Have y'all seen all of the summertime photo shoots of models donning pastel hair? The photos almost always include sunspots, and the pictures look so soft and ethereal that they make me want to have pastel hair too. Because that's how you get a life that looks all flowy and cotton-candy-dreamy, right?
The good news is that if you've been wanting to try this trend as much as I have, I've found a great, inexpensive, very temporary way to give it a try - hair chalking. It’s a great way to temporarily add color to your locks.
Above, you can see the chalk can create a very similar look to dye without the commitment. But… there is a catch, it can be messy (think chalk dust). There are several things you need to know about chalking your hair. Below are some tips + tricks along with some advice for before and after…
Before
1. Use only “soft chalk" pastels. I used THESE. They’re $3 per piece at Blick, which I think is a great deal when compared to salon treatments. I know what you're thinking... but no, regular chalk doesn’t work the same. It’s harder to transfer and getting it to stick to your hair can be virtually impossible. Soft chalk pastels can be found at any major art store. Just don’t get “soft chalk” pastels confused for oil pastels - that would be sticky and gross, and removing oil pastels from hair would be a nightmare. If you’re confused, ask a sales person.
2. If you are blonde, or have blonde highlights, do not wet your hair for chalking as it will stain your hair. If you're okay with the staining for several washes, then by all means, go for it! But if you want the color just for the day, do not add water at all. If your hair is darker than blonde and you don't have blonde highlights to work with, you'll need to wet your hair before chalking. It will help the colors show up on darker hair. Mist a little water on the strand with a spray bottle, then chalk it up! It won't stain darker hair the same way it will on lighter hair.
3. Always wear a robe or towel cape and lay something down on the floor to catch the chalk dust that falls off. If it gets everywhere, don't freak out. It's just chalk dust and cleans up very easily. Twist the hair as you chalk. The texture from twisting makes the chalk release more pigment. Always brush the excess powder out after chalking each section.
4. Experiment. Try doing 2 colors on one strand!
Be warned: It will get on your clothes during the day, so I wouldn't recommend wearing white. Doing updos with chalked hair is ideal because you won't get as much on your outfit.
After
- Before you shower, brush your hair with a soft, natural hair brush to get out as much of the pigment as you possibly can. Most of the pigment should come off with this brushing.
- Shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo.
- A conditioning treatment is a MUST after you wash out your chalk. Replenish the moisture!
- Don't chalk your hair too often. Chalk is very drying.
