Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jill McCormick on April 12, 2013 at 5:00pm

Hi, Ellie Mae! It sounds like you have tried a few tried and true methods :) I wonder, on the days you have tried the dirty hair method, have you first used a dry/powder shapooing? It will soak up the oils and with vigorus brushing add volume by coatin gthe hair and thenyou add a bit of sheen with a polisher after styling? You might find the "dirt hair" method works better if you "clean" it first! ALso, what are your thoughts on a few well placed extentions? They are not only good for length as you know, they can also be used rather well for instant volume to help support fuller styles, and look glrious on a pin curl for sure. Great question!

Cheers!

Jill

Permalink Reply by Ellie Mae Berry on April 12, 2013 at 5:08pm

I haven't, actually. All the powder/dry shampoo is a bit pricey where I live, but I might have to bite the bullet next payday and try it!

My hair's a bit short right now - just above my shoulders. And all the red shades of extensions are too red for my current color, but I'll look around. 

Thank you for the advice!

Permalink Reply by Jill McCormick on April 13, 2013 at 5:03pm

No problem! Little tip; before your next paycheck comes, here's a little tip; babypowder or cornstarch does the EXACT same thing! Just use a bit less and brush brush brush! 

Permalink Reply by Ellie Mae Berry on April 15, 2013 at 3:45pm

Ooh, I'll definitely try that out! We keep baby powder around the house for some reason - my mother in law never explained. 

Permalink Reply by Katie Ware on May 1, 2013 at 2:43pm

My hair is the same - super thin and gets greasy really quickly. Some dry shampoo is a good investment because after a week or two of only washing your hair every second day, you only NEED to wash it every second day because your hair gets used to it. I only wash mine every third or fourth day now, before it was almost looking oily by the end of the day I had washed it. So the dry shampoo can be in investment at first but you wont need to use as much after your hair gets used to being washed less. Trying different shampoo's works too - I discovered 2 years ago now that Dove shampoo works wonders on keeping my hair oil free, and its only around $5 a bottle. 

Permalink Reply by Lady K on May 6, 2013 at 11:28am

Hi Ellie Mae,

First of all, I feel your pain! My hair is also very fine and stubbornly refuses to hold a curl.  About 4 years ago, when I began to acquire more and more pinup and vintage attire and started styling my hair, I had such a hard time getting my hair to stay in a wavy style.  Over the years, I have experimented with many styles, products, and curling methods (pin curls, hot rollers, foam rollers, curling iron) and have finally figured out a way to make some styles work.

1. I accepted the fact that on rainy or humid days, it is a waste of time trying to wear my hair down in a curly/wavy pinup style. These are updo days.

2. Nylon hair scarves are your best friend.  The ones currently being sold on the PUG website are actually the best I have gotten, and I have bought quite a few.  This is the style that is great for either rainy days, or on second day hair if you are trying to not wash it as often, since most of the hair is pinned away and hidden.  There are some great tutorials on youtube (I like the ones by cherry dollface), and you can practice until you get  the style you like!

3. Teasing is also your friend.  I never used to tease my hair before because a) i thought it was useless and b) I wasn't really sure how to do it, but done properly, it can definitely give your hair a boost, and is really helpful for creating a high front roll (with the bangs).

4. On less humid days where I know my hair has a greater chance of surviving, I generally pin curl my hair the night before using Lottabody setting lotion (the only setting lotion that did anything for me).  Then, brush out the curls carefully in the morning using hairspray both before I brush them out, and after to set the style.

Another tip I would suggest for making your hair last longer is - if you do pin curl it, you can always leave your hair pin curled and tie a scarf around it on your way to wherever you are going.  For example, sometimes I commute to work with my pincurls under a scarf (tied in a rosie the riveter type style) and then brush them out at work.  This increases the longevity of  my style, as they tend to unravel in a crowded gross train.

Good luck! I'm sure as you experiment more you will find something that works for you :)

Permalink Reply by Ms Chelle on April 26, 2013 at 5:19pm

My hair is really similar to this in that it is very fine, but thankfully I've still got lots of it!

When I had longer hair the only thing that worked was setting lotion, hot rollers, and LOTS of hairspray, but even then it would drop by the end of the night, My only solution has been to cut my hair quite short (into a graduated bob) and use the hot rollers for special occasions, but use a double barrel curler for every day (it works more like an oversized crimper so the wave lasts a lot longer and gives the appearance of loose finger waves).

I haven't really found an answer, so if anyone else has tips and tricks I'd love to hear them too!

Permalink Reply by MissRetroBelle on May 6, 2013 at 9:39pm

:-( Big sigh...same problem , I just don't have oily hair . I've have been struggeling for hours with everything you can imagine , watching tutorials make it look so simple.... I need a vintage hair course for Dummies - and a very patient teacher....But where do I find that ??? :-p

Permalink Reply by Ellie Mae Berry on May 16, 2013 at 12:59pm

Hello, ladies! Sorry about the lack of responses from me - I had to send my computer out for repair! 

You've all given me really good tips - I need to learn how to tease my hair (I've heard that's also a way to keep victory curs in place) and I plan on purchasing a few headscarves after I move. 

I've done pincurls before, but never with much success. Then again, I didn't use any setting creams - well, now I have a whole new set of bobby pins and I curling gel (extra hold). 

I'm going to try hot rollers again once I cut my hair. I'll use the gel with them, too and keep you all updated!!

Permalink Reply by Amber on May 27, 2013 at 7:04pm

My hair is also very fine - I've found what works best for me is sponge rollers. Pin curls take too long to do (and I'm not that great at them - my arms turn into jello). Curling irons or hot rollers don't work for me either - my hair won't hold the curl. I sleep in sponge rollers and usually if I wrap my hair in a silk scarf to sleep on my curls will last another day or two. I also buy a setting lotion to put in my hair before I roll it and I think that helps.

Permalink Reply by Katie Ware on May 27, 2013 at 7:34pm

I've recently discovered the same! Avoid conditioners that make your hair suuuper slippery and use foam rollers. They have worked wonders if I do them on slightly damp hair with a setting lotion and sleep in them. Not super comfy but you get used to it pretty quickly. I do pincurls around the top to avoid getting dents too. Instead of re-setting it on the second night, i've discovered that to add a bit more life to them once they have dropped on the second day, I just whip them back up in the rollers (dampened ever so slightly) for a half hour or so while I'm getting dressed, then give them a quick blast with a hot blowdryer before taking them out, and they come out great again for another days wear. 

Permalink Reply by Ellie Mae Berry on May 28, 2013 at 11:45am

I've tried sponge rollers, too. They don't stay or hold the curl. :/

I usually use a 2-in-1 shampoo deal. 

I've got a lot of tips on here, but I'll try the sponge rollers with a setting gel next time!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page