Partly because March is craft month, and partly because of spring air or something that gave me lots of ideas, I'm doing a Tutorial Blast this month, with a new and different tutorial every week instead of just the first week of the month. Check back each week to see what's new! Week One: How to Make a Cottage Chic 1950s Gloveholder. Week Two: Dyeing Vintage Accessories. Week Three: Flat Overnight Curlers.

 

When you want a nice wave in your hair for a base for a retro hairstyle, here's a good way to do it. It's quick and easy, lasts all day, and is much more comfortable than rollers.

You won't get ringlets, but it's great for volume and '50s-inspired hairstyles.

I recommend starting with non-conditioned (non-slippery) hair.

 

You'll need:

spray bottle with water

lots of bobby pins

wide-bristle brush

satin sleeping cap (recommended)

 

1. Brush your hair out thoroughly, then dampen it with a spray bottle until it feels damp to the touch. If you are styling your front hair, do that first.

 

2. Then take about a 2 in. section of hair…

 

 

…and wrap it around 3 fingers of your other hand.

 

Turn it in toward your head, taking up any slack, and lay it flat against your head.

 

Bobby-pin it in place. I usually only need 3-4 bobby pins to secure a coil.

Continue with sections of hair around the back of your head, making sure to turn the coil on each side of your face the same way.

(I think they look like cinnamon buns!)

If you want tighter coils or have long hair, take up smaller sections of hair and wrap it around only 2 fingers. This will take more bobby pins. (It probably won't work with super long hair because of the coils needing to lay flat and dry overnight).

You want the coils to feel secure, but not have tons of pins in your hair because you'll be sleeping on it.

 

3. When all the hair is coiled flat against your head, dampen it well with the spray bottle until it feels actually wet. 

And that's it! Wear the satin sleeping cap to bed (this helps stabilize the hairstyle and well as contain it if a coil comes undone during the night) and in the morning the coils should still be smooth. It's the most comfortable way to set your hair overnight because it's so flat.

Once you get all the bobby pins out, you can style it.

Unbrushed curls right after unpinning the coils.

 

Styling is the fun part. You can brush the curls around your fingers to make a page-boy look…

 

…or brush part way through the hair to let the curls stay in shape at the tips, and add Victory rolls or a few clips or whatever you want.

(Or use it for an updo that you need volume for. )

 

 

So there's a few easy steps to creating some comfortable curl for your retro hairstyles.

 

Till next week,

~Kristen – Verity Vintage Studio