My Secret to Longer-Lasting Hair Color.

This post was developed in collaboration with Clairol. Opinions are 100% my own.

I am here to make a confession: I am not a natural blonde. I was born with very dark brown hair, and I lightened it to a golden blonde in my late teens. Subsequently, I have colored my hair to maintain my not-so-natural blonde locks for over thirty years - that's a lot of hair color. And a lot of maintenance. After coloring my hair on my own for many years and having one too many at-home-snafus, I started going to the salon for my hair color and maintenance. Over time, those salon visits became closer together, and I knew that I needed to do something to make my hair color last as long as possible; going to the salon every four weeks was not an option. About seven years ago, I discovered Clairol Root Touch-Up by Nice 'n Easy, and I have been using it ever since.

I have a really big birthday coming up soon, and my family recently took me on a surprise getaway to celebrate this milestone. As I was packing for the trip, I noticed my gray hairs and dark roots and realized it had been about three weeks since I had my hair professionally cut and colored at the salon. My roots needed covering and fast. As I normally did in between appointments, I got out my trusted Clairol Root Touch-Up and got to work. Luckily, Root Touch-Up works quickly and efficiently so I could color my roots and get on with packing for my trip.

Root Touch-Up is easy to use, and Clairol has included everything needed to get the job done. Inside the box is the perfectly measured amount of color, developer, applicator brush (which looks a lot like the brush my professional hair stylist uses), gloves and mixing tray. All I supply is a few towels, a mirror, and a timer... Root Touch-Up works in just 10 minutes. 

The directions are easy to follow, and the entire process could not be any more straightforward. I start by protecting my clothing with a towel by draping it over my shoulders and get everything ready. I open both products to be mixed, the Color Activating Lotion (the clear bottle) and the Permanent Color Créme (the blue tube) and empty them both into the tray. Once both products are fully emptied into the tray, I mix well (using the tip on the opposite end of the brush) until thoroughly blended and immediately apply to the roots of my hair.

I start directly at my center part by using the mixture being careful to saturate my hair thoroughly. I dab and brush the color onto my roots until the dark roots and gray are completely covered. I move in sections and repeat by dividing my hair with the tip of the brush. I sometimes use the long end of a comb to separate parts. I am especially careful to apply the mixture right around my hairline and temples where I show a lot of gray hair. As soon as I am finished saturating my last section, I begin timing for a total of 10 minutes. When the 10 minutes is up, I rinse, condition and style as usual. 

It is amazing what a difference 30 minutes can make. From start to finish (opening the box, applying the color, to styling) it took me less than 30 minutes, and there is a noticeable difference and vast improvement in my hair color. My dark roots and gray hairs are visibly erased.

Notice how Root Touch-Up blends in seamlessly with my hair color. Even if I go lighter in the summer or darker in the winter, I'm covered because Root Touch-Up will always blend in; it's made up of a mixture of tones, so it always matches. If I change my color, I can also pick a different shade which is easy — there are 21 shades to choose from. From extra light blonde to black and every imaginable shade in between, no other mass brand has as many shades that will blend as well.

My trip was incredible; my husband and children outdid themselves and made me feel very special on our beach getaway. It has been such a long time since all of us have been on a family vacation together. Even though it was short (juggling so many schedules was hard), we made the most out of it and relaxed on the beach, went swimming and enjoyed the warm weather together.

What is so fantastic about Root Touch-up is that it lasts up to three weeks. Even after traveling where I put my hair through extraordinary circumstances out in the sun, swimming in salt water plus braving high winds, here I am this morning over two weeks later, and my hair is still looking great. My hair has grown out a little bit, but where I touched-up with Clairol Root Touch-Up has not faded whatsoever; my gray hairs are still covered, and I am thankful that my hair has made it through to my salon appointment next week.

You can be confident that Clairol Root Touch-Up will give you longer-lasting hair color as it does me (I'm always happy to share my secrets). Whether you go to the salon or color your hair at home yourself, Root Touch-up will be your secret to longer-lasting hair color, too. 

Root Touch-Up by Nice 'n Easy is available at your favorite drugstore or mass retailer for about $6.99. To see all the shades available or for more information, visit clairol.com. 

This post was sponsored by Clairol. As always, all opinions are my own. Please see disclosure policy for complete information.