Curls and Frizz

Curlz and Frizzing were very popular in Elizabethan times and they have kept their popularity through the centuries. These are examples of some of the hairstyles you can create using these techniques.

get holistic health. (2014). How to tame frizzy hair. Available: http://www.getholistichealth.com/20511/how-to-tame-frizzy-hair/. Last accessed 4th December 2014.

This style really reminds me of Elizabeth because of the texture and colour of the hair. Elizabeth had red hair and she set the trend which many Elizabethan women copied. This frizzy, curly texture also reminds me of Elizabeth and was popular at the time. It looks like the frizzing technique could have been used to create this style. 

The curls and the way the hair has been tucked underneath reminds me of the Elizabethan period. These types of curls could of been used in Elizabethan times as decoration over a padded style, or to add texture.

We practiced the Curling and Frizzing techniques in class. I was already familiar with using a curling tong but the frizzing technique was new to me. These are the techniques we learned:

CRIMPING AND CURLING:

Curling is an essential technique to creating a variety of hairstyles and crimping works well for adding texture and volume and holding in backcombing. 

CURLING:

NEEDED: 

Tail Comb

Clips

Curler

METHOD:

. Divide the hair into small sections 

. Grip the hair in the clamp at the bottom of the tong

. roll the tong towards the head and hold for a few seconds. 

. When releasing the curl, gently clamp and release the clip to loosely shake out the curl so as not to pull it out of shape. 

CRIMPING:

NEEDED: 

Tail Comb

Clips

Crimper

METHOD:

.Section the Hair

. Whilst combing through, clamp the crimping iron and slowly move down the hair

. Repeat the process all round the head 

FRIZZING:

A technique where the hair is wrapped around a Geisha pin and heat is used to secure the crimp in place. 

NEEDED:

Geisha Pins

Straighteners

Tail Comb

METHOD:

1. Place the hook of your Geisha Pin at the route of the hair. 
2. Start to wrap the hair in a figure of eight shape around the pin until the pin is fully covered by hair.
3. Take your straighteners and hold down over the clip to secure the shape.
4. Remove the pin and you will be left with a tight zig zag shape. you can leave the hair like this, or for a big frizzy effect, tease the hair out. 

                             

                                             

This technique once pulled out really reminds of afro hair. It also really thickens the hair, adding more texture than crimping, so is great for adding a huge amount of volume for padded styles.

Elizabethan Hairstyles Part 2

Below are some examples of Elizabethan Hairstyles and decorations seen in classic portraits from the time. The Elizabethans used Pearls, Jewels and Ribbons to decorate their hair. They were often attached to a head dress or coifs. 

I have found some contemporary images that use similar accessories. Pearls are now very common in bridal hairstyles. I find this interesting as pearls were a sign of purity and virginity in Elizabethan times, which would link in to the idea that in the Christian religion brides are meant to be virgins on their wedding day. 

hair style trends for. (2014). 6 Bridal hairstyles. Available: http://hairstyletrendsfor.com/4947/6-bridal-hairstyles-from-backstage.html. Last accessed 5th December 2014.

This Picture is very contemporary as it uses pearls on a hair/head chain. These chains have some foreign influences and are often seen in Indian Weddings but it is unusual to see one featuring pearls. 

bootic.com. (2014). chain accessory . Available: http://static.bootic.com/_pictures/1392221/hair-chain-accessory-gold-chain-with-pearls-and-crystal-jh1004_1.jpg. Last accessed 5th decemeber 2014.

This next image really reminds me of the 'Crown' type accessories, as seen in picture number 2. 

The roses on this head piece remind me of the Elizabethan time and Elizabeth would hold or wear a red rose, as a sign of the tudor dynasty. The spikes in this headers remind me of the pointed head pieces often worn, and I feel the shape of the headpiece is very reminiscent of the heart shape of Elizabethan hair. 

Elizabethan Era . (2014). Elizabethan Hair. Available: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-hair-styles.htm. Last accessed 29th November 2014.

Plaits and Buns

Plaits and buns were very commonly used in the Elizabethan times, and still are today. in the 15th Century, ribbons and strings of pearls were often threaded through plaits. This is still a popular trend in modern times, but the current fashion is to accessorise with strings of flowers through the hair. 

I love how wearable this look above is, but still has a connection to Elizabethan Hair.

Another big difference is in the texture of the hair. In Elizabethan times the trend was rough looking curly, or frizzy hair. This added a lot of texture to hairstyles at the time, and added thickness to plaits and buns. Sleek, straight hair or natural waves are now far more in fashion, which gives styles which would usually appear quite similar to Elizabethan styles a modern look.

We learned in class how to create different types of plait and buns.

PLAITS:

In todays lesson we learned three different types of plait. I was already familiar with the classic plait, but the french plait and fishtail plait were new to me. 

FISHTAIL PLAIT: 

METHOD:

. Divide the hair into 3 sections

. Bring the outside strand from the left, over the other two strands.

.Repeat the process with the strand on the right hand side

.Continue this until a plait is formed, it will take a bit longer until you can see the shape of the plait with a fishtail but eventually the shape should form.  

FRENCH PLAIT:

NEEDED:

Sectioning clips

Brush

Tail Comb

METHOD:

. Divide the hair into 3 sections

. Plait the hair, but each time you cross the hair over, take a piece from the side, so as you plait the plait becomes tight to the head.

. When you run out of hair, continue to plait normally to finish off.

BUNS:

It is very useful to be able to create a bun without the help of a donut. 

METHOD:

1. Brush through the hair
2. Pull the hair back into a ponytail and secure with a tie
3. Divide the ponytail into four equal sections. 
4. Backcomb the underside of one of the sections
5. Roll the section up to create one quarter of the bun, pin in place.
6. Repeat with the other sections.
7. Use Geisha Pins to help create a rounded shape, using the pins to pull the bun together.