The affordable root touchup spray that instantly covers gray hairs and thinning edges

Yahoo Lifestyle would like to introduce you to The New-New, a column by Beauty Director Dana Oliver on the latest products, tools, and treatments on which she’d happily spend her hard-earned money.

Scrolling through Instagram photos of “socially acceptable curls” and watching YouTube videos about how to “lay your edges” has undoubtedly triggered insecurities about my very own natural-hair-growth journey.

Now in my 30s, I’ve acquired a patch of curly grays that are spreading across my head like weeds. And it seems as though that “bald spot” along my hairline, which my mother accidentally burned out while straightening my thick locks with a hot comb when I was just a child, has become even more noticeable. I’ve mastered natural hairstyles (and purchased a couple of wigs) that make it easy to cover up, but my bank account can’t keep up with the costs to conceal my imperfections.

Kevin Murphy’s new root touchup spray has been a miracle in a bottle for me. Retouch.Me (brilliant name, by the way) is a hair-root and hair-loss concealer that comes in four shades: black, dark brown, light brown, and auburn. The finishes are actually realistic, unlike a few other popular brands I’ve tried before — no flat black hair for me!

The microfine mist of color it emits reminds me of the blurring tool in Photoshop. So if you’re not a hair pro, you don’t have to worry about spraying on too much with the first spritz.

Here’s what I look like before using Retouch.Me …

… and what I look like after.

Major takeaways:

• I recommend holding the bottle at least 5 inches away from your head and applying the root touchup spray in swift, short strokes. This technique allows for even better control.

• The color grips onto hairs immediately and dries down to a satin, nonglossy finish in about five to 10 minutes. So I like to incorporate this into my morning routine post-shower while I’m taking my time applying skin-care products.

• It’s also long-lasting, making it an affordable and less time-consuming solution when I’m in between salon appointments or rocking styles that don’t require me to shampoo my hair every week.

Have you ever tried a root touchup? What did you like or dislike about the product? Sound off in the comments section.

Kevin Murphy Retouch.Me ($29) is available at salons and hair studios.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Pat McGrath’s new liquid matte lipstick won’t give you chapped lips

• Missed Out on Kylie’s Kylighters? This All-Over Bronzer Is Just as Amazing

• A Curl Cream That’ll Make Your Natural Hair Softer

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