In today’s video I’m going to try to make an authentic vintage hairstyle using wet set pin curls and a brush out. It’s my second attempt (the first one wasn’t very succesfull), but this time I’ve come armed with a bunch of tips to hopefully make it work. Enjoy!
Great job Lucy! And you look gorgeous with that style too. Mastering a wet pin-curl set is not easy! It definitely takes some trial & error to find the methods that work for you. Everyone’s hair is so different, so the methods can vary quite a bit. I have naturally curly hair that behaves itself very well, so my wet pin-curl method might be totally different than yours. But, like you said, definitely sleep in it. I don’t like using a scarf, because I feel like the hair doesn’t dry as well. Maybe a net would work instead, to help protect the curls while overnight drying, or something that lets air flow more? Definitely try a setting lotion on your damp hair first, if you can find one in the Netherlands. I use Lottabody, which I buy on Amazon. There are others that are probably just as good. Like you also said, for your finer hair, I would maybe try smaller sections, and curl tighter. I think your pattern/layout of curls and clipping/pinning was fine. Everyone does theirs so differently, so I wouldn’t worry as much about that. Your hair is longer than “typical” 40s or 50s wet-set hair, so you will be working against your length, which will weigh the curls down. When you brush out, I would start at the ends, and work your way up to the root, always brushing against your hand to shape the curl and prevent frizz/poof. I use a Denman brush, so I would also recommend finding a brush that works with your texture while brushing out a pin-curl set. I think it helps to use a little flexible hair-spray or a little pomade during the brush out to help hold the curl as you brush it out. This works well for my hair, but may not work for everyone.
My go-to vintage YouTubers that rock are:
CherryDollface
Vintage Vanity
Lily Jarlsson
LisaFreemontStreet
PinupDollAshleyMarie
Pinup Companion
These are my go-to gals for vintage hair, and they all offer great tips about pin-curl sets.
I recommend searching for both Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake hair tutorials. They had “longer” hair for that period, more similar to your length. They both were able to achieve great vintage curls, of course Veronica had the great s-curl in the front.
Don’t give up. I think you are really close to achieving the look. Can’t wait to see the next try…
I have found another way to curl hair heat free using nylon tights or pantyhose. This method works great for me, but I’m not sure how it works on other hair types.
1) cut a section of the tights that is shorter than your hair that has both ends open
2) dampen and brush a section hair before pulling it through the piece of tights
3) use a ponytail to secure the top of the tights to that section of the hair
4) while holding the top of the section with the tights, stretch the other end down to the tips of that section of hair and secure with another hair elastic
5) repeat this with as many sections as necessary and let set overnight