Monday, September 20

Vintage Hairstyling Challenge Day 1

Yes, the day has finally arrived. Whether you're into vintage hairstyling already, want to challenge yourself or you just want to have a stab at it, all are welcome to join in!

WHAT IT IS- as the name suggests, this is a vintage hairstyling challenge. There are no winners or losers, no best or worst. Fun and inspiration are the 'name of the game'. When I say 'vintage' I mean 20s to 70s, and pretty strictly too. Sorry but 80s and 90s don't count. Actually I'm not sorry at all. They don't count as vintage TO ME so they're not included here. 

WHY IT IS- because I can. Because I'm lazy with doing my hair. And there's lots of vintage styles that I've never done. I know there are lots of vintage enthusiasts out there who are really creative and I want to see what you can do!

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE- anyone and everyone. If you don't have your own blog to post photos on, never fear! Simply email me your pics and I'll post them here on my blog for you.

HOW IT WORKS- the challenge takes place over 5 days, with one styling challenge per day. I'll issue the challenge each day here on my blog, and participants will respond with their resultant photos on their own blog (hopefully daily but when you're busy, as time permits).

As mentioned above, if you don't have your own blog I'll do a separate post for you here on my blog. Just leave me a comment with your email address advising that you'd like to participate and I'll get in contact with you.

Each day there will be a different challenge with a different 'set of rules'. That's all I'm going to tell you!


DAY ONE - THE CHALLENGE

Today, I'm giving you the following items and let's see what you come up with. Any era 20s to 70s is fine, any kind of style is acceptable.

1. 6 bobby pins
2. hairspray (any amount, any kind)
3. brushes and combs, as required
4. one styling aid (can be anything, but only ONE)
5. one decorative piece (again can be anything, but only ONE)


These are the items I've chosen to use today, and I'm going to create a 1940s look. For my styling aid I'm using a hair rat, and my decorative piece is a silk scarf. I made the hair rat from my own hair but it looks very black because of the nets I've used on it. Too bad, I'm gonna try it anyway because I've been keen to do this look for quite a while.

 

And I'm pretty happy with the result!



I'm wearing a late 40s/early 50s cotton dress which zips up the front. The belt was rescued from an 80s dress which I had to throw out.





The shoes are contemporary but were thrifted for cheap.



50s repro. cats eye rhinestone sunnies borrowed from my stock.





Hair close up. This is only the third time I've ever done faux bangs so I'm pleased with the result. Using a silk scarf was difficult as it kept slipping so the sides weren't as neat as I'd have preferred.



Accessorising with a 40s Czech beaded evening bag.








This vintage sterling and sapphire ring is also borrowed from my stock, and is the closest one I have to my grandmothers engagement ring. She was married in 1945.
Below is a sterling and onyx ring, no reason for
using this other than it matches and I like it.




Trying to show my 50s crinoline here..it took me a while to find one that I was happy with, so, no, it's NOT getting sold!



I wanted to do ringlets at the back as well, but as I'd used my challenge quota, I had to settle for damped-down natural curls.

14 comments:

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

Always love, loved that kind of hairstyle! You pulled it off nicely, the outfit looks great... Fantastic job!

Mrs Cleaver said...

Wow that's really impressive & it looks fab!Great job!Your whole outfit is lovely & the rings are so pretty:)
Can i ask you something please? What is a hair rat?I've seen them mentioned numerous times,i thought they must be some sort of tool like a special comb or something but obviously not ,if you could explain what it is or even give me a link i would really appreciate it,TIA :)

Kitty said...

thanks Miz Ranchie, it took me all day!

Mrs C., a hair rat is basically a sausage-shaped lump of my own hair, sewn together then covered with 2 hair nets. I got the instructions from a website on edwardian hairstyling ages ago and made mine according to that traditional method. Apparently they can be bought new in a foam form but I believe the foam is much harder to use as the pins don't go in very well. You basically wind your hair around it and it holds the shapre really well. If you want to see how its done check Fleur deGuerres blog 'Diary of a Vintage Girl', it's on my blogroll.

Vix said...

Oh my goodness, you look amazing! I love everything about the look, hair, frock, jewellery and specs. I'll be attempting mine later. xxx

Vintage Christine said...

Oh my gawd, you look incredible! I love the look with your hair up in the scarf the most, and those bangs! Wowza! When my hair was longer and I was younger I used to wind it around a wire hair rat or put it up in a snood--now I'm too lazy for all that work and just pull it back in a ponytail. Will be looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!!!

Helga said...

How totally fab! You look beautiful,doll!Awesome everything!!
I,as usual,am a little late,only having checked blogs this morning when I got to work!! Um,is it ok if I am a day behind?!
LOL!!!
xxx

Ruby Rach said...

You're totally putting us to shame, Kitty!

I attempted this challenge this morning - I have victory rolls and a head scarf, but my hair refuses to photograph. I tried inside, outside, with flash, with no flash... either way, it just looks like a big black blob.

Anyone with jet black hair managed to photograph hair detail well?

Kitty said...

Rach, email me some photos at waycelia (at) hotmail (dot) com and I'll see what I can do with them. Send me a few with different lighting.xx.

Kitty said...

Helga yes it's fine if you're a bit behind!

Straight Talking Mama! said...

Oh I think I'm always going to be a day behind, but would love to see other peoples attempts. I have also never tried faux bangs, I keep meaning to though!

Kitty said...

Come on then Fiona, give it a go!!!!

Mrs Cleaver said...

Thanks so much for the info.I follow Fluers blog so i will look it up.Thankyou!:)

mispapelicos said...

I have just discovered your blog and your wonderful challenge. So I am going to have a good look at all your posts. I do love your blog, wowwwww
It is refreshing like the first icecream after a hard winter...
Sacramento from Spain

coco said...

Thanks so much for this! I was considering buying a hair rat but maybe I'll make my own like you did. It makes more sense about the bobby pins going in easier in your own hair rat rather than a foam one.
Your hair looks fantastic!!!