Saturday 30 November 2013

CHALK IT UP!

Unusually this Winter'13/14, a pastel element has been added to the usual dark plums and greens that are often brought out for this season.

Think 'Winter Wonderland': brilliant whites with dashes of shy colour that refuse to be as old as they were this Summer! - Enter the chalk make-up colour palette...

In just 4 short years, the trend of dip-dye has found a loyal following. However, for the remainder of us that feel more comfortable to admire from a safe distance a DIY chalking method may be the answer.



Commitment-phobes are able to use chalk instead of dye to inject colour into their locks, safe in the knowledge it will wash out again the next morning.

Why not try a few of the below techniques as suggested by 'Evening Standard's' Emma McCarthy;

EDGING (top image):
'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.”'

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’OrĂ©al 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.'


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.'




TIPS:
  • Use soft pastels rather than chalk pastels as the colour is easier to transfer and sticks better to the hair
  • If you are blonde, DO NOT add water before chalking, this will cause the chalk to stain your hair and will not come out for a couple of washes.
  • If you have darker hair, DO mist a little water onto your hair, this will help the colour to show up more.
  • Twist the hair as you chalk to help the chalk to release more pigment as it rubs against the rough texture.
  • Brush out excess powder after each section

Ciate Chalkboard manicure
Not brave enough to express the trend on your hair? Then why not get creative with your nails instead!




"Hate the sound of nails on a chalkboard? Why not try chalkboard on your nails? Release your inner child and decide what your nails will say about you today, literally."

Ciate's manicure set allows you to draw on a design and wash it off as many times as you want before fixing your finished design with their 'Mattnificent Matte Top Coat'.

The sets can be found in most department stores such as John Lewis as well as on their website: www.ciate.co.uk/chalkboard-manicure where it is currently just £17.50, down from the original price of £25 - for a limited time only!
Each set includes:
  • 13.5ml3 Chalkboard Nail Polish
  • 13.5ml Mattnificent Matte Top Coat
  • 4 Coloured Chalk Pens