Friday 26 August 2011

Better late than never

My eyes lit up this morning when the postman delivered a parcel I have been waiting for, a little something I could have actually done with many years ago when I first started out on my vintage loving lifestyle. 

Inside was this gem of a book:
Vintage Hairstyling by Lauren Rennells
 I had heard great things about this book on the vintage grapevine and decided to take the plunge and order it. It is not one of the cheapest book purchases but oh my it is worth every penny.

When I first started my love affair with the 1940s and 1950s I found the most daunting task was getting the perfect hairstyle to fit the era.  Clothing and make-up came relatively easy but trying to get those darn victory rolls...lets just say the air was blue and the hair brush thrown on many an occasion.   I developed a love/hate relationship with my heated rollers but I refused to be beaten and I soon managed to knock up a couple of victory rolls in less time than it took to get the rollers in!   If only wish someone had written this book back then, it would have saved many a hair tantrum

Promising start to finish instructions for hairstyles from the 1930's to the 1960's with detailed photos , a breakdown of techniques used in the past and a modern equivalent to get the same style PLUS tips on hair accessories, make-up and nails - this book really does not disappoint.   Along with victory rolls there is pin curls, the happy Pompadour (as per front cover) and one of my favourites:

The Snood Style - just beautiful :o)

Along with step by step instructions there is also the tricks of the trade.  If you have also looked into victory roll styling then you would have heard of ' hair rats' or 'rat fillers'. These are used to make the rolling process a bit easier for hair that is not long enough/ thick enough to give a full roll. Nowadays you can buy foam rats or mesh rats but back in the day ladies used to save their own hair they brushed out for just this method.  I am now hankering after owning a rat filler pot for my dressing table:

  Can you imagine the look of disgust from my husband when he happens to come across a pot of my old hair on the dressing table! *wink*

 But in all seriousness if you are wanting a book on vintage hairstyling then I have to say that this is the book.

And remember its all about the preperation:

Trying to be sassy with my curlers in...

... laughing and hoping no one knocks at the door ;o)

And as vintage hairstyles are one of my favourite things I'm linking up to favourite thing-on friday over at Mimi and Tilly :o)

Hope you all have a fabulous bank holiday weekend!

Scarlett x

33 comments:

  1. You look great - you are going to suit those styles! Looking forward to seeing the pics!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  2. Oh my gosh! I want this book so bad! I love vintage hairstyles, and often attempt it on my own. You look freaking adorable, curlers and all! I've taken all my vintage how-to tips from this youtube channel, which you might also like: http://tinyurl.com/3moa5jg It's been super helpful in trying to figure out things (like those darn victory rolls) but now I want this book! Thanks for sharing <3

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  3. Wow! Wish I didn't have curly locks :( You look amazeballs. x

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  4. Wow, red hot! Please do a style every Friday to show us.

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  5. hehe Luce, if i manage to get the knack of the new ones...if not it will be more shots of me in rollers ;o) x

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  6. You look gorgeous, I have been tinkering in the vintage look myself. Have been looking at videos on" you tube " but they were a bit naff. The book looks fabxx

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  7. I been eyeing this book for the longest, you gorgeous with your curlers in amor.
    Show us how you get on with new hairstyles.

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  8. OMG! I have been eyeing up this book on Amazon for a long time but I am too cheap to part with the £26.99 they want for it or the £30 on eBay.. there are even people selling them used for £85! How crazy is that?!

    I'll just have to hope you you'll put up a tutorial now and again :p

    Can't wait to see some of the hair styles you, I have always wanted to do my hair like the one on the cover of the book but god knows I can't get my hair to do it! xxx

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  9. This book has been on my wish list for ages....I can do victory rolls and pincurls but I really need a few more tricks! Think will add it to my Xmas list :)

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  10. I love these hair styles and your looks great I hope someone does knock at your door!

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  11. You look fab! Gosh I hardly have the patience to do a french plait, I'd never be able to do these! xx

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  12. I love these vintage styles. You-look-gorgeous! Hugs!

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  13. Hey I've just got a book almost exactly like yours from the library...it's interesting that women were mending and making do with their own hair. The hair thing would gross out my husband too...he's always complaining about finding long black hairs everywhere. So if I ever find a rat pot on my travels I'm sending it your way Scarlett x

    p.s. you look gorgeous, absolutley gorgeous. Even with your hair in rollers damn you!

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  14. Vintage hair styles are so fun! This looks like a great book!

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  15. I have eyed that book of a few times now and you look so gorgeous and you so suit that style You should share more you pics.
    I spose the parcel still hasnt arived arggghh xxxx

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  16. You look like a movie star, you little hottie! Thanks for the heads up about that book, I remember another blogger mentioning it and I knew it would be an ideal pressie for one of my friends. x

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  17. That book sounds fab! And you're rocking the curlers!

    Victoria xxx

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  18. What an awesome book. You look gorgeous! I wish I was good with hair, the best I can do is a ponytail and a bun.

    E :)

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  19. I love your hair! You are looking beautifull.
    That book looks really cool. I going to look for it. Maybe it has some great hair-styles for my bad hair. :)

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  20. Haha i never look this good with curlers in - imagine a sleepy expression and a fuzzy head and thats me! Ew to the rat filler thing, what a weird idea... :)

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  21. So great! I looove your hair! But, I don't think it would look so good on me :)

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  22. HAHA! Only just came across your post!! :-) This has made me smile - those styles suit you so well! Hope you'll post pics of more experiments, the styles look fabulous!

    Jem xXx

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  23. You look absolutely gorgeous!! and you rock the hairstyle!! ooohh i so want to have those curls! loving it!!! i agree the snood style is just beautiful!! loving ur long lashes too! x susan

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  24. You look very glam and the vintage look suits you to a 'T'. These books are gems aren't they?

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  25. I'm so glad this book has brought you so much joy, a worthwhile purchase indeed. And one you will forever be able to revisit for inspiration xxx

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  26. I have been wanting this book years and still haven't gotten off my butt and got it yet.Maybe i will get it next VLV.Can't wait to see your styles.xx

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  27. I think this is the one I bought my sis for Christmas - you look fab! I had no idea about the 'rat pot' though - how amazingly gross! ;-)

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  28. You are so cute, curlers and all. My mom had a hair reserve - she didn't use it, it came with a set that she kept forever. The idea of it is, um, interesting.

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  29. You look so pretty! I love it!!! That book seems so awesome. I have often wondered how ladies in the good old days had such perfect hair all the time! Even when I curl and hairspray for hours it doesn't look as neat as theirs. Practice makes perfect I guess! But I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the styles you try out :)

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  30. You are rocking those curls! This book is amazing,it's so worth the money imo x

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  31. oh thank u for this great post, i need to have this book, i´m always struggling with my hair it actually it seems it wins the battle against me but i adore vintage hairstyle, girls looked so pretty those times, everytime with perfect hair. u really have a nice blog so i´m your newest follower;)
    love and kiss,mary

    http://maryloucinnamon.blogspot.com/

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  32. I have to say you have officially inspired me, my other half isn't too keen though! Its a good job we don't do things for their approval, Kat x

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  33. You look ruddy lovely! Just got back from my trip to Dartmoor, and am catching up on my blog reading after being withut computer access for far too long! Blgging in a public library just feels so wrong! Thanks for joining in with Favourite Thing On A Friday. Em xx

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