My Pin Curl Epiphany: Tutorial

GUYS. I have been feverishly addicted to the Vixen Vintage blog lately, and her perfect vintage ensembles had me frustrated at my own ineptness to recreate amazing hairstyles. After all, my hair hasn't been as long as it is right now in about 6 years and I should make more of an effort experimenting with it! And as I noticed at Solanah's, Victoria's and Aya's blogs: having the right vintage hairstyle REALLY completes the picture if you're wearing vintage.

I have always had a supersoft spot for Betty Page style bangs and Veronica Lake waves, but I have spent ages growing out my bangs and my hair isn't long enough for VL's waves, so my fancy immediately turned to curls. Like every girl with pinstraight hair will tell you: we all dream of curls. Gorgeously bouncy, wild, fun, girly curls to shake up our daily, sad, flat, boring hairstyles. 

I have experiented with curlingmethods during the years: braiding for minimum damage, a straightening iron to create waves, even rollers were once tried out by yours truly. But most of the time the curls looked WACK yo. Not glamorous but desperate, and droopy after half an hour. Sound familiar? Well, for all of you fellow sad haired girl out there: I HAVE FOUND A CURE

Pin curling. Easy as one, two, three if you use a diagram and some youtube tutorials, and the result! Well, sit tight for that result. It is coming up, don't scroll down just yet! Just read along for my step by step explanation. 

1. I started out with dry hair (only dampened the ends of each strand I used for curling with my fingers) that had some product (mousse) left in it, but not much. I had washed and styled it that morning and began my pin curling experiment just before going to bed.

2. I had read this explanation over at Vixen Vintage (told you I'm addicted), this youtube tutorial and googled a pin curling diagram because Aya mentioned it. I ended up using this one because I liked the picture that was shown as a result but I slightly improvised because I didn't want too much curl on the top of my head. Also, I am lazy and got tired of the twisting and curling after I'd done one side of my head, so the top and all the rest got done slightly more careless. 

3. This is me with my pincurls after having slept a night on them. Surprisingly comfortable btw, if I might add, and I am a horrible sleeper! I followed the advice I had read online and had tied a silk scarf around my head in order to keep the pins in place and my hair un-frizzy. Also, it looked ADORABLE if I may say so myself. Totally going to wear this as a normal hairstyle. 

The scarf is triangle-shaped but you may recreate the look with a square scarf doubled by folding it so you get a triangle (I'm sure you understand! :-D). I placed the long part of the triangle in my neck and the 90° angle part at my forehead, pulling the ends from my neck to my forehead over the 90° angle part, tying it to keep it in place and tucking in the extra fabric. Just try it, it's easier than it sounds! :-D

Yes, I always sleep with a perfectly made up face, just like the ladies in the movies! Don't you? /sarc

Also, yeah I know you can see my underwear in the mirror but who cares, I think it totally adds to the boudoir feel of these pics so I'm just going to go with it. It's not like I'm wearing a thong, haha

This is what it looked like underneath the scarf.

The rolls on top of my head and at the nape of my neck had gotten slightly loosened by tossing and turning in bed all night so I was preparing myself for suckiness. However! As I already told you, the result is awesome, so don't fret!

First result after removing the pins, but without loosening the curls or styling my hair:

Save to say I was already in love by this point. I have never had beautiful spiral curls like these, so even if my face is rather serious, lemme tell ya: I was jumping around in my skivvies!

After a minor bit of shaking my head to loosen the curls, lightly using my fingers but NO combs or brushes and after a light whiff of hairspray, this was the finished result:

Now, look me in the eye and tell me this isn't awesome! I feel like someone professional styled my hair. Best thing? This was yesterday and I STILL have lovely curls right now. I will most definitely be doing this thing again.

My retro hair inspired me to go all vintage summery so I grabbed my lemon dress, espadrilles and new cat eye sunglasses (FINALLY found a pair that didn't look bonkers on me) et voila! 

I wore this to the River island event last night and I got loads of compliments on my hair. What can I say, ladies, this is a total recommendation! TRY it! I know I'm addicted.

dress: Primark

espadrilles: River Island

sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

ring: Alex Monroe

PS: don't forget to enter my vintage shoe clip giveaway!