Long Vintage Hair

Lareesie Ladavi · Dec 17, 2008

I actually put the shig/bun on the side and add chopsticks pretty frequently. I leave the front undone and parted to the side of my face, with the bun on the other side. I let whispy sprigs of hair stick out of the bun/shig too.

HadleyH, I like that.

Sunny · Dec 17, 2008

LelaViavonie said:
Oh Sunny! I would love to see some WWII school teacherish styles.. if you dont mind

Hehe! I'll see what I can do. What I had in mind was actually just a plain simple bun, hair pulled straight back; but I've been thinking about it some more since, and there are other options.

That's a very pretty style, Hadley! If the hair was curly or loosely waved instead of straight, it's close to early 20s. A couple weeks ago I accidentally achieved such a look:

Profile and Back

This is about three days after doing rag waving, per this article: http://www.forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=82 This technique doesn't give 30s waves, since they're too big and long and loose, but they're excellent for an early 20s look. I'm having fun experimenting. The funny thing is that that's not a bun at all. It's a single big roll, secured with a metal clip. I did it more loosely than usual, letting the combed-out third-day waves do what they wanted. But it's still a big roll in back! The bangs are just mine, no attempt to be either modern or vintage.

Lareesie Ladavi · Dec 18, 2008

I like it! I like mine toward one side, so you can see it. Otherwise, I feel bald.

HadleyH · Dec 18, 2008

Very nice Sunny, I also like it! :eusa_clap

Sunny · Dec 18, 2008

Lareesie Ladavi said:
I like it! I like mine toward one side, so you can see it. Otherwise, I feel bald.

Thank you both! And boy, I totally know the bald feeling. That's a big reason I've always had bangs. That, and my long narrow face, is also why I try so hard to have width in my hairstyle, like the waves in that one, or face-framing with my reverse rolls.

Right now I'm doing the same big back roll, but first I've got my hair clipped up on the sides with metal clips. That means from the front I look like I've got a really cute longer bob! I actually got a compliment on it from a co-worker this morning, too.

Goldfish · Dec 20, 2008

Sunny said:
I can do lots of them, and I've got some more psuedo-chignon looks and updos. Are you looking for different ways to do a chignon, or are you looking for overall styles? A chignon is just an element of a hairstyle, like a wave or a roll. A slinky 1930s style is totally different in appearance from a schoolteacherish post-WWII style. It's how the chignon is made and placed, as well as what the rest of the hair is doing.

Well if you can (and want to) give that information I would be interested in a quick overview of the different styles of the decades.
I have found more than enough modern chignon material - pictures or tutorials of vintage chignons never came up in my search.

Juniper · Dec 29, 2008

Some more beauties of the 1930s-1950s with long hair (at least below armpit after curling) were:

Sherry Britton
Rita Atlanta
Betty Brosmer
Glynis Johns
Sandra Dorne

Anachronism · Dec 29, 2008

ChefCK said:
Hi, I'm new here and just got finished perusing the boards for two days. Even after reading directions and watching tutorials...I'm hopelessly lost and hair illiterate.

I've always loved vintage styles, but the last time I've gone to an event that required my hair to be done up was 10 years ago. At that time I got the Veronica Lake pin curls done by a stylist as I've always done.

My problem lately is that I need a different updo for work that is a subdued vintage but fits certain parameters.
I've been doing the sock roll bun every weekday for the last three years and I actually had one of my students teach it to me when I started doing it. Prior to that I had cut my hair short since it was easier to maintain. The short styles do not fit my face/head but it was easier to maintain.

The sock roll bun has been giving me headaches lately and well, three years of it and you kind of get tired.

So, these are my parameters: No faddish styles (white girls with dreads/multiple braids), bulk cannot be over 3 inches, no loose ends with updos (i.e Rooster tails), no excessive bobby pins, and bands have to match hair color.

This is what I have to work with currently (and I'm currently broke and can't purchase a whole bunch of stuff): a set of velcro-like curlers my mother left here on a visit, 1/2" curling iron (I'm not to sure how to use it), seven bobby pins, hair bands, one inch round brush, small regular brush, gel that makes my hair look greasy and hairspray that makes my hair crunchy.

The styling products I've used in the past have all made my hair look greasy/dirty.

My hair is very limp, board straight, thin, and roughly 23" long. Growing up perms, curls and curlers never held up. I wear my uniform hat (I'm in the Air Force) or my chef hat about 90% of the 10 hours I work. I also swim twice a week and do a non-swim workout once a week.

Any help on a vintage updo that isn't too time consuming to do and meets the parameters above? I'm used to taking about 30 seconds to put my hair up and at times did not even brush it.

Here is a picture I have to work with, sorry if it is a little dark:

I'd get bangs cut, and maybe 2-3" off the entire length. Also, you may want to invest in a 1.5" curling iron it will give your hair body and wave.

Fifties*Freak · Dec 29, 2008

My older pics aren't showing up so I will repost a few styles.

Here is a pic showing the length.

Fifties*Freak · Dec 29, 2008

I just now noticed that you wanted something quick. With long hair it sometimes takes a while to do an updo. It usually takes me about 20 to 30 mins and that is with alot of practice.

Lillemor · Dec 29, 2008

I don't have long hair yet but VERY long hair is my goal so I'm going to have to learn how to bun, braid updos, twists, etc. that may not be vintage trendy in any context but that's not my aim either, I just want hair that's timelessly elegant, healthy, and always appropriate. It'll probably take me as long to learn these updo styles as it takes anyone to learn vintage correct styles.

So in the near future hair pins, all metal, heat and most styling products but especially those containing alcohol will be bannished from my hair! I guess I'll have to learn how to rag roll. I'll also have to look into organic hairstyling products and if they can protect and care for my hair at the same time, then that's a bonus.

The longer my hair is, the easier it is to tame and style. I also find it easier, cheaper and faster to care for and style long hair that is at least BSL but that was when I was just keeping the styles timeless and classic. Creating any vintage "feel" may take longer. When my hair is above shoulders and has layers, it becomes too independent.lol I don't have a face for very short hair; above ear length, pixies, etc. I don't have the hair for it either.

That's not to say that I don't like shorter hairstyles. They can indeed be gorgeous on the right face with the right hair texture.

I've just learnt through trial and error what works for me.

Vegan_Kitty · Jan 9, 2009

One of my absolute favourite video tutorials for long hair is this one:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=57l_A...-max=2008-12-11T17:46:00+11:00&max-results=11

From the fabulously talented and Gorgeous Super Kawaii Mama

It works brilliantly on my long thick hair

Rachael · Jan 9, 2009

Fifties*Freak said:

that is a great style! we have the same length of hair but I've never managed to get this look right. any chance I could get some tips?

ShoreRoadLady · Jan 9, 2009

Wow, Fifties*Freak! Lovely hairstyle, and it's amazing how "short" (relatively

) and vintage it looks.

Tourbillion · Jan 10, 2009

I just wanted to add a photo of my hair from the Queen Mary weekend. My hair is waist length, but it looks 40's short here. All I did is curl it with foam rollers overnight and put it in a hairnet. I do have chin length bangs that are growing out though.

Lillemor · Jan 10, 2009

Tourbillion. That's very encouraging to see how well you've managed to style it. I refuse to give up on my long hair growing project but I may change my mind about what I'll be willing to do with my long hair after seeing this photo. I thought buns, twists, rolls and up-braids were going to be my only options and probably will be for day wear but it would be nice to try something different on occasions.

Philosophe · Jan 12, 2009

Hi! I'm really new to all this. This is actually the first time I've posted.
Anyways, I have found a 40's dress in a thrift shop that I want to wear to my prom in a couple months. I thought it would be best if I wore my hair in a similarly vintage fashion. Thing is, I have no idea how to go about this, and I was hoping y'all could help me out.

My hair is a few inches below my shoulders in the back, and maybe half an inch past my shoulders in the front. It's naturally wavy, but has a tendency to frizz a whole lot. The hair itself is really fine, but I have lots of it, and it will hold a curl really well. Thanks to ballet and a mom who made sure I knew how, I know my way around a curling iron and curlers. I have lots of supplies, so that's no problem, I just rarely use them.

I have a picture of the back of my hair below (actually brushed for once!) if that's any help. I would love any suggestions you have! Thanks!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34324527@N08/3190149590/

Sunny · Jan 12, 2009

Oh, your hair's an excellent length for 40s styles - not that long at all! I recommend practicing with pincurls and/or rollers, and perhaps experimenting with rolls. There are lots of threads discussing the how-to's. You shouldn't have any problems!

Philosophe · Jan 12, 2009

Really? Awesome. I'll read them as soon as possible. Thanks!

laurakitty · Jan 24, 2009

Vegan_Kitty said:
One of my absolute favourite video tutorials for long hair is this one:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=57l_A...-max=2008-12-11T17:46:00+11:00&max-results=11

From the fabulously talented and Gorgeous Super Kawaii Mama

It works brilliantly on my long thick hair

I just did this- I hope it works! I've been looking for a way to get pretty vintage looking hair with my long straight thick hair so I hope that this is the one. At least I look cute with my hair up in the scarf- if it looks good tomorrow I will post a photo.

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