As if we didn't chat about pin curls enough. . .

Tigerlily · Apr 11, 2008

I'm kind of new at doing vintage hair and really just doing anything with my hair in general, haha. So lastnight, I decided I'd try doing pin curls using bobbypins. I woke up this morning and took them all out, brushed my hair and I ended up looking like a huge poofball. I'm not kidding, my hair could have passed for one of those 70s afro wigs (the gigantic ones).

It was awful! Maybe I'm not doing it right...

I just have a question, I've been trying to get my hair to look like this for a while:

front:

side:

How do I get my hair to do this?! It's medium length to my shoulders with a lot of layers so it'd be a longer version of her hairdo. I also have a problem with frizzyness after taking out the pins. Someone wanna help me?

AllaboutEve · Apr 11, 2008

Maybe for a style like this one as the curls are big and loose you could get away with using rollers, that way you'd probably get less frizz too. Most of the pics I've seen of Marilyn having her hair done she does seem to have pin curls but then her hair was pretty short and super thick and curly so it may not work that way on other hair types. So whilst I am an amateur compared to some of the ladies here I'd tentatively suggest rollers, overnight.

I get frizz if I do my curls too tight as my hair is naturally quite dry and likes to do the puffball thing!! I have found that plain rollers left in over night and then gently brushed out gets around this problem.

Whilst I'm pretty handy with rollers I am a complete novice with pin curls and am due to try my first set this time next week ( when I get some time off work!!! ). As a fellow frizz-prone-lady I'll let you know how it goes....

PS, Isn't Marilyn just breath takingly lovely all the time......

Tigerlily · Apr 12, 2008

You're right, it must be because of her short and naturally curly hair. Mine is just wavey and rarely holds a big curl for more than 10 minutes! I think I will try rollers, as they will most likely give me bigger curls than the pins do... Do you know where I can get a good set? I have one but it doesn't work for me at all.

And thank you, it'd be great if you'd let me know how the pin curls work out for you!

Yes, she always looked amazingly beautiful and stunning!!!

Smuterella · Apr 12, 2008

I'd say try bigger curls, use proper pin curl clips (apart from the curls on the top of the head which need to stand up from the head)and brush out with a natural bristle brush. my hair used o go like that when i set it that way, but its a bit too long now. ho hum...

olive bleu · Apr 12, 2008

i have naturally wavy hair and my hair takes to curling "EXTREMELY" well, too.I also wake up looking like a poofball. I have discovered that i really don't even need overnight for my hair to set. I set in in the morning, leave in for about an hour while i have my breakfast , do makeup etc.then take the curlers out last thing. i brush it out, put on a bit of hairspray and i'm out the door.This may not be the answer for everyone but i have found it works well for me.Also if you are looking for big loose curls like the picture, make sure you are using big rollers.Small curlers= tight curls or poofball head.

shamrocq · Apr 29, 2008

Hi beauties, need some advice on pin curling here. I'm trying out this Sharpie marker and end wrappers technique. I'm kinda baffle how you gals could clip the curl on. With the end wrappers, there's additional bulk and the curl itself was rather chunky. I couldn't get my 2 prong curl clip to clip it on properly. What am I doing wrong. should i by force flattened and squish the curl until it's like flattish? I end up using bobby pin to hold it but it's not very secure either. Sleeping on it it's easier compare to the totally flat pin curl though.

Hope this makes sense...[huh]

NoirDame · Apr 30, 2008

You know, when my hair got longer, my klippies weren't working, either. I went to bobby pins. When I get a trim, I'll go back to the pronged klippies.

magnolia76 · May 15, 2008

Vintage book

Today my grandmother gave me the book she studied from in cosmetology school in the 1940's. The pincurl and fingerwave descriptions and photos are the easiest and clearest I've seen so far. Every kind of wave you want to make pretty much. I'm still new and not sure of copywriting issues. Can I post a pic of the descriptions from the book?

shamrocq · May 15, 2008

magnolia76 said:
Can I post a pic of the descriptions from the book?

please, please, pretty please... but i'm not sure about copyright too.

PS · May 18, 2008

I have nothing against using two clips. I bought the big box from the beauty supply. Bobby pins leave a mark and are to small, then hair pins slip out for me even when i cross them.

Swing Kitty · May 22, 2008

I had to reply to this thread, cause today I'm having major pin-curl rage!

My hair's rubbish, and I've tried quite a few times to curl it with pin-curls, setting lotion and all, and it just doesn't seem to work! I'm getting a bit peeved to be honest...

This morning, one side was super-major curly, and the other was just...bleugh. I'm losing the will to pin-curl! I just want to ask how long it took for everyone here to perfect their technique? Should I persevere, or is it something that you can just do?

:rage:

MissS · May 22, 2008

Welcome, Swing Kitty!

I for one, definately went through the pin curl rage...and still do from time to time! It probably took me about 3 or 4 sets before it started looking half decent, so keep perservering!

Because my hair is long (bra strap at back), I actually found standing pincurls to work best on me, AND they're easier to master!

Experiment a little...and if it doesn't work, stick it in a pony tail, or snood!

SarahLouise · May 22, 2008

Swing Kitty said:
I had to reply to this thread, cause today I'm having major pin-curl rage!

My hair's rubbish, and I've tried quite a few times to curl it with pin-curls, setting lotion and all, and it just doesn't seem to work! I'm getting a bit peeved to be honest...

This morning, one side was super-major curly, and the other was just...bleugh. I'm losing the will to pin-curl! I just want to ask how long it took for everyone here to perfect their technique? Should I persevere, or is it something that you can just do?

:rage:

As with everything vintage hair related, it takes lots of practise! Honestly the more you keep doing it the better you'll get. Placement, direction of the curl and how many rows you do all give different results so just experiment or follow tutorials. Pin curls are frustrating though! My hair is slippery so it doesn't co-operate very well when I do them but wetting the ends helps a lot. You could also try end papers too. One trick I've found that works is to wrap them around a mascara tube, pull it out and then pin the curl to your head.

KittyT · May 22, 2008

SarahLouise said:
One trick I've found that works is to wrap them around a mascara tube, pull it out and then pin the curl to your head.

Yes, this is the fastest and by far the easiest way to make pincurls. I use a sharpie marker for smaller curls, a mascara tube for larger ones, and it's easiest to use end papers and roll from the ends up to keep everything tucked in nicely.

Swing Kitty · May 22, 2008

Excellent, this is all very helpful, thanks ladies...I feel reinvigorated and ready to make another attempt! I shall let you know how I get on!

KittyT · May 22, 2008

Swing Kitty said:
This morning, one side was super-major curly, and the other was just...bleugh. I'm losing the will to pin-curl! I just want to ask how long it took for everyone here to perfect their technique? Should I persevere, or is it something that you can just do?

I never set my whole head in pincurls. I just can't be bothered. I can get the same look setting with pillow curlers, and it's a lot less trouble. I always use pincurls on top and in front though, especially my bangs, which take to pincurling well and aren't long enough to roll in traditional rollers.

retrogirl1941 · May 22, 2008

KittyT said:
I never set my whole head in pincurls. I just can't be bothered. I can get the same look setting with pillow curlers, and it's a lot less trouble. I always use pincurls on top and in front though, especially my bangs, which take to pincurling well and aren't long enough to roll in traditional rollers.

Oh! I love my pillow rollers! I have had the best results with those. Mine turn out to be more ringlet style curl but, thats what I like. I use foam rollars to set the front of my hair. I find its easier for me.

Samantha

KittyT · May 22, 2008

retrogirl1941 said:
Oh! I love my pillow rollers! I have had the best results with those. Mine turn out to be more ringlet style curl but, thats what I like. I use foam rollars to set the front of my hair. I find its easier for me.

Definitely! I use foam/sponge rollers to set the hair underneath, since it is shorter and silkier (due to my unusual dye job). Curls in that hair tend to fall out very fast, so I use the sponge rollers to give it a tighter curl.

Swing Kitty · May 22, 2008

Hmm, maybe I'll try pillow rollers - I can curl my hair with a straightening iron and get a similar effect to pin-curls, but it absolutely ruins my hair! My hairdresser tells me off about all my split ends...

Smuterella · May 22, 2008

I went to Nina's hair parlour today and she gace me a neat trick for rag rolling, use cut up pantyhose / stockings. as they don't absorb water it helps wet hair dry faster and apparently gives great curls. I haven't tried it yet of course but I'll post back when i do

As if we didn't chat about pin curls enough. . .

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