How to apply root cover powder

Short answer: Start with clean, dry, styled hair. Pick up a little powder on the applicator, tap off the excess, press it along the parting and hairline in short dabs, then blend outwards and brush off the loose bits. Build up in thin layers and check in daylight. Wash it out with your next shampoo.

What you need

• Your root powder compact, with its applicator.
• A mirror. A compact with one built in is handy, but a bigger mirror by a window is better for the back and sides.
• A comb.
• A soft brush or clean fingers, to blend and brush off.
• A cotton bud, for tidying the skin.
• Dry, styled hair.

The method, step by step

1. Prep

Wash and dry your hair as usual. Powder grips best on hair that is dry and free of heavy product. If your roots are oily, a light dusting of dry shampoo first can give the powder something to hold on to, but test the combination on a normal day, not before a big event.

2. Style first

Part your hair where you will wear it, blow-dry or style as normal. Powder goes on last, so it does not get brushed away.

3. Load the applicator lightly

Press the applicator onto the powder and lift. Then tap off the excess on the back of your hand or the side of the compact. People nearly always use too much, so start with less than seems sensible.

4. Press, don't paint

Hold the part open with a comb. Press the applicator along the root in short dabs, moving along the line. Pressing pushes the powder into the gaps and at the base of the hair. Dragging smears it across the top, which can look like paint.

5. Blend outwards

With a soft brush or the clean side of the applicator, brush from the part outwards and slightly forward, so the colour fades into the hair around it. The edge of a touch-up should be soft, never sharp.

6. Do the hairline in light strokes

Around the front and the temples, use even less. Stay on the hair and stop at the skin. If you land on your forehead, wipe it with a damp cotton bud.

7. Build up in layers

If the cover is not enough, add a second thin layer rather than a heavy one. Two light passes look better than one thick one.

8. Comb through and check

Comb or brush the hair into place, and check in daylight. Then check the back and sides if you can. Brush off the excess powder that has not stuck.

9. Let it settle

Wait a minute before putting on a hat, pulling hair up or touching your head. This is the single most useful habit for making it last.

Common mistakes

Too much, all at once. The usual culprit for a flat, painted look. Less, then more.

Wrong shade. If it looks very different from your hair, it is probably the shade or the lighting. See how to match your shade.

Hard edges. Always blend outwards. A line is what makes it look like a touch-up.

Applying to damp hair. Powder clumps on wet or damp hair. Wait until it is dry.

Spraying heavily afterwards. A heavy hairspray over the top can cause clumping or streaks. Use a little, and test it on a normal day.

Touching straight away. The first minute matters.

Different jobs, slightly different technique

• Greys at the parting: press along the line, working in sections. See covering greys.
• Thin-looking part: dab into the gaps so the powder shades the scalp. See thin-looking parting.
• Short hair or men's hairlines: use the lightest touch.
• Before an event: practise a few days earlier. See before an event.

How to take it out

BUNEE washes out with one shampoo for most hair. Wet your hair thoroughly, lather at the roots, and rinse well. If you have used a lot, or have dry or porous hair, a second wash may be needed.

If you sleep in it, a dark pillowcase will save your linen. It is not a stain-resistant product, so wash pale fabrics promptly if you do get a mark.

Looking after the compact

• Close the lid after use.
• Keep it away from water and damp.
• Wipe the applicator clean now and then, so you do not carry the old powder into the next shade or onto damp hair.
• Store it flat, in a bag or drawer.

A note on skin

BUNEE is not a dye and does not contain PPD or peroxide. Skin varies from person to person, though. If you have a sensitive scalp, a skin condition or known allergies, read the ingredient list on the pack first, try a small spot, and stop using it if you have any irritation.

Where BUNEE fits

BUNEE is a pressed root-cover powder in a compact with a mirror and an applicator, in 12 shades. It is made for exactly the quick, controlled job described above: a minute at the mirror, a few taps, and a softer parting.

FAQ

Do I apply it to wet or dry hair?

Dry hair. Powder clumps on wet or damp hair.

How much should I use?

Less than you think. Tap off the excess, press lightly, and build up in thin layers.

Can I use my fingers instead of the applicator?

You can, but fingers tend to put on more and smudge. The applicator gives better control.

What if I get it on my skin?

Wipe it off with a damp cotton bud or tissue. It is easier to remove right away.

Does it come out of the hair easily?

For most hair, one shampoo does it. Dry or porous hair, or a heavy application, might need a second.