Lipstick and Curls and the tools for vintage hairstyling
Tuesday October 1st 2013At Lipstick and Curls a question I often get asked is are there any particular products I would recommend for vintage hairstyling as the market is swamped these days with a wide range of different types of styling tools.
My husband often complains when I stop a movie mid flow to look at a vintage hairstyle and work out how they achieved it and how we can achieve it today with our contemporary equipment. Most of the products we take for granted today were not available to the average girl (certainly pre 1950’s), so they would improvise and use what was available around the home. Hairspray (a key product in vintage styling) wasn’t available until 1950 and women weren’t using the product until much later in the decade, however the difference it made to the styles of the time are easily visible and in my opinion a revolutionary product that changed the way we shaped hair forever.
As a Vintage Hairstylist I have tried a vast amount of products (including the originals) and have found some favorites that I couldn’t live without both on a professional and personal level. Here are a few I would like to share with you and why;
L'Oreal Studio Mineral Control Invisi'gel Extra Strength
Starting with the earlier styling of the 1920’s the traditional way to style the hair would have been to brush soaking wet hair with a similar styling gel into waves and then pin and leave to set (very time consuming and I style I do less frequently) this can then be brushed and styled once dry.
Babyliss Pro Ceramic Dial A Heat Tong
This is a tool I couldn’t work without, it is essential for setting the hair, creating curls waves, rolls and I have even found a method of doing early waving with dry hair and a tong.
Schwarzkopf Silhouette Super Hold Mousse
I don’t use setting lotions, although this is a product that is still available in most drugstores. This wouldn’t work with the styles I do, as much time is needed for the hair to set prior to final styling. I only usually get 1 hour with a client therefore I have had to find a similar method of styling but using dry hair, mouse (this can be used on dry hair and dries straight away) and a tong.
Schwarzkopf Silhouette Super Hold Hairspray
As a mentioned earlier all the styles ado wouldn’t be possible without a good hairspray and I go through large quantities! Look for a strong hold without stickiness, as it is important you can brush out your styles.
Babyliss Pro Professional 20 Piece Roller Set
If you re lucky enough to find a good set of the old Carmen rollers you will find they work just as well, if not better! However these are a replica of the old classics and work perfectly for all of my 1960’s and 1970’s styles.
Hair Grips/Kirby grips/Bobby Pins
Essential for strong gripping styles into place prior to pinning the style in place. Again styling wouldn’t be possible without these.
Metal Prong Tail comb
I use this for every style. Ideal for parting and sectioning the hair, also great for backcombing and teasing the hair.
This is my smoothing brush; it smooth’s out my backcombing and also is great for brushing out curls. I have a Mason and Pearson brush, which is the best but there are a lot of good replicas on the market. Try finding a pure bristle one, as it will make a big difference to your styling.
Hair Pins
I use hairpins to secure a lot of my pleats, victory rolls, beehives and buns. I couldn’t work with out these. Available is all hair colours.
Section Clips/Duck Clips
Crucial for holding partings and shapes in place also great for setting heavy hair.
Great for smoothing over frizz and applying to neaten the hair prior to rolling and shaping.
Amanda x (Lipstick & Curls)