Making trends meets: Hair that's just to dye for

04 February 2016 - 02:23 By Yolisa Mkele

Having hair is complicated. It's clearly visible from the top of your head which means you have to consistently do stuff to it that makes it look cool, funky or generally acceptable. One of the latest hair manipulation techniques is tinting it with bright, unnatural colours.Like that tiresome ex-boyfriend, hair colouring is not technically a new trend. But after a brief absence, it's slid back into pop culture's DMs [direct messages] with the promise of being different.One of the main differences for hair colouring now is something nifty called underlights. If you have a job or attend the type of school where your teachers have an unhealthy obsession with the state of your hair, then underlights are a great way to be subversive while minimising consequences.Made popular by the good folk of Instagram, underlights involve splitting your hair into a top and a bottom layer then turning the lower layer into the colour of your LSD-fuelled dreams. Any time you need to fool your boss into thinking you're a professional, you can just drape the top layer over the colour and dim the rainbow. Alternatively, if you want to look like an '80s pop princess you simply tie the top bit into a bun and let your freak flag fly.This plan is all good and well but what happens when you don't have the kind of hair that blows in the wind when a L'Oreal advert plays? What if you are black with short hair? Never fear because coloured hair is now for everybody.In this case the colour is blonde and the throwback is '90s kwaito. At the moment every Thandi, Dudu and Hlengiwe in Braamfontein seems to be sporting some variation of a short and blonde do that their mother would have forced them to comb out during their childhoods. It doesn't even have to be all that short, as long you have a tinge of au naturel you're good to go. Gilding your braids will also have all the cool kids straining their necks as you walk by.There are as many options for colouring your hair as there are strands on your head, each with the potential to make you look like someone dipped your head in paint or like a Vanity Fair cover girl. So if you are going to follow trends responsibly then it is best you choose wisely...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.