It might be a nonsense Christmas, but we’re all business when it comes to hair color. And if you’re as obsessed with Sabrina Carpenter and her iconic blonde as we are, you need to know all about soft shadow roots. The secret recipe that gives her color its natural-looking depth, soft shadow roots are your key to a low-maintenance look that makes any color customized to you.
Featured Experts
- Elisha Smith is a hairstylist and Balmain Hair international master educator
- Loni Jean Lafinier is a hairstylist and Innersense global artist
- Angie Ceja is a hairstylist and regional sales and education manager at Zotos and Pravana
- Kylee Heath is a celebrity hairstylist and ANATOMY ambassador
The Sabrina Carpenter Formula
“Soft shadow roots are a technique used to blend the darkest part of your hair to the lightest,” explains Elisha Smith, a Balmain Hair international master educator and hairstylist.
In Carpenter’s case, her colorist is blending a natural brunette with a golden blonde.
According to Innersense global artist and hairstylist Loni Jean Lafinier, the goal of soft shadow roots is a seamless look. “A soft shadow root is a technique that creates a gradual transition from your natural hair color at the root area to lighter, highlighted tones,” Lafinier says. “This method results in a soft, blended appearance at the root area. The goal is to soften the line of demarcation. This allows for a more seamless grow-out, stretching time in between salon appointments.”
“They add depth and dimension to the overall color and create a softer, more natural grow-out,” adds Angie Ceja, the regional sales and education manager at Zotos and Pravana. “This color technique is great for anyone who wants a low-maintenance look.”
How to Achieve Soft Shadow Roots
Just like Carpenter’s custom blonde, your hair color has a formula to achieve the best soft shadow roots.
“Soft shadow roots are created by first highlighting the natural base with a foil or a paint technique,” Smith explains. “Traditionally, you would then apply a global toner. When doing a shadow root, you would use an additional color at the root in addition to the global toner. This is done to create a softer transition from the darkest part of the hair to the lightest.”
“The transition color tends to be one or two shades lighter than your natural roots,” notes celebrity stylist and ANATOMY ambassador, Kylee Heath.
For Carpenter, this shade would be a dark warm-toned blonde. Only about an inch of this color is used, and it quickly fades into the lighter honey she’s known for.
“This creates a shadowing effect. By blending the line of demarcation between the highlights and root area, you get a cohesive, lived-in, natural look,” Lafinier says.
How to Maintain the Look
From your salon schedule to your hair care routine, this is how to keep your soft shadow roots healthy and vibrant.
Salon Touch-Ups
The good news is experts agree this flexible style doesn’t need too much salon upkeep.
“This is a great color choice for someone who is low maintenance,” Heath says. “If you are happy to wait three months to head back to the salon, try this look! The added color is so close to your natural base color, so the grow-out process is quite seamless.”
That said, if you have grays to cover, you may need a more frequent salon schedule.
“For clients with soft shadow roots, I recommend touch-ups every eight to 10 weeks,” Ceja says. “For those with grays, they may want to do a more frequent touch-up, which can be done easily at home by using the AGEbeautiful Root Touch Up Hair Color Spray ($14) in between dyes.”
Product Recommendations to Maintain Soft Shadow Roots
While this look is especially low-maintenance to grow out, you can still do things to preserve your color.
“Using a color shampoo is always a good idea,” Heath notes. “This will help the added color to not rinse out quickly. If you have grays, Color Wow Root Cover Up ($35) is a great hack while you’re waiting for a touch-up.”
“To preserve the depth and tone of soft shadow roots, I always recommend color-safe, SLS/SLES Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, such as Better Natured Color Care ($20) to help maintain vibrancy and shine,” Ceja advises. “I also strongly suggest using a heat protectant like Better Natured Heat Styling Lotion ($21) to prevent fading from styling tools, blow dryers and even the sun.”
“For blonde highlights and lighter shades, the violet hue in Bright Balance Hairbath ($32) can help to keep brassiness at bay and enhance cool tones,” adds Lafinier.
