TL;DR
Our best overall, BOLDIFY Hairline Powder, works quickly to cover thinning hair, leaving a natural finish that’s not sticky and doesn’t budge until it’s washed out. For a more budget-friendly option, we also love L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up, which is lightweight and easy to apply.
Whether it be a widening part or thinning patches, hair loss can be annoying and inconvenient. But it’s not uncommon. About 55% of women will experience hair loss by the age of 70, according to the Mayo Clinic.
There’s a variety of fixes to grow your hair back, such as hair loss treatments or even hair transplants. But if you’re looking for a quick solution that can cover hair loss easily, a scalp concealer might be your best bet. “A scalp concealer is used to cover up thinning, balding, and patchiness and gives your hair a fuller, thicker look,” says salon owner and YouTuber Kee Taylor. “Although it’s a temporary fix, scalp concealers are inexpensive, easy to use, and give instant results.”
To find the best scalp concealers on the market, we conducted hours of research—evaluating each on how well they covered thinning hair, how easy they were to apply, and how well they lasted during the day. With expert recommendations, we landed on top-rated picks to suit your particular hair needs.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: BOLDIFY Hairline Powder at Amazon
- Best Budget: L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover-Up Spray at Amazon
- Best Shade Range: Caboki Hair Building Fiber at Amazon
- Best for On-the-Go: Tarte Big Ego Dab-and-Go Hair Concealer at QVC
- Best for Covering Roots: Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up at Amazon
- Best Multitasking: Madison Reed The Great Cover-Up at Amazon
- Best for Volume: Strand Builder Hair Fibers at Amazon
What We Like
Guaranteed to last 48 hours
Easy to apply
Doesn't stain
Things to Consider
Contains talc
Type: Powder | Shades: 13 | Size: 0.14 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
With almost 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this hair concealer powder from Boldify is popular for many reasons. It works instantly to conceal the scalp, lasts for a guaranteed 48 hours, and is completely stain-proof. It’s a personal favorite of Taylor’s, who says it “leaves your hair with a natural, smooth feeling, rather than a sticky feeling [similar to] some root touch-up sprays.”
We love that a tiny bit is enough to cover bigger spots, and that the application is super simple. The concealer blends easily and looks truly natural (even from up close).
It stays put all day, and you can even run your fingers through your hair without it causing a mess or smearing. The only negative we can see is that it contains talc.
What We Like
Lightweight
Dries quickly
Free of ammonia and synthetic dyes
Things to Consider
Spray can feel sticky
Type: Spray | Shades: 9 | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
While this popular product is technically a root touch-up spray instead of a scalp concealer, it still works just as well to temporarily cover hair loss. This spray is lightweight and dries in just one minute, for color that will last until your next shampoo. We also love that it’s ammonia-free and made without synthetic dyes.
What We Like
Makes hair look fuller
Natural finish
Water-resistant
Things to Consider
Can be messy
Type: Powder | Shades: 14 | Size: 1.06 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made with natural plant fibers, this powder concealer can cover baldness and widening scalps easily, making the hair appear at least 10 times fuller. It comes in 14 shades, so if you have dyed or even salt and pepper hair, you’ll be able to find a color that matches.
It can get messy. But once applied, it dries with a natural finish and is also resistant to wind, rain, and sweat.
What We Like
Blends easily
Waterproof
Long-lasting formula
Things to Consider
Limited shade range
Type: Cream-to-powder | Shades: 7 | Size: 0.26 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This stick concealer is perfect to carry in your bag if you want to touch up during the day or apply as you’re rushing out of the house. It has a cream-to-powder formula that blends easily—all you have to do is dab straight onto your scalp.
We also love that it’s waterproof and full coverage, so you don’t have to worry about missing a spot.We just wish there were more shades.
What We Like
Paraben-free
Absorbs oil
Volumizing
Things to Consider
Only available in six shades
Type: Spray | Shades: 6 | Size: 1.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for one product that can efficiently fill in the scalp and cover growing roots, this touch-up spray from Oribe is the perfect pick. Not only does it add color, but it also absorbs dirt and oil (similar to how a dry shampoo would). The result? Hair that looks full, clean, and shiny.Too bad there are only six shades available.
Best Multitasking
Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler
What We Like
Use to fill in brows or touch up roots
Portable
Contains keratin
Things to Consider
May not be able to find exact matching shade
Type: Powder | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.13 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This cover-up product from Madison Reed is not only able to fill in a sparse hairline and hide roots, but it also works as an eyebrow filler. If you have thin hair all around, this is a great item to have in your makeup bag or take with you during the day.
It comes with a bigger brush for the hair and a smaller one to fill in your eyebrows, and they both fit perfectly in the small compact.The only downside is that, with only six shades, you may not be able to find the exact one to match your hair.
What We Like
Actually makes hair look thicker
Great shade range
Water-resistant
Things to Consider
Powder can be messy
Type: Powder | Shades: 11 | Size: 1.06 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This scalp concealer is made with organic keratin hair fibers that actually make your hair look thicker, instead of just covering up thinning areas. All you have to do is gently shake the powder onto your scalp and pat it down.
It may be messy to use, but your hair will look more voluminous and full. It also comes in 11 shades and will last until your next shampoo.
What to Look for in Scalp Concealers
- Formula: Scalp concealers mostly come in two forms: either a powder or a spray. Powders are usually made with hair fibers that give the appearance of volume, while sprays can add color and fill in missing patches. It all depends on what kind of finish and look you’re going for. This comes down to the application method as well, as powders can take a little longer to apply but can look more precise, while sprays are easy to use in a pinch but may not cover as well.
- Sweat and Weather Resistance: Scalp concealers can be removed easily with shampoo and water, but it’s best to find a formula that won’t smudge or run during the day. Especially when it comes to rain or sweat, you’ll want one that can stay put and won’t make a mess.
FAQ
Can scalp concealers damage the hair?
To put it simply, no. They have a similar function to makeup concealers, and shouldn't affect your hair or scalp condition if used correctly. “Scalp concealers are typically scalp-friendly,” says Taylor. “They usually have organic or synthetic keratin fibers that won’t further damage your locks.”
How do you use a scalp concealer?
“To best use a scalp concealer, simply gently pat [or spray] onto dry hair and thinning spots on the scalp, working outwards to create fuller, thicker hair,” says Taylor. “Then lightly comb, brush, or style hair.”
What's the difference between scalp concealer and root concealer?
While the two can sometimes be interchangeable, they do have a few differences. “Root concealers help temporarily camouflage your grown-out roots, while scalp concealer is used to fill in thinning spots on top of the head,” says Taylor. She says that root concealers are best for touching up between hair color appointments, while scalp concealers are better for covering larger patchy spots on the scalp.
Why Trust Byrdie
Shannon Stubbs is a staff commerce updates writer at Byrdie, where she covers beauty. To compile this list, she researched dozens of scalp concealers and consulted with experts to pick the best of the best.