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You brush it. You wash it. You may even complain about how you wish it was more "this" or "that." Whatever your relationship with your hair, you can change it up with just a little creativity!
In fact, your hair is an oft-forgotten canvas that's ideal for painting a colorful statement. You can even test the waters with temporary or semi-permanent hair color. When crafting your temporary hair dye, however, it's important not to jump in without a plan. Otherwise, you may end up looking like Marge Simpson (or even worse, Homer).
Loren, congrats on your book, "DIY Dye"! How did you decide to write a book filled with recipes and techniques for temporary hair color?
Growing up, I was a bit of a rebel and alternative dresser, and was always looking for ways to change up my look and be unique. While I wasn't super interested in makeup, I did love fun hair colors and styles. Unable to afford going to the hairdresser every few weeks to maintain funky colors (and scared of what was actually in the Manic Panic being sold at my local Hot Topic), I began experimenting with ways to dye my hair at home using more natural methods. Back then, before everyone had the Internet at their fingertips, I had to resort to real trial and error. As luck would have it, my NYC hair stylist (and best friend) shares his upstairs studio with Ulysses (my publisher) and one of the editors there asked for his advice on a book idea she had about DIY dye methods. He thought of me and hooked us up ... the rest is history! Nowadays, I can afford to get my hair done regularly by a professional, but I'll never forget those younger days and the things I learned. Obviously, those old-school skills helped a lot with the writing of this book.
What is the best way for a beginner to get started with temporary hair dyes you can do at home? Are there some basic tools you'd recommend?
It totally depends on what you want to do, and where you're starting from (the length, color and texture of your hair). You'll likely need a comb, some towels you don't mind getting dirty, a really good hair dryer (invest in a Paul Mitchell, you won't regret it) and lots of patience. Natural dye methods are a lot more forgiving on hair, so as long as you don't have to bleach, you can really experiment and start all over if you don't like something.
Have you ever had a hair-dyeing catastrophe?
Yes, a ton, both on my own and from hair stylists. For one of my first movie premieres, my hair stylist (at the time, still a student) dyed my hair gray ... obviously, on accident. It was not cute, a very grandma-gray. Growing up I endured a whole host of disasters, from dyeing my hair orange, bleaching it so badly I had chunks of hair falling out, to having colors bleed together in a non-pleasing way. Luckily, I've always been really laid back about my hair. No matter how bad you mess up, it's important to remember that it's just hair — it's usually fixable, and even if not, it grows back, and it grows back healthier and stronger. A hair mess-up is not the end of the world.
Who are some of your favorite celebrities to wear colorful hair dyes?
I love Kelly Osborne's purple hair, which she's had for a while now. I think it's gorgeous and suits her very well. I also love pink ends, which has been sported by a ton of celebs (like Rachel McAdams, Demi Lovato and Gwen Stefani) for a short time. I thought Lauren Conrad rocked the look really well. Of course, these ladies have the funds to get these looks professionally and healthily done, which is nice.
What color is your hair dyed right now? What hair color and technique are you hoping to try next?
Right now, and for the last several months, my hair has been a dark red into yellow-blond ombre. I'm a big fan of that trend and have tried a few different color combinations with it, though I always seem to return to red. It's the color I have dyed my hair most often throughout my life. I keep bugging my stylist about what we should try next, though I have noticed that the older I get, the more welcome I am to keeping my hair consistent for longer periods of time. I am also now getting keratin treatments, which help keep my insanely wavy and frizzy mane a lot more manageable and straight. I love them and they're much healthier than Brazilians.
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