Vintage updo for classic hair?

[Camee]

I need a little help for a hairstyle. I need a vintage updo that can be done on super fine, super straight classic length hair without bangs or layers that doesn't need curls. Can anyone help me?

No Curls restriction: I don't own a straightener or curling iron. If curls are needed, then I'll need a suggestion for a technique that can be worn while out and about as I have plans for during the day.

I'd really appreciate some help, the ball is in two weeks!

[torrilin]

Define vintage? Hairstyles varied a great deal over the last 100 years, and the tactics you'd use for a 1950s look are radically different from a 1970s look or a 1910s look.

From roughly 1920 on to perhaps 1965, the most fashionable look was fairly short hair done with a pin curl set. This doesn't mean no one had long hair or that no one had straight hair... but it does mean the look of your updo might need to be different to fit in with the fashions of the time. Even hair that would be worn straight would often get set in pin curls to make it curl under in just the right way. The exact way hair would be set would vary based on what look was most in fashion.

If you're not looking for perfectly of a particular time period, try digging up pictures of a queen or princess. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was young in the 1920s and 1930s, and you can often find pictures of her dressed up for formal occasions. Same for Queen Elizabeth II for the 50s and 60s. Royals tend to be pretty conservative in their dress and hair, so you won't look horribly out of place. And you don't have to stick to just British royals...

[Camee]

Ok, to be more specific, I'd like something from the 1930s to 1950s. I have a lovely 1940s dress to wear. The theme is vintage hollywood glamour, if that helps.

What I'd really like is some tips and tricks on how to do a hairstyle. Pictures of already complete hairstyles don't really help me, I'm not talented enough to replicate from a picture.

[Fairy tale]

This might help, she doesn't have classic length hair but she shows how to pin longer hair to get a faux bob that was popular in that era. There are other videos on you tube along the same lines. Hopefully you can find one you like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVjSeCZlm1A

As far as the curl goes I also have 1a hair and I love using a sock bun to curl my hair. You can wear that out wherever you need come home and take it out and have beautiful curls. Here is a link if you need to know more. I would practice a couple of times before the party it might take more than one sock bun for your amount of hair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FV-YO46E8Y

Hope this helps! Post pics of your finished product if you can.

[spidermom]

I got this from viewing 1940s styles.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c79/spidermom/2.jpg

It's basically pin curls with one side and the ends pinned down securely.

[lapispimpernel]

I can see where you'd have trouble finding something! Straight and long weren't really "in" then, and waves were made with pincurl sets, which aren't exactly street friendly. :D I did find this low bun (http://hot1940shairstyles.com/vintagehairstyles/wp-content/uploads/image/vintageupdoglam2.jpg) that might work. I think you could get by during the day by making two or three hidden pin curls behind your ear, and then wrapping/arranging the curls (after brushing them out (http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaFreemontStreet#p/c/3C3D2490BB7FAB9F/2/dUgj-BmActE)) around like a headband and pinning with a barrette, and putting the rest into a soft cinnabun.

Or then there's this (http://0.tqn.com/d/beauty/1/0/f/E/chignon7.JPG), which is faux-vintage but could be pretty dramatic since your hair's so long. I'd puff up the top a little with spray or backcombing or a rat, and maybe add upward twists/rolls (if you roll you'll probably need a sausage rat for shape) to the sides. The back looks like sections twisted and allowed to coil back on themselves, then pinned in a bunch. It could use a clip or barrette, too.

I hope that helps, maybe? :)

[Camee]

Thanks! I love that low bun. I don't know if I'll be able to achieve it, but i'll be saving that image for next time I have the money for a hairdresser for a formal occasion.

I think at this point I'm going to admit defeat and find a way to do a french pleat. Not exactly the specialness I'm after, but it'll do the job.

Thanks again for you help.

[lapispimpernel]

Don't give up! Try out some of the fancy styles. You have a couple weeks to play around, and I bet you'll be surprised with your results after a couple runs. C'mon, you know you want to... ;)

And lots of people are here to help, if anything isn't working right.

[Yosha]

I'm not very familiar with hair styles from that era, but would this be something for you? http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=3941&highlight=topsy

[Nini]

I'd imagine a tight bun, with pincurls framing your face would work too. For some reason I started thinking of Miss Lemon in the tv series about Poirot. I'm sure you can find clips from the series which should help point you in a direction.

[ktani]

I think at this point I'm going to admit defeat and find a way to do a french pleat. Not exactly the specialness I'm after, but it'll do the job.

There a number of tutorials on youtube for styles you may want. This one is super simple, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6cLZ9KlCH0&feature=related

[Magdalene]

Oh, there used to be a member on here who did reenactments from WWII- does anyone remember who that was?

in the 40's they did alot of victory rolls- you don't have to curl for that. They're a bit tricky to get the hang of but can be easily adapted for long hair. And you can always toss the back in a snood or continue the roll all the way around.