How to cover roots at the back of your head

Short answer: Use two mirrors or your phone camera so you can see the crown, then tap root touch-up powder on dry hair in thin layers. Work section by section along the part and the crown swirl, and check the result in daylight. The front of the part matters most, so start there and blend backward.

Why the back is harder

At the front, you can see the part and hairline in any mirror. The crown and the back of the head are a different story. You cannot see them directly, the hair often grows in a swirl, and the part tends to spread there. That is also where others see your roots when they are standing behind you or when you sit down.

The good news: you do not need to cover the whole back of your head. You only need to soften the places where scalp and gray roots show through, mostly the crown and the back of the part.

The setup

• Two mirrors. Stand with your back to a bathroom mirror and hold a hand mirror in front of you, angled so you can see the back of your head.
• Or a phone camera. Use the front camera with a timer, or take a quick photo of the back of your head. It is slower, but very clear.
• Daylight. Stand near a window if you can. Bathroom lighting can hide gray that shows outside.
• Dry, styled hair. Style first, then apply.

Step by step

1. Look at the crown in your mirror or photo. Note where the gray shows: a line along the part, a swirl, or a few scattered strands.
2. Press the applicator lightly into the powder and tap off the extra.
3. Start at the front of the part and work back in small sections, tapping the powder on the roots.
4. At the crown swirl, follow the direction the hair grows. Lift small sections with a comb tail and tap along the base.
5. Check with the mirror or a new photo. Add one thin layer only where it still shows.
6. Brush away loose powder and check your collar.

Thin layers look more like hair. A heavy layer at the crown can look like a dark patch when the light hits it from above. For more on technique, see how to apply root cover powder.

If you wear a ponytail or a bun

Pulling hair back shows roots at the nape and behind the ears, not just the crown. Style your hair up first, then cover the visible lines where the hair is pulled tight. Work in front of the mirror with your head turned.

If the crown looks see-through

When the scalp shows more at the crown, a shade close to your hair color softens the contrast between hair and scalp. It is a cosmetic look, not a treatment. Our guide to making a wide or see-through parting look less noticeable covers this in detail. If you notice sudden or patchy shedding, see a doctor or dermatologist.

Quick checklist

What it can and can't do

Root powder at the crown can:

• Soften gray roots and a visible crown swirl for a day.
• Blend the back of the part with the front.
• Wash out with shampoo.

It can't:

• Cover a wide band of regrowth across the whole back.
• Lighten hair or change your overall color.
• Stay unchanged when you lean back on a headrest or a pillow; any colored powder can transfer.

Where BUNEE fits

BUNEE is a pressed root touch-up powder in a compact with a built-in mirror and an applicator puff, in 12 shades. The compact mirror works well as the hand mirror for this job. It is not a dye and has no PPD or peroxide. Check the ingredient list on the pack and do a patch test if you have sensitive skin. To choose a shade, read how to match your root cover shade.

Delivery to the United States is 10-17 business days. Order it a few weeks before you need it.

FAQ

Can I cover crown roots without help?

Yes. Two mirrors or a phone photo let you see the back of your head well enough to work in sections.

Should the crown get the same shade as the front?

Usually yes. If your hair is lighter at the back, choose the shade that matches most of your roots and keep the layer light.

How do I stop powder from getting on the headrest?

Brush away loose powder, keep the layer thin and let it settle for a minute before you sit back.