Whether it be a widening part or thinning patches, hair loss can be annoying and inconvenient. But it’s not uncommon. About 55% of women will experience hair loss by the age of 70, according to the Mayo Clinic.

There are various fixes to grow your hair back, such as hair loss treatments or even hair transplants. But if you’re looking for a quick solution that can cover hair loss easily, a scalp concealer might be your best bet. “A scalp concealer is used to cover up thinning, balding, and patchiness and gives your hair a fuller, thicker look,” says salon owner and YouTuber Kee Taylor. “Although it’s a temporary fix, scalp concealers are inexpensive, easy to use, and give instant results.”

To find the best scalp concealers, we tested 18 options in the Byrdie lab and the real world. Our testers evaluated everything from each product’s ability to cover widening parts to shade matching and how long results lasted. They also noted how easy the concealers were to apply, whether they transferred, and how they left the hair feeling. Of all the products tested, these were the nine picks that scored highest.

Best Overall

Everpro Gray Away Root Touch-Up Quick Stick

$10

$9 at Amazon$10 at Target$10 at Target

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

Ease of use and intense pigment makes this stick our favorite for covering everything from grays, regrowth, and thinning spots. The dual-ended stick makes application a breeze, as it glides on in one go and stays put all day without smudging or transferring. Our tester, Lisa, especially loved how the product felt on her hair saying, “the color was lightweight as it would cover with just a stroke, it did not make my hair feel bad at all.” 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 from wax, ammonia, peroxide, synthetic dyes, sulfates, and parabens so it’s gentle on the scalp and has been created to use on 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 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 oversprays. I thought this one blended very nicely and was easy to use.”

Best Budget

Gray Away Instant Root Cover Up Spray

$9 at AmazonView on WalmartView on Grayaway.com

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 everything from black to light blonde hair. Our tester, Kim, 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

$34

$33 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 having to visit the salon. Plus, it can also be used on the go due to its compact crayon-like tube. “The pencil fits nicely into any zippered pouch so I could touch up when out or while I’m traveling,” says our tester, Stephanie.

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 like a dream. “The process isn’t messy, it blended in just a few moments from swiping the pencil across and checking any areas with my fingertips,” says Stephanie.

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 hair style looked rushed or out of place.”

Best for Volume

R+Co Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray

$19

$12 at Amazon$19 at DermstoreView on 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 choice of shades, especially the red tone which can be more difficult to find. Our tester, Tiffany, 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 Amazon

$28

$20 at UltaView on Dermstore

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 the intense pigments of this spray make it the ideal option to keep them at bay until your next salon session. Our tester, Sunita, loved how mess-free this dual-option spray was, saying “The targeted nozzle delivers a concentrated dose of precise application for gray root coverage, while the wider nozzle is ideal 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

$33 at Amazon$35 at SephoraView on 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 allows you to place the product exactly where you need it, avoiding any 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, Amy, found it incredibly easy to use, saying, “This added a nice shine to my hair and it felt soft and natural, without any residue that would dull the color. My hair felt the same as it did before application as the powder did not add any weight or stiffness.”

This is also Byrdie contributor Clare Holden’s favorite, and she notes how, despite regular use, her compact lasts her well over a year, if not more.

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

$35 at AmazonView on Caboki.com

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

Made with natural plant fibers, this powder concealer can cover baldness and widening scalps easily, making the hair appear at least 10 times 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—all you have to do is dab straight onto your scalp. “If I wanted a little midday touch up, this is a nice product to carry in your purse or work bag,” says our tester, Madison.

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 Madison telling us, “I noticed it dried out some of the oiliness at my roots, so that’s good 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

View on Amazon$36 at UltaView on Madison-reed.com

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

This cover-up product from Madison Reed is not only able to fill in a sparse hairline and hide roots, but it 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. Byrdie tester, Michelle, who finds that sprays can leave her hair feeling hard, loved the result of this powder, saying, “The finish was matte, so there was no noticeable residue, the hair didn’t look colored. Compared to spray touch-ups this product was gentle and it felt smooth as it was before the application.”

It comes with a bigger brush for the hair and a smaller one to fill in your eyebrows, and they both fit perfectly in the small compact. Michelle praised how effective the pigments are, telling us, “I didn’t have to build up the color, it covered the 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: either a powder or a 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 more messy.
• Sweat and Weather Resistance: Scalp concealers can be removed easily with shampoo and water, but it’s best to find 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 correct color is essential to 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 in both our NYC lab and at home 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 and how it left the hair feeling, along with 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 how to select and use 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 a writer 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, 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.