How to Hack Ombre Hair Without Actually Coloring It

It’s that time of year, ladies, when we get the itch to bring in a new spring hair color. We’re all craving that sun-kissed look — going lighter with your locks may sound appealing, but not everyone wants to commit to busting out the bleach! This day and age, it can be just as satisfying to try a look without the full-on commitment. With ombre hair still high on the trend charts, we have a little hack that can take you there with little investment and prep. Get ready to lighten and brighten your hair and your spirit with this no-color hair hack!

A whole new look without any damage to your hair!

Materials and Tools:

  • two tones of hair extensions
  • comb
  • small elastics
  • hair cutting shears
  • hair cutting razor blade

How to Place, Cut + Style Your Ombre Extensions:

Placing Your Extensions:

Step 1: Using a comb, make a horizontal line right at your occipital bone in the back of your head. Place a small elastic on a section of your hair in the center of your head — this is going to act as an anchor for the clip on the extension to hold onto. Be sure to start off with the lighter of the two tones of hair you picked out.

Step 2: Clip the center of the first piece of the extension onto the anchor you just created. Then line up the other two clips to the left and right, placing another elastic like you did in the first step for each clip.

Step 3: Attach the clips to those two anchors.

Step 4: Place a new horizontal part in your hair just a quarter inch above the first layer. Repeat the same process with the elastics and clips as you did in round one, until the left, right and center extension pieces are attached.

Step 5: Pull down another layer and do the final layer of extensions with the darker color you picked. Then pull down all your hair to make sure none of the clips are showing. If they are, you can start this process over and lower everything down an inch or so on your head so you have more hair on the top to cover the clips.

Cutting Your Extensions:

Step 1: Comb through your hair and have a friend help you to use haircutting shears to point cut (which means to cut with the scissors pointing in a vertical position rather than horizontal) the longer pieces of the extensions and even out with your hair length.

Step 2: Blending the hair in with your own can be tricky, so you’ll want to have help from a friend again to make sure you don’t mix your hair into the cutting process! Take small sections of the extension hair, again being careful not to mix your actual hair in with it, and make twists so you can gently slide the hair razor down the outside of the twisted hair. You will do this a few times around the twisted hair to make tiny layers that will take out the weight of the added hair so it will blend nicely. Do this throughout.

Styling Your Extensions:

Step 1: Use a medium to larger size wand — we went with a favorite here at B+C, the 1 1/2-inch barrel from the Whirl Trip T3 Interchangeable Barrel Kit ($270). The trick to blending the extensions with your hair is to mix the two together when curling. Also, be sure to curl your hair away from your face for a softer, more natural look.

Step 2: Add your favorite styling aid like IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel ($27) mid shaft to the ends of your strands for a piecey, textured shine. Shake your hair out and you’re good to go!

Flawless no-color color!

So pretty!

Share your hacks with us by tagging us on Instagram, and for more beauty inspiration, follow us on Pinterest.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Art Direction/Hair + Makeup/Styling: Misty Spinney

Model: Paige Sager

Photography: Kurt Andre

There’s nothing like a soft flannel shirt to keep you warm in the cold. They’re not only super comfy, like wearing PJs in public, but they’re also a closet staple that works for both men and women. We decided to give our softest flannel shirt a new look this season with a dip-dye DIY. Once you get the hang of fabric dyeing, you’ll want to transform your whole closet with a colorful dip dye. The possibilities are endless!

How To Make Your Own Dip Dye Flannel Shirt

Materials and Tools:

  • flannel shirt
  • fabric dye
  • plastic bucket
  • gloves
  • stir stick
  • cup or jar

Instructions:

  1. Make sure your shirt is laundered to remove any factory residue and prepare it to properly absorb dye.
  2. Follow the package instructions to mix up your dye solution.
  3. Fill your plastic bucket with water according to the package instructions and half of your mixed dye solution.
  4. Wet your flannel shirt and dip it into the dye solution where you want the dye to start.
  5. Follow the package instructions, and every few minutes pull the fabric out of the dye bath about an inch or so. We followed the instructions and moved it every 10 minutes for a total of 60 minutes.
  6. Add the rest of the dye solution to the bucket and keep pulling more fabric out every few minutes until you’ve removed it completely.
  7. Rinse the shirt in warm to cold water until the water runs clear.
  8. Once dry, the dye will lighten in color, so don’t worry if it looks too dark to start.

If you can’t find the color you want, try combining a few colors of fabric dye.

By only using half of the dye solution to start and adding the rest later, we can create a soft ombre effect.

You can choose a dye that complements the colors in your shirt or go wild with colorful combinations.

Pretty in plaid!

For more fashion and beauty DIYs like this dip dye flannel shirt, follow us on Pinterest!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

"What would you do if your entire family, and your hometown, set you up to find love?" That's the question Ashley Williams poses in the first Small Town Setup trailer, coming to Hallmark+ in 2025. And if anyone has the answer, I have no doubt it's Hallmark — if anyone knows about warm, cozy, and sappy romance it's them! Even if you're not a huge reality dating show fan (or if you couldn't stop watching Reese Witherspoon's Love in Fairhope) this is one January TV show you won't want to miss.

Here's everything we know about Hallmark's dating show Small Town Setup, hosted by Ashley Williams.

'Small Town Setup' puts you right in a Hallmark movie.

All six episodes of Small Town Setup premieres on Hallmark+ on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and is hosted by Ashley Williams, who you'll recognize from movies like Falling Together and Two Tickets to Paradise as well as How I Met Your Mother.

Just like your favorite Hallmark movies are all about finding love, Small Town Setup focuses on singles coupling up. The show will follow a single who "has made it in the big city, but has yet to find love." And their concerned parents (definitely a Hallmark trope and an IRL trope...) get the whole neighborhood involved in finding three potential matches.

"When the singleton arrives home for a visit, they are presented with dating options curated by their hometown. After three dates, will they find love in their hometown? Or head back to the big city? All is revealed at a big town hall event, full of heart, warmth, and a few laughs along the way."

Okay, getting the entire town involved in my love life sounds crazy, but the whole community coming together for a town hall event sounds exactly like the kind of sweet and sappy event my life needs. (Listen!! Dating as a 20-something in the city is harder than I expected...)

Throughout the trailer we see our singles looking for love around their hometown, going on small town dates, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. Yeah...I'll be tuning in — especially since Small Town Setup is totally giving Gilmore Girls.

Check out the 11 New January 2025 Movies Viewers Will Adore — and you'll want to add to your calendar ASAP!

You know we can’t get enough of spray paint and repurposing, and what better thing to repurpose after a weekend of Halloween mischief than all those empty wine, liquor, and beer bottles? Here’s a quick and easy way to create an ombre wine bottle centerpiece – all you need is a few cans of spray paint!

We went for a candy corn motif but any color combination would do the trick!

Materials:
– orange, white, and yellow spray paint

– empty wine bottles, labels removed

– cardboard (for your spray painting space)

– optional: pumpkin, leaves, twigs, candy corns

First, get those labels off your wine bottles. Soak bottles in hot water and then labels should be pretty easy to peel off.

Set your spray paint area. Always spray paint outside, if you can, or in an extremely well-ventilated area.

First, spray paint the bottle white. Then orange in the middle. And lastly, yellow! That’s it!

If you want a little more style, add another layer of white on stop to create a drip effect over the orange. This would look pretty perfect with some wine cork candles.

Let try for an hour or so. Then create a fun fall centerpiece!

How have you repurposed old wine bottles or other containers? Have you checked out our Beer Bottle Bud Vases? Talk to us in the comments below – we love to hear from you.

Tourism can be a blessing for the economy of many cities around the world, but it often comes at a price. Destinations like Venice and Bali are iconic for a reason — they’re unique, breathtaking places that lure travelers from around the globe. But when a travel destination becomes too popular, it risks losing its charm and overcrowding can strain infrastructure, inflate costs for locals, and disrupt the peace and quiet of small, serene towns.

Here are 12 destinations that have struggled with overtourism. The good news? Many are implementing smart strategies to balance tourism with sustainability. Planning to visit? Consider booking during the off-season for a more authentic and enjoyable experience or try these hidden gems.

Pixabay

Venice, Italy

Cruise ships and swarms of tourists have overwhelmed this picturesque city, leading to overcrowded canals, damaged infrastructure, and skyrocketing prices. The local population is dwindling as Venetians leave due to the city’s unsustainable tourism boom. Last spring, in an effort to manage the influx, the city put into effect an entry fee for day-trippers and has limited cruise ships docking its shores.

Oleksandr P

Bali, Indonesia

Once an idyllic paradise, Bali now suffers from traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and overcrowded beaches. The island’s resources are strained under the weight of mass tourism, but there are efforts underway to promote sustainability like putting a moratorium on new hotels.

Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

Machu Picchu, Peru

Overtourism has led to erosion and damage to this ancient Incan citadel. A quota system and mandatory guides are helping preserve this popular South American destination.

Darren Lawrence

Tulum, Mexico

Once a tranquil paradise known for its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and eco-chic vibe, Tulum has become a cautionary tale of overtourism. The surge in popularity, fueled by Instagram-worthy scenery, has brought overcrowding, environmental strain, and rising costs. The Guardianreported that locals are being pushed out by developers and despite the thinking that tourism helps local communities, poverty nearly doubled between 2015 and 2020. Local ecosystems, including fragile mangroves and coral reefs, are threatened by unchecked construction and pollution too. The local ruins have implemented stricter rules like no food or drink to limit trash and environmental impact from tourists.

Jimmy Teoh

Santorini, Greece

Instagram fame has turned this once-serene island into a tourist hotspot. Narrow streets are perpetually clogged, and locals are struggling with soaring costs of living due to tourism demand. The government has since capped the number of daily cruise ship visitors to keep overtourism at bay.

Chait Goli

Cinque Terre, Italy

Known for its colorful cliffside villages and breathtaking coastal views, these once-quiet fishing towns now see millions of visitors annually, way more than they can handle. To combat issues like congestion and cruise ships, local authorities have introduced visitor caps and encourage sustainable travel to protect Cinque Terre’s charm.

Rudy Kirchner

Reykjavík, Iceland

Is there anyone not going to Iceland these days? A small country with breathtaking landscapes, Iceland has been overwhelmed by tourists flocking to Instagram-famous sites like the Blue Lagoon and Diamond Beach. It's best to travel during the off season (November to April) and travel to lesser known spots like the Sturlungalaug hot spring.

youseflns

Maya Bay, Thailand (Phi Phi Islands)

This iconic beach, popularized by the DiCaprio film The Beach, suffered ecological devastation from hordes of visitors and anchored boats. Coral reefs were destroyed, and the beach was closed for years to allow recovery. It has since reopened after a huge revitalization project, but they have introduced visitor caps.

Pixabay

Kyoto, Japan

Traditionally quiet streets of this ancient capital city now teem with tourists during peak season. An increase in litter from tourists has required the city to install more trash bins to handle the crowds, and peaceful geishas are often chased down for photos. To mitigate the problem, Kyoto is considering running special buses to popular sites to reduce overcrowding, and temples and shrines are encouraging visitors to come early in the morning.

Prabin Sunar

Mount Everest, Nepal

The ultimate challenge for adventurers, Mount Everest has experienced overcrowding on the slopes and at base camps, leading to dangerous conditions, with litter and human waste piling up on the mountain. Permits are now harder to get, and stricter regulations for climbers are being enforced.

Mateusz Popek

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Game of Thrones effect brought an influx of fans to this medieval city. Overcrowded streets and cruise ship arrivals have made it difficult to appreciate its beauty. The local government is taking steps to limit daily visitors and impose stricter cruise ship regulations.

Helena I

Lisbon, Portugal

Short-term rentals dominate the housing market now, thanks to affordable flights and the digital nomad craze. This has led to skyrocketing rents and displaced locals. Historic neighborhoods are inundated with tourists, making them less charming too. Everything from public transport to waste management struggles to keep pace with the influx. I went in December and it still felt a bit like Disneyland. Douro Valley and Madeira might be more favorable destinations any time of year.

Cure your wanderlust in 2025! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more travel ideas!

Heaping plates of Christmas cookies are synonymous with the holidays. It seems that nearly every country around the globe has their own variation on the holiday classic. In fact, some of these regions have been making their version of Christmas cookies for literal hundreds of years.

If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your heritage, or maybe just want a little baking inspiration, check out our picks for the yummiest Christmas cookies from around the world.

The Noshery

Mantecaditos con Guayaba

These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

Broma Bakery

Meringues

French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

Alfajores

Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

Fancy Peasant

Melomakarona

These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

Very Eatalian

Baci di Dama

The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

Cooking Classy

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

Olivia’s Cuisine

Basler Brunsli

If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

Cilantro Parsley

Buñuelos

These tender miniature fritters from Mexico are a mix between a donut and cookie. Whatever you want to call them, they’re delicious. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Chef Lindsey Farr

Apricot Kolachys

The Hungarians definitely know what’s up when tart apricot jam gets wrapped in a blanket of flaky pastry. They’re a bright spot on a cold Christmas day. (via Chef Lindsey Farr)

Life, Love and Sugar

Cutout Sugar Cookies

In the United States, a plate of these festively decorated sugar cookies is just what Santa ordered. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

Saveur

Polvorones

You’ll find these simple pecan shortbread cookies all over Mexico around this time of year. The coating of powdered sugar and canela, a type of Mexican cinnamon, really bring the flavor to the next level. (via Saveur)

A Healthy Life for Me

Pignoli

These Italian Christmas cookies are made of a chewy almond base and topped with pine nuts. (via A Healthy Life for Me)

Fancy Peasant

Kourabiedes

These Greek Christmas cookies feature a buttery biscuit topped with mass amounts of powdered sugar. (via Fancy Peasant)

Does your family have a traditional cookie recipe for the holidays? Tag us @BritandBo in your Instagram photos and let us know!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.