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Let’s make your next trip to sit in that salon chair take as long as possible.

I am a contributor and former editor who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping since 2020, where I'm focused on everything from home decor to beauty to where to buy the world's most comfortable high heels.

Promising reviews: "Good coverage, makes me feel great after a quick root touch-up. The processing time is very short, making it easy to touch up roots when I can’t get into the salon. The color I purchased is perfect, and it is very easy to mix and apply. Hair feels soft after use. Nontoxic!" —Jeb Blue

"When those grays come in faster than your scheduled salon visits, this is perfect to tide you over. High quality vs. other drugstore brands. Doesn't damage your hair, and gives you just the right extension on your color you need." —Jen Kelly

Get it from Amazon for $38 (available in eight colors).

Promising reviews: "Stretches time between expensive salon dye jobs. Love it to maintain color between salon visits. The hair around my face is gray, while the back is still dark brown. I started getting streaks of purple to mask some of the gray. My hair doesn’t hold the permanent color for very long, and re-coloring every 2–3 weeks was getting expensive. I only streak it through the gray at my face. I use the purple, but it mostly comes out lavender with some hotter purple highlights." —Stephanie Harvey

"I’ll be honest: When I read the reviews, I was nervous. Only because there were no reviews for my hair type. I’m 3c, so for those that are natural and understand, my hair is very kinky curly. As a Black woman, I find it’s important that I find products that work for my texture. I grabbed this to touch up my color and make it more vibrant, so I don’t have to always dye it. It worked amazingly. A great refresher for gingers wanting to boost their color, and no big commitment. It’s definitely a buildable color. I see working on this maybe every few weeks for a touch-up. Love it!" —The Alexis Henry

Get it from Amazon for $22 (available in 20 colors).

Promising reviews: "I have naturally black hair, and I get it bleached every 3–4 months, and this is a must-have product for maintenance in between visits to the salon. It helps keep my hair moisturized, it smells great, and it can even be used as a toning mask. Normally, I use this product 1–2 times a week in the shower, leaving it on for 2–3 minutes. If I want to use it as a mask to achieve silver/white tones, then I apply it to damp hair in a saturated manner for 15–20 minutes. I love the size of this product, it has lasted me a year, and it doesn't stain any surfaces or skin." —Her_Jules

"If you had your hair highlighted and dyed, this shampoo recently helps to keep the color vibrant and last longer. Think of all the money you spent on that hair color session in the salon. This shampoo is needed to extend the time your hair remains that beautiful color. Leaves smell amazing, no slippery film in the tub, and the purple all over the place looks pretty and easily washes off the walls and tub area. Recommend the conditioner combo. Love this product!" —Tamara

Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in two sizes).

Promising reviews: "Highly recommend for those in between appointments! Super easy to use and works great! Color matched my hair perfectly! Not a gray in sight!" —Corinne

"I have my hair colored every six weeks, but it grows fast, and I hate seeing my gray roots. This is an easy, fast way to cover them up. It looks great and washes out the next time I wash my hair. Highly recommend!" —Courtney Bitner

Get it from Amazon for $11.97+ (available in 11 shades, two sizes, and multipacks).

Promising review: "Are you a perfectionist who goes to the salon or colors their own hair regularly and hates to see a hint of gray at the part line and/or temples? If you also don't want to damage your hair with ammonia or peroxide, but you want something more than a temporary spray, this is probably what you've been looking for in a root touch-up. You don't have to mix anything; just squeeze the color onto the brush. It's something you could take with you if you're on a road trip and not worry about making a big mess in someone's house or a hotel room (not sure about TSA's rules for this product — you'd have to check with them, but if you're driving, it packs easily). The auburn shade blends perfectly, doesn't stink, and is easy to use. I put it on while I'm having my morning coffee. By the time I've checked messages or taken a peek at social media, I'm ready to shower and rinse it out. The box says 10–20 minutes. I try to wait the full 20 minutes to make sure the roots are thoroughly covered, then use a mild, color-safe shampoo and conditioner. This product is affordable and can definitely help you extend the time between hair appointments. If you have color fading on your ends, you might want to use a color gloss or color-enhancing conditioner in addition to using this product (not on the same day)." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in four colors). 

Promising review: "I never leave reviews, but this deserved one! I was skeptical, but desperate, and thought it wouldn’t hurt to try the product. I am blown away at how well it covers my super shiny gray and keeps it covered throughout the day. The product is similar to a blush that you just brush on, and it doesn’t leave any sticky or oily residue. This is a must-buy to help cover in between salon trips!" —Nicole Perkins

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in four shades). 

Promising review: "I've tried all types of cheap gray roots cover-ups. They always just made a mess of my face; my hair would look like I had 'helmet head', or the kind with the mascara brushes would just leave clumps of color on my hair and my face. This is the first gray root cover-up out of all of the ones I've tried that actually works, and it's easy to apply as well. I couldn't believe it. The price is obviously much higher, but when I think of all the money I've spent on products like these that don't work, and I throw them in the trash, it's worth every penny. I'll now have more time between going to the salon as well, which obviously saves a lot of money." —SUZANNE HAMBY

Get it from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in four colors and in one-, two-, three-, and five-packs). 

Promising reviews: "The only product that seems to calm and tame colored blonde hair in harsh water. Worth the $$." —Eleonora Zhilyak

"I HAVE NEVER HAD HAIR THAT FELT LIKE THIS!!! I was hesitant, but I bought it, and I will never switch back to any shampoo. It is amazing, made my hair so soft and in prime shape." —khloe smith

Get it from Amazon for $23+ (available in four sizes).

Promising review: "I got this to use post-chemical treatment on my hair, and it really helped keep my Brazilian straightened hair straight for longer. As well as protected my color so that it lasted longer, rather than fading as fast as it usually does. Spending $200 at the salon, then $39 for this, added more value to the salon treatment due to prolonging the result." —Becky Bee

Promising review: "This actually covered my grays for an entire year! It works! I am 42 and don’t have a ton of gray hair, but I do have it around my sides and sprinkled throughout. This fully covered it for weeks at a time in between uses. So if you use it more often, I’m sure you will get more time out of it. Love it when I can’t make it to the salon!" —Reena Sky

Get it from Amazon for $39 (available in 12 shades). 

Promising reviews: "Tried and true product! I’ve tried everything on the market when it comes to hair gloss and hair glaze, and this is a holy grail product. It says to leave it on for a minimum of one minute, but I left mine on for probably around 10 minutes, and my hair was so shiny and soft for days to follow. Totally worth it to use in between salon visits! This brand always makes good products, and this one does not disappoint!!" —Mom to bb

"In the constant battle to keep fashion colors bright and vibrant between salon visits... I've tried everything. Enter Amika products. The line is great at maintaining those fashion colors, and this shine mask is the cherry on top. Smooths out my hair and makes it super shiny too." —Turtle4040

Promising review: "If you love your color-treated hair, this is the shampoo you need. I know what you’re thinking. The price tag is a little steep for such a small bottle of shampoo, but it is totally worth its weight in gold, as it keeps your color lasting for several weeks instead of only two or so. You need very little product as it lathers beautifully. The smell is amazing, and my hair feels soft, sleek, and effectively moisturized. My hair needed this shampoo like a tall glass of water to keep it hydrated and still bright as the day I colored it. Is it effective, you ask… absolutely, as my color doesn’t fade or dry out. My hair has changed drastically after just a week or two of using this product. Go get it for your color-treated hair TODAY." —AggieCassi

Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "Love this purple toning spray! It really helps keep the brassiness out of my blonde between salon visits. Super easy to use, smells nice, and doesn’t leave my hair feeling heavy or sticky. A must-have for maintaining bright, fresh color!" —Candice Tiller

Promising review: "I tried this a while back. It came in a shaker bottle, and I found that difficult to get it to work well. It's a great product, and when I saw the applicator that came with this, it was a game changer. I can get the product exactly where I want/need it to go. When I get close to needing root refreshing (which is quicker than I wish), I am able to use this to soften the graying areas, especially around the edges of my face and along the part, which is the part that shows most quickly. Once you apply it, it stays put until you wash it out. It's really been helpful and allows me to go a bit longer between expensive salon appointments." —CJeanne

Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in 14 colors and four sizes). 

Promising review: "Love this shampoo. I’ve been using Paul Mitchell for many years and usually get the extra body line, but decided to try a color protectant. It works. My color lasted all month, when usually I can’t wait to get to the salon. I don’t see any gray after four weeks. This will save me money because I can space out my hair appointments. Good smell and lightweight, it did not make my hair greasy or weigh it down, and I have thin hair, but this was perfect. Will definitely buy again at this good price." —James G.

Get it from Amazon for $8+ (available in four sizes). 

Promising review: "I love this shampoo. My hairdresser recommended it to me, saying it would protect my highlights so they wouldn't fade so much and so quickly. It has really made a difference for me. My hair looks shinier and my highlights now last 2–3 months minimum." —Robin T.

Get it from Amazon for $29+ (available in two sizes). 

Promising review: "I've been highlighting and bleaching my thick/course/wavy hair for over 25 years and am religious about the use of hairmasks, Olaplex, etc., to no avail. I was resigned to the reality that highlighting my dark hair to my desired shade came at the cost of softness and shine. My hairdresser then told me about K18. I thought, 'Hmmm, what do I have to lose besides money?' To be honest, I figured, I'll try it and simply return it if it doesn't deliver. Suffice it to say, I was a skeptic. Wash 1 (nothing), Wash 2 (nothing). And then came Wash 3, and to say I was transformed and humbled is an understatement. My dry-to-the-touch hair feels hydrated, so soft, and shiny. Frankly, it hasn't looked like this since I was age 16 and using mayo as a hair mask on my virgin hair (four decades ago). The hefty price tag is an investment that will easily save me money on the back end (less salon hair visits to repair damage from bleaching/highlighting). I am a believer in this magic potion." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "Great if you’re blonde and want to get rid of brassiness and buildup! Helps keep unwanted yellow tones out of my hair between services." —Megan

Just tap the powder onto your hair and run it through your roots with your hands. Once distributed through the hair, it'll absorb grease.

Promising review: "This is one of the best dry shampoos I have ever used. I keep coming back to it, and part of that is the applicator puff. I have tried more expensive versions of this style of dry shampoo and end up pouring the powder from them into one of my empty Tap Secret containers. If they sold empty applicators, I'd probably buy those too. It delivers the perfect amount to absorb days of oil and make my hair look fresh. For reference, I have vivid color in my hair and wash once a week. This product allows me to achieve that flawlessly. If this is ever discontinued, I will genuinely cry. It is so so so good. There is only one dry shampoo that I think performs better, and it's an aerosol that is almost 3x the cost of this." —Maria

Get it from Amazon for $13.59+ (available in five colors, two scents, one- and three-packs, and refill packs).

Promising review: "Just got my shipment and was so excited to try it! I stumbled across the product while shopping on the site and decided to give it a try, having never bought a color-enhanced dry shampoo. I have recently been using Clean Freak to extend the life of my color, and I found that this product cleans really well and enhances my hair’s somewhat fading brown color. Double bonus! I can’t recommend it enough!" —Tom B.

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.88+ (available in two sizes). 

Promising review: "Biolage Color Last Shampoo has completely elevated my haircare routine! From the moment I opened the bottle, I was in love with the luxurious scent — it instantly transports me to a high-end salon. Every time I use it, it feels like a pampering experience, and I find myself actually looking forward to washing my hair.

"I have color-treated hair, and this shampoo has done wonders for keeping my color vibrant and fresh between salon visits. It gently cleanses without stripping or dulling the color, and my hair always feels nourished, hydrated, and incredibly soft afterward. I’ve noticed less breakage, more shine, and an overall healthier look and feel.

"The formula is packed with thoughtful ingredients like soybean oil and stearic acid, and I love that it's paraben- and mineral oil-free and 100% vegan — a big plus in my book! It’s clear that Biolage puts care into their products, and this one truly delivers on its promises."If you're looking for a shampoo that not only protects and enhances color but also gives you that salon-fresh feeling at home, this is it. It’s become a staple in my shower and one I will absolutely keep repurchasing!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $6.50+ (available in four sizes and two-packs). 

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BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.