Need a hairstyling secret? Hairnets are it. The right kind of hairnets. They can save a bad hair day in a perfectly authentic manner!

There are several kinds of hairnets, but I'm going to share with you the type I've found to work the best – these neat vintage-style envelopes, with two fine-gauge hairnets inside. (The type of hairnet is what I recommend, not necessarily this brand.)

They come in several different sizes – I use the Bob Size.

I will use the heavier gauge ones as well, but those I wear at night to keep my curls in curl-shape. They are lighter than a snood but much too heavy to be invisible. These really are practically invisible. They are super fine and very light weight, as you can see below. Yet they will corral all those stray ends or frizzes poking out from rolling your hair after it's washed (or at least, that's when I have trouble with mine).

Wearing a hairnet over a vintage 'do is also a good idea on a windy day, or when you want to keep your curls fresh for an evening event. They are invaluable for a rainy day when your curls might get damp and start drooping!

I also like them for summertime wear since my hair still looks “down” but it's kept off the back of my neck which helps a lot when it's hot outside.

These hairnets, however, since they are so fine, are most suitable for what they were designed for – wearing over an already arranged hairdo to keep it tidy, rather than holding up the weight of long or uncurled hair. If your hair is too long or not cut right for an authentic 1940s styling, one of the best ways to “cheat” is to wear a snood (heavier than a hairnet, can be crocheted or knitted) filled with your back hair, and do victory rolls with your front hair.

The only obvious part of the hairnet is the fine line of elastic that goes around your head. This can be disguised easily enough by wearing a narrow scarf or ribbon around your head on top of the elastic, like the lady in the ad below.

Or, like in this case, I saved out a front section of my hair on each side, and did the rolls over top of the elastic. This hid the elastic and secured it at the same time since the bobby pins went through the net to hold the rolls.

The little stretch of elastic still visible across the top was easily hidden by a few vintage millinery flowers which I find a handy hair accessory.

And all the better – wearing flowers this way is a great typical vintage look found in many magazines and photos from the '40s.

Yes, this type of nets are fragile, but unless you tear it by getting it caught in your necklace clasp or in a barrette, each one will last through quite a few wearings. And they are inexpensive enough that, with 2 nets per package, you can afford to replace them when needed.

So if you haven't tried them yet, I highly recommend it!

Find  a good selection in all colors and sizes here (different picture on envelope).