So back to my secret. As many women in history have also done, I utilize a hair piece to create many of the looks I create.  Not only does it help add volume to my fine hair, but it shortens my styling time significantly! In the 1940s, many women utilized hair braids that they would pin in and in the 1950s they would add hairpieces of contrasting colors to give an extra zing to their hairdo.   

The hairpiece I use most often is a faux 14" ponytail that I purchase for $14 on Amazon. I try to choose one as close to my hair color as possible, but do have a few in bright colors to get that zing the gals of the 1950s were after.  The ponytails usually last me a year or two before I have to replace them as they can get pretty tattered since they are synthetic and I use hairspray to keep my looks in place. One way I get them to last a little longer is by brushing them out with a soft brush and keeping them in a hairnet before I store them. 

Ok, here it is...my ten minute-ish poodle tutorial! 

1. Pull your hair up into a high ponytail near the center of the top of your head. 

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2. Wrap the ponytail around into a small, tight bun around the hair elastic,

securing with a couple of small bobby pins. 

3.  Take the ponytail extension and turn it backwards.  You are going to be putting

it on with the length of the ponytail going over your forehead. I give the extension

a slight brushing to loosen up the curls. 

4.  Attach the ponytail over the small bun and secure with elastic on the ponytail

or with bobby pins. Make sure to tuck the elastic in if the ponytail you use has a longer 

elastic string attached to tighten. 

5.  Begin to form the curls and pin them into place.  Depending on the look you are

going for, these may be tight or loose curls.  The ponytail comes pre-curled, so you

should have an easy time forming them around the crown of your face. Play with the curls

and placement until you like the way it looks. I sometimes have to pin and then re-pin after 

I get a few going to see how they lay all together. 

6.  Once your happy with the desired effect and pins are securely in place, check the

back of your head to make sure everything is smooth and the small bun is completely

hidden.  If all looks great, spray with hairspray and let dry into place. 

​You are good to go!!

​or hot rollers for half the day to get the curls needed for vintage looks, especially this one. 

A little bit about this hairstyle.  The "Poodle" was popularized by Betty Grable in the 1940s and Lucille Ball in the 1950s and received its name due to the close resemblance it has to the top of a French Poodles head! It consists of a pile of curls placed a top the head, sometimes pushed forward forming bangs, other times quickly piled and pinned with adornments added such as flowers (pictured above) or a scarf.

One of the most asked question I get is, "how long does it take to do your hair?" It always makes me giggle as I know what their response will be when I tell them, "about 10 minutes" as my general response.  Of course, they never believe me!  You also may be thinking the same thing to yourself if you saw my hair in person. But, I have a secret...a secret weapon! 

Here is a photo of my hair freshly washed.  Long and completely straight. 

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Hair Au Natural!

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The Fastest Poodle Around!

Beauty

May 19, 2021

Not straightened by an iron...this is au natural.  Bearing that in mind and knowing anything about styling women's hair, you would know I'd have to live in pin curls