1. Hair chalking
Rainbow bright hair has been everywhere lately, gracing the heads of Dakota Fanning, Lauren Conrad, January Jones, and the Spring 2012 runway models at Peter Som and Thakoon. Chances are you’ve probably seen the coolest girl in class rocking subtle pink streaks, too. Isn’t it time you tried out the look? Before you go running for permanent dye, experiment with hair chalking, a method of “dyeing” your hair with wax chalk that’s completely safe and washes out after just one or two days. Here’s how it works:
- Pick up a set of wax pastels from a craft store. This set from Michael’s includes 24 colors for just $5. The name is misleading – you don’t want to use playground chalk for this!
- Place a towel over your shoulders and clothing before you begin.
- Spritz the section of hair you want to chalk with water.
- Rub a wax pastel up and down the section of hair until the section is saturated with color.
- Once your hair is dry, lock in the color with a flat iron or curling iron.
Check out this easy, step-by-step tutorial to see how simple hair chalking can be!
2. Colored streaks
Like the look of hair chalking but want something that lasts just a little bit longer? Semi-permanent hair dye comes in an array of funky colors and typically washes out in under two weeks. Manic Panic is available for $12.99 at Hot Topic in hot pink, turquoise, purple, and more. Katrina Margolis, a freshman at the College of Wooster, just added temporary pink streaks to her hair and loves her look. “I had seen the look on celebrities and liked it. When I was younger, I did a lot of over the top coloring, like dyeing my entire head bright red, and this was a subtler way of doing it.”
3. Temporary lip tattoos
If you have Nicki Minaj-style confidence and love to experiment with the boldest looks, this beauty risk has your name written all over it! Just like those sponge-on temporary tattoos you probably sported in elementary school, these tats are made for your lips. Violent Lips makes Minx-style stickers that transfer prints like leopard, polka dots, and glitter onto your pout. Head over to Violent Lips to purchase a pair and learn how to apply them like a pro. Starting at $7.99, temporary lip tattoos are a fun way to make a statement for a big night out.
4. Clip-in bangs
Zooey Deschanel wouldn’t look the same without her signature blunt bangs. But before you run to the stylist to start snipping, wouldn’t you feel just a tad safer knowing you’ll come out of the salon looking celebrity hot rather than looking like your five-year-old cousin? Recently, Kim Kardashian, Shay Mitchell, and Leighton Meester have all flirted with clip-in bangs. Experiment with the look before making the cut with Ulta’s Clip-In Bangs, available in stores and online for $23.99 in six shades. If you love the look, you’ll know it’s time to make an appointment with your hair stylist – just save the clip-ins in your bathroom drawer for when you’re growing out your bangs and are suffering through that awkward in-between stage!
5. Clip-in extensions
Remember those infomercials for Jessica Simpson’s extensions? Don’t be so quick to relegate them to the same territory as Snuggies and pajama jeans. Clip-in extensions can instantly give you a mane to rival Blake Lively’s without her army of hair stylists and wind machines. Alicia Thomas, a freshman at Penn State, swears by her extensions. “I don’t wear them every day, but I throw them in when I’m going somewhere special. They’re not even that much longer than my real hair, but they make my hair look thicker.” We think Alicia looks gorgeous! Sally’s Beauty Supply has a fantastic selection of extensions to fit your hair color, texture, and length.
[pagebreak]
6. Gems
Alicia brings us another daring beauty look for a night out. “My friends and I wore gems when we went clubbing and it looked fantastic! We got so many compliments, and even getting ready together was more fun when we had so many sparkly, colorful, sexy options.” Think of these rhinestone gem appliqués as the cooler, sexier older sister of the glitter body gel you wore as a kid. You can find rhinestones with peel-off backings at any craft store. Apply them in arcs over or under your eyes, like Alicia, or go for a more subtle look and add just a dot at the outer corner of each eye.
7. Fake lashes
Your go-to mascara is ideal for class, but it’s fun to play up your lashes in a totally va-va-voom way for a big night out. Fake lashes come in every style imaginable, from just long enough to give the impression you’re naturally this doe-eyed to Kardashian-thick and tipped with glitter, so shop around until you find a pair you like. Most sets can easily be trimmed to a length that fits your eye shape and matches your desired length. Here’s how to apply fake lashes:
- Select a pair of lashes that fits the look you’re going for.
- Hold them up to your eyelid to make sure they fit along the entirety of your eyelid. If they’re poking you in the eye, trim them from the outer edge until they fit.
- Apply a thin line of black liquid liner on your upper lids.
- Coat your lashes with mascara.
- Spread a thin layer of eyelash glue along the band of the lashes and wait twenty seconds or so for them to become tacky.
- Carefully press the lashes onto your lash line from the outer corner in. Slow and steady is your best bet for this step.
- When you’re done, trace over your newly blended lashes with another line of liquid liner.
For a more detailed look at the process, check out this video tutorial before going crazy with glue anywhere near your eyelids.
8. Henna tattoos
Like the look of body art but don’t want to take the plunge into permanent ink? Henna is a temporary tattoo ink that comes from India. It’s commonly used to decorate Indian women’s hands and feet for special events like weddings, but it’s a popular way for girls around the world to decorate themselves for summer, too. Annie Robinson, a sophomore at North Toronto Collegiate Institute, loved her experience with henna. “I definitely felt like it was a spicy way to spruce up my summer style. Not only did I get tons of compliments on the intricate design, it was also really cool to be embracing a style from a different culture!” she says. Henna fades after just a few weeks, so this is a low-key way to change up your look.
9. Glitter eyeliner or mascara
Channel your inner pop star with a little glitz and glam in your eye makeup. Glitter eyeliner or mascara is the perfect way to make a statement without going over the top. “I’ve done glitter mascara which is a great thing for frat parties or girls’ night out,” says Katrina. Punch up your look with Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner ($18) or LA Splash Glitter Mascara ($6.49). When rocking a statement eye, go for a neutral lip.
10. Statement lipstick
Feeling blah? Pick up your mood with a bright shade of lipstick. Whether you opt for classic red, bright pink, punchy coral, or daring purple, take a beauty risk and let your lips take center stage. With this look, keep the rest of your makeup simple – and don’t be afraid to smile! Remember, if you try out a color and chicken out before leaving your bathroom, you’re back to your naturally beautiful lips with a swipe of a tissue.
Are you planning on experimenting with any of these beauty dares? Remember, there’s hardly any risk at all – each one of these will fade before you know it, so don’t be afraid to play!