If you want to create a rockstar look with your hair color, there is a technique that colorists use for this purpose: root smudging, or as some experts call it, the base breaker coloring technique. If you're new to this look, get ready - this trend will be everywhere in the coming months.
What is the Base Breaker staining technique?
The Base Breaker coloring technique (also called Root Smudge or Root Shadow) is a foil-free correction that refreshes your look by blending your natural color with new highlights and blurring the demarcation that shows exactly where your roots end and the highlights begin . The main goal of the Base Breaker coloring technique is to create a vibrant look that lasts longer than a traditional highlight. Placement is crucial with this service, and a good root wiper will make you look like you're always in a good light.
You can achieve this by using a shade very close to your natural color, such as one to two shades lighter, to create a small gradient near your roots. The Base Breaker coloring technique creates a smoother transition to the newly placed highlights, creating a more organic and natural look.
Root Shadow vs. Root Melt
Surely this isn't the first time you've heard of the world of root touch-up, but with a bunch of terms like "smudge" or "melt," you might not know how to ask about the right treatment for your hair. The main differences between these techniques are how far the mixture is worked into the hair shaft and how drastic the difference is between the colors that are mixed.
The Base Breaker coloring technique is closest to the hair shaft. Root melts are applied and mixed further down.
Advantages of Base Breaker hair
A root smudge is perfect for anyone who wants to maintain their color with as little maintenance as possible. It opens up a world of possibilities for any dark-haired person who has been hesitant to try something new, because there's now a low-maintenance way to keep your lighter color looking natural and effortless.
The biggest advantage of Base Breaker hair is of course that you can refresh your highlights at regular intervals, as a root smudge can last up to two to three months without having to retouch. To get the most out of your base breaker coloring technique, hairstylists recommend doing the treatment with fresh highlights: If the hair has grown out too much, you'll most likely get a root melt.
But the time you don't have to spend in the salon isn't the only benefit. The Base Breaker dyeing technique offers a wide range of other possible applications.
Applications of the base breaker staining technique
Swap the highlights for a balayage: This is also the perfect service for someone who wants to transition from traditional highlights to balayage but doesn't have enough hair roots to brush without compromising the integrity of the hair.
Revive old strands that have grown out: Light colors need a darker color to make them stand out. Root Smudge is a foolproof way to give old highlights a new look.
Neu ergrautes Haar: Hairstylists call this “gray blending” and it is ideal for those with less than 25 percent gray hair.
You can see the advantages and disadvantages of the balayage technique and ombrefind out here!
How to Prepare for Root Smudging
The key to a smooth hair blur appointment is to bring sample pictures or videos of the desired result. It's best to do this because the use of technical terms can vary. This can make it difficult to figure out whether you and your dyer are on the same page. So help your dyer help you: Be sure of the desired result by confirming it with a picture.
And with a wide range of undertones, color matching can be a risky affair (for those of you who are DIYers, we recommend leaving this to the professionals). It's always ideal to arrive at the salon with fresh, clean hair so your colorist can see how your hair reflects the light.
How long will you have to sit?With root shadowing, the color usually only needs to take effect for 15 to 20 minutes. Application and processing time is relatively short compared to traditional color services. Depending on the desired outcome, you can expect appointments to last no longer than an hour from start to finish.
The bottom line:The Root Smudge is the perfect solution for dark-haired people who want a lighter look but are worried about the growth phase. Since the demarcation can be quite harsh depending on the contrast between base and highlight color, the base-breaker color technique creates a seamless transition that helps you get the most out of a fresh color.
Notice: In this article, the terms “Base Breaker Staining Technique,” “Root Smudge,” and “Root Shadow” are used interchangeably.
