Linda, a Sydney hair stylist (@HairWithLinda) started a new trend in June when she posted a clip where she created hair art by applying a temporary dragon tattoo to a blonde hair wig. This video quickly gained popularity, and other creators began asking about replicating the look using their hair tattoos. Early this spooky season on October 9, in the lead-up to Halloween, beauty content creator Matthew Newman, also known as @mattloveshair on Instagram and TikTok, created his own hair tattoo tutorial inspired by Linda’s original video. He’s now creating a series of Halloween-inspired hair ideas.

“@hairwithlinda used a #temporarytattoo on a wig and i RAN to try this out myself!! Could be a really fun Halloween hair moment,” Matt wrote as the caption on his Instagram tutorial. In the video, Matt uses a short wig to test out what he calls “wig tattoos”. Matt chose an elegant snake and rose design for his temporary tattoo. He applied it to the wig with a sponge. To reveal the permanent tattoo, he gently removed the backing. The black design creates a stark contrast.

“I did zero prep and used a synthetic wig which doesn’t get frizzy or soaked from the water,” he shared with NYLON. “Afterwards, it peeled right off and didn’t seem to rip any hairs.” Matt recommends the hack for cute Halloween looks but does not recommend trying the hack on your real hair. “I’m not sure you could do it on your normal hair,” he says, as natural hair doesn’t lay and stay as flat as synthetic hair.

Matt and Linda aren’t the only hair stylists experimenting with hair tattoos and painterly hair looks. Hair painting, particularly when you use a blank canvas like a buzzcut bleached to make artistic designs, is catching on elsewhere online. Whether you’re looking for a creative Halloween hairstyle (we love these buzzcut bats) or something more permanently punk, this trend is a much-needed reminder that we don’t need to only color in between the lines when it comes to hair. Your hair can become a painting, much like temporary tattoos. To avoid any unnecessary hassle, use a synthetic hair wig.