Chalk this way: a bright alternative to hair dye

Want that splash of colour but too shy to dye? The salons have adopted a bright idea, says Emma McCarthy
13 November 2013

There was a time before the dip-dye. It was called 2009. In just four short years, the technique for turning your tresses technicolour has found a loyal following among the capital’s twentysomething population. But for every person willing to bleach their barnet peroxide blonde before covering it in bright green dye, there are 10 others who are much happier admiring from a safe distance.

That was until we discovered hair chalking — the DIY method that uses chalk instead of dye to give commitment-phobes an injection of colour, safe in the knowledge it will wash out again the next morning.

Unsurprisingly, it has proven pretty popular. So much so that the professionals are moving in. This month sees the launch of several chalking products that were definitely never intended for use on a blackboard, alongside a host of in-salon services to show you how to keep your chalk looking far from old-school. From colour-block top-knots to edging (aka the new dip-dye), here are four of the latest techniques to try, straight from the experts.

Edging

If you’re too shy for a dip-dye or think ombre is over, why not try edging instead — the latest technique to get some colour to your tips? As coined by Charles Worthington — which has launched its first in-salon chalking service this month to let clients spice up their regular trim for £15 — edging lines the perimeter of the hair with colour that lasts between two and 10 washes. “By highlighting the edge of a strong hair cut all the way around the base, you emphasise the length and blunt edges of the cut,” says Marc Trinder, art team director at Charles Worthington and the brains behind the look. “It works particularly well on sharp shapes or bob-length hair.” (020 7831 5303)

Seeing stripes

When it comes to the new trends of the season, you can always count on the catwalks to produce the boldest of the bunch. For spring/summer 14, that came courtesy of Ali Pirzadeh, who created the vivid block stripes backstage at Ashish’s latest London Fashion Week showcase. Using the newly launched HAIRchalk by L’Oréal Professionnel — a new temporary colour using water ink combined with micro-fibre polymers — Pirzadeh applied the colour to hair using a sponge, graduating tonal hues of brown at the root with bright coral or blue through the lengths. Feeling brave? Recreate the look at home using the chalks, available now in eight colours, to brighten your look for up to three shampoos — or one weekend, depending how you look at it. (£15, 0800 030 4034).

Colour-block bun

If you fancy turning your topknot from I-couldn’t-be-bothered-to-wash-my-hair-today into a style statement, Bumble & Bumble has the solution — turn it pink. Or purple. Or green. The haircare brand has made its first foray into chalking with the launch of Spraychalks — a quick-dry, wash-out tint. To create this look, nicknamed the Colour Block Bun, Bumble & Bumble stylists suggest liberally coating the base of a wrapped bun with the Blush hue while protecting the crown from colouring with your hand or a sheet of card. What could be simpler? Apart from washing it out the next day, of course (£15, bumbleandbumble.co.uk)

French Fringe

James Galvin, creative director at Mayfair’s Daniel Galvin salon, has taken an unusual starting point as the inspiration for the salon’s newly launched chalking services — a classic French manicure. Dubbed the “French Fringe”, the style mimics the chic Parisian paint job with a touch of contrasting colour on the tips. “This is a great colour splash for something fun without the commitment,” says Galvin, who creates the look by dividing the fringe into two sections to avoid over-chalking the hair (and getting it all over your face in the process), “it can be classic using a subtle natural shade like a bronze or go full on party mode with pink or blue.” (From £50, Danielgalvin.com)

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