As I previously mentioned, most people don't believe me when I tell them it didn't take me long to do my hair in the morning. To clarify: my daily hairstyle consists of either pin curls (in the winter, when the humidity isn't out to get them), victory rolls, a beehive, or a simple ponytail with a big swirly roll in the front (when I oversleep and don't have time for much else). In short, I dig the pinup look on a daily basis. I certainly don't spend hours slaving away at the mirror - who has time for that? - nor am I a professional hairdresser, but over the years I've learned a number of tricks from YouTube and Instagram, generally in the middle of the night when insomnia strikes. The secret behind my hair consists of 10% luck and 90% practice, practice, practice. Here are the women who have unwittingly taught me everything I know.
Cherry Dollface has tips on all things rockabilly, from hair to makeup to wardrobe, even decorating your house in midcentury style. She's very informative and caters to beginners who don't know a teasing comb from a hole in the ground. My favorite videos of hers include the barrel roll and bandana video and the Marilyn pageboy video. She also has videos explaining what not to do if you're going for a vintage look, and how to make your style look authentic if you're going for true 1930s, 40s or 50s.
A Vintage Vanity covers all sorts of pinup 'dos, including different methods of curling hair. She takes her viewers through the lifecycle of a wet set and also explains how to pin curl hair after first curling it with a curling iron for maximum lasting power. Her channel is great for learning methods that have been around for decades when learning how to create vintage-looking curls.
I follow Miss Victory Violet's Instagram and blog regularly, and she also has a few how-to hair videos on YouTube. A professional hairdresser, she walks her viewers through a "Marilyn style" 1950s sponge roller set as well as a 1960s beehive. Her victory roll video is also wonderful for learning how to form those perfect swirls. Be sure to watch her pinup makeup tutorial video for learning step-by-step how to create a flawless, modern vintage look.
Miss Rockabilly Ruby has a rather excellent video explaining how to create a "poodle" 'do that's not to be missed if you're looking for that signature I Love Lucy or 1940s Betty Grable hair! She discusses working with extensions that are an option if you usually rock short hair.
No pinup hair discussion can be had without mentioning Dita Von Teese. I happen to own her incomparable beauty book, Your Beauty Mark. In addition to a wealth of knowledge regarding the vintage aesthetic, there are also some truly amazing photos of Ms. Von Teese that are not to be missed. #queen
I've learned from watching these and countless other YouTubers that there is a certain arsenal of weapons needed for pinup hair. Depending on your preference, you'll want either a curling iron (the smaller the better) or a set of sponge rollers for setting hair. Get yourself a teasing comb or postiche brush because teasing, teasing, teasing is the key to many of these styles. Invest in an excellent setting lotion or spray as well as a super, mega-hold humidity resistant hairspray. Smoothing wax or pomade will calm the frizzies from your hair after it's been teased and will give a lovely shine to your rolls. Hair flowers and scarves are excellent not only for matching your outfit, but for disguising any little bumps, flyaways or mistakes that found their way into your final masterpiece. And last, but not least, say it with me: bobby pins. If you think you have enough, buy another pack, because I promise you will lose them.
Start small: try teasing the very front section of your hair from the back, then forming into a roll and securing with pins a la the aforementioned Cherry Dollface. Then brush the rest of your hair back into a ponytail, curl the ends, and place a well-chosen flower clip in your 'do. Voila! No curling iron or rollers needed and I promise everyone will be impressed.
Even if I'm just running earrands in black ponte knit pants and a black baby tee (Dita Von Teese's answer to sweatpants), my pinup hair makes me feel a little more put together and ready to take on the world.
