guest_ · 1 year ago
Hi Benson. Hair Chalk is a type of temporary hair color, it is usually a powder or comes in an applicator like a hair brush/comb that you run through your hair to cover it in the colored chalk.
It is pretty much what the name says- a chalk which you apply to hair. It’s usually some chalks and pigments with maybe some other stuff in there.
Purpose made quality Hair chalk is usually not quite the same as colored chalks you might buy at the store- the chalks and such used in it tend to be softer so as to be better suited to hair.
Hair chalk usually does not last very long, perhaps only a few washes or several days to a week or two in wet weather. This can be good and bad. Good for those who want to have some fun with different hair colors or do costume play etc. but don’t want to commit to a color change or deal with wigs, bad for those who want to get longevity from their color change.
Because it is just chalk in your hair, if you get soaked it may run on skin/clothes etc.
guest_ · 1 year ago
Hair chalk is generally less toxic (effectively non toxic) than many alternative hair color options, it’s usually mostly minerals and such that aren’t really harmful to people unless you do something silly like eat a whole bunch or start putting it places on/in the body it wasn’t meant for.
It doesn’t generally have the fumes associated with many hair color products either. It is worth noting that any fine dust can be an irritant or trigger respiratory problems or even some other health risks if made aerosol and inhaled, but this is true of household dust, cooking flour, etc etc. as well.
It is worth noting as well that one can be allergic to the pigments or other ingredients in the chalk and suffer allergic reaction. As with most cosmetics, if you are unsure it is best to test for reactions first.
guest_ · 1 year ago
With all types of hair, hair chalk can require several applications and some effort to get total and even coloration and coverage.
Hair chalk can be a good option for darker hair if you don’t want to lighten the hair before coloring, but expect less natural colors and more vibrant saturated colors than natural hair. So hair chalk isn’t always the best option for someone wanting a “natural” looking color change as opposed to something more vibrant. Hair chalk works well on lighter hair too and may be able to produce realistic hair colors more easily on lighter hair. Hair chalk can stain hair- this is especially a concern with lighter hair. Wetting your hair before chalking or while chalked can increase the risk as many pigments become dyes when mixed with liquids like water. It is something to be aware of.
guest_ · 1 year ago
Hair chalk can be quite messy. As stated earlier, if you are out and get wet such as rain or water activities, the chalk can be washed out by the water and the liquid and pigment can run down you skin or clothes or drip on your surroundings leaving stains or a mess. Since hair chalk is a powder, when you apply it, it can make quite a mess and may require a bit of clean up when through. Many people apply hair chalk in a bathtub or an area where the mess wont be spread around and get on their possessions and home and will be easier to clean up. After applying hair chalk, you will likely have chalk dust that didn’t bond to your hair. You will need to remove the dust (usually wiping it down with a towel or paper products to remove loose dust) or else as you move, wind moves through your hair, your hair touches objects etc. you will spread dust around. It is possible that there will be dust you missed or that more dust will “come loose” over time, so there is always risk of some dusting.
guest_ · 1 year ago
Lastly, while hair chalk is generally more “hair friendly” than many chemical or other hair color methods, it isn’t completely hair friendly. It is chalk. Applying it may dry your skin (like your hands used to apply it) where you contact the chalk. Wearing gloves can help protect your hands but if you have sensitive/dry scalp you may want to consider this and test/take precautions/etc. If you or others run your hands etc. through your hair after applying chalk you may transfer some color/dust or dry your hands etc.
just as it dries living skin, chalk can and likely will dry hair to some degree as chalk absorbs moisture (that’s why you see those weight lifters and gymnasts and such like at the Olympics put the whole powder aka chalk on their hands before starting it absorbs moisture from the hands to help with gripping bars and such.) So your hair will almost definitely lose some moisture from chalking.
guest_ · 1 year ago
You can treat your hair before chalking, either with general “hair health” products or with some sort of products/chemicals made to seal hair or protect it specifically from damage. You can also help mitigate any harm to the hair by treating your hair properly after chalking. Because chalking generally isn’t as harsh etc. as many other coloring methods, the care required to keep it healthy from a simple chalking here or there isn’t usually as involved. Another tip is that hair which is heated tend to open the follicles while hair that is cooled tends to close them. While you generally avoid wetting hair right before/while hair chalk is used, the ambient temperature or other “dry” means of temperature control can impact your follicles too. Opening with heat may allow slightly better adhesion but generally increases chance of damage. Cool hair that is closed may be harder to get adhesion but will likely be more protected.
guest_ · 1 year ago
It is generally recommended for hair health to wash hair with cool/cold water- shampoos tend to open the hair and allow cleaner to penetrate the hair while conditioners generally exist in large part to close the hair back up after you finish shampooing to protect hair and give it a smoother look and feel etc. cool water rinsing helps this process and high temperatures including that of hot water can themselves damage hair while also making the hair more open and thus vulnerable to damage. So when you do wash out your hair chalk, I would advise using cool water to do so along with a quality shampoo and quality conditioner. I generally don’t advise “all in one” shampoo and conditioner unless there are special circumstances or it is a matter of practical need etc.
guest_ · 1 year ago
So that’s about all I can think of pertaining to hair chalk. If you give it a try let us know how it goes and I wish you luck. Hair chalk is just about the mildest method of hair coloration their is, it’s akin to the “koolaid” hair coloring except unlike koolaid with its sugars and such, hair chalk is actually intended to be used in hair.
Have fun either way and enjoy your day Benson.
karlboll · 1 year ago
I had no idea this existed. @bensen if you get it, can we have pics plz?
snowbeast · 1 year ago
I second that!
bensen · 1 year ago
When I do it I’ll post pics :)
And thanks so much for the info @guest_ you made my day <4
guest_ · 1 year ago
@benson- it was my pleasure. Thank you Benson.