Vintage 1950 hairstyle advice

[MissMiss1]

After a long search I have finally found a dress for a wedding I'm attending.
It's 1950s inspired and thanks to a few ladies on here I've finally ordered one.

Now it's hairstyle time. Was thinking a 1950s inspired updo, but am worried I won't be able to do it myself. Can anyone give advice as to what to try, hairstyle suggestions, products to use etc

What is your hair like normally? (texture, length, style)

It is just below shoulder length, fine, flyaway, boring n lacking shape without a fringe.

A lot of updoes you might be thinking of may well be 60s: 50s styles were more defined by shorter hair and perms. Think finger curls. Think pert.

If your hair is long enough to do it, try doing a French twist. That's a bit up, but not Mad Men up, IYSWIM.

One really 50s thing to do, esp to a wedding, is the quasi-hat. (don't know if there's a more official word for it). the base is usually a kidney-shaped bit of stiff stuff and wire that curves onto the head and held in place with slides, then the decoration is a bow, or a wee bit of netting, etc. Bigger than a fascinator, but doesn't cover the whole head as a hat would.

Ooh how exiting victory rolls would look amazing, I get lots of ideas of websites like this www.lipstickandcurls.net/blog/victory-rolls/

Go to a hairdresser with a picture of what you want.

Youtube 'thecherrydollface', she does the best 1950's hair tutorials

Victory rolls are lovely but they are early 40s not 50's. If your hair is longer, like yours, then an Audrey Hepburn french pleat is a classic 50s style. My mother wore her hair like this all through the 50's. Sweep your hair back, and pin it in a roll from the nape of your neck up to almost the top of your head at the back. Longer length Kirby grips are good for this. I tried to find a photo of my Mum, but as you can only see the front of her it doesn't give much of an idea of the back! The other option is a "shampoo and set" where you put your hair in rollers, but yours sounds possibly a little long for this. You could try it though, it leaves the hair in stiff curls that are raised up from the head at the crown, you can then tease them into a flattering shape around your face. You need rollers, setting lotion and lots of hairspray, and a friend to help. Roller the damp hair in smallish sections all over the head, keeping the rollers stacked up like bricks. Dry with a hairdrier (after spraying with setting lotion) , a hood one is the business, then arrange the unrolled curls and spray with hairspray. An old lady type hairdresser would probably do this for you very cheaply.

I pincurled my own hair for my wedding and everyone said (and I thought) it looked great.

I used this book: www.amazon.co.uk/Vintage-Hairstyling-Retro-Styles-M/dp/0981663915/ref=la_B001JS6MEK_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398096518&sr=1-1

It's got loads of styles from the 30s to the 70s, lots of step by step instructions both using heated tongs and old school rollers and pin curls. I also watched a lot of youtube videos.

Product was really easy as it was just cheap setting lotion.

With your hair length you would be able to do most of the styles in the book - have fun!

Wow! Thank you for all the advice ladies

I love the idea of an Audrey Hepburn twist or maybe even a smooth bun

I'm just worried I won't get it right, my hair always gets lumps n bumps in it whenever I put it up. I've tried smoothing brushes n still can't get the smooth look

Are you near London?

There are quite a few vintage hairdressers which specialise in 40s and 50s styles (and frustratingly, NONE who can do a decent 60s or 70s style).

Can I reassure you that I am utterly, utterly shit with hair and my usual idea of styling my hair is drying it in the car with the heaters on full blast. I have never managed to use tongs without burning myself and straighteners are undiscovered territory.

Yet with the book, some kit and a youtube video on loop I managed some perfectly respectable pincurls after only 2 practice runs.

You can do it!

Thank you kundry, I'll take a look on amazon now

Have just been looking at a few you tube videos and have seen a couple which show a bun with two front parts slicked backwards (terrible description lol).

What kit did you need?

Depends on the style - I was definitely going for curls. However most styles start with rollers even if you brush it out to get volume rather than curls.

So I now have some lovely velcro rollers (like your gran would use but cheap as chips), pin curl clips, a comb with a pointy handle to part hair (rubbish description I know but this was really important) and a life time supply of kirby grips

None of it is massively expensive - I think I got mine on ebay.