I always associate bright, eye-catching colors with summertime. That’s probably why I get the urge to dye my hair every color under the sun once the warmest season of the year comes around. I’m obsessed with trying new shades to match my outfits and/or makeup, but I can’t bring myself to fully commit to one color most of the time. My natural hair color isn’t really something you can get out of a bottle either, so I’m always extra careful when I decide to experiment with crazy, colorful looks. For anyone looking to try something new with their hair without the permanence, there are quite a few options to explore!

1. Hair Chalk

This is probably one of my more used methods. While it does take a bit of time depending on how much of your hair you’re coloring, along with your hair thickness and length, it’s perfect for testing out a variety of colors. All you have to do is pick up some non-oil-based pastels from a craft store and you’re good to go! Some people even use eyeshadow instead of pastels, but the choice is yours. Just wet the parts of your hair you’re looking to color, pick a pastel, and then rub it over the damp part of your hair a few times and you’re golden! Depending on the color you use, it could last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

2. Kool-Aid

Ohhh yeaaah! This technique is probably super intriguing for those who enjoy the flavored drink. All you have to do is make the Kool-Aid as you normally would, put it in a cup or container, and simply dip your hair into it! The lighter your hair, the longer it will last, so be careful with how much time you keep your hair in the mixture for.

3. Hair Gel

Dyeing with colored hair gel is fast and easy. The only issue I have with it is that like regular gel, it leaves your hair feeling hard and looking wet. Be sure not to wear anything white or super nice when you choose to use colored gel--it tends to be messy and rubs off onto anything you lean against. I’ve used it on days I’m going to concerts and want to just run out the door the minute I wake up. My favorite brand is Splat, it’s cheap, has a few different wild colors, and washes out immediately!

4. Hairspray

I’m sure most of you can recall this method from your younger days, especially around Halloween time. It was the most effortless way to achieve a bright, bold look back then, and probably still is now. You can find these products at pretty much any pharmaceutical company for just a couple bucks. It’s incredibly efficient for sports games, costume parties, or festivals.

5. Mascara

If you’re just looking to color small pieces of your hair, this is the way to do it! Before my first trip to a music festival, I picked up a green Colorme by Giuliano and just ran it through the ends of my hair a few times and was done instantly. It turned out to be rather understated compared to what you’d expect, while still having a bit of an edge to it. Perfect for on the go!

6. Clip-In Hair Extensions

Many people don’t actually like to mess with their hair, so just adding onto it would be a perfect solution. Of course, hair extensions aren’t typically the cheapest way of going about a new hairstyle, but if you don’t mind something more low quality, have no fear! I’ve picked up some clip-in hair pieces at Hot Topic for a pretty decent price. As long as you straighten your hair, the product will blend in pretty well. Try more than one color at once for a more daring look!

No matter which coloring technique you use, you're guarenteed to receive loads of compliments on your new appearance!