Hair cuts

[CanaryBird]

Well, here is my biggest problem, getting the back of my hair to lay down properly. Even with that vintage hair treatment MK got my hooked on, sometimes it just won't stay down. Just a couple hairs lumped together like to stick up a bit. I wish I knew some of the combing techniques those guys used to get their hair just right.:cool2:

Jack if that pic is of you I suggest you just never take your hat off and you'll be swell! You look sharp baby!! Not a particularly informed response, I know, but if you can dance in that hat there's no need for it to leave your head!

 

[Chad Sanborn]

While we are on the subject of cuts I have a few questions. 1st How does a conk work? 2nd Is a kent hair brush a good investment? 3rd What did people think of sideburns in the 1920's and 30's?

In all the pictures I have seen, sideburns have been very short to almost non-existant. I like to keep mine a bit longer. So I occasionally get 'Elvis' jokes.
To which I reply, "so your saying I look like a millionaire singer who could have any woman he wanted?" "Thanks!".

Chad

 

[Matt Deckard]

Sideburns... this reminds me of an episode of the Simpsons.

Darryl with

Darryl without

The 50's is where the sideburns came back with a vengeance.

 

[The Wolf]

the right barber

I was tired of going to Super Cuts so I started looking for a barber. My hair can't be "styled", I just need it short.
I phone a place and he says they don't take reservations; just come in and "by the way, we don't style". He wasn't rude just laying it down.
The shop had a red and white striped pole, boxing magazines, combs in blue liquid and two old guys cutting hair. I knew I'd found the right place.
The down side is the perfect barbers tend to die or retire.

The way to tell if it's the right barber for us is they have white hair and you can tell them you want a regular haircut. If they think you aren't sure they say "Do you want it blocked or tapered in back?" In my case I said tapered and his response was "Oh, a regular haircut." We had an understanding.

When the moon comes up, out comes,
The Wolf

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

The other hallmark of the old-school barber shop is the man who always seems to be hanging around talking to everybody but who doesn't actually cut hair.

 

[The Wingnut]

I cut my own. Occasionally, when it's grown to the point that it's somewhat unmanageable, I'll go to supercuts and tell them not to touch the top, just use a 1/4" attachment on the sides and blend it. That still gets expensive at $14, but if you only visit once every three months, that not so bad.

I dropped $35 on a Wahl clipper with all the attachments. I've got an extra mirror, so I uue that to see the back. I'll start very short around the ears and in the back, about a 1/4", and cut about 1 1/2" above the ears. I keep it that high all the way around, and slowly blend it in with progressively larger attachments. There's always a shelf this way, unless you're a magician with a comb and can blend it in properly...which you shouldn't anyway for a proper look. Let the top grow out as long as you want it.

 

[swinggal]

While we are on the subject of cuts I have a few questions. 1st How does a conk work?

The 'conk' haircut began back in the 1920s and was usually a style worn by men of colour. It was when very curly hair was straightened out chemically to resemble a caucasion haircut and was done undergoing a very painful process which 'relaxed' the hair with a solution of lye and other chemicals. You can see Denzel and Spike do this in the movie 'Malcolm X'

Cab Calloway made the Conk famous but if you look at old photo's of Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Basie Louis Armstong and other black muscians of the era - they all sported 'Conks' at one time or another.

Thats a great shot Wingnut!

 

[Zach R.]

I've never really shopped for hair oils and the like.

Can someone recommend a place to get Brilliantine or Royal Crown? Online or otherwise.

 

[jamespowers]

You can get Brillantine at your local Safeway. I have no idea where to get the other one. Gee, can you tell which I use?

Regards to all,

J

 

[Matt Deckard]

Savon drugs should cary them both.

 

[Zach R.]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Too bad Safeway and Savon drugs don't have any stores down here.

So what you are saying is that any well-stocked (few and far between around here) drug store should have them?

 

[jamespowers]

I am pretty sure a good number of them would. How about a Long's Drugs? Got one around there? They have a limited selection but you might find it there.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Zach R.]

I am pretty sure a good number of them would. How about a Long's Drugs? Got one around there? They have a limited selection but you might find it there.

Regards to all,

J

No, not one of those either.

I looked on the Walgreens site and found Tres Flores Brilliantine. This is what I'm looking for isn't it? Tres Flores?

 

[jamespowers]

Uh, no. You want American Crew Brillantine. What part of the US are you in?

Regards to all,

J

 

[Zach R.]

North Carolina.

Sorry for all of the questions, I'm new to all of this.

I saw a picture of that container earlier in the thread, is there some sort of formula difference compared to the vintage stuff, is it not a good product, or is it just a personal preference?

 

[Trickeration]

Hi,
My husband plays upright bass in both swing and rockabilly bands. For a while he was looking for a great vintage cut, but before he found one, he re-upped with the Coast Guard so now he sports a flat top. It works. He gets the cuts done by this barber in San Pedro who's old enough to remember the old styles.

Anyway, since then we've learned that many of the rockabilly barbers are pretty familiar with vintage hairstyles. So check online, or next time there's a hot rod show in your area with lots of greasers, just ask around. Sometimes there'll even be a shop with a booth at the show.

Also, robschopshop.com has a selection of mens hair products worth checking out, too.

 

[Wild Root]

Well, when I think of a hair style that really looks 30's, I think Dick Powell!

I want that look!

 

[ITG]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Too bad Safeway and Savon drugs don't have any stores down here.

So what you are saying is that any well-stocked (few and far between around here) drug store should have them?

Do you have a Kroger...? Reason I ask is that Safeway down here in Texas was bought by Winn-Dixie years ago and a few years back Winn Dixies locally closed down and Kroger stores seem to be in the old Winn Dixie locations. Might check Kroger.

 

[Blackgrass]

As far as products go you can find most greases and pomades at your local Wal-Mart. Just look in the ethnic section and you will usually find a vast assortment of products from Murray's, Royal Crown, Daxx Wax and more. I have been slicking my hair for a while and have a couple of tips.

#1 Use a good hair tonic. I have used Vitalis, Jerris and Lucky Tiger. All three of these have been good but I prefer the Lucky Tiger for the hold.

#2 There is a product called Groom and Clean. It is usually in the shaving area of the store and it is like a wax or pomade and has a nice shine and hold. The great thing about Groom and Clean is that is can be washed out very easily. In fact you can put it in your hair to help remove a heavier wax/pomade like Murray's. I highly recommend the stuff and it's really cheap so your not out much if you don't like it.

I have used waxes from:
Murray's
Royal Crown
Brylecreme
18 Wheeler
Robs Crop Shop
Daxx Wax
American Crew
John Freda
Tresemme
All of them are pretty good. The American Crew washes out easily but it is a little more expensive than the others. For everyday wear I spray my head down with some Lucky Tiger Sur-lay and put in about a half inch squeeze of the Groom and Clean and get a great hold all day.
Maybe this will help you guys out a bit.

 

[Zach R.]

Thanks for all the info Blackgrass.