In case your hair coloration tends to develop out too harshly, with a stark line of demarcation the place your roots meet your lengths, we’d like to introduce you to root melting. This hair-color pattern has been gaining traction throughout social media as a method to seamlessly mix the pure root into the remainder of the hair, making a delicate, gradient-like transition for a extra sleek grow-out. The descriptor that saved developing in conversations with specialists was “lived-in.” So in the event you’re in search of natural-looking, easy-to-maintain hair coloration, root melting will be the method to go. Right here’s every thing to know.
Featured ExpertsJacob Schmidt is a senior colorist at Ollin Salon NYC by Johnny RamirezPaula Pedersen is knowledgeable coloristWhat Is Root Melting?
“Root melting blends a darker shade at the roots into the lighter highlighted hair to blend and eliminate harsh lines,” says Jacob Schmidt, senior colorist at Ollin Salon. “This creates a seamless lived-in look.” The technique is often used after lightening hair to softly diffuse the root into the rest of the hair, adds professional colorist Paula Pedersen.
IG: @_hairbypaulaRoot Melting vs. Balayage: What’s the Difference?
There have been a lot of comparisons between root melting and balayage, but ultimately, these are approaches that can work together. “Balayage is the lightening technique itself—how we paint brightness into the hair,” Pedersen explains.
Root melting, on the other hand, “is more of a finishing step,” she continues. “It’s what softens everything at the root, adds depth and makes the overall color look more natural and low-maintenance as it grows out.”
Like all hair changes, Schmidt recommends consulting with your colorist to determine which technique is best for achieving the look you want.

