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DIY: Hair Chalking

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at JMU chapter.

Who would have ever thought of chalk as hair dye? The Hills star, Lauren Conrad, and her hair stylist, of course! After shooting for Lauren’s collection for Kohl’s, the two beauty bloggers from ‘The Beauty Department’ website experimented with colorful soft chalks. They discovered that hair chalking is a fun way to add temporary color to your locks. Hair chalking is a great option for Collegiettes who can’t bring themselves to actually dye their hair. The ultimate “look” can rebel or chic,  but soft chalks are an easy way to look different for a day!
 

 
If you’re up for a DIY and a short-term hair color commitment,  here is what you will need:
 

 

1.     Section and Dampen
Decide what sections of hair you want to chalk by sectioning it off with clips. Next, spray your hair with water. If you have blonde hair or tips, do not add water! If you add water to blonde hair, your temporary color will last a few washes. So if you’re looking for one day of temporary color, do not dampen your hair. If you’re brunette, you need to dampen your hair to make the pigment more vibrant.
 

2.     Apply Chalk
Choose a “soft pastel” from any major art store. A popular brand is Artist’s Loft, which only costs five dollars. Before you begin, make sure you’re not decked out in your cutest outfit—the chalk dust gets everywhere! Even during the day, the chalk may fall onto your clothing, so you may want to put your hair up or wear similarly colored clothing.

 
Next, apply the chalk in a downward motion, while twisting your hair. Avoid chalking in an upward motion so you do not damage your hair. To make it easier, you can chalk your hair against a scrap piece of paper on a table.

3. Dry and Style
Now you must wait for your hair to dry. When it’s ready, style it as you normally would. Flat-ironing it will help to lock in the color. Then, you can curl the ends for a playful, colorful look!

 

Caution: avoid chalking your hair too often, as the powder pigment in it will suck up the moisture in your hair. Make sure to shampoo and condition your hair to get all the chalk out.
 
Happy hair chalking, collegiettes!
 

Sources:
Thebeautydepartment.com
Elle.com
Seventeen.com
Collegefashion.net

Alexa is a junior from Cream Ridge, New Jersey.  She is studying Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Corporate Communication and minors in Creative Writing and Anthropology.  She works for the JMU Office of Residence Life as a Program Adviser and as the Graphics Editor for The Breeze.  She loves watching The Bachelor, pinning to her fashion boards and running outside.   Alexa aspires to work in the glamouous fashion magazine industry in New York City or LA.