WTF Is Hair Chalking and How Can You Do It?

Dying your hair has always seemed like a commitment. Even if you go for the temporary stuff, applying dye still requires some bleach action (if you want the color to look good, that is), and it never seems to come out the right away. Don't even get us started on all the damage you're doing to your strands. But the worst part? If you hate the look, there's no turning back. Let's say your personal dye-job went insanely awry or your hair dresser didn't get your specific instructions, you're stuck with that look for at least a week. There are only so many days you can pull off a hat before people start to know something's up.

But if you want to dye your hair any color when the mood strikes, you should try hair chalking. Simply put, hair chalking is like eye shadow for your locks. Coming in dry pots or sticks, you apply hair chalk to your strands in the same way you would hair dye. However, instead of it lasting weeks on end, hair chalk lasts about a day or two depending on how often you wash. Basically, hair chalk lets you look like a mystical mermaid without the commitment.

Hair chalk can range in price from as little as $6 to as much as $50, so choose the brand and price that works best for you. Hello Giggle's hair stylist contributor Kate Allenrecommends trying Kevin.Murphy's Color.Bug ($13.90, Jet.com) because it's a less dry texture, and it won't move around your hair as much.

How You Do it

Because you're probs dying to try this (we know we are), here is how you perfectly chalk your hair for a signature ombre that you can rock today and change tomorrow.

First, you're going to need a pair of gloves, a towel or a cape, leave-in conditioner, hairspray, a comb and if you want, a straightener or curling iron.

Spray some of your leave-in conditioner into wet or dry hair. Wet hair will help hold the pigment better, but if you're super blonde, She Knows recommends leaving hair dry if you don't want the look to last too long. Once your hair is prepped, take your chalk and apply it to one-inch hair sections. Kate says to place your thumb on the chalk and slide it down the strand about five times to get a rich color. Based on the look you're trying to go for, do a few strands or the complete bottom of your hair for a funky combre.

After you're done chalking it up, spray some hairspray in ribbons a few inches from your head to lock the look in. She Knows also says to either straighten or curl your hair to lock the look further and add some style.

If you love your new locks, rock the look for a second day by keeping your head from getting wet. If you hate it, wash the chalk out in the shower. Be careful if you decide to keep your hair overnight: Your pillow will get covered in color!

And that's it. It's that easy. If you've ever tried hair chalking and you're absolutely in love, sound off in the comments below.