by Ann Leisure
I saw my first real bubble flip in a sepia-tone photograph taken in 1965--my mom's senior class picture. I couldn't help but wonder how she did that to her hair.
I was determined to find out, and along the way, I became obsessed with the hair-dos of yesterday.
If you really want a vintage look, you're going to have to use vintage hairstyling tools. You must invest in a good setting lotion and some curlers you can live with.
Everyone has a roller preference, so find what is economical and works for you. Look for rollers that are easy to pin in place and that allow air to circulate around your hair, so your set will dry quickly.
A good setting lotion is inexpensive and sold just about everywhere. Setting lotion makes your hair more manageable and easier to roll in curlers. It also makes your hair dry faster, which is great if you need glamour in a hurry.
If you can get your hands on a vintage hair dryer-- the kind you find in thrift stores that look like a shower cap stuffed into a round suitcase, you won't regret it. But, you don't really NEED it for these hairstyles. It's just nice to have.
The bubble flip is very simple. Wash your hair. Then, finger setting lotion into your still-damp hair. Brush your hair and divide into sections.
Each section will be rolled into one roller, and should be as wide as the curler and medium in thickness. Don't try to bunch too much hair into one roller, because your do will be a disaster.
The arrows on the picture to the left show you which way the rollers are supposed to face. Direction is everything.
Around your face, the rollers should be curled down toward your ears. The hair on the top of your head should be rolled toward one ear-- it'll determine how the hair will frame your face. Curlers in the back are curled down. Roll the bottom of your hair up, as shown.
After your hair is rolled, let your set dry completely. Use a hair dryer if you're in a hurry. Unroll and carefully brush into place. Spray with a maximum hold hair spray.
Now go out and watuse!
