what is a root smudge

A root smudge is a hair color technique that applies toner or gloss the same shade as your natural color or a shade slightly lighter than your natural color to your roots, "smudging" it down until it reaches your highlights. The purpose of the root smudge is to create a softer transition from your bleached hair to your natural hair color close to the root. This technique keeps your highlighted hair bright while creating a more natural, lived-in look with added dimension. Root smudging can help you extend the time between salon touch-ups and is ideal for those who want a soft grow-out but still keep their hair bright. Root smudging can be combined with other salon services such as hair lightening, balayage, and gray coverage. Root smudging is different from shadow roots, which use a darker color for a shadowy effect.