Today’s hippest hair trends are quick and inexpensive to achieve. Whether it’s temporary color, a 30-second bun or the latest fashionable hair tie, these picks recreate runway looks in real life. Here’s what’s turning heads, according to retailers, and Youtube links to help you use them.
HAIR CHALK: What started as a way to add bold flashes of temporary color to models’ hair has become a craze. “I think we will see this emerging trend branch out over the next few years,” said Marlyn Roquemore, Director of Buying and Product Development for Ricky’s, which sells Hair Color Chalk in eight shades ($10). “It’s instant gratification, the ability to change your mind and change your look by just washing it out and starting over. The options are endless.” Beauty brands have jumped on the bandwagon. There’s Beyond the Zone Color Buzz ($7.99), sold exclusively at Sally Beauty Supply stores and on its web site; Donna Bella Hair Chalk ($12), available online; and Kevin Murphy’s Colour.Bug, available in three shades, which is sold online and in salons for $20. In this video Kevin shows how to apply it.
BUN MAKERS: “We’ve been seeing a lot of buns and how-to videos on Bloom,” said Julie Mahloch, founder and CEO of Bloom.com. “It’s really a trending look.” There’s BunHeadz, a patent-pending velcro-grip bun doughnut created by San Antonio, TX-based Jennifer Carriedo after traditional bun makers failed to hold her thinner, layered hair. Carriedo launched bunheadz.com and features this video to show how to use it. “People want an easier way to make a bun without using 10,000 hair pins and having it fall when you’re getting out of the car,” Jennifer said. Other bun makers include Hairagami ($6.95 on hairagami.com), which works like a slap bracelet, as well as traditional bun forms from Conair ($4.99 for the kit on ulta.com) and Hype Hair ($3.49 on drugstore.com).
NO CREASE HAIR TIES: Newport Beach, CA-based-mom Jessica Frandson needed a way to tie back her hair after she had a baby. Traditional elastics were too tight, so she crafted a hair tie out of soft elastic trim. Frandson launched Twistband (thetwistband.com) out of her garage in January 2009 and has sold more than 7 million pieces since. This video shows different styles and colors, as well as a review. “I see so many people wearing them around town,” said Katia Beauchamp, co-founder of Birchbox.com, which sells a 6-pack for $10. “They look good on your wrist – it’s a fashion piece – and they hold your hair without denting it.”