Hair Did Done! (How I do my sets!)

In the four years I have been setting my hair (before it was air-dry or blow dry then flat-ironed), I have tried several methods i.e. foam rollers, ceramic curling iron, pin curls (disaster), flocked velvet steam rollers (eugh), hot sticks, and hot rollers.  After much experimenting, I have come to discover that hot rollers are the best way for me to set my hair and have it last for three days.  My  hair is naturally very fine and my scalp is very oily so despite my best efforts, I simply cannot make my set last longer.  Things just get limp and icky.

Nevertheless, this is how I set my hair:

I wash with Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and condition with Pureology Hydrate Conditioner.

After towel-drying, I use a blend of Surface Bassu Oil Gold and Surface Trinity Protein Cream on my ends and my blond highlight section. Then I apply a quarter-size dollop of Ouidad Moisturizing Curl Gel to my hair. I comb through, section my bangs, apply my Rogaine, and then let things air-dry while I do my makeup.

After the face is done, I roll my bang section in grippy rollers, spray them with Layrite Grooming Spray, and then I finish drying overall with my hair dryer. I concentrate my dryer on my bang section to set the curl. The Layrite Grooming Spray is activated with heat. 

While I am blow-drying my hair to ensure it is totally dry before setting*, I plug in my Remington Tight Curls hot rollers. There are 21 in a set but I wish there were 24. Anyway, once I have achieved completely dry hair, I roll my hair in sections with the hot rollers. I spray a tiny spritz of Layrite on the very ends of my hair and roll up. Finally, I secure the curl with a clip (from a 12 pack from Sally. I bought two). The U clips that came with the rollers were crap. My fine hair would just unroll and the roller itself would fall out onto the floor.

Here I am with my natural hair texture. Can we say 'fuzz ball?!' My bangs are set with the grippy rollers and I am about to set the rest of my hair:

 

I leave my rollers in for about 30 minutes. While my hair is cooling, I make the bed, do laundry, feed the cat, read CNN online, make lunch for work, and then get dressed.

Then, I unroll my curls, remove the grippy rollers, and I finger style my hair with a touch of Layrite Original Pomade. On my bang section, I use the husband's heavier type of Layrite Pomade (the darker colored jar). I shape my bangs, roll, and pin.  Then I spray curls into their final shape with Aussie Instant Freeze Hairspray.

When I go to bed at night, I simply wrap a chiffon scarf around my set. The next day, I apply a light amount of TiGi Catwalk Dry Session Series Dry Shampoo to fluff curl and give it a refreshed look and feel. I re-pin my front roll and I may use hair combs. On the last day of my set, I will re-apply the dry shampoo spray and put my hair into a ponytail.

I like to set my hair because not only does it give me the vintage style I want, I look like I have more hair! Let me tell you, my hair is so thin and fine. I have had stylists in the past give me a blow-out and then flat-iron (standard for modern salons), and I hate it!!!! Sure, my hair looks silky but it also showcases how little hair I have. I feel so bald! Oh what I would do for more hair.

Anyway, all pouting aside, I love to set my hair because I can make my style last longer, I wash my delicate hair less, my hair is vintage-looking, and I look like I actually have a good head of hair! Curl = volume!

So, what is your "tried and true" hair routine?




*Please, take it from me, never EVER use any type of direct heat from rollers, curling irons, flat irons, etc on damp hair! Even slightly damp hair will be damaged. Doing so causes your hair to be boiled and your cuticle destroyed.

The Hair Chronicles! -A new look in a unknown world

It is has been exactly a month to the day since my last blog post.  In the time I been away from blogging, I have continued to work, got another cold, then allergies, and family visits. In addition, I have also got a new hair cut.  The story behind it is peppered with a variety of ups and downs.

As some of you may know, I began to grow out my Bettie bangs into an angled style. I started this process in August. Despite my initial hesitation to let go of my once-heralded look, I got the cut and felt great. I was ready for a change! However, this elation was soon eclipsed by the news that my stylist of one year, a stylist who was finally becoming accustomed to my hair, told me she was moving out of state in late September. I was sad. I am happy she is finding her bliss in her new home and new life, but damn it! My hair has needs! So, the quest to find a new stylist began.

In late September, I discovered a new salon in my area.  The website looked great and the vibe was hip, edgy.  I made my appointment for a stylist who seemed to have a good grasp of vintage styles.  On the day of my appointment, I was nervous (silly, I know) and excited. I arrived on time and after over 15 minute wait, I was sent back to get a root touch up and a couple of foils on my emerging blond highlight in my growing bangs.

After color, the stylist cut a section of hair behind my bangs. The overall look appeared to form a deep, wide triangle in my hairline. Because I wanted to grow out my bangs to do a "suicide roll" and/or a side-swept look, I needed a more dramatic bang line. The stylist also cut a couple of inches of my ends to help my wet sets shape better during home styling. Needless to say, I felt great. I found "vintage hair heaven" but alas, something was amiss in hair world and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Upon the completion of my mystical hair experience, I made my way over to the reception desk to check out. Then I heard, "That will be $155.00 today, please." What? What now? $155.00 for a basic highlight foil in my bangs, a cut, and root-touch up? My old salon was $105!! How much is full color gonna cost?! Good lord. I walked out there feeling both magical and in shock. My  hair was "Breck Girl" glowing but my wallet was crying and shaking in a corner, like it was just mugged in Central Park circa 1977.

A couple of days later, I washed my hair and when I was combing it out after my shower, I noticed several places where my roots were not touched up at all. I have natural light auburn roots (level 7) and my color is blue black (level 1). The contrast was really evident. Not only was I overcharged, my roots were patchy and uneven. I was pissed.

In spite of the fact I want perfection (especially for that price), I am reasonable. I do not expect me and a new stylist to be "on the same page" the very first visit, but I at least expect my color to be done correctly. Needless to say, I will not be going back there.

But, this story may have a happy ending! One of my friends who blogs, is an amazing seamstress, talented knitter, loves vintage, adores makeup, and is an awesome fun gal, is actually a board certified stylist in the next state.  She is very knowledgeable with vintage hair and how to create the looks I seek.

Even though my hair is okay for now and I am without a stylist at the moment, I am able to do a couple of new looks, apres-Bettie bangs:

The first look is with my bangs rolled back and the second is as they are styled forward in a side-swept look. As the months progress, I cannot wait to see what new styles I can create!

So, do you have any hair "she-mergencies?"

Learning to Let Go of My Bettie Bangs

For the last 6+ years, I have had "Bettie bangs."  There was, however, a brief period in 2010 when I tried to grow my bangs out in the hopes of achieving more styling variety.  Alas, my feeble attempts to "stay strong" and resist the charms of Bettie bangs eventually fell victim to my stylist's shears.  Before I could say, "I am trying something new," the Bettie bangs emerged victorious.

Despite my love/hate/love relationship with my bangs, I have decided to grow them out this time, for real.  There will be no wavering!  My mind is made up.   I realize that it's not that I "hate" my Bettie bangs, but I am ready for a change. 

In late July, my stylist, Jesi, cut and shaped my bangs into the beginnings of a side-swept bang.  I want to be able to wear them like this (albeit a little longer):

I also would like the option of rolling my bangs back so I can do styles like this:

As of right now, I can do a reverse roll, although it's small:

In the last 6 weeks that I had my Bettie bangs re-shaped, they are still on the short side.  The side-angle look is becoming more and more evident but I realize I will not have full effect/length until probably the end of the year or later.

In the interim, I have purchased a side-swept bang clip-in from Hairdo on the days I want a side-bang look:

The clip-in is easy to use and is washable.  I shampoo, rinse, and air-dry.  The piece is made with synthetic hair so do not curl with heat or it will melt!

Here is me with the clip-in:

I am excited about the prospect of my bangs growing out!  After 6 years of the "same old, same old," I am looking forward to a new look! 

For The Love of Vintage Hair -Getting to Know Hair Pieces

In the 14 years I have been experimenting with vintage hairstyles (I did swing in the late 90s), it has only been recently that I began wearing hair pieces. In September 2009, I was diagnosed with genetic hair loss/hair thinning and started using Women's 2% Rogaine. Even though my hair has always been fine, as I approached my 30s, I noticed my hair was losing volume. So, not only was my hair fine, it was now becoming thin! Oh fun!

Despite my knee-jerk reaction to simply give up and cut my hair off, I began researching hair extensions. I found out from my stylist that not only were they super expensive, they required costly maintenance, and in many cases they could make my hair loss worse. I quickly nixed that idea!  Then one day while searching the Internet, I stumbled upon several online wig stores. I found everything from clip-in extensions, 3/4 wigs, headband wigs (a 1/2 wig with a headband attached), and even human hair clip-in extensions and volumizers.  After some decision making, I bought a synthetic clip-on ponytail and headband wig. Let me tell you, those two hair pieces became my precious accessories! I wore them both to death! When the wigs started to show their age, I knew I had to find something better made!

In 2011, I finally made the investment to buy a human hair 14 inch, clip-in volumizer.

http://www.wigs.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=3344

After I received the hair piece, I made an appointment for my stylist to color and cut it so it would match my color and blend into my own hair. I still have that volumizer and I wear it when I do a long, curled style.

However, lately I have not been wearing my volumizer as often. In the last six months, I have incorporated collagen supplements and a higher mcg Biotin pill into my daily vitamins. I continue to use my Rogaine for Women (the Target brand) faithfully. I am not sure who is the "culprit," but my hair is healthier and thicker!! I can wear my own hair in a fluffy ponytail or pigtail braids and not feel like I am bald!

This is my hair now and I am not wearing any hair piece:

I will never have thick hair but I my hair is definitely packing more volume!

Anyway, even though my hair is thicker, I still have a little trouble covering those mesh bun forms (found at Sally Beauty). I often need to tease my hair and use tons of hairspray to achieve full coverage. I do not like teasing my hair a lot. It can be very damaging, especially for hair like mine. I color it and it's thin. So, I need to find other ways to do vintage buns and up-dos that don't compound my hair's condition.

With that said, let me share with you my new little hair secret! HAIR PIECES!! Yes, hair pieces save the day again! Instead of clip-in volumizers or headbands, we are talking drawstring buns, wiglets, and toppers! I recently purchased three different synthetic hair pieces from a fabulous Etsy seller!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FancyNancyHairUpdos?page=1

I got the Dusty piece:

I also purchased the Gina:

And lastly, I bought the Audrey:

How do I wear them? I simply put my hair into a ponytail and wrap the ends into a bun and secure with an elastic. I spray my hair with a strong hold hairspray to smooth out my "base" and using the two hair combs attached inside the piece, I slide one comb on top of the bun and the other underneath. No bobby pins are required! The piece is so secure and lightweight so I just put on a hair flower or bow and I am out the door!

Now, most of you may know that hair pieces are nothing new. They have been around for ages. In the 18th century, wigs were a must for any lady wanting to keep with with the latest fashion! Marie Antoinette anyone? In the 1960s, wiglets and full wigs were all the rage!

My mom and mother-in-law were both in their teens and 20s in the 60s. Both of them have told me how wiglets were pretty much standard for daytime looks and evening style. Just look at Christina Hendricks' "Mad Men" character, Joan. She wears tons of hair pieces throughout various seasons. During the season two episode, "The Mountain King," Joan is seen wearing a gorgeous purple dress and what looks like two hairpieces, one being the main up-do and the other a braid wrap/accent.

Even though I HATE the Greg character (especially during this episode), I just can't stop looking at Joan! Her style and hair, particularly during the first two seasons, are just perfection! I want that dress!!

Nevertheless, I am simply over the moon I found such fantastic hair pieces!I love wearing them and I really love the ease in which I can do vintage up-do styling!

Hair Flower Tutorial!

For the longest time, I have wanted to do a hair flower tutorial. And after much procrastination, here it is!

Here are the supplies you will need:
hair flower
metal (or jeweler's) pliers
glue gun
glue sticks
hair barrette or hair alligator clip
1/4 inch wide grosgrain ribbon
scissors
hot pad (pot holder)

To start, select your hair flower(s) from your local craft store. The flowers are usually made of silk, a silk blend, or a poly blend. Moreover, the flower itself is typically on a single or multi-tiered plastic-coated metal stem.  You can find these flowers (or picks) in the flower section.

Before you begin, plug in your glue gun and place it on a hot pad (or pot holder) to protect your work space from the heat. Pre-heat glue gun for at least 10 minutes.

Now, using your pliers, cut off the coated-metal stem(s) at the base of the flower:

Make sure the stem is removed cleanly to ensure a flat surface necessary for gluing on the barrette (or alligator clip).

 Now, cut two equal sections of ribbon slightly shorter than the actual length of clip/barrette.

Using the glue gun, apply a small line of glue to the ribbon and adhere ribbon to underneath of the top part of clip:

Allow glue to cool for 5 minutes.

On the top of the clip, glue on the second strip of ribbon:

 Allow glue to cool for another 5 minutes.

Now, here comes the fun part, ie attaching the flower itself! Add a pea-sized amount of glue to the middle of ribbon and attach flower:

Allow glue to cool/set for at least 10 minutes before handling. Turn off glue gun and let it cool down completely before storing away. When your clip is no longer warm (whatsoever) to the touch), it is ready to wear! Let the compliments roll in!!!

Love me Some Lottabody!-A Review

For a while now, I have been reading rave reviews for Lottabody Setting Lotion from various vintage bloggers. Many of you gals use it to do pincurls, foam curler sets, and hot rollers.

I was out buying bobby pins and travel bottles at my local Sally Beauty Supply store and spotted the Lottabody. I knew I had to buy me a bottle! It was only $4.99 USD for 8 ounces!

According to the directions, Lottabody needs to be diluted. Depending on whether your hair is natural or color and/or chemically treated, you will need to dilute the solution in water, preferably in a spray bottle. Since my hair is color-treated, I mixed one part Lottabody to 4 parts water.

Today I washed my hair and applied my usual hair products. I quickly blow-dried my hair and then sectioned my hair using clips and I applied a tiny amount of Lottabody spray to the last two inches of my hair and curled using my Hot Tools Ceramic  3/4 inch barrel curling iron.

And this was the end result:

Not only are my curls defined, my ends feel so soft and healthy! Before using Lottabody, I tried Motions Foaming Wrapping Lotion. Even though it also defined my curls well, it made my ends break off! It basically made my hair brittle! Not Good!

So, if are looking for a product that defines and shapes curls with softness, you need to try Lottabody Setting Lotion!

New Hair Color!

This is me, with my allergy eyes and new hair color! 

I had the color (a dark brown) done by my amazing stylist of 5 years, Corry, last Thursday. I have been red with blond and just red (I go back and forth) for two years and I thought it was time to change things up! I have not been brunette since 2002. I have been pink, black, platinum blonde,  blonde with black underneath, and even purple! But I have to admit I have a preference for the dark shades of color!

So, what do you gals think?

And, what color of hair (or colors) have you been?

If You Can't Make It, Fake It! (Or faking it until it grows back!)

This is me, decked out in my kimono, about to start my entire skincare routine before bed. Moreover, this is how my hair looks in its natural state. You may not be able to notice but my hair is very fine and thin. I began to shed a lot of hair back in late July. Even though I have been using Women's Rogaine for two years, the stress I endured this summer took its toll on my already thin strands.  In an effort to thwart any panic or further stress on myself, I began taking B-vitamins along with Biotin. I also went to see my dermatologist in late September who confirmed my hair loss was indeed stress-related and therefore, temporary!

So, until my hair grows back, I am going to continue my normal regime and wear a volumizing extension on a few days I wear my hair down. I love wearing my hair down but due to the shed, I feel my hair does not look its best and as a result, I have been wearing my hair in a ponytail or snood. However, with this lightweight hair piece, my hair confidence will be given a major boost!

The extension is made of human hair and comes on a 8-inch long weft with four small clips. The hair itself is 10 inches long.

http://www.voguewigs.com/10-in-easivolume-328-extension-easihair.html

Today my stylist Corry refreshed my red color and colored my new extension to match. He also trimmed it so it would better blend with my own hair and he also taught me how to properly place it in my hair.

Now, this is the back of my hair without the extension:

Here is the back with it in:

(I switched to my other bathroom. The lighting in my guest bath is too yellowy.)

Here is a front view with the hair piece in:

A view of the piece clipped in:

On the sides:

The extension itself:

And here is my cat, Misty Blue, yelling at me to brush her hair. She does this every night. She knows that when I am the bathroom at night (and in the morning), I do my grooming and she expects me to groom her as well. My cat actually recognizes my brush and understands the action of brushing.  Even if i simply I pick up my brush, Misty Blue will come running in the bathroom and demand I brush her (LOUDLY). I am telling you, this cat thinks she is a woman. A showgirl, diva, princess, queen bee, 'star of the show' woman!

Nevertheless, I am going to tough out this re-growing process. I am not going to let it get to me any more because stress makes hair fall out!  I also realize that at the end of the day, hair is hair. I count my blessings that all I have to worry about is thin hair!

But, I do acknowledge fully that I let that element of vanity get to me. When I see women with thick tresses, I do feel a pang of envy and wonder but in the end, I know I am going to be fine. I can already see new hair growing back. Up close, the new growth looks like tiny, pale blond sprouts. (New hair tends to come in pale and then develops its pigment as it grows out in most individuals).

Until my hair is filled in, I am going to rock out the fake (albeit human) hair. Like Corry once told me, "If you can't make it, fake it!"

New Season, New Hair Color

Now that fall is in full-swing here in the DC area, it is time for changing my hair color. For most of spring and summer, my hair was red paired a bold platinum blond chunk. Part of me misses my blond but I love going 'all red' for fall and winter.

My stylist, Corry Kendall, colored my hair in a more golden, orange-based red. Last year in November (Election Day actually), I opted for a cooler, cherry-toned red. Having experienced several types of red shades, I prefer a more gold red. I think it looks better set against my pink-toned skin.  In my opinion, the pinkier, cooler reds bring out too much pink in my complexion.

Despite thin state of my hair (due to stress), I am happy with my hair! Moreover, if I miss my blond, I can always bring it back next year! But for now, I will enjoy this 'red state of mind.'

"No, you can't, Mother Darling."

Like Edith Bouvier Beale (aka Little Edie) of Grey Gardens, lately I have been covering my head in scarves (or in my case, mostly snoods). For over a month, my hair has been falling out again. In late 2008/early 2009, I began losing hair at an alarming rate. Due to heredity, I have been 'blessed' with female hair loss i.e. androgenic alopecia. My grandmother, mother, and aunties have thin hair that gets seems to get worse with age.

I stopped taking the Pill in July of 2009 (I was on it for 15 years) and by early September of that year, my already-thinning hair began to shed. Plagued with worry, I went to my dermatologist who informed me that not only was I experiencing a hair shed due to hormonal changes but this loss was compounded with the fact I was in the early stages of heredity hair loss. Great.

http://bettysvintagemusings.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-hair-obsession-tale-of-loss-and.html

Nevertheless, my doctor recommended Rogaine for Women (2% Monoxodil solution).  I began this treatment right away and for nearly two years, I had AMAZING results.

Despite the fact I use my Rogaine twice a day without fail, I started to lose hair again in late July. To say the least, I am devastated. I am at a loss why this is happening.

From what I have found via online searches, my recent hair loss could be stress-related or due to a synchronized hair shed (since my hair was put into an overall growing phase due to starting Rogaine two years ago). Moreover, some women experience seasonal hair sheds in the summer and/or early Fall.

I hope that my hair is just going through a synchronized hair shed phase (meaning temporary) and not because my Rogaine stopped working. If I am going bald despite my stringent Rogaine regime, I think I would just lose it.

So, I have to ask: do any of you experience seasonal or occasional hair shedding? Is this normal? And if so, how long does it last?

My "Mad Men" Hair Experiment

Last Friday morning, I decided to try a new, never-tried up-do ala "Mad Men." I was inspired by Christina Hendricks' "Joan" look. I wore an early 60s nylon dress, a pair of late 50s black patent heels, and my white and yellow bead, three strand necklace that I bought last summer for 10 bucks.

As for my hair, I watched Ashley from Lisa Freemont Pages Blog do an amazing tutorial on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Sv5r2eI6U&feature=related

I adore her informative and fun tutorials! I love her blog too! http://lisafremontpages.blogspot.com/

After some trial and error with sectioning and bobby pin placement, I managed to do a somewhat decent style. I used a lot of Sebastian Hairspray and the hair stayed in place all day. 

I would do this style again, especially for special occasions and nights out. I cannot see myself doing it for workdays since I am often rushed in the morning. I need to practice! I would love to know how office gals got ready everyday!

When doing vintage up-dos, what are your tried-and-true-methods?

Misty and the Lion Cut

This is my cat lounging a sunbeam on my carpet.  She was talking (meowing) when my husband took this picture.  Nevertheless, like all persian cats, Misty has a thick, cotton-like coat of long, dense fur that requires daily brushing. Due to the heaviness and texture of persians' fur, it is prone to getting severely matted. I am able to groom my cat daily but she gets fussy when I try to brush her belly, chest, and back legs. And it is these areas that get matted the most!

Realizing that my cat was becoming a tangled mess, I decided to call our vet to make an appointment for a "lion cut."  The lion cut is when the vet and/or groomer shaves the cat down to the skin but they leave the lower part of the legs, the lower section of the tail, and entire face intact.  The length of the trimmed hair is like that of a buzz cut.

After employing a few CIA-like tactics to get Misty in her carrier yesterday morning, I drove a very annoyed cat to the vet. I dropped Misty off around 9 am and then went to work.  Later yesterday afternoon, the vet's office called me to let me know Misty was ready to go home and this is my baby, apres-lion cut!

 Isn't she just too cute?! Her little body feels like soft peach fuzz!

Here is an up-close view of her tail:

(Sorry for the water on the floor! I tracked snow in my kitchen) Look at that tail! It is too cute! I can't stand it!!!

I have had family and friends ask me if Misty gets cold, especially in winter, after her haircut. Yes, she can get cold but we leave blankets for her all over the couches and she cuddles in them right away. She also hangs out on top of my husband's computer monitor in his home office. It is very warm. Misty also cuddles under the blankets with us when we go to bed.

(Yes, that is Misty and the man sleeping! I just couldn't resist!)

I feel bad that Misty had her lion cut in winter but she couldn't continue with all those matts in her fur! Despite her close-cropped 'do, I know she is happy to have all those matts gone!