color Wow Root Cover Up look patchy?
Usually sweeping instead of pressing, damp or oily roots, or too much in one pass. Press, build thin layers and dust off.
See BUNEE shades
Temporary root-cover powder in a pressed compact with mirror and applicator, 12 shades. Delivered in 10 to 17 business days, so order ahead of the date you need it. Sold by TIGERBESTBRANDS LLC.
Sources, checked 2 November 2026: Color Wow, Root Cover Up how to use and FAQ · Madison Reed, The Great Cover Up, pro tip · BUNEE, shades and delivery. Brand names are used for comparison only. We have no business relationship with the companies mentioned, and facts about their products come from their own pages or retailer listings, not our testing.