I know what you're thinking. Yes, roots are allowed now, and we're all very happy about that. But, for some of us - the ones who may or may not have a bit of undesired wiry grey strands poking through, or the ones who prefer a cleaner, polished dye job - roots can become an irritant on a par with moths destroying all your cashmere.

So, for the ones who are not ombre-inclined, do not fear. There are myriad ways to tackle the problem of your roots, in lieu of getting an appointment at the salon (let's face it, January is always a long and curiously expensive month), they just require a bit of chutzpah and imagination. 

As it's friday, and we're in a giving mood, we've done all the imagining for you. Below, you will find 10 let's say, er, avant-garde decoys to solve the problem of your roots. Follicularly, we're here for you. 

1. Do the insiouciant French girl thing
Just add a wholesome, schoolgirl fringe, thick black-rimmed glasses (the marker of a cerebral mind), a pop of un-salacious poppy-red lipstick (with a matte finish, s'il vous plait) and a brushed-cotton Breton. In other words, become Zooey Deschanel and practice your 'but I don't care' face. Your roots will instantly become Gallic-chic (the best sort of chic). 

2. Whip your hair up into a Croydon-facelift ponytail
Because, when your cheekbones have been lifted by a crane and drilled into your temples by your frighteningly tight high-ponytail, a sense of purpose is inadvertently written across your unyielding, skintight face. Oh, and pile on the red lipstick and ego. It worked for Madonna. 

3. Revisit the nostalgic pleasure of an coiled curler
The women of Liverpool (and Miley Cyrus, it seems) deserve the respect of the nation for wholly committing to the pursuit of beauty; they've been known to spend entire thursday's going shopping in curlers in preparation of the architecture the weekend requires of their hair. If the words 'Hilda Ogden' mean anything to you, we would advise you leave this one to the spring chickens.

4. Wear a hat. No, really - actually wear a hat
Our inability to wear a hat effectively is what has failed our generation. But, look how easy Kate makes the accoutrement of a baker boy cap? Admittedly, the scourge of the scuzzy post-Brit pop era, the baker boy cap has since found a new, fashion-y portal with which to cover all our hair ills. 

5. Cover your head in flowers
Flower garlands, selfishly, used to be the preserve of brides only. Not anymore. And we have Lana del Rey to thank for that. There are, it has to be said, a few occupational hazards with wearing a ring of flowers around your head, namely the distinct possibility that you might be mistaken for a member of Little Mix, or an ex-soap star wandering around the VIP area of an over-exposed pop festival. But, it has the unrivalled allure of making you feel rather maidenly and wench-like, which is always fun. 

6. Put on some Pat Butcher earrings
Hiding crap hair is all about the art of distraction. And distraction comes in no better form than a pair of door-knocker earrings that wouldn't look out of place on the queen of the ear-bauble, Pat Butcher. Or Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle. Shake them furiously as you bemoan your loser boyfriend/rent increase/failure to complete a dry January. 

8. Become an eco-activist
I don't mean sponsoring a penguin, or buying some Stella shoes - we all do that. I mean, sitting in a field for four days in protest of yet another tree being chopped down by a 'tree surgeon.' That sort of eco-activist, with all the plastic hair miscellany and a bowler hat. Eco-activists have got their priorities in order; in reality, what your hair looks like doesn't really matter.

9. Consider the enduring appeal of the bubble-perm
I mean, don't actually consider it - that would be madness - but the truth is a pile of buoyant curls on the top of your head does wonders for diguising faded, outgrown highlights. 

9. Affix several ridiculous accessories to your hair
Wack a gigantic bow in there and some 80s sunglasses and hell, why not slip into a cosy red gilet? You'll ensure all eyes are on your charmingly absurd accessories and not on your expired dye job. The hinged tiger earrings however, are a keeper for all seasons.

10. WWBD?
In moments such as these, there is really only question to ask yourself; what would Beyoncé do? Well, I think we can all agree that - if faced with the interminable horror of an expired hair colour - she would simply WORK IT OUT. A lesson learned.