How to Get Rainbow Locks Without Dyeing Your Hair

Meet Darnell Wold, (no, not pictured above ;), hair stylist + wig artisan extraordinaire. He has more than a decade’s worth of experience in the hair industry in coloring and styling. Using his combined hair expertise — and an imaginative mind — he makes the wigs of your dreams a reality. We’re not talking plain pinks or basic blues, either; these wigs feature totally multi-dimensional looks that you can’t help but notice.

The wig industry is old, and the model is broken (why would anyone want to wear a generic, made-in-bulk, low-quality item on their head?). Most wig lines sell stock wigs — which are exactly what they sound like — that are already pre-styled and colored. You’re creatively restricted (something we are ALWAYS AGAINST!) and aren’t left with many options. Darnell’s line offers “complete creative control” to the client, allowing one to customize the color, cut, styling, texture, density, lace color, scalp color and even the hairline.

There’s no doubt that trends in hairstyles + colors come and go, but the “Granny hair movement,” that silver/gray hair trend we’ve been seeing for the last year, has gone viral. “I love the fact that society is becoming more daring and experimenting with their hair,” Darnell tells us. “Years ago, anyone who colored their hair an unnatural shade was instantly labeled “punk” or “goth” so it’s refreshing to see how much hair has evolved over the years.”

Speaking of show-stopping hair colors, Darnell’s Instagram (how we “discovered” him!) is an endless visual journey into his wild world of wigs. Something that is unique to his line is the customizable part and hairline. His favorite wig — not coincidentally the one he credits with really launching his wig career — was a custom U-part wig for makeup artist @missjazminad. He used a color block transitioning technique (yeah, color blocking has moved from clothing to hair) to flow from teal to purple with lavender-tipped ends. This next-level peacock-y color combo remains one of Darnell’s most requested to date.

So, you’re sold and want to buy a wig. There are a number of factors that one should keep in mind when wig shopping, according to the expert himself: cost, materials, maker, etc. Darnell recommends starting the process with an in-depth consultation with a professional wigologist (jk, that’s not a word/profession, but it should be!) to discuss which type of wig is best for the look + vibe you’re going for. Next on the list is ensuring you have a perfect fit — this can be achieved by having a custom wig made to fit your exact head measurements. If a wig doesn’t fit properly, it can actually cause tension on your real hair and scalp, and we know you’re not interested in any of THAT. Improper installation or abuse of wig glues/adhesives can do serious damage, y’all. Just go for quality here, wig wearers of the world, as they’re a versatile and protective style that can help you avoid damaging your real hair. A wig of this nature will cost you anywhere from $1,000 – $10,000 (!!), Darnell told us, depending on the quality and craftsmanship.

Oh, and one main piece of advice from Darnell for those of you that want to take a bit more of a risk and actually dye your hair: go to a professional!!! You and everyone else will really see the difference when a reputable pro works his/her magic on achieving a complex look like multi-dimensional rainbow hair. That being said, it’s more than just the fab look you’ll achieve with a professional — they will protect the integrity of your hair. Darnell reminds us that achieving short-term satisfaction with a look (especially such a trendy, out-there one) isn’t worth long-term damage to your hair in the grand scheme of things. Words to live by, people!

Would you get behind the rainbow hair trend? Let us know in the comments!

(Photos via @hairhegoes and @missjazminad)