Jordan Malloch, from Sydney, Australia, stumbled upon a TikTok video where a creator used a cap to create hair highlights. Inspired, she decided to try the technique herself, documenting the process for a TikTok video. Malloch’s motivation stemmed from the high cost of salon highlights, exceeding $500, a price she couldn’t justify, especially with her best friend’s wedding approaching in New Zealand.
Malloch, operations manager for a men’s custom suiting retailer, embarked on the DIY hair adventure 10 days before the wedding. Without a concrete plan, she dove in headfirst, recording her every move. “I thought, ‘It can’t be that hard,'” the 32-year-old told PEOPLE exclusively. “Well, it was! I had tried dyeing my hair as a teenager with less-than-fantastic results, but for some reason, I thought now would be different. Then I quickly realized I’d made a mistake. But I couldn’t really go back, so I just doubled down on it.”
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Throughout the ordeal, Malloch kept a friend updated via text messages, sharing the unfolding chaos, including a clip of her reaction upon removing the cap. Her friend encouraged her to upload the video, advice Malloch heeded. She edited the footage and posted it on TikTok around 11 p.m. Australian time.
“At 11:39 p.m., I texted her and said, ‘Yeah, I think that video may blow up,'” Malloch recalls. “Little did we know to what extent. The next morning, I woke up to 100,000 views. By the time I finished work for the day, we had surpassed the population of New Zealand (4.8 million people). It kept growing, and I couldn’t keep up with all the comments and messages.” The video quickly went viral, accumulating over 69.1 million views and 11,000 comments.
Malloch’s self-deprecating humor shone through in her response to the online reaction. “I don’t take life too seriously and enjoy just having a laugh, especially at my own expense,” she says. Negative comments didn’t faze her; she found amusement in them. Humorous comments comparing her hair to noodles particularly resonated with her. Her colleagues found the viral fame amusing, and close friends commended her authenticity in the video.
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Initially panicked by the streaky results, Malloch rushed to the shower, rinsing out the dye, applying purple shampoo and a hair mask. She even checked the supermarket’s closing time, anticipating an emergency hair product run. However, her fears subsided as the color blended better than expected, leaving only a few minor streaks.
“Trust in the process,” she captioned a follow-up video showcasing the final outcome, which also garnered over 11.2 million views. Commenters offered reassurance and advice, noting the blended result and suggesting shampooing before cap removal for easier removal and less damage.
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Despite the initial mishap, Malloch expressed satisfaction with the final look. She advised those considering DIY hair dyeing to “be prepared to fail and make sure you film it!” She encouraged embracing the challenge, acknowledging that professional salon services aren’t always financially feasible. Malloch’s TikTok misadventure turned viral sensation highlights the humorous side of beauty experiments and the power of online communities.
