New hair fad hits Boulder

Hairstyles come and go. Through the years, we’ve seen the rise and fall of such iconic tends as the perm, bob, beehive and mullet. But a new trend focuses less on the cut itself and inserts a bit of color. Rooster feathers have made their appearance at Boulder salons.

Karla Kirby watched as her friends went to get the colorful feathers put in their hair. Though initially, she resisted, as more and more students began following suit, Karla decided she would as well.

“I generally think my hair is kind of bland, so I was like, I’ll do something to spice it up a little bit,” said Kirby.

Students go to salons, such as Zing near Pearl Street, where they insert the feathers using hot keratin wax (the same kind used in high-end hair extensions.) Zing’s owner, Joy Douglas said, “They’ve become such a huge, beautiful trend here in Boulder…. They’re a fun, fabulous way to just, kind of, change your look.”

Douglas creates more than just feathered creations, she creates an experience. Customers, like Kirby, choose from a wide array of colors and lengths that are decoratively displayed on the walls. She lets customers take as much time as they want, allowing them to make the best choice for their hair and their personal style. Karla decided to go with a subtle, yet colorful creation of purple and blue.

Though initially hesitant, Karla Kirby now loves her feather. She said, “I think it is a good hair trend because it is cool, something different, and something you wouldn’t normally think of.”