Chalking it up

Holiday's starting and for us secondary students who would definitely be penalized for dying our hair in school, even a one week break is quite enough to parade our personalized hairdos in all colours on the streets. Speaking of Malaysian schools and their uniforms, they don't actually flatter us, with the blue pinafore and white blouses. I mean, who loves looking like a scullery maid working in the basements of some rich boss house?  That was early 20th century England, anyway.
Chances are our dyes hair would be permanent, but wouldn't it be a waste to dye it back when school starts? Here's where hair chalks come in handy if you want a day's of hair colour. Use artist pastel's chalk, which is actually chalk, not oil pastels. It's easy to get them at any art store around your area.

You can have them in a single shade, like this:

Or layer them,

Or even jumble them up:

It's so convenient to use it, just rub the chalk on till it sticks, that's all. I expect to see some chalk dyed hair on the streets pretty soon, though.

The pros:
1.It's convenient and cheap.
2.It can be removed at the end of the day.
3.Can be used to experiment before deciding on a particular colour which looks good on your hair.
4.Comes in a variety of bright, neon like colours.

The cons:
1. It's not permanent.
2. If isn't done well, it can be disastrous looking.
3. It doesn't come in natural looking colours like auburn or chestnut.

Anyway, for the die hard fashionistas plodding about, hair chalk is this summer's IN thing, so my suggestion is go get them whenever you can.
Warning: for teenagers and daring YA only, unless you want to end up like a fashion f aux pas..

Colours on the run

Too much pastels or monotonous colours can be boring at times. Whether you're planning to make a statement or merely dressing to your taste, bright loud colours are always fresh and intriguing to the eye. And it gives your outfit a wow factor and a solid, bold structure. Colour blocking has made its comeback from the eighties, and is currently one of this spring's must have looks, but colour blocking can be the ultimate disaster if the colours aren't paired well.
Examples:

                                                           Two shade colour blocking

                                                      Patterned colour blocking (Karen Millen)

To introduce colour blocking into your daily style, update your wardrobe with bright, daring colours like fuschia, burgundy, orange, but don't push the limits: finish off your ensemble with a dull coloured pair of strappy heels or pumps to mellow it down. A little coloured dress with various patterns and colours would be a valuable addition to your wardrobe too.
Warning: Don;t be afaid to experiment, but make sure the colours don't clash with each other, or you'll look like a fashion disaster. Example:  purple trousers and yellow top (Ew)

Versus spring 2012 by Christopher Kane 

(Ethnic prints, wraparound bodices, stripes)

Kate Beckinsale

(coral chiffon pleated tank, pencil skirt)

Catherine Malandrino on actress Lucy Hale 

Hats off

With hats back into vogue, berets, felt fedoras, and trilbies have been inching their way back as the latest teen/ young adult trend. A hat-shirt-jeans combo would always work out no matter, and they're the perfect cover up for bad hair days! Simple as that.

 In order from top:
1 woolen beanie
2 plaid trilby
3 mod cap
4 pinstriped fedora


Take the plaid trilby for example.
If you're going for laid back, pair it up with a black tux, graphic tee and shin length chinos with pastel coloured Keds. It's the most popular look on the runways this summer.
For those Bush whacker-Jeep riding-desert type, there's always the checkered shirt and chinos (with an akubra, perhaps?)
There're another millions outfits that complement our hats(or the other way round), so anything is possible, period.
And here's another tip: angling your hat always works, for it shields your features and give you an edge:)