Chalk Locks: DIY Pastel Leopard Spots

"Hair chalking" is the latest trend in temporary hair color, and after soaking up our share of YouTube tutorials on how to fake a dip-dye with a box of pastels, you can bet we were scrounging through our leftover art class supplies ready to put a package to use. Using chalk pastels on dampened hair will result in a vivid look that easily rinses away in the shower, thanks to the powdery formula. Think of it as colored hair powder in stick form. Though pastels are prime for streaking long hair, we discovered that not only are they more vibrant on shorter locks, they're also a lot less messy.

This wild leopard look is easy to achieve and will leave everyone wondering who does your hair! Do it on yourself,  on a friend, mix it up with a combination of colors, or think up your own pattern! Just make sure you shower before hitting the sheets, or you'll be faced with a mess the next morning. Let's get chalking!

You’ll Need:

• 1 box of chalk pastels from an art supply store
• Rubber Gloves
• A glass of water
• A towel

STEP 1

Wet hair with water and wrap a towel around your neck to protect your clothing. Select a bright-colored pastel for the leopard spots (we chose green).

STEP 2

Wearing your gloves, dip your finger into a glass of water and wet a desired starting point on your head. The wetter the hair, the brighter the color will be. With your colored pastel, draw a spot no more than half an inch wide on your locks. Repeat, drawing another spot of a slightly different size about one or two inches away from the first. Continue until your desired area is covered entirely in spots. Don't worry about making perfect circles, either—spots look better slightly oblong.

STEP 3

Wet your finger and use it to dampen the hair around the edge of a green spot. Then, take your black pastel and draw a U-shape over the top of the spot. Repeat over each green spot, altering not only the size of the U-shape, but the direction it faces as well.

STEP 4

Finish the design by drawing random small black spots in open spaces.

STEP 5

Blow-dry your hair if needed, and wipe your neck or ears free of any loose pigment. Mist your head lightly with hairspray to ensure it lasts the day. To remove your design, simply wash away with shampoo.

Rock your new do' all day and give them something to chalk about!