I have frequently worked with burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese, who is know for her glamorous 40’s style. Dita is an absolute doll, and it was such an education to work with her. She had such high expectations which is how you grow as a hairdresser.
You can achieve her look in two ways.
1. By going to a salon where they will do wet sets, which means the hairdresser will shampoo your hair and use a lot of gel with plastic rollers. You will sit under a dryer for 45 min-1 hour, then have the set brushed out.
2. If you want to achieve the look by doing it youself, you will need a small curling iron (3/4″).
Using a comb, make small 1/2″ square sections, using a wet hairspray on each section. Wrapping each section around the iron like a swirly straw towards your face, pinning it flat against the scalp so it looks like you have a lot of little circles on your head.
Securing the hair with bob pins or spring-loaded roller clips which are available at many drug or beauty supply stores.
The most important tip is to let the hair cool down!!! Hair is fabric, and just like when you take clothes out of the dryer when they’re warm and fold them right away to keep the wrinkles out, hair needs to cool to really hold the set.
Once the hair is cool is where the creativity comes in. This might take some work for you to achieve but have no fear!
Take the back pins out, and use a flat natural bristle brush to smooth out the hair until you reach the round of the head. In the front corner of the eye on each side, finger-comb through the rest of the hair and then use a wide tooth comb to further break up the curl – but not too much!
Be patient, this will work after some practice. If you can’t figure it out, ask your hairdresser to help you.
I’ve had sessions with my clients with them doing their hair in front of me and I am able to give them great advice when I see them try to work it out.
Good Luck and if there’s any questions, feel free to email me at contact@scissorandcomb.com. I’ll try to answer as best as I can!
Carpe Diem!
Photos courtesy of Splash News and www.dita.net.
