Which method involves applying darker color at the roots and staggering it towards the ends?

The method that involves applying a darker color at the roots and seamlessly blending it towards lighter ends is known as shadowing. This technique creates depth and dimension while maintaining a natural gradient effect in hair color. By starting with a darker shade at the roots, the stylist can mimic the natural growth of hair, where roots tend to be darker than the rest of the hair. The gradual transition to lighter shades toward the ends enhances movement and vibrancy.

While reverse highlighting generally refers to placing darker tones on the lighter strands to create contrast, it typically doesn’t have the same blended, graduated effect as shadowing. Shading often refers to adding depth through color placement but can be more generalized. Tortoise shelling, on the other hand, combines multiple tones in a pattern resembling tortoiseshell, which does not specifically focus on the darker roots with a gradual transition to lighter ends. Thus, shadowing is the most accurate term for this specific coloring technique.