How To Get Lauren Conrad's Rainbow Hair
As soon as we saw the photo Lauren Conrad Twitpic'd of her amazing tie-dye hair, we knew we had to have it! We turned to hair expert Michael Angelo, owner of the mind-blowingly whimsical Wonderland Beauty Parlor in NYC, for easy tips on how to get this look at home.
"Adding vibrant, colorful hair extensions instantly gives you an edgy boost without requiring a long-term commitment, and making them yourself is super fun. Think of coloring and designing your own personalized extensions as a great way to upgrade your hair for the summer!" Angelo says. "You don't need a salon, a ton of tools, or a Masters degree from L'Oreal to do it; just gather your besties together, make sure you have a few simple items, and get ready to amp up your style with 3D color."
Here's what you'll need: bleached blonde human hair extensions with clips already attached, vegetable-based hair dyes ("Manic Panic and Special Effects make some of my fave shades," notes Angelo), small bowls and brushes (beauty supply stores sell inexpensive, reusable ones), and craft paper to cover the large area you'll use as your working station. Disposable gloves are a good idea too, especially if you don't want to ruin your mani. "And most importantly, you'll need an irrepressible spirit!" Angelo says.
(A quick note: Why must you use human hair? "Synthetic hair won't hold color," Angelo explains. "Perhaps you discovered this a long time ago when you tried giving Barbie a cut-and-color!" )
1/6Get the inside scoop from hairstylist and Wonderland Beauty Parlor owner Michael Angelo on how to create tie-dye hair extensions.
Photo courtesy of Ricky's NYC2/6Step One
Lay down craft paper on a large surface to protect tabletops or the floor from getting stained. Place your extensions in the center four to seven layers thick, making sure the clips at the top are evenly lined up. Make sure you’ve put down enough craft paper so that the dye won’t soak through and make a mess!
Indique Hair Studio Collection Fishnet Extension, $225-$275. Indiquehair.com.
Photo courtesy of Ricky's NYC3/6Step Two
Put the different colors of dye in the mixing bowls, and be prepared to get creative! Remember, when it comes to working with vegetable dyes, you can easily create new colors by mixing a few together to invent the perfect shade. However, add different colors a little bit at a time so that the end result doesn’t look muddy.
Tish & Snooky’s Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream, $14. Rickysnyc.com.
Photo courtesy of LuLife Media4/6Step Four
Once you’re finished painting, follow the hair color instructions on the package and let them process for the directed time (normally 30 minutes). Afterwards, when they’re completely dry, it’s a good idea to wash them gently with some shampoo and use a little conditioner as well. If you like a more washed-out hue, just shampoo the extensions a few more times.
RickyCare Reusable Gloves, $4. Rickysnyc.com.
Photo courtesy of Ricky's NYC5/6Step Five
When you clip the finished extensions into your hair, there are lots of amazing effects you can create. A rule of thumb is to place them one inch away from your hairline so you can hide the clips. Take an extension and blend it underneath an inch-wide panel of hair from the top of your head. Hair with colored extensions in it looks great loose and free as well as in a ponytail or pinned back. A wider panel of colored extensions can be clipped to the back of your head underneath a layer of hair for vibrant bursts of color that spill out the sides and the back. There’s absolutely no way to do it wrong as long as you like the outcome. It’s all about your inimitable style and letting your unique personality color the world. Just express yourself and be free!
Rubber Styling Clip, $5. Rickysnyc.com.
Photo courtesy of Ricky's NYC6/6Step Three
It’s time to get started! Here are some ideas on how to paint your extensions: I love gradated color, where different shades pass imperceptibly from one hue to the next. You can create a really pretty, punky effect by taking various shades and brushing them on in a haphazard, painterly way, a la Monet. Picture a sunset on the Seine while you paint and you’ll do just fine! Next, flip the stack of extensions over and do the other side. You’ll see that some color has already made it through to the back, and there will be some uncolored parts too. Choose harmonious shades to fill in the un-dyed portions.
Another idea: Replicate tie-dye by painting color down the center of the extension. Twist the extension, and then paint again on the opposite side. It’s a cool way to layer colors. Keep doing this technique until you’ve achieved the desired effect.
You can also lay out individual extensions and dye them separately. Raccoon stripes, with distinct bands of color, make for a bold statement—and it’s your rainbow, so paint the stripes whatever color you desire. It’s also a cinch to create leopard print: Just paint "C" and "O" shapes both forward and backward on one side of an extension. Grrr!
RickyCare Tapered Thin Tinting Brush, $3. Rickysnyc.com.
RickyCare Tapered Thick Tinting Brush, $3. Rickysnyc.com.
