fifties curls!

beccatt

I'm going to a 1950s theme party next Saturday and want to know how to style my hair in pin curls? I've seen a few pages on the net and it looks like for the authentic look I'll need to sleep in curlers as no hairdryers then :eek: Or maybe I'll cheat!!
What I want to know is how do I put the curlers in? Could I use paper instead? Where do I part my hair? How many will I need? And what shall I use to keep my hair in place?
Anyone remember?!

Dora_the_Explorer_5

For authentic pin curls your hair should be not longer than medium. Wind hair round your finger, slide hair off finger and hold it against your head, pin with two bobby pins/kirby grips/hair grips placed crossways to each other, and you should be able to dry with hairdryers ( which people were using from 1930's on). And I wish I could draw the instructions ! If your'e talking about doing your hair in Dinky curlers, they haven't been on sale for decades, and they make sausage-y type curls, and only those who are masochists ever slept in them :rotfl: .
If you find it too difficult, don't forget ponytails were the alternative hairstyle in the 50's for teenagers as it was mostly mums and nerdy girls who did their hair in pin curls. Enjoy your party, don't forget to wear stockings and an uncomfortable suspender belt or roll-on for authenticity :eek:

ChocClare

What sort of look are you going for? Is your hair long or short? Layered or all one length?
Fifties hair tended to be quite sleek - think Grace Kelly - or short, or put up in a chignon.
If you literally just want pin curls, then you get your hair nearly dry, then wind the hair round your finger and secure with pins - my mum used to use those silver clip pins (which open like a crocodile's mouth) but you can use two hair pins crossed. There's a link here: http://beauty.about.com/od/stylesofthepast/qt/pincurls.htm
If you want to cheat and blow it dry, tie a chiffon scarf loosely round your head first, otherwise all your "ends" will come loose. Ooh-er missus!
Hope this helps!

ManAtHome

Wasn't all pin-curls... a couple of good 1950s sites:
http://www.lphouse.com/hairstyles-1950s.htm
http://www.fashion-era.com/1950s_glamour.htm

lara1983

I don't know what era but I know my mum used to use rags, wrapped around the hair and tied or something?!

beccatt

I was envisaging something like the Suzy Parker photo on this site http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/fashion-wh.htm - can anyone work out how to do the front bit? Is the hair just brushed back and to the side, then pinned into place?
My hair is about shoulder length with modern layers around my face, which is why I thought curling it might date the style!

Thanks for all your tips, just one question, when you put the criss crossed pins in, do you flatten the curls or pin one side of them?

Thanks!!

Dora_the_Explorer_5

It looks like it's brushed back and glued into place with hair laquer. The 'wave' in it might have been set with some metal clamps which were like bulldog clips with serrated teeth.
Flatten the curl, open the hairgrip with your finger and make sure one leg is pushed underneath the curl and one leg on top of it, then gently remove finger and legs will close clamping the curl between them.
Looking at Suzy Parker's hairdo, it might have been done with rollers set in rows as this is how my mum acheived the look in the early to mid-fifties. Might be easier for you, why not have a bash with rollers on dry hair and some hairspray.
Are you sure you don't want a Doris Day ponytail :rotfl:

Edinburghlass_2

This bit from the website took me back to nights spent in the kitchen with Mum using Twink perms...

Even with all the curling sometimes a perm (permanent wave) was required. Many of us dutifully sat in the kitchen while Mom annoited our hair with the ghastly smelling solutions. And asked repeatedly, "is it time yet." Time that is, to rinse it out!

[Deleted User]

LOl twink perms!!! Me too