Vintage Hair Crisis

[~landgirl~]

Hi All

I am really at the end of my teather with my hair, I really can not achieve any of the styles that are posted in here, or any that I have seen elsewhere. I don't know whether it's because I am just utterly useless at hair, or if it is because my hair is just not 'vintage-able' but I desperately need help to achieve a 1940s look.

Ok, so I have a lot of hair - very thick and bulky so I have it layered, however my actual hair strands are normal thickness, so it's not coarse at all. The layers probably don't help things but I need them!

My hair is just past shoulders at the back, but shorter at the sides and I have a fringe.

When I tried pin curls my hair just went HUGE - I did twist before curling which I know is a no-no.

We tried reversed curls last night (my bf helped bless) but the side bits are just too short and what with the layers.. it didn't work and couldn't get a roll.

I can pin all my fringe and side bits ontop my head, kind of a piled look which then leaves the longer back to play with - but it's not a 'big' look on top - just a bit messy looking and out of the way.

Does any one have any suggestions?
Thanks so much. xx

[RetroModelSari]

Hi landgirl!

Maybe it is easier to help if we can see a pic of your hair so we get an idea of the lenght of the sides etc. so we get sort of idea what could work!

Hugs,
Sari

[~landgirl~]

Oh yes!

Here you go:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/missmodette/jenhair.jpg

I do tend to tuck it behind my ears and don't have any pics with the sides flat - but you can see the bits sticking out to give you an idea and the length is pretty accurate.

Here it is when I pin the top, also showing off my new hair colour :p

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/missmodette/pinned.jpg

[Viviene]

I believe it was GOK who changed her avatar the other day and she was wearing a snood on her hair. It looks really great so maybe that would be something to try. Before getting a snood you could try picking up an inexpensive hair net to see if you like the way it looks.

I sympathize with the hair dilemna. I wanted the Louise Brooks bob and unfortunately the hairdresser gave me a wedge cut ala Dorothy Hamill. I let that grow out and then decided to go for a 50s cut and the hairdresser wound up giving me more of a Brian Setzer pompadour look. Sigh. At least it grows back. Maybe others will have more ideas as well. :)

[~landgirl~]

I do have a black hair net - but I would need to curl the back to fill it.

Sorry to hear about your hair experiences - I think alot of hairdressers see what you want but always have to put 'their' spin on it due to their creative nature. They don't seem to realise just how important it is to us as we have one head of hair and they have about 20 heads a day!

[GOK]

Jen, I don't curl mine before snooding it but I do use a sleepnet (about 60p from the chemist) under the snood to keep everything in place. However, unlike me, you might want to make sure your fringe is straight before capuring an image!

BTW, Viviene...


I believe it was GOK who changed her avatar the other day and she was wearing a snood on her hair. It looks really great

Thank you for the compliment. :D

[~landgirl~]

Thanks GOK!

Do you ever cut your own fringe? Mine needs a trim and not going to be able to make the hairdressers this week! I don't want to bodge it up..

[GOK]

Thanks GOK!

Do you ever cut your own fringe? Mine needs a trim and not going to be able to make the hairdressers this week! I don't want to bodge it up..

Apart from the last time I went to my hairdresser, I always cut my own fringe. If you're going to do it yourself, do make sure you have very good scissors (pref. proper hair cutting ones) and don't do it when it is wet unless you want to end up with it shorter than you'd like!

[~landgirl~]

Do you cut yours all one length or go up a little at the sides?

[GOK]

Do you cut yours all one length or go up a little at the sides?

Slightly up at the sides - I prefer the rounded look, I think it's more flattering and less severe.

[Miss Neecerie]

I being of the curly hair persuasion....can offer not much concrete help but perhaps some advice.

When you do pin curls and they come out huge and poofy...keep brushing...I know it sounds counterproductive, but for me, brushing the curls out -more- does not make it poofier...it eventually smooths them into actual curls, which you can then guide and aim how you want them to go.....

[~landgirl~]

Oh I want to do it, but I'm scared of bodging it!

[~landgirl~]

I being of the curly hair persuasion....can offer not much concrete help but perhaps some advice.

When you do pin curls and they come out huge and poofy...keep brushing...I know it sounds counterproductive, but for me, brushing the curls out -more- does not make it poofier...it eventually smooths them into actual curls, which you can then guide and aim how you want them to go.....

I didn't try that, I just pulled the curls apart with my fingers and proceeded to almost immediately wash it out!

[GOK]

When I try to brush them out, they do just that - come out! And my hair is naturally curly too! :(

[Fleur De Guerre]

jen, a really good trick for cutting a fringe accurately is to use a beard trimmer! Sounds weird but it works ridiculously well. It's how my fringe was done originally by the hairdresser (when I had one). Because it's a mini clipper with a flat edge you just make sure it's dead straight then press into your fringe with it. Then go along matching it up until you have done all the way across. I used to do mine every couple of weeks like that and it was always dead straight.

Very very old phone camera pic, but you get the idea!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/missmcgerr/431372.jpg

[Paisley]

Landgirl, my hair sounds exactly like yours: thick, straight, not fine or coarse, layered, about shoulder length.

I don't pincurl my hair anymore, but when I did, I had to use extra conditioner to keep it from looking like a blond afro. John Frieda makes a product called Frizz-Ease; it's a serum that keeps your hair smooth.

Another thing: don't pincurl all of your hair, just do it around the hairline. I now use a curling iron and it comes out looking like the Lauren Bacall picture (somewhat) in the 1940s hairstyles book. I think I might have sent you that via e-mail awhile back, unless I'm thinking of someone else.

[TOTTIE]

Hmm, not sure if the side bits are too short (nice cut, though! Awkwardly very, very modern) but one of the easiest styles to do when you're starting out (well, it was for me) is the stocking top. You have to have thick hair for this. The finished effect is like a smooth victory roll going all the way round the head. Might be worth a try:

Cut the top of a stocking (no, not a lacy one). As a dark haired person, you would be wise to choose a black stocking. This creates a ring which is just the right size and tightness for your head. Push the stocking top down over your hair, like a hairband, but don't let your hair come over it. Strategically pin it in place so it doesn't slip. Then, start curling your hair to cover the stocking and tucking it in.

This style was v. popular with the WWII girls because (with practice) you hardly need to use any pins and it stays in place well.

It does mean you'd have to tuck your fringe (bangs) over it though - off your face - not certain that'd work... OR use something more attractive than a stocking top and simply allow it to show at the front.

[~landgirl~]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!

I may just try the stocking trick Tottie! And yes about the modern thing. Although I don't even have a 'style' to my hair at the moment but it used to be exremely short and mod-like, it has been layered constantly as I try to grow it out and get it passed the 'inbetween' stage. My hair dresser just takes the ends off now so eventually, once it has some length and weight it will hopefully hold down enough to get rid of the layers!!

I will have to look for a beard trimmer Fleur! lol

[Miss Dottie]

Hmm, not sure if the side bits are too short (nice cut, though! Awkwardly very, very modern) but one of the easiest styles to do when you're starting out (well, it was for me) is the stocking top. You have to have thick hair for this. The finished effect is like a smooth victory roll going all the way round the head. Might be worth a try:

Cut the top of a stocking (no, not a lacy one). As a dark haired person, you would be wise to choose a black stocking. This creates a ring which is just the right size and tightness for your head. Push the stocking top down over your hair, like a hairband, but don't let your hair come over it. Strategically pin it in place so it doesn't slip. Then, start curling your hair to cover the stocking and tucking it in.

This style was v. popular with the WWII girls because (with practice) you hardly need to use any pins and it stays in place well.

It does mean you'd have to tuck your fringe (bangs) over it though - off your face - not certain that'd work... OR use something more attractive than a stocking top and simply allow it to show at the front.

Tottie, that sounds pretty cool, but I just can't see it in my head. Any way, you could post a picture of it? It too suffer from extremely unsocial hair that just has a hissy fit if I try to do anything remotely fashionable with it. Sigh!

[Tourbillion]

You could try some styles like these:

http://static.flickr.com/139/326940966_af9af3f1d0.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/135/326941004_aae07be08c.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/140/326941024_38e94e42ed.jpg

These ladies all have cuts similar to your's. If you think your hair is too curly when you set it, try a curling iron.

Once you curl it, you pull it back with clips or bobby pins, and you have authentic, instant 40's hair!

[katiemakeup]

That bottom pic is cute!

[GOK]

jen, a really good trick for cutting a fringe accurately is to use a beard trimmer! Because it's a mini clipper with a flat edge you just make sure it's dead straight then press into your fringe with it. Then go along matching it up until you have done all the way across.

That is such a cool idea, Fleur - I shall have a go. Since K has both a beard and cropped hair, he has trimmers for both! I assume you do it dry?

[~landgirl~]

You could try some styles like these:
http://static.flickr.com/135/326941004_aae07be08c.jpg


That fringe is how I have done mine today - all pinned back! It's just knowing how to do the ends that way but I think my hair would bounce that way without too much trouble!

I am going to post a pic of me in my new skirt and cardigan in the 'Red Dress Shoppe Skirt' thread a little later today, so perhaps you can see the fringe!

[GOK]

I am going to post a pic of me in my new skirt and cardigan in the 'Red Dress Shoppe Skirt' thread a little later today, so perhaps you can see the fringe!

Oohh cool! :D

[RetroModelSari]

How about something like this?

http://www.marcoman.com/photos/glam/marlene.jpg

You can make a slightly shorter version of it!

[~landgirl~]

Yes I like that too Sari!

Ok, so the bottom of that, how is it achieved? I can do the top OK.

[Fleur De Guerre]

That is such a cool idea, Fleur - I shall have a go. Since K has both a beard and cropped hair, he has trimmers for both! I assume you do it dry?

I've done it dry and wet, though obviously with dry you know exactly where you are and can allow for curl etc. It really is a great way of doing it, and the beard trimmer is much sharper and more precise than say a normal clipper. Plus if you've already got one to try and you can already do it with scissors anyway in case it doesn't work for you, even better!

[GOK]

Fab! Thanks Luvvie - I shall give it a go later! :D

[~landgirl~]

Here is what I got so far today:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/missmodette/Project1.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/missmodette/Project3.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j21/missmodette/Project4.jpg

The question being, does it look forties? and does it suit me better not being so dark now! :)

[GOK]

I think if there was more curl/wave in the body and bottom of it, it would look very vintage. As for colour, I have to be honest and say that I preferred it dark. However, that's not to say it doesn't look nice like that. :D

[~landgirl~]

Do you think I could achieve the curl with my straighteners? I am rubbish at curling my hair!

[Fleur De Guerre]

You could get it with hot curler tongs but not sure with straighteners, you could try curling it around the straighteners but it might make a square curl! When you make them with hot things it's best to pin them in place as they cool then they will last longer. You could always pop to Argos before tonight to get a set of hot curlers which are on offer at the moment! Until the end of today at any rate. Annoying since I bought my best friend some last week before they went on offer! Those you just stick in and leave in until they are cooled. with the top like you posted and just a few curlers around the bottom to just add wave it wouldn't take long to make a more 40s-y look.

[GOK]

My hairdresser showed me how to curl using GHDs - needless to say he is brilliant and I am not! However, I do my fringe with them at least three times a week, so I'm not completely useless!

Check this out;

http://www.ghdhair.com/index.php?c=uk

It's a bit convoluted, so bear with me! Along the menu bar above the flash pane, click on:

Trends ----> Looks ----> (in the flash pane itself) Step by Step Techniques ----> (choose from list) ----> (choose intro, video, step by step guide)

Or you could choose Scarlett Johansonn from the Celebrity Looks menu - that one is quite a vintage look.

Good luck!

[fleur]

Jen before pinning it have you tried giving it a little tease at the root, twist it once or twice then before actually pinning push it forward so it gives it a bit of height.

this works for me for the height thing but I have fine hair - you might want to forego the teasing once you are used doing it.

[Grantgirl]

I think we all tend to think we need vintage tools to get the look sometimes. I can't pin curl for $%^# but if I take my shower, get out and wring out as much water as I can still leaving it fairly wet, put some styling product in (I use a gel) and start pin curling as best I can around the sides and then use my electric curlers (without the heat) to roll up the back and the rest of what I can't pin curl, if you have a bonnet dryer to sit under, you can achieve the look without the 'orphan annie' look that comes from leaving them in overnight.

If you don't like the look of the pin curls, tone them down w/ a curling iron and then take a large chunk of hair and brush it around your fingers to get that turned under roll. Then pin your bangs a little more over to one side and I think you will have it. You might let the sides grow out just a touch but your bangs are dead on if you decide to do the 'short bangs' look. I think you guys call it fringe, we say bangs haha...

[fortworthgal]

My hair is almost the same as what you described, landgirl, although mine is shorter than yours in the back. It is extremely thick and layered, but my hair is also very coarse. It isn't quite long enough to do full-on reverse rolls, so I fake it with combs. Combs are the layered girl's best friend! They hold all the shorter hairs in place and seem to grip better than just pins. If your hair is long enough to tuck behind your ears, it is long enough for combs. I've literally done day-long events outside in the wind with no "hairstyle failure" using combs. lol

http://www.ulta.com/control/product/~product_id=2103563

http://content.ulta.com/images/products/large/2103563.jpg

I style mine by parting it on the side. Then I backcomb the sides/front a bit for volume. I use a brush and pull my sides and front up (I twist the front bangs towards the back a bit and then combine it with the side, so it stays in place), pouf it up a bit by pushing it forward, then slide the comb in to secure it in place. Spray it! Then I use a curling iron and brush and curl the back, or flip it up - I have seen a lot of 1940s photos of women with hair flipped up in the back. You could also curl the back a bit and wear a snood, if your hair is long enough (mine isn't yet).

Here are a few pictures of the way this looks on me (sorry I don't have any shots of it outside of uniforms):

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/WASP%20and%202006%20Fly-In/DSCN1252.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/36th%20Div%20Reunion%202006/DSCN1391.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/Lancaster%202006/DSCN14453.jpg

And you can see a better example of how the combs are in my hair:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/Lancaster%202006/DSCN14421.jpg

Another option would be to only pull the sides up with combs and leave your bangs out, then curl them under into a nice little roll with a curling iron, or do a fringe as other girls have suggested.

[Kim_B]

Jen before pinning it have you tried giving it a little tease at the root, twist it once or twice then before actually pinning push it forward so it gives it a bit of height.

this works for me for the height thing but I have fine hair - you might want to forego the teasing once you are used doing it.


This is what I do and I've gotten many compliments on how "vintage" or "old-fashioned" my hair looks...I use pretty much any type of barrette as long as it matched my hair color, as my hair is too thick to hold pins and they slide out immediately after I have them perfectly in place! I part my hair as normal (or which ever way it feels like going that day...), grab the section of hair I wish to pin, give it a slight twist back (not too tight, but kind of roll it over a time or two), and push it forward a bit. Then I pin/barrette it, gently pulling out a few smaller sections that need a little more oomph! I do this on both sides and it takes me no longer than 10 minutes and I do it either wet or dry without any products. I'll have to take some pictures so you can see what I mean.

I do this either on the front and sides if I part my hair, or I do it in the front only, for more of a pomp look (ha! almost typed pimp! silly girl...)

I am going to have to try the combs that you suggested, fortworthgal - I forgot all about those, and your hair looks lovely!

[fortworthgal]

I part my hair as normal (or which ever way it feels like going that day...), grab the section of hair I wish to pin, give it a slight twist back (not too tight, but kind of roll it over a time or two), and push it forward a bit. Then I pin/barrette it, gently pulling out a few smaller sections that need a little more oomph! I do this on both sides and it takes me no longer than 10 minutes and I do it either wet or dry without any products. I'll have to take some pictures so you can see what I mean.

I do this either on the front and sides if I part my hair, or I do it in the front only, for more of a pomp look (ha! almost typed pimp! silly girl...)

I am going to have to try the combs that you suggested, fortworthgal - I forgot all about those, and your hair looks lovely!

That's pretty much how I do mine, I just use the combs to hold it in place. It is super easy, and I always get compliments on how "40s" my hair is when I do it.

Thanks for the compliments!

[Tourbillion]

Do you think I could achieve the curl with my straighteners? I am rubbish at curling my hair!

Probably not. You really need to curl hair to get it to look 40's and it is hard to get a curl with a straightener.

I can get my hair to curl under with the curved edge of my straight iron, but that is about it. In a pinch you could try to curl the ends under in back a do a pageboy look. I don't know if your razor cuts are in the wrong place for that or not though.

Here is an ideal pageboy that is kinda like your hair (except with fringes):

http://www.vintageblues.com/cloth_history/47pageboy.jpg

p.s. It might be time to get a curling iron, with a moderately small barrel, i.e 5/8" or 3/4".

[Miss Dottie]

Here is an ideal pageboy that is kinda like your hair (except with fringes):

http://www.vintageblues.com/cloth_history/47pageboy.jpg

p.s. It might be time to get a curling iron, with a moderately small barrel, i.e 5/8" or 3/4".

This is the most delightful cut I've seen for those who don't do well with pomps or rolls in the front--like me. I try so hard, but can't get the height normally.

OH! But I'm going to try some rats or even homemade ones and I'll let you know how those go.

Anyone here try rats?

[Polka Dot]

Fortworthgal, your hair looks fantastic in those photos. (Can I also say you have beautiful skin?)

I like combs because I have very slippery hair that tends to fall out of other barrettes. The closest I've come to "vintage" is by getting as much curl as possible out of my somewhat wavy hair and then pulling it back with combs.

[~landgirl~]

My hair is almost the same as what you described, landgirl, although mine is shorter than yours in the back. It is extremely thick and layered, but my hair is also very coarse. It isn't quite long enough to do full-on reverse rolls, so I fake it with combs. Combs are the layered girl's best friend! They hold all the shorter hairs in place and seem to grip better than just pins. If your hair is long enough to tuck behind your ears, it is long enough for combs. I've literally done day-long events outside in the wind with no "hairstyle failure" using combs. lol

http://www.ulta.com/control/product/~product_id=2103563

http://content.ulta.com/images/products/large/2103563.jpg

I style mine by parting it on the side. Then I backcomb the sides/front a bit for volume. I use a brush and pull my sides and front up (I twist the front bangs towards the back a bit and then combine it with the side, so it stays in place), pouf it up a bit by pushing it forward, then slide the comb in to secure it in place. Spray it! Then I use a curling iron and brush and curl the back, or flip it up - I have seen a lot of 1940s photos of women with hair flipped up in the back. You could also curl the back a bit and wear a snood, if your hair is long enough (mine isn't yet).

Here are a few pictures of the way this looks on me (sorry I don't have any shots of it outside of uniforms):

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/WASP%20and%202006%20Fly-In/DSCN1252.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/36th%20Div%20Reunion%202006/DSCN1391.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/Lancaster%202006/DSCN14453.jpg

And you can see a better example of how the combs are in my hair:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/pmburk/Lancaster%202006/DSCN14421.jpg

Another option would be to only pull the sides up with combs and leave your bangs out, then curl them under into a nice little roll with a curling iron, or do a fringe as other girls have suggested.

Your hair looks gorgeous! I am definately going to invest in some of those combs... but please be prepared for when I can't put them in! LOL I am so rubbish at doing my hair - just too scared to experiment, God knows why - it soon washes out doesn't it!

[~landgirl~]

Oh no! I don't think I can buy from there internationally :(

[TOTTIE]

try using ordinary hair combs first - just make sure you get ones that are quite deep - they stay in better. I use combs a lot. It's much easier and more practical - particularly if you are wearing a HAT (which of course, nice girls do...) as hats tend to squish rolls.

I look kind of awful with rolls at the front anyway because my head is quite flat and it makes me look like I have antennae!

That's my excuse!

[fortworthgal]

You can find hair combs pretty much anywhere. The ones I have are just cheap Goody brand, they're like 2 for $1 or something at Wal-Mart. Most drugstores will sell them as well!

Just make sure you put them in with the spikes facing the front (towards your face) and push them into the hair, that way they will really "bite in" and hold better.

[fortworthgal]

Your hair looks gorgeous!


Fortworthgal, your hair looks fantastic in those photos. (Can I also say you have beautiful skin?)

Thank you! I am NOT adept at styling my own hair, and even I can do combs. If I can do it, anyone can! And if your hair isn't long enough for rolls or you have odd layers, they really are the best way to go.

And thank you for the compliment on my skin!

Gosh, I sound like a comb salesperson! lol

[Grantgirl]

fortworthgal- I purchased those combs a few weeks ago on ulta's website! funny! Mine are one size smaller though because those long ones stick out in my hair. I part mine on the side and pull up both sides with the combs. You are right, they do NOT MOVE! You really can't get the same effect with barrettes or pins. Combs make a natural type 'roll' on the sides of the head. I have some short bangs out and then pull up the sides.

[fortworthgal]

They really are awesome. I saw a late 1930s ad for that same brand, Grip-Tuth. I need to swing by Ulta and pick some up!

The combs are versatile. I've only done the style in my avatar and the pictures I've posted, but this weekend I think I am going to try leaving some bangs out and curling them, and curling the back, kind of like this:
http://www.return2style.de/haare11.jpg

[GOK]

They really are awesome. I saw a late 1930s ad for that same brand, Grip-Tuth. I need to swing by Ulta and pick some up!

The combs are versatile. I've only done the style in my avatar and the pictures I've posted, but this weekend I think I am going to try leaving some bangs out and curling them, and curling the back, kind of like this:
http://www.return2style.de/haare11.jpg

Oohh swanky indeed! :D

[ohairas]

Ooo, I second the combs for sure! Fortworth you do a great job with your short locks!

You can definitely curl with a flat iron, takes some practice. Try practicing first with the iron unplugged, as you need to be quick. One way is to just "act" as if it is a curling iron, takes lots of wrist action, just keep twirling it around with more tension on one side of the iron.

Another way is to put the iron at the base of the strip of hair, fold it over once with a lot of tension on the top side of the iron (the side that was closest to scalp when put in) and quickly pull out straight and taught. Imagine using scissors to curl ribbon, it's sort of the same thing. You can spiral long hair this way.

We use the CHI irons at work, the 1 inch bladed ones... not sure how other irons would work. The larger plated ones are harder to manipulate.

The combs are wonderful and you can set them at different angles. There are lots of great vintage combs on ebay too!

Landgirl, the way your layers are cut you will get quite a full do when curled, a more "helmet head" effect. However, putting in the combs at the side or top will make it look great! Think of Blondie's touseled do, (I adore that comic's hair!!!), or a softer version of Lucille Ball's such as this,
http://www.artwallpapers.net/actresses/lucille_ball/01/800.htm
or
http://www.skylinepictures.com/Lucille_Ball_mpc8_large.jpg
Ooo, here's another!
http://doctormacro.com/Images/Ball,%20Lucille/Annex/Annex%20-%20Ball,%20Lucille_03.jpg
I found some lovely pics of her while looking!

Of course it doesn't need to be that curly and I think the pageboy would look great too!

Fleur De I meant to tell you how much your fringe pic reminded me of Carmen Miranda!
http://doctormacro.com/Images/Miranda,%20Carmen/Miranda,%20Carmen_04.jpg

If you're going to grow your hair out, be sure to get it thinned so you can stand the process. I razor my client's hair, not on the ends, but taking the point of the razor and slicing into the hair vertically... Hope this helps!

Nikki

[Grantgirl]

ftworth- post your pics when you get done w/ the new 'do'. I put one small roller in my bangs (wet set) and roll it under and when you take it out you can pretty much mold it into anything you want.

I'm reading a cosmetology book from the 30s and it was updated in the 60s and I'm fascinated with pincurl patterns. You can really create a finger wave look by properly patterning the pin curls and it is amazing how many patterns they have and how they will pretty much look exactly as they look in the book. I tried the S wave pattern last night and it worked, it was curly as all H#$% but it created the wave. I brushed it for a long time to work the curls down and then slept on it and it was STILL curled in the morning. I wore it all day today but I had to do a ponytail.

re: the combs, they are a definite MUST HAVE for vintage styles.

[thebadmamajama]

ohairas--:offtopic: do you do hair in Missouri? PM me if you do cuts! I'm dying to get one by someone who knows what they are doing! :)

[Kaela]

Actually, I had a *extremely* difficult time learning how to do my hair vintage at all! I'm still learning, six years later, all the styles I've loved never seem exactly right.
The first thing that helped me to do my hair better was when it was bleached, and I had killed it's will to disobey! It's true, because my hair was so fried, it was very plyable, and stiff, and stayed wherever I wanted it to. As we all know, that's very, very bad, and my hair is still recovering, but the point is, maybe you need to try something like a setting lotion to get it to mind for a while, and try simple things first!
I'd say rollers are just about the easiest way to get those good curls, without the horribly difficult pin-curls. (For all the sets I've done, I've only done one that I would call a true success! there's always one curl at least that doesn't turn out)! Anyhow, if you try rollers, all curled down, you could get yourself a nice pageboy with that cut.
If you have hair that resists curl, I'd say a hot iron will make curls that you won't like much, and won't last long.
The victory rolls that are so famous, are actually one of the easiest for being most impressive styles I've ever tried myself. Go over the "Beauty Tricks" section on http://www.LipstickVogue.com and I bet if you set in rollers first, you'd be able to get them to work!
Nothing has taught me patience like vintage hairstyles! lol, just kidding, it's not that tricky! Remember, it took me a long time to learn, but until I started, my hairstyle was to just part my hair down the middle and not even dry it!
Good luck!

[Grantgirl]

Oh speaking of rollers, let me tell you what else I LOVE for an easy vintage look. Go and buy the old sponge curlers at the drugstore or wherever. I think I found three sizes at the dollar general. I would stick with medium to large, otherwise you will look like orphan annie.

Then on your side rolls part down from the crown straight down the back of the ear and position your rollers horizontally. One curls down, the next up, the next down, the next up. You should have 4 rollers for the sides. You can take them down after drying and you should have perfectly set finger waves down both sides. If you have enough patience to go around the entire head, go for it but I only do the sides and then roll the back under.

Be prepared to BRUSH the curl for a while to smooth it out and make it less shirley temple and more veronica lake. If you don't wear bangs you can part down the side and start at the part rolling one down, one up, etc. So far, for those who want the finger waved look without the nervous breakdown this is the best way I have found. Be careful to smooth the ends to avoid the 'fish-hooked' effect.

If it is too curly simply run your curling iron quickly down the sides to pull out some of the curl. it will last though and take you through the next day if needed.

[Faye Valentine]

Oh speaking of rollers, let me tell you what else I LOVE for an easy vintage look. Go and buy the old sponge curlers at the drugstore or wherever. I think I found three sizes at the dollar general. I would stick with medium to large, otherwise you will look like orphan annie.

lol I love how you refer to those really curly/frizzy afro curls as Orphan Annie hair. It's funny, that was what really annoyed me about Annie when I was a little girl; Her Darn puffy curly afro hair!!:rage: lol

[Eleanor Marie]

Thankyou ladies for the pictures and info. You have given me some inspiration!

I will ppst some pictures once I start playing xxxxxxxxx

[Ruby Slippers]

I have ridiculously straight hair that refuses curl, but I found a product that has been like a miracle for me: sunset styling lotion by giovanni.

I tried it for the first time this weekend, while doing a pin curl set (I just combed it through damp hair before winding) and my curls lasted more than 24 hours! My hair was not stiff or greasy and it looked quite nice. I'm very pleased with this product, just thought I'd share in case anyone's looking for something new to try.

[NicolettaRose]

I am pretty low maitenence when it comes to vintage hair. I had my hair dresser cut my hair into a Louise Brooks style ( sans the bangs), and it is a wash and wear vintage look I can wear everyday. For speciel occasions, I like to put my hair into finger waves.

[Eleanor Marie]

I have decided on a definite 'general image' now. I am going for a burlesque/rockabilly/50's look as I think it suits me best, especially with being into the cars and having trouble getting clothes. I am trying to get my hair like this;

[/IMG]http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r25/EllieJupp/bdc_tn006.jpg

This is like ms Bernie Dexter. My hubby likes it this way too and I'm getting it cut tomorrow - its already very dark brown. I'm not good at curly but can do it so occasionally!

[Kim_B]

Eleanor, I think you will look just darling with that new 'do! Be sure to post photos after you've had it done ;)