Within the Vintage World there are very many different styles and looks. Far too many for me to address all within this post, but I will look at them from my own foray into times past.
When I first dipped my toe into the vintage way, it was more of a 1950’s style with semi-Victory Rolls and bouncy ponytail.
Hello Sailor
But I was completely useless in doing my own hair, so if I wanted anything fancy, I would pop to my local hairdresser and get her to dress my hair in a vaguely relevant style.
She did an amazing job, given that she didn’t have any training or specialise in Vintage hairdressing.
High Victory Rolls
I was more than happy with her services when needed and time passed on, in that way.
Fast forwarding two or three years, I was still useless at doing my hair although I could manage a rough Victory Roll, I still was a complete novice.
One Down, One to Go
Going online and looking at the amazing hair of Vintage beauties such as Jenny Tree, Sarah Bloor, Miss Victory Violet and Miss Chandelier filled me with awe (and a little envy). I have to admit I didn’t even know where to start.
Victory Rolls and Bumper Bangs
I then went down the ‘cheats’ route; snoods, turbans, and hats covered up a multitude of sins.
Hats and Snoods
But it worked!
Lets Accessorise…
When I needed a hairstyle for an occasion, I went to a Vintage Hair Specialist, such as Pin Up Curl (Sarah Bloor) The House of Drewvid and the wonderful Lucie Luella.
By the Amazing Lucie Luella
Whilst this worked for me, on a day to day basis, it just wasn’t practical.
House of Drewvid
Fast Forward to the past 18 months and my patience with my hair has been a bit hit and miss!
When I get bored, I tend to mess with it; sticking on bleach, cutting in fringes and such like. Not always to great effect.
Violet Vixen
However as my hair grew a little longer, I started to play around with it a bit more and experiment.
Grey, Blonde and Blue?
The first foray into this was with a Babylis Curl Secret machine which ‘sucks up’ the hair and produces a pretty good curl with no fuss.
Babylis Curl Secret
Now, given that I have burned my head, face and scalp with various curling tongs and straighteners, this was revolutionary as it meant that I didn’t put myself at any risk!
Before the Styling
The second upside to this was the effect that the finished look gave me.
Done!
Whilst not a traditional set curl, with a little styling, backcombing of the front section, I had a semi-vintage style that went well with hair flowers and with original hats.
A little more Vintage
The curls that the machine gave me led me to want to get an even better style and I knew this would only be achievable by setting my hair with curlers, setting lotion and a proper brush out.
Curly Girl
Totally clueless, I genuinely didn’t know where to start.
Watching all the roller tutorials on Youtube and Instagram didn’t make a difference. I still didn’t really have a clue what I was doing.
Small Sponge Rollers
I was lucky to get some roller advice from Sarah and duly popped over to Amazon to order some marvellous sponge rollers. Added to the pile went a bottle of Marcel spray from the fabulous Drewvid guys and with a lot of spare time on my hands, I stuck a load of rollers in my hair and hoped for the best.
Wet Set magic
To be fair, sleeping in them wasn’t that comfortable but when I woke up, I had a tight perm like curl that would rival any 1980s salon.
Hair Explosion
Now I needed to face the idea of brushing my hair out into a smooth vintage hairdo. Something else I had never attempted before.
Around 2 hours later I had a fabulous ‘fro which stood up like I had been electrocuted.
Not much better…..
Seeking some advice on the internet, I was told….. ‘Just keep brushing’
Slowly getting there
Thankfully this approach worked and eventually I had a semi-decent vintage look which I was chuffed to bits with.
What a difference!
Okay, it wasn’t brilliant when compared with those who really know what they are doing, but I was more than happy with what I had managed.
Not bad at all!
Since then, I have tried different curlers, different ways of securing them and different setting sprays.
Tight as can be
To be honest, although they have all worked, the Drewvid spray and the big blue curlers are my favourites. I like the size of curl they create and it certainly gives a better shape once brushed out.
Trying larger rollers
In fact, I actually like the look that the curlers give, even without brushing them out. It is a little too much though so I do my best to brush a little bit until I get a shape I am satisfied with.
A better result
I have also found that once I have styled it, if I put a fine hair net on then the style looks better and stays put longer.
An Elegant Look
If I take care of it, brush it gently and wear the hair net, then I can generally get around 4 – 5 days out of a set which is great news for me and also great news for my hair!
High Front
Not having to use heat or straighteners on it, means that it is in much better condition than it has been in quite awhile. Given the mess that I made of it this time last year, that is saying quite a lot.
Light Brush Out
Thankfully I am going up to see the marvellous team at LeKeux soon for a vintage shaped cut which will also hopefully make putting the rollers in and styling it a whole lot easier.
Hair Nets work wonders!
All I can say is watch this space…
Sleek and Smoot
Till next time
SPSG xxx