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It\u2019s hard to imagine just how many times a client has sat down at their hair salon and cited they wanted hair like Gwyneth Paltrow<\/a>\u2019s. Like quite a few hair icons of late, GP is taking the next step in her legendary blonde evolution by embracing her grays<\/a>. But don\u2019t call it a base bump: Kadi Lee<\/a>, celebrity colorist and founder of Highbrow Hippie<\/a>, uses a technique called the smudge (coined by acclaimed Los Angeles\u2013based colorist Lorri Goddard<\/a>) to achieve Paltrow\u2019s seamless hair-color transition.<\/p>\n Brooklyn-based colorist and educator Emily Claire<\/a> explains that there\u2019s a significant difference between the two trending root techniques<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cA base bump is great for anyone who wants to shift their natural color a level lighter without using bleach,\u201d Claire says. \u201cRoot smudges utilize demi-permanent color to smudge, drag, or flick the base color downward, about one to three inches from the scalp. It creates a depth or shadow, and due to its lived-in appearance, it\u2019s great for low-maintenance color.\u201d<\/p>\n To melt Paltrow\u2019s grays into her golden-blonde strands seamlessly, Lee says she leaves the smudge dye shade on for half of the normal processing time, skirting the harsh line that can break through after highlights are added: \u201cIt gives a tiny bit more gray coverage overall, and I\u2019m still able to have the highlights be really bright and golden.\u201d<\/p>\n Lee says she kicked up the Marty Supreme<\/em> star\u2019s brightness at her last appointment so she\u2019s summer ready too. If you\u2019re considering copying the look, you\u2019re in luck: Smudging is suited for all seasons and almost all hair colors.<\/p>\n \u201cI would recommend it for anyone whose base color needs a bit more life,\u201d she says. \u201cI have clients who are in their 20s who have very neutral, wheat-colored hair, and this technique helps to really warm it up and give it that nice buttery tone<\/a> that everyone has been loving.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s also ideal for adding a little depth to brunettes with highlights; Lee says that smudging chocolate-toned hair in combination with highlights creates a chestnut variation<\/a>\u2014\u201calmost like a tortoiseshell comb.\u201d She adds that the method is also light on upkeep thanks to the softer grow-out, which means you can stretch time between appointments.<\/p>\n Claire points out that smudging is generally not recommended for hair with heavy grays because it can result in a high contrast grow-out. But if the silver has just started, maybe it\u2019s time to ask if smudging is in your future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n