We Tested Scalp Concealers—These 9 Worked Best to Camouflage Hair Loss

While there are various ways to regrow hair after loss or thinning, scalp concealers offer the best quick solution. “A scalp concealer is used to cover up thinning, balding, and patchiness and gives your hair a fuller, thicker look,” says salon owner and stylist Kee Taylor. “Although it’s a temporary fix, scalp concealers are inexpensive, easy to use, and give instant results.” If you’re experiencing hair loss (55% of women will by age 70, according to the Mayo Clinic) and are frustrated by its visible effects, this tool is worth considering.

To find the best scalp concealers, we tested top-rated options, evaluating each product’s efficacy, ease of use, shade ranges, and permanence. Additionally, we consulted professional stylists for their expert insight on selecting the best scalp concealer for every hair color and concern. Our top picks, ahead.

Best Overall

Everpro Gray Away Root Touch-Up Quick Stick

$10

$9 at Amazon $9 at Target

$12

$9 at Walmart

Type: Stick | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Ease of use and intense pigment make this stick our favorite for covering everything from grays to regrowth and thinning spots. The dual-ended stick makes application a breeze, according to our tester, as it glides on in one go and stays put all day without smudging or transferring. It also offered the extra benefit of making her hair appear fuller at the parting and didn’t leave any pesky residue.

The formula is free of wax, ammonia, peroxide, synthetic dyes, sulfates, and parabens, so it’s gentle on the scalp and designed for all hair types and textures. The sponge-tip end also ensures you can blend out the color to create seamless, natural-looking coverage.

Lisa, tester with type 1C hair: “I have only used sprays before, so I wanted to try the stick to see how it compared. I really liked it a lot, as you can be more careful to only hit the spots needed, whereas spray usually over-sprays. I thought this one blended very nicely and was easy to use.”

Best Budget

Gray Away Instant Root Cover Up Spray

$9 at Amazon View on Grayaway.com $9 at Walmart

Type: Spray | Shades: 5 | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Available in five shades, this spray conceals everything from sparse spots to stray grays on hair ranging from black to light blonde. Our tester found it to be the best product for achieving a natural shade match for her medium dark brown hair. She also praised how effectively it worked, explaining, “Just spray into the area that you need covered, and it totally conceals it.”

In addition to this spray’s great price point, we adore that it is transfer-, sweat-, and water-resistant. It also has a targeted nozzle that makes achieving a precise color placement simple. Kim also noted how well the product holds up and that the area stays covered pretty much until her next hair wash, which is normally every two to three days.

Kim, tester with type 1C hair: “I love this style of product because it is so easy to just spray and go. The product also dries fairly quickly.”

Best for Covering Roots

Bumble and bumble Color Stick

$35 at Amazon $34 at Sephora $34 at Nordstrom

Type: Stick | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.12 oz | Cruelty-Free: 

Having one of these handy sticks on your bathroom shelf gives you the tools to instantly conceal any root regrowth without a trip to the salon. Plus, it can be used on the go thanks to its compact, crayon-like tube. The formula combines rich pigments with a balm-like emollient and color seal to ensure a water-resistant finish that lasts until your next shampoo. It also blends seamlessly, requiring only a few moments to swipe the pencil across your scalp.

Stephanie, tester with type 1B/C hair: “I love this product. It’s so fast and easy. I could literally swipe this on before stepping out the door and not feel that my hairstyle looked rushed or out of place.”

Best for Volume

R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray

$19

$19 at Amazon $19 at Dermstore $19 at Randco.com

Type: Spray | Shades: 7 | Size: 1.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re dealing with hair loss or thinning, adding volume and fullness to your hair is a big win, and this spray does just that. We are big fans of the wide range of shades, especially the red tone, which can be harder to find. Our tester loved this product for multiple reasons, especially how it made her hair look fuller.

The multidimensional pigments provide a more natural finish, while the biotin-infused formula helps thicken hair and improve strand health. It also contains pearl extract for moisture, along with mica and tapioca starch to create a longer-lasting effect.

Tiffany, tester with type 4C hair: “Whether you are dealing with balding, spacing, or grays, it can work for you. It successfully covered my roots and the color was great.”

Best for Covering Grays

DpHue Color Touch-Up Spray

$28 at Ulta $28 at Dermstore $28 at Dphue.com

Type: Spray | Shades: 4 | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Most of us turn to scalp concealers and root cover-ups to tackle unwanted grays, which is why this spray’s intense pigments make it the ideal option to keep them at bay until your next salon session. Our tester loved how mess-free this dual-option spray was, praising its targeted nozzle for “precise application for gray root coverage,” and the wider nozzle “for blending at the root and covering stray grays.” She recommends it to everyone who needs a quick touch-up in between permanent or temporary color appointments.

Sunita, tester with type 2B hair: “DPHue provided me with more coverage; the color did not rub off, and I liked the dual-action nozzle. The fragrance was also pleasant without being overpowering. I was able to achieve the results as expected, and it has an excellent shade range.”

Best Powder

Color Wow Root Cover Up Powder

$35 at Amazon $35 at Sephora $35 at Ulta

Type: Powder | Shades: 8 | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Suitable for all hair types, this powder is the perfect alternative to a spray. The brush that comes with it lets you place the product exactly where you need it, avoiding waste. Unlike sprays, it doesn’t leave your hair feeling tacky or sticky. Instead of a matte finish, this powder has an ever-so-slight, subtle shimmer result that blends in seamlessly with your natural hair. Our tester loved this formula, shouting out its ease of use, natural appearance, subtle shine, and lack of left-behind residue.

Amy, tester with type 1C hair: “I’m incredibly happy with the overall results. I honestly don’t have anything negative to say. It is lightweight and not at all sticky; I can barely feel it when touching my roots with my hand. It feels almost silky on my hair.”

Best Shade Range

Caboki Hair Building Fiber

$38 at Amazon

$40

$35 at Caboki.com

Type: Powder | Shades: 14 | Size: 1.06 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Made with natural plant fibers, this powder concealer can easily cover baldness and widening of the scalp, making hair appear much fuller. It comes in 14 shades, so if you have dyed or even salt-and-pepper hair, you’ll be able to find a color that matches. It can get messy. But once applied, it dries with a natural finish and is also resistant to wind, rain, and sweat.

Best for On the Go

Tarte Big Ego Dab-and-Go Hair Concealer

View on Tartecosmetics.com

Type: Cream-to-powder | Shades: 7 | Size: 0.26 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This stick concealer is perfect to carry in your bag if you want to touch up during the day or apply as you’re rushing out of the house. It has a cream-to-powder formula that blends easily—just dab it straight onto your scalp. Our tester loved carrying it around in her work bag for a midday touch-up. We also love that it’s waterproof and full coverage, so you don’t have to worry about missing a spot.

While we wish there were more shades, this product also has some added benefits, with our tester noticing it dried up previously oily areas at the roots—perfect for dirty hair days.

Madison, tester with type 2A hair: “The color looked completely normal. It didn’t look patchy or uneven and you can definitely see how it covered my grays.”

Best Multitasking

Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler

$36 at Amazon $36 at Ulta $36 at Madison-reed.com

Type: Powder | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.13 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This cover-up product from Madison Reed not only fills in a sparse hairline and hides roots, but also works as an eyebrow filler. If you have thin hair all around, this is a great item to have in your makeup bag or take with you during the day. It comes with a larger brush for hair and a smaller one for filling in your eyebrows, and they both fit perfectly in the small compact.

Our tester loved the matte, subtle finish of this product, praising it over typical spray scalp concealers that can feel harsh or leave behind a residue. The pigment payoff was immediate as well, our tester noting how it covered her grey hairs “in an instant.” The only downside is that, with only six shades, you may not be able to find the exact one to match your hair.

Michelle, tester with type 2A hair: “The color covers the grey on the first application. It’s not messy, the compact fits in your purse, it doesn’t spill, and there is no danger of air pressure (in flights), thus it’s great for traveling.”

What to Look for in Scalp Concealers

• Formula: Scalp concealers mostly come in two forms: powder or spray. Powders are usually made with hair fibers that give the appearance of volume, while sprays can add color and fill in missing patches. Powders can take a little longer to apply but can look more precise, while sprays are easy to use in a pinch, but they may be messier.
• Sweat and Weather Resistance: Scalp concealers can be easily removed with shampoo and water, but it’s best to choose a formula that won’t smudge or run during the day. Especially when it comes to rain or sweat, you’ll want one that can stay put and won’t make a mess. Hairstylist and colorist Paul Labrecque says if you are worried about smudging and transfer, opt for a spray. “Sprays rarely run; they go on slightly wet, and the moment they dry into place, they are very hard to remove, even with shampoo,” says Labrecque.
• Shade: Choosing the right shade is essential for ensuring your scalp concealer blends in naturally with the rest of your hair. “Go a shade darker and never go lighter,” says Labrecque. “Darkness in and on the scalp gives the illusion of fullness. Meanwhile, light accentuates thinness.”

How We Tested Scalp Concealers

• Scalp Concealers Tested: 18
• Testing Period: 2 Weeks
• Methodology: We had testers with colored hair try each product over the course of two weeks. Each tester evaluated how well the concealers covered grays, roots, and thinning areas. They also took into consideration how long the product lasted, how it left the hair feeling, ease of use, and value for money. Only the best-performing products made it into the list above.

Meet Our Experts

Byrdie interviewed the following experts for advice on selecting and using scalp concealers. 

• Kee Taylor is a salon owner and hair stylist.
• Paul Labrecque is a hairstylist with namesake salons based in New York, Palm Beach, and Philadelphia. He has also created looks for countless fashion shows and magazine shoots.

Why Trust Byrdie

Shannon Stubbs is an associate editor at Byrdie, where she covers beauty. To compile this list, she researched dozens of scalp concealers and consulted with experts to pick the best of the best.

Byrdie contributor Clare Holden is a makeup artist and journalist who has relied on root touch-ups for years to extend the life of her color and conceal the white streak where she parts her hair.