Authentic Hair Troubles

[Kaela]

Hey, Ladies!
I noticed that the fellas got a thread about period haircuts, and I have been dragging my feet for about a year now on a REAL authentic haircut. The trouble is this: I get one haircut, I'm stuck in the period, (i.e. 20s only, 30s only, 40s only) and I have been known to go back 30s when I'm feeling like a change, but I haven't found a cut that is versatile enough... Anyone here have experience? I'm thinking just 5" at the front & layered back to 7"-ish... I figured 5" is enough to do side reverse rolls still-- with some amount of work more than usual, but my standard, day-to-day i-don't-go-out-to-parties style is, why I've heard it called "skullcap coiffure".. think Gene Tierney, Lauren Bacall...side part & curls w/ a little wave that falls in front of my eye (though it doesn't in my picture, you see, because I only just now have mastered it! :) )
Anyhow, if any of you girls have an authentic haircut, why not share your experience with us!

[ITG]

You've posted at a great time...I was just thinking about this over the last week, as I am way overdue for a haircut. Be sure to post pics gals if you have a truly authentic haircut.

[MissTayva]

I actually grew out my period ('40s/'50s) haircut not too long ago.
Dunno, they're really nothing more than a layered cut...
I cut countless similar styles while in cosmetology school, that were for modern styles.
Anywho, for my hair type, having my hair cut that way was worst thing I could have done! With all the kids I have now, it's hard to style it every single day. If I don't, I'm left with a 'do that looks more out of the '80s! Almost heavy metal-ish! Haha...
I acutally had my hair styled in a period 'do for my wedding not too long ago. With the exception of my bangs (which I styled in a forward roll, like always), the rest was all one length (just below shoulder). I had two reverse rolls on the sides and one in the back to keep my hair up off my nape. It looked pretty darn authentic if you ask me!

I dunno, personally, I think the tightness of the curl determines the look of the style. Curlier styles were more prominent in the '30s. I know I can easily get that look if I set my hair in tighter curls (I find pincurls work better for this). Looser waves for '40s and '50s.
I find experimenting works best!

[swinggal]

I have my hair layered so I can do 40's up dos when I want to. Layered is better because it makes the hair less heavy and sits better when finished. I took my 'Vinatage Hairstyles' book to my hairdresser and she used the cutting guide to go by. I wear my hair in a pony-tail most days for work so the actual cut isn't much different to a normal layered cut.

My hair is dead straight so I need to curl my pin curls very tight and small to get any sort of curl or waveto stay in. I also have to 'wet set' it to get kind of style to last. I only wish that I could get one of those old perms done, the pin-curl type, that makes 'waves' and not curls like a modern perm (which I hate).

I have also been finger-waving my hair on occassion with vinatge clips that I aquired. You need to wet set to do this properly (to get those really proninent shiny ridges) but you can get away with using only hairspray and leaving clips for a 10 minutes to set. If I do this, I usually curl the back in smaller barrel rolls or pincurls for that 30s look.

[Kaela]

I have also been finger-waving my hair on occassion with vinatge clips that I aquired. You need to wet set to do this properly (to get those really proninent shiny ridges) but you can get away with using only hairspray and leaving clips for a 10 minutes to set. If I do this, I usually curl the back in smaller barrel rolls or pincurls for that 30s look.

Say, I"ve been trying that for ages! I never got the right wave look, though I think layered hair would make that style difficult, was it?
Fortunately, my hair curls naturally, so pincurls are a snap, I do however have a great deal of trouble accomplishing a "page boy" look, which is more my 40s style than 30s, you see. Has anybody tried this before?

[Kaela]

With all the kids I have now, it's hard to style it every single day.


This, of course, is why I have been dragging my feet on the cut for so long now, BUT, it should be a lot easier, I mean, if you think about it, sets were made to last a whole week before, so why shouldn't I get at least 3 days out of it, I find that if I set my hair every three days, it still looks nice, and is INCREDIBLY low maintenance, that's why I thought I should try to get a nice layered period cut. I will have to be encouraged to do my hair this way, it's a good investment of time, also, it keeps the hair out of my face. I can sleep in, and wake up without even running a brush through my hair, it's done! (I recommend sleeping in a bandana though, because it keeps the curls from tangling and getting messy).
The style you described for your wedding sounds lovely! I still haven't mastered the top roll, I only ever did top reverse rolls, so they looked a little like a small pompadour, but with the charm of that little curl, How do you get your bangs to stay, or do you just have the front of your hair cut really short? in actual bangs? I'd love to do that with my hair, not bangs but a real roll..

[swinggal]

For rolls I use rats made out of my own hair. My hair is very thin indeed and needs the body. If its curls well I don't need to use the rats.

The thing is, in the day the hair WAS set for a week. Women lived at the hairdresser. You'd have your hair set on a Monday and go back on a Saturday to have it re-done. In between of course you had to curl it too or clip it with Marcel Wave clips for finger waves.

I have a box load of original styling clips (water wavers, bakelite wave clips, marcel wave clips, aluminium curlers, rubber curlers, pin curl clips) and yeah, they do make a difference to the style in the end. I justwish I could get a pin-curl perm!!

Brush Curling is a good method to use for thin hair like mine.

http://revampvintage.com/images/hair-30s-brushcurl.jpg
http://revampvintage.com/30sbrushcurling.html

[Kaela]

Goodness, where'd you get all the vintage hair toys?! I have the hardest time trying to find them, I've been looking for a bakelite comb for some time now, lucite, maybe? I remember seeing a wierd wave making contraption online, but didn't have the dough then. I also remember seeing pincurl rollers, they look like bobbins to me, haha.
Oh, I love the revamp hair info, I think it's nice that they provide more to their customers than just things to buy

[jitterbugdoll]

I wear my hair in various 1940s styles, and the occasional 30s or 50s style as well. I think the most important thing is to get a good layered haircut; vintage cuts were all layered to some extent and it is the actual length of the hair that makes the look lean towards one era or another.
When I have my hair cut, I always bring several vintage photos for reference. Now, I have brought everything from 1930s photos of Jean Harlow to 1950s photos of young Marilyn Monroe, and my hairdresser always tells me that the haircuts are essentially the same. The trick is to set and style your hair correctly for the period. For example, pin curls are useful in creating any hairdo from the 1930s-50s; however you will set each curl in different ways to create the right wave for the era. A good stylist will be able to look at a photo and not only understand the haircut, but also understand the setting method used. On countless occasions my hairdresser has looked at a photo and told me exactly how to set each section—and with a little practice at home, I can usually achieve the look I set out for!

With practice you can fake a lot of looks using the same haircut; for example I do not have bangs, but I can still create that 1940s-Betty Grable style with the poodle-curled bangs between two reverse rolls.

I do like to keep my hair fairly long—usually just below shoulders—because I can then achieve a good 40s updo with little struggle. But, if you have very straight, hard to manage hair, shorter cuts will hold a style longer. I actually have fairly straight, heavy hair, and find that a just-above-shoulder cut styles like a dream and with little effort. But, I like longer looks so usually alternate between growing my hair out and chopping it off! ;)

By the way, my hairdresser used to collect vintage hairstyling tools; he's been gradually giving them to me because he knows I appreciate the era. Right now I have a pair of finger wave clips (each creates a double row of waves)--they are so handy because you just snap them in!

[Kaela]

I think my problem may just be that my hair isn't layered at all, it becomes too bulky in some parts when i set it. What a nice hairdresser! Sometimes it seems that the majority of people I have tried to explain my cut to didn't know the difference between the 20s and 50s! This is just ghastly on so many counts, not to mention that they show a extreme lack of awareness of history. Anyway, I think the tricky part is knowing which way to set the hair, everytime I set my hair its relatively the same, and I have been able to get a few different styles out of the same set by just brushing it out differently. I'm quite jealous of your stylist, jitterbugdoll, I've been searching for one who could help me out with the set sort of posthumously because I can only find articles or pictures rather than ask an actual person.
My hair is naturally curly, so it is easy to set, except for the top layer, which doesn't curl at all because of too many botched bleaches and hot curling irons (before I knew the secret of pincurls). So usually, the curl stays quite well, in fact I mentioned earlier that my hair doesn't last a week set, but it's not because the curl slips away, its because my hair looks too greasy! After three days, I've passed my limit of needing clean hair!

[jitterbugdoll]

My original hairdresser went to school in the 1960s, my current one attended school in the 1970s. I think that makes a huge difference--at that time, 40s-50s hairstyles were still fairly recent history. Plus, hairdressing schools really emphasized the importance of finger wave and pin curl sets. My original hairdresser, who just retired, stressed the importance of this knowledge—it taught the stylist about the structure behind the hair style. Most modern stylists are taught ‘trends’, which means that they learn the current hair cut and not much else. They have no clue about how to achieve these vintage hairstyles--finger waving and pin curling is an art, and although the concepts are pretty simple, if you don't study them it is hard to grasp how to create 'C' or 'S' waves, etc.

I suggest seeking out an older stylist, perhaps even one at a ‘beauty parlor’. I’ve tried explaining vintage styles to newer stylists, and most simply do not get it!

I suggest seeking out an older stylist, perhaps even one at a ‘beauty parlor’. I’ve tried explaining vintage styles to newer stylists, and most simply do not get it!

But really, the haircuts are more or less the same—it’s all about setting technique. I’ve brought in pictures that to my untrained eye looked completely different (for example, when I decide to trade my 40s style for a 30s style), only to have my hairdresser tell me the two hairdos share the same basic cut!

Have you tried using a leave-in conditioner to help the damaged portions of your hair? Although my hair is straight-wavy, I too am guilty of subjecting it to multiple hot roller and curler sets which did leave me with a frizzy front portion (luckily, although I am a natural blonde, my hair is thick and coarse, or it would be much more damaged!) I started using Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioner (they have a nice smoothing milk, too) and the problem disappeared rapidly. Also, I like to use a heat-activated setting spray when I do resort to hot curlers, as this seems to protect the hair.

[MissTayva]

I wish I could pull off a style more than a day! If I use setting lotion, it's just NASTY by the next day... and if I use heat styling, it always falls out, regardless of what styling products I use. I prefer wet sets, as I get a stronger curl, but I can't use just water alone. *sigh*


I got lucky when I attended cosmetology school. We had to get pincurls, fingerwaves and Marcel waving DOWN. They drilled us in it! One of our instructors said "You never know when you'll have to use it!" So true. I've even had to use it on hard-to-wrap places during a perm.
They didn't want to teach us all of these trendy methods... it's just that, a "trend". We had the option of attending hair shows to learn it. We just stuck to the basics as far as the curriculum was concerned. Plus around here, most of the women that go in for a style are little old ladies who have been styling their hair since 1940-whatever! They're the ones that get their hair set once a week :)

Kaela--
I usually keep my bangs just below eye length. They are cut pretty far back on my head, so I guess you can almost consider it a layer. I like it this way because it is really versatile. I did the short bangs thing and disliked it. I don't like being stuck with one style. This way, I can do it in a big forward roll, or Betty Grable style, I can get away with it parted on the side, etc.

Where in California are you? I know of a couple salons; one in Burbank and one in San Diego that specialize in vintage styling. The one in Burbank is called Frenchie's, and the one in San Diego is called Seth's Chop Shop. They both have web pages, so you can look them up :-)

It also sounds like you are in need of a major deep (protien) conditioner for your hair! See if you can get your hands on Redken Extreme products. It's the best stuff I've ever used, hands down!

Incase anyone is interested, here is the style I had for my wedding:

http://www.planetjerome.com/misstayva/tayva_bouquet.jpg

[MissTayva]

I only wish that I could get one of those old perms done, the pin-curl type, that makes 'waves' and not curls like a modern perm (which I hate).
.

You can actually do that with modern perming rods, if you ask for a body wave. They just use rods with a larger diameter (peach is a good color to go with!)
They also make these rods that sorta just clip into the hair and leave a wave impression. I've never used them, but from the look of it, I assume it would come out nice!

[ITG]

Swingal, can you tell us how you make your rats?

[jitterbugdoll]

In the 1940s, women made rats by cutting one of their old stockings and stuffing it with hair saved from their hair brush (close the rat with a few stitches.) This made for a rat that blended in well with their hair color (use a nude stocking for blondes and brownettes, coffee for brunettes, or black for very dark brown or black hair) and made for a very pliable filler that could be easily molded into whatever style they desired.

The rats you can purchase at Sally's are actually designed for updos, chignons, etc., and I've only seen them in a grey color. I have one but find it is very hard to blend/hide with my own hair; it’s quite stiff and tends to look unnatural. Luckily, my hair is thicker and fairly coarse, so with a little back combing I don't need to use rats. But, I have made one with my own hair, which I will experiment with some day!

[swinggal]

I make my rats with my own hair and my grandma taught me this technique. She used it herself in the 40's.

A round oval plastic bush works best and you let the hair accumulate on to it. For a small rat, fill the brush only half way, for a large rat, let the brush fill to the top of the bristles. Peel the oval of hair off in one piece from one side. When it comes off it should be a stetched oval shape. Then, I place it in between my palms and rub it in a circular motion. That mats all the hair together into a flat shape and makes it nice and neat with smooth sides. I then roll them up like curlers when I need to use them. Lay them out flat when I don't. They are easy to pin as well.

The good thing about this is that it is YOUR hair and even if you can see the end of the rat, it still looks just like part of the roll.

[ITG]

The rats you can purchase at Sally's are actually designed for updos, chignons, etc., and I've only seen them in a grey color. I have one but find it is very hard to blend/hide with my own hair; it’s quite stiff and tends to look unnatural. Luckily, my hair is thicker and fairly coarse, so with a little back combing I don't need to use rats. But, I have made one with my own hair, which I will experiment with some day!
Yeah, I used one of those at the Queen Mary summit in November. I thought I had covered it up well, but when I looked back at pics, it must have shifted a bit because I could see some evidence of it in a few pics from later in the evening. See here in this pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/wickie7/Queen%20Mary%202004/QM2004_sirwinstons10.jpg

[MissTayva]

I have found that the stocking method is far superior to anything else! I hate all of those foam 'thingies', The hair always ends up slipping no matter what. It would be one thing if they were appropriately colored to match the hair, but they are not! I am lucky enough to have my backcombing technique down, I don't usually rely on rats. Just plenty of backcombing and styling product!

What do you ladies use as far as styling products go?
I find that I can't really use setting lotion anymore, I hate the results! It's always dull and frizzy, no matter what brand I use. By the end of the day, it's an unkempt, tangly mess.
I found the key is for me to use some sort of anti-humectant product instead for the wet set, as well as a similar sort of pomade when creating the style. My aunt, who is a cosmetologist, recently picked up this aerosol hairspray by Tresemme at Sally's that is just too fab! It gives this satiny, shiny finish, and tames frizz so well. It's called XX or something...

You ladies into hair flowers-- do you buy them or make them?

[Kaela]

I use "Sure Thing" setting lotion... the other one, i can't remember the name, Reinforcer I think, is good too, an a bit less potent. They both are sold at Sally's beauty, I find them to work very well with my hair. Since my hair is naturally curly, it holds well, but I think that the setting lotion exacerbates any flaws that you may have in your curls, but if you pin curl them just right, they look really great. I think that more of a spiral curl than just a regular curl gives a better look.. but that's my taste, probably. Also, you don't have to roll the curls as tightly because they don't just brush out... I usually don't brush my hair out when I pincurl it, I just run my fingers through it, and fluff it by tossing my head about, if I brush it, my hair looks frizzy.

I like to make my own floral barrettes, because you can usually find more colours if you make your own. I do however absolutely love the waterproof waterlilly's at mybabyjo.com! They are so much fun for a pool party, once I wore one river rafting!! :D No need not to be lovely!

I have had the most annoyed time even trying to stick anything in my hair, but I agree, stockings work best. I heard that they stuffed their own hair (from the hairbrush) in a sheer-ish stocking to get it to match. But backcombing is best, I think that its much more attractive to have it more natural than overly sculpted. Unless you're actually in a movie, it may just not be feasible. and fuuughet about dancing!

[decodoll]

Yes, those foam things are horrible!! And the ones I've seen are always grey! Who decided grey was a good colour!?!? The ends are always blunt and hard to cover. I just ordered an old style rat from the Vermont Country Store. The kind that are like nylon mesh kind of...that's not a very good description. :) Anyway, at least they come in a couple of different colours and the ends are tapered. I used to have some homemade rats when I dyed my hair black. I really should just make some more of those. My hair is so fine that frequent ratting is really not that great for it. For side rolls I find I can get away without ratting it if I just roll the hair up around a tube and then spray with Shaper, pin and remove. I'll have to look for that hairspray at Sally's.

I made a few attempts at making hair flowers, but my friend makes absolutely gorgeous ones that she sells, so now I just buy them from her. I'll have to post a link to her website once she finishes it.

[ITG]

Do you have a link to the rats at the Vermont Country Store?

[decodoll]

Vermont Country Store Hair Rats (http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=30355&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=30355)

[ITG]

Ah thank you, I may be ordering one. But first let me ask, Is it too long however for side curls?

[decodoll]

yeah, I would think it would be. I plan on using it to make a back roll. :)

The Vermont Country Store does seem to respond to requests. Maybe if we all ask nicely, they'll get some shorter ones. :D

[MissTayva]

yeah, I would think it would be. I plan on using it to make a back roll. :)

The Vermont Country Store does seem to respond to requests. Maybe if we all ask nicely, they'll get some shorter ones. :D

Oh, wow, I haven't seen one of those since I was a little girl!
Thanks for that link!

[decodoll]

You're welcome! I don't know if it's already been mentioned here somewhere, but they started selling Spoolies recently as well. :)

[swinggal]

I honestly believe the best rats are the ones made from your own hair because the colour, texture and look of the rat is indentical to your own. Best of all they are free and you can even wash them with shampoo!

I don't tend to use them unless I am being lazy and haven't bothered to curl my hair. My hair is dead straight so without me pin curling it, the rats help, but when I do curl it I have no problem with side or top rolls. If I am going somewhere really classy, like a ball, I like to do three rolls on top, and a rat or two can help.

Flowers, I love flowers, especially lilies and big white gardenias. But I have recently founf some lovely flowers with feathers and butterfly hair clips made out of feathers which are beautiful.

This pic is from the 2003 Perth Swing Dance Society ball. I had 3 rolls on top and my hair up at the back with a big red and white tiger lily at the front. My man Steve was doing his best Benny Goodman impression (haha).
http://www.perthswing.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10004/normal_Steve_Michelle2.jpg

[swinggal]

More flowers and rolls in 2004 Hullabaloo ball.

http://www.yowl.org/albums/AnzacBall/f1010034.sized.jpg

And for all you boys, Raph is wearing a 1942 Australian Airforce uniform. And guess what...it's mine!!!

http://www.yowl.org/albums/AnzacBall/f1020012.sized.jpg

[ITG]

swingal, those are great pics! Thanks for sharing.

[jitterbugdoll]

Those are lovely pics, swinggal!

I recently discovered a new 'concoction' that really makes a difference in styling my hair. Although I've tried various setting lotions and have had good luck with a gel and mousse mixture, I didn’t always get the most consistent results. However, the other day I mixed a dime-size dollop of gel with a dab of pomade—and whoa, what a difference! This combo works very well with my hair type, and also with hot or cold sets. The curls last, are nicely defined, and more uniform overall. Flyaways are reduced, and the pomade gives my hair, which is layered, enough ‘grab’ to wrap smoothly around the curler (it was always a struggle to achieve a nice, even loop before—there were always a few strands that escaped the curler, causing me to have to rewrap the section of hair once the heat had softened it.) I’m really pleased, and I would recommend that anyone who is unhappy with their current styling lotion try this. I would imagine that if you have finer hair, you’d want to use a minimal amount of pomade, though. My hair is pretty thick and heavy, and I scoop up a *dab* on my index finger, mixing it well with the gel.

[decodoll]

I've found for my fine hair that a product called Traction by Redken works really well for creating that "grab" when curling my hair. Anything resembling pomade tends to make my hair a goopy mess!

[jitterbugdoll]

Now see--I don't have the problem with pomade at all (in moderation, of course), and I always assumed that I would. And with blonde hair, it's easy for it look greasy, and quickly, too!

For hot styling, the other product that really helps is a heat activated setting spray--I'm having good luck with a product called Got 2 Be Curled.

[MissTayva]

My hair texture has changed a million times from having kids :rage: ...
Now, it's too fine for pomade,whereas before I'd have to use it to tame the frizz and cut the bulk.
I had a photoshoot a while back where all the styling done by an Aveda salon (go figure). I had never used Aveda before, but I've got to say, they have some fantastic products, especially the pomade that the stylist used on me. It felt like a pomade to the touch but didn't coat the hair like one. She actually applied it before using the Marcel iron, and the results were unbelievable! It held the curl in, not to mention THE SHINE! I've used it since then after wet sets to smooth the hair into place. It's also an antihumectant product, which is why I think it is so good! I used to think (before cosmetology school) that you could only get a period style by using all of those old tools and methods. I am so thankful for modern hair technology (or whatever you want to call it)... I would have had some horrible looking hair back then!

[ohairas]

This has been a fun thread, and it's actually what lead me to the Fedora Lounge in the first place while doing a search for 30s hair!

I'm a stylist too..and I love my job. Too bad more gals don't want the classic do's. I was really hating the spikey updo's the prom gals wanted the past few years.

As some already said, there isn't too much 'authenticity' to the 'authentic' hair cut. When in beauty school you learn a basic layered cut and really all cuts revolve around that cut in some form. And when looking at the 40's Hairstyles book for reference, etc.. you have to keep in mind that whatever inches they prescribe aren't always going to work on your head, for example you might have a longer neck or lower hairline for bangs, etc.

Also, many of the stars of the past had very kinky perms. The rods used then were very small, and roller sets were a must to smooth them out.. another reason their hair teased and stayed SO well. Color was rather new too and many a hair were fried.. and fried hair stays in place without much spray or pins! I remember hearing that models going to hairshows in hopes for awards would bleach their hair on purpose so that they could 'mold' it anyway they wanted. Take Marilyn for exapmle, very bleached hair and in some shots you can see the damage.. but with a fresh roller set it's the most beautiful and shiney tresses ever.

I want to tell you ladies how beautiful you are, I really feel I've been looking at old Hollywood pics! It's been so much fun! :p

What kind of rollers are you using for your sets? I don't think I have any of my magnetic rollers left from school.. maybe I'll buy a set.

The thing about pin curl perms is that the wave is actually larger closer to the scalp and curlier at the ends. If you perm on modern rods, even the big ones.. you won't get the same look really because the curl is more uniform all the way down. And unless your hair perms well, you can end up with a 'slept in braids' look. I have used the very large black barrel perm rods before, about 1 1/2 inch diameter. My hair was very long and it took pretty wavy, but still rather braid looking. If my hair would've been about shouder length it would've been bouncier and looked something like Vivien Leigh's.

Everyone's hair perms differently, it really sucks. And Kaela, as you mentioned your natural wave being loser on top, most natural wave and perms generally are. I rarely see natural wave even throughout.

Thanks for the tips everyone! I would've never thought to use nylons for rats, I can't wait to make one. I hate the grey things from Sally's! I usually end up using perm coil cotton on my clients!

Ohairas

[decodoll]

I don't suppose any of the stylists on the forum are in the SF Bay Area or know of someone around here you could refer me to! I like my current stylist and she does make an effort to look at my 40's hair styling books and do the cuts, but I'd really like to find someone that had a real interest in the vintage hairstyles. And I'm really due for a cut!! It's getting kinda hard to roll parts of my hair because my arms aren't long enough! :)

And I've tried looking for an old fashioned beauty parlor, but if they still exist around here, I haven't found them!

~Jennifer

[ITG]

Those are lovely pics, swinggal!

I recently discovered a new 'concoction' that really makes a difference in styling my hair. Although I've tried various setting lotions and have had good luck with a gel and mousse mixture, I didn’t always get the most consistent results. However, the other day I mixed a dime-size dollop of gel with a dab of pomade—and whoa, what a difference! This combo works very well with my hair type, and also with hot or cold sets.
Do you put it all over your hair or just here and there? Do you start at the root and work your way down when applying it? Pomade is what the men use to get that slick back look, right? Is that hard to find these days?

(I also have layered, thick, heavy hair and have been used Hot Sticks to get curls, but the curls don't always stay depending on the humidity level outside-something you Arizonans don't have to worry too much about.)

[swinggal]

My grandma also says she used to use sugar and water in the day as a setting lotion. She reconed it worked a treat! What happened when you sweated though...hehe.

I would love to have a wave put through my hair, the vinatge way. I don't want it to begin from the top. I like the straight crown look with the wave coming in under that.

MissTayva, can you tell me more about the 'waving boards' your mentioned? I havent seen them used here. Only straightening ones. Do you know anything about these ohairas?

[jitterbugdoll]

I mix the gel with the pomade in the palms of my hands and then work it into my hair starting at the middle. I do work some product into the roots as well as the ends; I was taught by my stylist that if you avoid the roots and apply product to the ends only, you will not only weigh your hair down, but also not reap the benefits of the product where you need it most (to achieve an even set.) I finish by brushing through the hair to help distribute the product evenly, and then roll on hot or cold rollers.

Pomade is very easy to find, and there are many vintage products, as well as new ones, on the market today. A good source is the ethnic hair care section, which is also a good place to find setting lotions. Anyway, pomades do come in different formulas; some are waxier than others, some are greasier then others, etc. Right now I am using Murray’s Pomade, and so far it is working great. Even though Arizona has a ‘dry heat’, we do get some humidity, and my hair has been known to collapse just from the extremely high temperatures. The pomade seems to be combating this problem. In fact, the air conditioner in my car broke a couple of weeks ago, and the drive home (30 minutes) is a killer (I’m super hot and sweaty by the time I get home.) Yet my hair still looks great, even though I feel like I am going to die from heat stroke!

I find that Aussie Mega Freeze hair spray competes well with humidity; a good spray really holds the style very well.

[ohairas]

the 'waving boards' your mentioned? I havent seen them used here. Only straightening ones. Do you know anything about these ohairas?

Hmm.. the only thing I can think of are the plates that resemble a crimping iron, only with deeper, softer grooves??

One option for perming today might be to get a piggy-back wrap. Usually this is for very long hair and you use two rods per strand. THe hard part would be finding a stylist who does them. I would use the huge curlers for the first winding, and a medium to small rod for the remainding hair sticking out~depending on how your hair accepts perms.

I did a similar perm on my sister years ago, as she has VERY straight hair and she wore a bob. She just wanted a little body so it would flip under more easily. I just rolled the bottoms of her hair and used straws to go thru the bands and hold them in place, worked very well. Like, the rollers at her nape I rolled all the way down to the scalp.. then the next row up I rolled almost all the way and let the rows stack up from there, so when I inserted the straws they were in a wedge, sticking out from her head like an Elizabethian collar..ya know? LOL.. Her crown area was left straight this way.

Most stores around here carry Tressame(Sp?), I'll have to check it out. I'll be going to Sally's this week too. My favorite mousse's are Paul Mitchell's Extra Body Foam, and Matrix Amplify. And yes, both need to be worked into the roots which is what mousse is better for.. on average it is lighter than gel.

It's kinda nice all the zillions of products out today, but on the other hand it makes it very hard to find one you like.

Yes, I've heard of the sugar water... can you imagine the insects you'd attract outside, ha! Plus you have to be careful of flaking. I've also heard of egg whites for shows.. ew, try washing that out afterwards!

O

[MissTayva]

the 'waving boards' your mentioned? I havent seen them used here. Only straightening ones. Do you know anything about these ohairas?

Hmm.. the only thing I can think of are the plates that resemble a crimping iron, only with deeper, softer grooves??

One option for perming today might be to get a piggy-back wrap. Usually this is for very long hair and you use two rods per strand. THe hard part would be finding a stylist who does them. I would use the huge curlers for the first winding, and a medium to small rod for the remainding hair sticking out~depending on how your hair accepts perms.

I did a similar perm on my sister years ago, as she has VERY straight hair and she wore a bob. She just wanted a little body so it would flip under more easily. I just rolled the bottoms of her hair and used straws to go thru the bands and hold them in place, worked very well. Like, the rollers at her nape I rolled all the way down to the scalp.. then the next row up I rolled almost all the way and let the rows stack up from there, so when I inserted the straws they were in a wedge, sticking out from her head like an Elizabethian collar..ya know? LOL.. Her crown area was left straight this way.

Most stores around here carry Tressame(Sp?), I'll have to check it out. I'll be going to Sally's this week too. My favorite mousse's are Paul Mitchell's Extra Body Foam, and Matrix Amplify. And yes, both need to be worked into the roots which is what mousse is better for.. on average it is lighter than gel.

It's kinda nice all the zillions of products out today, but on the other hand it makes it very hard to find one you like.

Yes, I've heard of the sugar water... can you imagine the insects you'd attract outside, ha! Plus you have to be careful of flaking. I've also heard of egg whites for shows.. ew, try washing that out afterwards!



Ooo, I forgot about Matrix's Amplify. I use the liquid root lifter all throughout my hair for extra body (esp. good for the rolls, and I usually use it in conjunction w/ other products for a wet set, it's not at all stiff!).

Piggy-back perms are seriously the only ones I am good at. I never get the tension right otherwise, haha!

I know some girls who used Downy liquid fabric softener in place of a setting lotion for wet sets... yikes! I'd be scared of having some sort of allergic reaction! They said it worked, but I'd rather reserve it for doing my laundry, rather than my hair!

[MissTayva]

This has been a fun thread, and it's actually what lead me to the Fedora Lounge in the first place while doing a search for 30s hair!

I'm a stylist too..and I love my job. Too bad more gals don't want the classic do's. I was really hating the spikey updo's the prom gals wanted the past few years.

As some already said, there isn't too much 'authenticity' to the 'authentic' hair cut. When in beauty school you learn a basic layered cut and really all cuts revolve around that cut in some form. And when looking at the 40's Hairstyles book for reference, etc.. you have to keep in mind that whatever inches they prescribe aren't always going to work on your head, for example you might have a longer neck or lower hairline for bangs, etc.

Also, many of the stars of the past had very kinky perms. The rods used then were very small, and roller sets were a must to smooth them out.. another reason their hair teased and stayed SO well. Color was rather new too and many a hair were fried.. and fried hair stays in place without much spray or pins! I remember hearing that models going to hairshows in hopes for awards would bleach their hair on purpose so that they could 'mold' it anyway they wanted. Take Marilyn for exapmle, very bleached hair and in some shots you can see the damage.. but with a fresh roller set it's the most beautiful and shiney tresses ever.

I want to tell you ladies how beautiful you are, I really feel I've been looking at old Hollywood pics! It's been so much fun! :p

What kind of rollers are you using for your sets? I don't think I have any of my magnetic rollers left from school.. maybe I'll buy a set.

The thing about pin curl perms is that the wave is actually larger closer to the scalp and curlier at the ends. If you perm on modern rods, even the big ones.. you won't get the same look really because the curl is more uniform all the way down. And unless your hair perms well, you can end up with a 'slept in braids' look. I have used the very large black barrel perm rods before, about 1 1/2 inch diameter. My hair was very long and it took pretty wavy, but still rather braid looking. If my hair would've been about shouder length it would've been bouncier and looked something like Vivien Leigh's.

Everyone's hair perms differently, it really sucks. And Kaela, as you mentioned your natural wave being loser on top, most natural wave and perms generally are. I rarely see natural wave even throughout.

Thanks for the tips everyone! I would've never thought to use nylons for rats, I can't wait to make one. I hate the grey things from Sally's! I usually end up using perm coil cotton on my clients!

Ohairas

I had a friend that found a salon that was full of little old ladies who were still doing hair after who knows how long, and got a perm with yellow rods (tiny!). Talk about frizzy! I gotta give it to her, her period styles looked great... but she literally had to style her hair like that constantly or else she looked like a poodle!
I dislike perms, truthfully. The results are never consistent due to a number of factors (porosity, medication, etc). The last body wave I got came out horrible. Some pieces didn't even take, and were near being overprocessed! Then again, I'm the one whose permanent black color washes completely out in 2-3 weeks, even with chelating and everything else!

I still have my magnetic rollers and sometimes use them. I think they provide the smoothest curl! I usually don't have time to set my hair until the kids are asleep, so I usually use those soft foam rollers with a lace cap and sleep in them.

Swinggal----
Here is the waving iron I was referring to (has three barrels)--
http://www.folica.com/images/uploads/A8410.gif

http://www.folica.com/Hot_Tools_Profe_d1043.html

I've used this to make wave patterns in a pinch. YOu can also do it with a single barrel Marcel by alternating the direction you place it in the hair and by pulling the hair to the left, to the right w/ each alternation... but that takes more time.

[ohairas]

HEY! I had forgotten about the three barrel job.. much better than the crimping type! Ladies be carefull if you have never handled a marcel iron before.. I tell my clients to practice with it unplugged first. You'll be all thumbs getting used to it and have an instinct to grab the end of the barrel when there is no protective tip!

When you speak of chelating, do you mean shampooing with a build up remover? That would definately strip your color, along with any shampoo containing chamomile.. a natural lightener. I'm a strong believer in NOT using permanent color over and over except for roots, it always fades and ruins the porosity. Have you ever used Shades by Redken? It's all I use for hair that has already been colored or for deposity only. It's semi permanent but becomes more perm the more you layer it on. The ultimate in shine and feel. Process under dryer with plastic cap for 15 min, cool for 5. Leave on another 5 or so if blending grey. Here's a chart, you'd probably like the onyx, maybe even mixed with a smidge of orchid, merlot, or blue kicker for fun. Hm.. they used to have a level one violet called eggplant but I don't see it there.
http://www.redkensalon.com/education/learning/pdf/shades_eq.pdf
I use bonfire and I simply can't get the shine with any other line. I use it on my brows too, I don't like pencils.

YIKES! Liquid fabric softener on hair! You'll have to tell them that it's also used for removing wallpaper, then see if they still want to use it on their tresses, lol!

I agree, the magnetics make the smoothest curls. I can't imagine my hair permed on yeller, whew.. I guess if you had pretty fine hair it would really help. Talk about a perm that would last forever, ugh!

For those of you looking for a salon try going to the schools. They should need the practice and since it's just a set they can't hurt you, hehe.. or the instructors might even know of some good salons to reccomend.

Oh.. Big Sexy Hair root pump is awesome too!

O

[jitterbugdoll]

Now I have a question regarding hair color! I'm a natural light ash blonde, and my hair was truly platinum until I was about 20. However, as blonde hair ages it gradually darkens, so I began having a weave put in about two years ago in order to regain my original bright blonde locks. Well, the other day I decided that I wanted to try true platinum--ultra light blonde with a violet cast—instead of my usual weave. My stylist was confident that I could achieve the color with ease, given my natural light hair and the fact that is ash blonde, rather than warm toned. So, he did the usual weave, and then applied a violet toner, mixing the toner in with the bleach used for the weave. My hair did not turn platinum, but instead took on a reddish/golden cast that I did not like at all. I stopped by a week later to show him, and he sent me home with the violet toner and had me apply it and leave it in for 10-15 before shampooing it out. This had no effects, so about two weeks later, he tried to cut this reddish cast with an additional weave. However, my hair has remained pretty golden in my opinion (which certainly looks fine, but it’s not what I wanted). So what went wrong? My stylist was very surprised that my hair pulled red, as its natural color is a very cool, light blonde and it has always responded well to a weave.

I still want to try platinum though--what method should I use this time? My hair is very thick with a very fairly coarse texture, and it is extremely porous. Apparently, there is red in my hair, although up until now I never noticed it!

[swinggal]

Can I ask what 'magnetic rollers' are? I have hot rollers, are they a special type of hot roller?

The only curl that will hold in my hair is if I wet set it with pincurls all day or at night. My hair is so fine and slides out of curlers so easily.

I also have some special 'waving' clips that I use if I feel like doing finger waves. They are quite large and bizzare and curve around the shape of the head. They slide 'under' the hair against the scalp and clip comes down over the ridge and pulls the hair up and aawy from the head - like a marcel wave clip but a completely different system. When the ridge dries it becomes a finger wave. One set i have are bakelite the other stainless steel.

My dream vintage hairstyle to have is Rita Hayworth's coif. I have red hair too and always part it on the side. I just love the way hers always looked so bouncey and full of waves...even when she was dancing or flicking her head about...sigh.

[ohairas]

Ahh.. doncha just love how our hair gets a bit darker every year! Then it goes grey, hehe!

Well, first of all, (this is all my opinion thru my experience), plus not being able to see your hair in person... I would say he didn't leave the foils/weave in long enough to bring you up to a shade to accept a toner. Even tho your natural color lifts more readily than others, I'm willing to bet you are still about a 7, perhaps on the edge of a 6 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being lightest.
Here's a Redken color chart, page 2~
http://www.redkensalon.com/education/learning/pdf/hi-fusion.pdf

Your natural color would still have to go thru a warm/yellow/orangey stage before evently turning blonde. If he didn't leave his product on long enough, (or if the product was not strong enough), you will be left in this stage. Leaving your hair level at about an 8 0r 9 probably. So then, if the toner level he gave you say was a 9 or 10 it will do nothing for you. The toner must be the same level or darker to have a deep enough violet base to counteract the warmth. And if you were left at a 9 or so, it will never be platinum! It must be brought up to almost white.

When you went back he should've foiled you extremely heavy, as it's going to be hard to weave the same pieces he wove before. So you're still going to be left with a few golden strands.

Be sure you are ready for the platinum responsiblity.. esp. if your hair is fine already. With teasing and everything your hair will be much more fragile and you could experience breakage. Your roots are also going to be much more noticable and need high maintenence.

If you still want to try and achieve this look, it will take some time to get the gold out that you already have.. the gold he just did, plus the pretty slight golden tinge you had in your pinup pics.. a lovely blonde!

To get this and judging from what you have told me, I would use a product called Shades Above (ash!) by Redken. I'd apply that to anything that was already blond and leave on about 10-20 minutes. (You could also try a bleach soap cap but I love shades above!) Then I'd foil it again, getting it as close to white as possible, using a bleach with toner and applying it to the natural hair and/or brassy peices only. Then I would use regular Redken shades as a toner, Platinum Ice. Perhaps mixed with a bit of clear shades depending on your porosity. If you are brought up to white on the other hand, it will be very dry and too porus to accept a toner.

You would probably want to try a shampoo with violet to keep the platinum look. If you ever decide you want to go platinum all over, you will have to use scalp bleach and then tone.. no way getting around it unfortunately.. no matter what the high lift blonde tubes say on their packages!

I hope this has been of some help. If you are not unsure about what you want in the future, I might suggest a double weave. One foil with the blonde you used to get and one foil with a much lighter blonde, (not necassarily platinum). Having both colors throughout is a very pretty and natural look.

Ohairas

[jitterbugdoll]

Thanks for the reply! Your information was very helpful.

I know--after years of having stylist tell me that my hair would probably never darken up (it remained platinum far longer than most), I was so disappointed when it finally did! Especially considering that I had finally decided that I liked it (being a very pale blonde with even paler skin in Arizona generated a lot of rude/negative comments from those my own age.) But, from my understanding, red hair becomes light/blonder with age—and I think that would be traumatic, too. At least gray hair is easy to hide in blonde hair!

Anyway, I’m lucky because my hair is extremely thick/coarse in general, which is very unusual for a natural blonde. With all the bleaching and the heavy heat styling I do, you’d think my hair would be a frizzy mess. Yet, my stylists only see minimal damage at the ends—guess I’m lucky in that regard!

The pinup photos show my most recent color. It used to have a whiter cast to it…I’d say that if I left it alone, it would be between an 8n-9n on the color chart you posted. Most definitely not as dark as a 7 or a 6, and I really don’t notice root growth (well, I can see it, but I can get away with out a touch up for several months). In fact, my hairstylist always points out that my hair is lighter then I think it is.

He does have me using the violet shampoo (Clairol Shimmerlights) which tones down the gold. I will have to bring in your notes to show him—he does a good job on a regular weave, and I know he does a lot of golden/honey blondes. I think he simply doesn’t get a lot of requests for platinum…And the double weave sounds like a good ‘middle’ step which will let me ease into an official platinum…

[ohairas]

Swinggal I apologize, I missed your post while I must having typing my other reply earlier.

Magnetic rollers are just the plastic ones with holes in them. I don't know why they're called that, lol! If you have trouble with rollers they would probably slide out or be to heavy for you. Have you tried velcro rollers? Of course if you've got the pin curls down why bother with them!

I've got some finger wave clips around her too, I'm going to have to dig them out. Before I got pregnant my hair was almost to my waist and I never set it or anything. Now it's barely to my shoulders so I can have some fun with it!

To be honest I'm not too hip on what Rita's hair really looks like, I'll do a search!

Jitterbugdoll, I hope the info was useful! If you're lighter than a 7 naturally you might ask your stylist to do a few sample foils in the back when you get more regrowth, using a highlift double blond series color. You just *might* get the results you want. But in my experience, even tho the blonde looks very pretty and clear to me, my clients always feel it is still to warm for them. If it takes well however, it would wonderful for you to use all over!

Best wishes, and I hope your stylist doesn't take offense from my notes.... because I don't know your hair or exactly what he did anyway! :)
The rental salon I used to work at had over 50 stylists. I was there for 8 years and they kept raising the rent, so I moved to a great salon with only about 16 girls and have been there for 4. There's just nothing like hands on experience and the knowledge of other professional stylists. I still learn some little trick every day and hope that I can share the ones I know as well!

O

[swinggal]

Love Ritas hair
http://www.moviegoods.com/afi/actor_pics/ritahayworth01.JPG

http://www.undelete.org/woa/Hayworth.gif

http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/celebrity/images/Movie/rita-screenland08.JPG

http://www.reimeika.ca/nikkou/rita/rita1sm.jpg

[MissTayva]

When you speak of chelating, do you mean shampooing with a build up remover? That would definately strip your color, along with any shampoo containing chamomile.. a natural lightener. I'm a strong believer in NOT using permanent color over and over except for roots, it always fades and ruins the porosity. Have you ever used Shades by Redken? It's all I use for hair that has already been colored or for deposity only. It's semi permanent but becomes more perm the more you layer it on. The ultimate in shine and feel. Process under dryer with plastic cap for 15 min, cool for 5. Leave on another 5 or so if blending grey. Here's a chart, you'd probably like the onyx, maybe even mixed with a smidge of orchid, merlot, or blue kicker for fun. Hm.. they used to have a level one violet called eggplant but I don't see it there.
http://www.redkensalon.com/education/learning/pdf/shades_eq.pdf
I use bonfire and I simply can't get the shine with any other line. I use it on my brows too, I don't like pencils.


Oh.. Big Sexy Hair root pump is awesome too!

O


When I color my hair, I chelate prior to coloring, then I use a blue filler, then I color. If I don't do that, the color will rinse right out! I know it's not due to overprocessed hair, things just changed after I had children. I use 10 vol. peroxide, or lower, if I can find it! Sometimes I follow up with an application of Jazzing in the same shade, that helps prolong it, as well.
I am actually thinking of trying Shades EQ. I used it plenty in beauty school, but never put it on my own hair (I never trusted any of the other girls!) In fact, I was amazed at how well it covers grey hair! You know how porous that is... so I am thinking there may be hope for me!

[MissTayva]

Ohairas-- good advice on the color situation!
I have to agree. Judging from your photos, Jitterbugdoll, it seems that your stylist simply didn't leave it on long enough. I would have guessed that you are about a level 8, almost 9... so getting to a 10-11 shouldn't be that hard!

Surprisingly, I was able to get my level 4 hair up to a level 9-10 platinum with only 40 vol. peroxide and a bottle of color (in normal processing time!). I never had a problem lifting up past the red/orange stage. I think it was partly due to a product I used... You can get it at Sally Beauty Supply, it's called "No-Red" and comes in a little white box. I can't think of who makes it off-hand. You put a few drops in your color bottle or bowl and it eliminates the need for a toner. It does make the mixture purplish, so don't freak if you happen to use it!

What did your stylist use, anyway, color or bleach?
I also used to use (on clients) an oil-based bleach that had a blue tint, which helped neutralize the brassy tones. It wasn't as harsh as the other bleach.

Another thing I was going to point out... as far as leaving it on longer, you can safely lift hair (without severly overprocessing it) to a pale yellow color. Any lighter than that (white!), and you've sacrificed the integrity of the hair. That's when the breakage and not-fun stuff comes in. Not to mention, hair will usually lighten through shampooing and such! I am glad to hear that you are using Shimmerlights, that stuff works great!

If you still find your hair brassy, go back and ask to have a shampoo cap. Basically, they mix shampoo with peroxide, which can lighten the hair additionally.

Swinggal-- thanks for sharing those Rita photos! I am so jealous of her style. I can never get mine to look like that. Then again, I'm sure she wasn't the one styling her hair. It helps to have someone else do it for you!

[Geraldine]

Though I love all the 40s and 50s styles, I stick with my 20s Louise Brooks bob. It's effortless and I can get away wearing anything vintage or modern with it.

[ohairas]

See! You learn something everyday.. thanks Miss Tayva, I'll have to check out the redout!!

Geraldine your bob looks awesome~

Ohairas

[Angelicious]

Hi everyone... I'm very new here. Thought I'd just jump on in...


I am lucky enough to have my backcombing technique down, I don't usually rely on rats. Just plenty of backcombing and styling product!

Well, I can get nice big rolls without either rats or backcombing... Maybe I just have a lot of hair?

Come to think of it, I can get (I don't know correct terms) big back-sweeping side rolls with no rats, no backcombing, no product, and about 4 or 5 large bobby pins per roll. It's not wonderfully tidy, accourse... :p (But I think that's just my lack of skill in general.) I don't think they'd stay in place for dancing without product though.

Is it just that easy, or am I doing something wrong?


What do you ladies use as far as styling products go?
I find that I can't really use setting lotion anymore, [...]

I don't use any, as a general rule... If I'm going out, I use Kérastase Lumiere Nutri-Sculpt to get rid of fuzz and flyaway. It only gives a moderate shine, and no hold.

I'm lucky that my hair takes curl well, so I can generally just wet-set it with a dab of mousse and it will hold for a few hours. (I can't pin curl yet... Thanks everyone for the info on here though!) I would love to find a product that would give some hold & shine without leaving my hair "crunchy" or solid. The suggestions here sound good, but I don't recognise most of the brand-names. :( Maybe they aren't sold here in New Zealand...


You ladies into hair flowers-- do you buy them or make them?

I'd love to wear them, but can't find any. You can buy plenty as brooches here at the moment (although most look quite cheap), so I might try converting one. Can anyone tell me if they should be on combs, slide pins, or a barrette type deal?

I'm so glad to be on this list... :) All that info I could never find before...

[BixChix26]

I have a basic bob now without bangs. In the humidity it just naturally goes curly and I was tired of fighting it, so all I do is wash, condition and throw in some gel.

Any drugstore sells big alligator clips that I believe can be used to recreate a Marcel wave, altho from what I understand, the big secret to this is the setting lotion.

Anybody have any sage advice on a good setting lotion to use to recreate a true '20s Marcel wave?

PS -- when I was a kid, my mother used to set my hair in rag curls -- literally, strips of rag bound up for that ringlet effect!

[MissTayva]

BixChix26---
Hi there!
I'm a bit confused what you mean by "Marcel wave", but I am betting you're talking about traditional wet fingerwaving...
A Marcel wave is called just that because it is created by using a Marcel waving iron, on dry hair:
http://www.hotcurlingirons.com/marcurir.html[/url

This may be of interest to you:
[url]http://www.livejournal.com/community/vintage_hair/577506.html

The modern irons look drastically different than that (and thankfully they are fully electric!), but if you look closely at the diagram, you can see the manner in which the hair is waved. That is the fastest and easiest way to do it...

However, if you'd like to attempt traditional wet-set fingerwaving, I suggest any cheapie brand of concentrated setting lotion. You can find it at any beauty supply store (usually in the ethnic section). You usually have to dilute it down with water (I like to make mine just a bit stronger than the directions indicate). Seriously, stay away from the setting lotions from the more well known brands (like Wella)... on me, they either make my hair dull, tangle or the product flakes off my hair.

You know, I haven't thought of using the larger, modern day clips to try waving. I dislike the vintage waving clips, as they are too strong and seem to leave a kink in the hair, rather than a uniform wave. I will have to try that-- thanks for the suggestion!

[BixChix26]

thanks for the tip about setting lotion! Will try it soon.

[ITG]

What I do with the setting lotion is mix it in a spray bottle with water and then spray it on...it's really easy to apply that way.

[decodoll]

The friend that I mentioned earlier in this thread who makes really beautiful hair flowers has just launched her website (The Diva Pinup (http://www.thedivapinup.com/) .) Take a look if you're interested. She has recently started making flowered snoods and burlesque hair pieces as well. They are all really gorgeous, and she has wonderful prices as well! She's having a Pin-up contest as well to kick off her website!

[16_sparrows]

Swinggal----
Here is the waving iron I was referring to (has three barrels)--
http://www.folica.com/images/uploads/A8410.gif

http://www.folica.com/Hot_Tools_Profe_d1043.html

I've used this to make wave patterns in a pinch. YOu can also do it with a single barrel Marcel by alternating the direction you place it in the hair and by pulling the hair to the left, to the right w/ each alternation... but that takes more time.

MissTayva, What kind of wave can you achive with the triple barrel iron? I'm imagining that it could make something like this:
http://static.flickr.com/26/61988904_c7dd111de7.jpg
Or am I being too optimistic?

[MJCalloway]

Could anyone help with any instructions on how to do a front roll with your hair? I can do the side without a problem, but it seems that I become all thumbs when trying to do the "under" front roll.

Any help would be most appreciated! :)

[Miss Neecerie]

MissTayva, What kind of wave can you achive with the triple barrel iron? I'm imagining that it could make something like this:
http://static.flickr.com/26/61988904_c7dd111de7.jpg
Or am I being too optimistic?

I don't know about that one, but I have this wonder of hot burning iron goodness...http://www.helenoftroyusa.com/products/vs/index.htm

And as the ladies who went to the QM Friday dinner and the Sunday tea will attest, it does indeed make combed out fingerwaves.

Available at *drumroll* Target..for like 25 dollars....it heats to absolute scorching hot levels...and you just hold it very still for as long as you can stand it there and voila! waves.

[Vanessa]

. . . Or scorched hair, if you're me. *shudder* I think I still have a burn mark from the last time I tried to use a curling iron. I'll just have to continue to admire your skills with the iron.

[Betty's Double]

This goes back to the original posting, because we are girls our hair could look like it came from any period during the golden era if you know how to style it right. There were many different styles whether it was pin curls, rat's nests, buns, or pompadors. Just find a haircut that is versitile. There is a way that you could give off the illusion that you have bangs if you want that style.

There have always been the classic cut for each time period, the bob for the twenties, the waved bob for the thrities, and several variations of the pin curl pompador for the fourties, but there are some styles that never go out with the old decade.

I normally wear my hair long and style it the way my grandmother did her's; A pomp (using rat nests or excess hair) with a few curls and a hair net. When it's short I curl it certain ways to make it look like the fourties or thirties and straighten it out and curl under to look like the twenties. I try not to get stuck with a hair cut that makes me have no other choice, but that one and only hair cut.

It is all in the style.;)

[16_sparrows]

I don't know about that one, but I have this wonder of hot burning iron goodness...http://www.helenoftroyusa.com/products/vs/index.htm

And as the ladies who went to the QM Friday dinner and the Sunday tea will attest, it does indeed make combed out fingerwaves.

Available at *drumroll* Target..for like 25 dollars....it heats to absolute scorching hot levels...and you just hold it very still for as long as you can stand it there and voila! waves.

Miss Neecerie, I got the home page when I clicked the link, are you talking about this triple barrel iron?
http://www.tsetters.com/catalog/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Vidal_Sassoon/Specialty_Irons&image=VS028.jpg&img=&tt=

If what you say is true, about the brushed out finger wave look, I'm going to have to run to Target and get me one of those!

[Mimi Thomas]

I am having serious vintage hair issues right now. Due to the over-processing, I had to cut my hair very short a couple of weeks ago. Think Jean Seberg, but a touch longer. It's definitely a "gamine" cut, but I just can't do anything with it!

The closest I can find in looking for old Hollywood styles is Judy Holliday. Circa "It Could Happen to You" with Jack Lemmon. Very curled and smoothed back on the sides.

Anyone have any other ideas? I'm open to all suggestions right now.

[Miss Neecerie]

Miss Neecerie, I got the home page when I clicked the link, are you talking about this triple barrel iron?
http://www.tsetters.com/catalog/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Vidal_Sassoon/Specialty_Irons&image=VS028.jpg&img=&tt=

If what you say is true, about the brushed out finger wave look, I'm going to have to run to Target and get me one of those!


Thats the one! It is heat adjustable, so if you have finer hair then I have, just set it lower....I think the whole trick is that you dont wrap hair around it ....you stick a length through and then press down....

I have a bob, but if you had longer hair....you could go around your head once, all at the same height from the top of head...then go back around further down....until you got to the end of your hair.

[ITG]

I picked up a Conair triple barrel curling iron at Big Lots! on Thanksgiving. Get a load of the price: $8. I tried it out today...I recommend it for those who have thinner hair. I have thick hair and it took some time doing it. Doing the back was very difficult. But for the vintage look of finger waves, it can do the job. I just need to practice a bit more with it.

[USO Gal]

I have always wanted straight hair until I started vintage... now I am glad that I have natural fingerwaves (more or less). Now granted, mostly what I am going for is a 40s look and that doesn't always help. However, this thread made me very happy with my hair.

As someone with thick curly hair I just wanted to put a word in for my very favorite product for keeping curls in place and stopping them from frizzing - Spray Gel. I have found that it just somehow works much better with my curls than any hairspray.

I have even convinced my mother - who got married in 1957 and has been doing pincurls since the 40s (every 3 days like clockwork). She loves the stuff!

[whistlebait]

My hair is rather fine and straight with a bit of frizz and it has never grew past my shoulders. When it would get to that point it looked raggid. My hair tends to be oily as well so it makes for more of a hassle...anyway I typically wear and am now wearing my hair in a chin-length bob. I'd love to learn to make finger waves. USO Gal--what brand of spray gel do you use?

[BettyValentine]

Love Ritas hair
http://www.moviegoods.com/afi/actor_pics/ritahayworth01.JPG

Does anyone know how one would go about recreating this hair? Or is it perhaps a lost cause?

(Last time I tried I looked like Barbarella, which was kind of an interesting look for the 10 minutes it lasted. Ugh, my hair used to hold a curl for weeks in high school. Le sigh.)


BV

[Lauren]

I picked up a Conair triple barrel curling iron at Big Lots! on Thanksgiving. Get a load of the price: $8. I tried it out today...I recommend it for those who have thinner hair. I have thick hair and it took some time doing it. Doing the back was very difficult. But for the vintage look of finger waves, it can do the job. I just need to practice a bit more with it.

I have thick hair and used it ever once in a while. What I did was do only the outer layer of my hair, then put it up in a bun at the back. even though my hair was straight underneath, you couldn't really tell!

[ITG]

What a smart idea, Lauren!

[64tonya]

Could anyone help with any instructions on how to do a front roll with your hair? I can do the side without a problem, but it seems that I become all thumbs when trying to do the "under" front roll.

Any help would be most appreciated! :)

Hey there,
I'm guessing you mean a faux fringe for long hair that looks like a Bettie Page? This one is tough, I can do a pretty good one off to the side, but my hair is too fine to get a good one going all the way across. I finally broke down and got some hair rats and WOW! I had the full fringe in no time! I got a rat that had a thin foam foundation covered with synthetic hair that matched mine so if there isn't complete coverage, its no big deal. Without that, it always ends of thin and flimsy for me and uses a half a can of spray :) You just have to play with it. I use the thin end of a rat tail to slide the strays under the roll, it can be tricky but worth it. Everyone at work was oohing and aahing. I'll post pics when I get done with the semester.

[Rachael]

after a lot of improvising and burnt fingers, I figured out how to do this with waist-length hair:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn39/megsthreads/closeup3-3301.jpg

my real struggle is trying to get 'the look' without cutting.
for this look, I started out with dark foam rollers. I discarded the awful plastic bits and threaded two of them on a pipe cleaner. I then pulled what should be my bangs forward and caught the ends between the foam pieces. Then it was just a matter of keeping tension while I rolled it up to my forehead. The ends of the pipe cleaner wrapped up under and were secured by about a dozen bobby pins. I repeated the same for the side rolls, and the back is in a faux chignon held in place by a snood and more pins.

[mrswheats]

Does anyone have pictures of their hair after they used the 3 barrel iron? I'm contemplating getting one, but I already have a closet full of styling tools that didn't do what I wanted lol I've seen lots of comments, but no actual pictures (unless I'm looking in the wrong place, which is entirely likely).

My hair is very fine, somewhat thin, and I recently had it cut into a jaw-length bob, so I'm hoping the result would be 1930-ish style waves.

Nice hair, Rachel! The faux bangs look great!

[roots66]

Does anyone have pictures of their hair after they used the 3 barrel iron? I'm contemplating getting one, but I already have a closet full of styling tools that didn't do what I wanted lol I've seen lots of comments, but no actual pictures (unless I'm looking in the wrong place, which is entirely likely).

My hair is very fine, somewhat thin, and I recently had it cut into a jaw-length bob, so I'm hoping the result would be 1930-ish style waves.

Nice hair, Rachel! The faux bangs look great!


This video should give you a good idea of what the 3 barrel iron can produce--I'll leave the authenticity debate up to you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rPMLQstFb8

[TheKitschGoth]

Does anyone have pictures of their hair after they used the 3 barrel iron? I'm contemplating getting one, but I already have a closet full of styling tools that didn't do what I wanted lol I've seen lots of comments, but no actual pictures (unless I'm looking in the wrong place, which is entirely likely).


This is how my hair used to turn out using a 3 barrel iron.
http://www.thekitschgoth.co.uk/misskittylou/photos/0007.jpg

[mrswheats]

Thanks for the picture, Kitsch! I really like it as another option for a bob. That's a very striking photo, by the way.


Roots66, thanks so much for the link, that really helped!

Thanks again ladies, you're the best!

[mrswheats]

Ok, I've found 2 online that look good. Has anyone tried either of these?

Vidal Sassoon, on Amazon (around $24):

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GBQh68OeL._SS500_.jpg

Conair Infinity Deep Waver, also on Amazon and at Target ($34 - $39)

http://f3c.yahoofs.com/shopping/3095739/simg_t_o20032817892003281789jpg?rm_____DAqVIjBrd

These two irons have the deepest wells, which I'm hoping means more pronouned waves.

[~*Red*~]

oh man, why do I come in here?? :eusa_doh: Every time you gals post a new hair gadget I am coveting it! lol I just love hair stuff so trying anything new is a good idea to me! This waver does look quite nice and easy to use. I think by the looks of it, I might like it better than the regular triple wavers.

Although I should give mine a go again, I recently cut and majorly thinned out my hair so it is like a normal person's head of hair and I can do much more with it. I'll be on the look out for this... (like I really need another iron!):D

[shepkatt]

I will buy one of the wavers, Red, and you can come over and help me figure out what to do with it! Afterall, without you I would have NO clue how to do anything vintagey with my hair... :-)