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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

New haircut for a ginger Marilyn-inspired look

November 24, 2015 by Tasha 55 Comments

Well, I did it! After talking about it on my blog last week, I got my hair cut over the weekend!

I was going for a much shorter ‘do, and showed my stylist a lot of photos (including some that I’d included in my last post). She’s familiar with vintage hairstyles so I knew she’d have her own ideas for what to do with my hair. What I ended up with is not exactly the quintessential middy cut, but similar. I think my bangs might be slightly longer (which she thought I’d want, in order to do that sweeping front wave), and I have a few more layers from the deep side of my part all around the back to the other side, but it ultimately has that overall kind of U-shape that a lot of vintage haircuts are based on.

This is what it looked like almost immediately after getting cut, a restaurant bathroom selfie. 😉

new haircut

And then here’s a few snapshots I took when we got home the night I got it cut. Pardon the random smears of lipstick, that’s what I get for wiping it off and not looking at myself before taking these right before bed!

haircut1

I didn’t get a good photo of the back, but hopefully with the one below you can kind of see that those shorter layers go across the back, too… well okay, you can barely tell, but just trust me on that one.

layers

What kind of surprised me is that I actually liked the way it looked when my stylist blow dried it! I’m so used to setting my hair and also used to it looking very “meh” or “not me” when not set, that it was a refreshing change of pace feeling like it still looked cute and somewhat retro. The day after I scrunched up a bit more volume with some hairspray (I love L’Oréal Ellnet although I usually use the stinky smelling UV filtered version unless I’m not planning on being in the sun), and felt it had a cute sort of Bouffant Lite look.

The idea that I could actually take a shower, blow dry my hair and be happy with it not set is really freeing, especially when traveling, I have to say, as that’s the time when I get the angriest about my hair (no surprise my big haircut came after a long vacation). Although I’m tempted to see about getting a bonnet dryer or one of those cheapy ones that goes on a hair dryer, for a quick way to dry a set with short hair. I’d never have bothered before as I couldn’t stand the idea of sitting under it so long! Now it would take 1/4 of the time I bet. Tempting! Anyone have one?

Anyway, when I get my color touched up I don’t wash my hair for at least 72 hours, so playing with setting it dry often leads to mixed results. But I thought for fun I’d try a foam/sponge roller set just for the heck of it, even though I had figured ahead of time I’d be more likely to do a wet pin curl set (like Brittany’s Marilyn-inspired pin curl set tutorial) or a hard set, which is using a curling iron to form pin curls that are then pinned in place and left to cool (like this tutorial). But I didn’t want to apply heat to my hair yet and didn’t want to wet it down completely, so I tried a setting pattern with foam rollers just to see what would happen when I woke up. All I did was spritz my hair with some water before and after putting the rollers in, no setting lotion or anything yet.

So you’re basically looking at the results of a dense foam roller set (more than double the amount I’d use for longer hair with a flatter crown), on dirty hair. This was just a quick brush out, and not much attention paid to where the curls were falling. Just a tad of backcoming in the front and some hairspray.

Ummmm the short story is OMG I LOVE IT.

Marilyn-inspired style

I just… I love it! It’s sooo different than what I’m used to on myself. Voluminous, tousled, carefree, and man… really lightweight in comparison to before! And still totally retro.

haircut2

I didn’t take any photos of the setting pattern while I was doing it, plus I definitely need to refine one or two areas, but it was basically about 20 or so pink 1 1/8″ rollers, and another 10 or so 1″ rollers closer towards the nape of my neck where the hair wasn’t long enough for large rollers.

Obviously  I would have gotten more defined curls with either a fresh set or smaller rollers, but I kind of love how this looks, too.

back view

What I love about the results, the cut, the whole shebang is that it’s not polished. I’m trying to take a cue from Marilyn Monroe herself, and she often had anywhere from slightly-to-really tousled locks. For shorter hair, it can work so nicely! It’s a lot different than when my hair is long and set and gets windblown, then I just look… like a windblown mess. If you do vintage hair, you know how it goes! But I like that with this cut, I could make it more sleek if I wanted or let it go carefree, like today.

haircut4

So for now, I have at least one type of set I’m already pumped about, which is fantastic. I think part of why I was able to get such good volume at the top of my head (other than the added shorter layers which I think helped a lot) is styling products already in my hair from when it was cut and blow dried, but I’ve accumulated a small arsenal of new products to try out and see what I think.

I really was ready for a change and I’m so glad I bit the bullet. Once I eventually settle into a routine with it (or a few routines—love that I have more options now!), I’ll probably do an update on styling products and setting techniques.

I can’t wait to keep playing with it!!!

haircut3

outfit details

1950s blouse – a local antique mall
corduroy cigarette pants – made by me but not blogged (Butterick B5895)
belt – Vivien of Holloway
necklace – Luxulite
earrings – Desperate Beatnik
ring – Classic Hardware
Bakelite bangles: misc.
penny loafers – Bass

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Filed Under: Vintage Dibs and Dabs, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: hair setting, haircuts, outfits, vintage hair

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. PinhouseP says

    November 24, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    You’ll just have to excuse me, but that is the most fabulous hair I’ve seen you with in ages!!!!
    I love that tousled Marilyn-look, and in the straight from the salon shot, you look a bit like Dana Scully (who I love!).
    You look perfect 😉

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:27 am

      Aw thanks! Mel did mention the Dana Scully resemblance too but I was worried that it meant I looked 90s, lol!

      Reply
  2. Tonya says

    November 24, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    I love it! This cut and style totally suites you!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:27 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. HeidiMonkey says

    November 24, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    Tasha, so cute so cute!! I love your new cut both ways, glad you’re back to being a redhead too!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:27 am

      Thanks Heidi! I’m loving the red. 🙂

      Reply
  4. elle says

    November 24, 2015 at 4:47 pm

    OMG, you look like a million bucks!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:27 am

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  5. treatsfortoby says

    November 24, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    Wow Tasha, the colour, the style, it’s all just…. perfect!!!!! It’s a fabulous look. I’ve made a booking for my next haircut and you’ve given me great inspiration!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:28 am

      Thanks! Good luck with your appointment, too!

      Reply
      • Lynneferd says

        December 7, 2015 at 7:48 pm

        I really like your new look! It works well with your figure and fashion style. I don’t know if this would work for you. In the old days, I used to wash my hair at night, dry it, and roll it in the rollers and then a quick shake out in the morning and I was ready for the day. I did this every day (oily hair)! This saved me a lot of prime day time minutes and my hair was always looking good.

        Reply
  6. Cate says

    November 25, 2015 at 3:50 am

    I love your new haircut, it really, really suits you! It’s funny how versatile shorter hair can be, I found that when I had mine cut off to a bob. It’s great when sometimes you just don’t feel like making much effort 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Thanks! I know, doesn’t it seem surprising that shorter hair could be more versatile? But in this case I think it’s true!

      Reply
  7. Marija says

    November 25, 2015 at 5:38 am

    Tasha..
    Oh, dear..
    This hairstyle opened up your face to the world. Meaning: it suits you magnificently.
    I know it took some courage to make the cut.. so here’s to you!

    Marija

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Thanks Marija! It definitely did take some courage and I’m really glad I did it. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Michelle says

    November 25, 2015 at 10:11 am

    You look absolutely stunning, I was a little unsure when you first suggested it but you really suit it – congrats on being so brave!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Thank you, I did have to screw up my courage to do it!

      Reply
  9. Diane says

    November 25, 2015 at 10:40 am

    You look glorious! And so very happy and spunky!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Kacy Burchfield says

    November 25, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Tasha!! This hairstyle is perfect on you! I mean seriously. Super sassy and very Marilyn! Love it!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks, Kacy! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Moe says

    November 25, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Oh my god, that is just RIDICULOUSLY FLATTERING on you! Nailed it. Perfection.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks, Moe!! I’m getting used to so much volume. 😀

      Reply
  12. HannahF says

    November 25, 2015 at 12:18 pm

    I was about to get upset and say your hairstyle got MURDERED with the scissors! But that styling is everything! Love it! Maybe some highlights to feature your layers would be good too. I’m in love with it!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      November 25, 2015 at 12:35 pm

      I’m not really sure I understand your “murdered” comment but I’m assuming that means we disagree, as I think it looks nice straight, too, as I said in my post. Although my plan obviously wasn’t to wear it that way often, I like the option. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Kate says

    November 25, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    Wow! Your hair looks amazing! You really suit Marilyn curls 🙂

    Reply
  14. Brittany_VaVoomVintage says

    November 25, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    Tasha! I LOVE it!!! You’re making me want to chop my hair off again! I loved how easy it was to style when I had layers like that. It looks fantastic straight too! I think mine had too many layers. It was very specific and by the diagram so it didn’t look great when straight but I love this!!

    Reply
  15. DelSur says

    November 25, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    I agree with the latest email: you look F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S with this Marilyn setting and you got it to perfection. Well done!!!

    Reply
  16. Sonia says

    November 25, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    I love it, you look fabulous! I got really excited when you said you were going to do this because I have red hair now and was also considering the Marilyn cut but not sure how it would look. Do you think this would work well with a pin curl as well? My hair doesn’t hold a foam roller curl well.

    Reply
  17. Andi says

    November 25, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    I love it! It turned out so good.

    Reply
  18. Jessica Cangiano says

    November 25, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    Major high fives!!! This cut rocks and really, really looks terrific on you!

    Happy Thanksgiving celebration wishes!
    ♥ Jessica

    Reply
  19. Melissa B says

    November 25, 2015 at 11:27 pm

    Wowsa! Va-Voom! I love it! The cut and the color together really look good on you!

    Reply
  20. Landgirl says

    November 26, 2015 at 6:20 am

    That is a great cut. I think this look is so cute on you, it’s great to have a new look you absolutely love.

    Reply
  21. Lisa Suit says

    November 26, 2015 at 7:06 am

    You look FANTASTIC!! I really like it straight, but curled like that just blows me away!

    Reply
  22. Nina says

    November 26, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    I like it! You can be sixties Marilyn and fifties Marilyn!

    Reply
  23. Nina says

    November 26, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    I like those pants too. They came out great!

    Reply
  24. Sarah says

    November 27, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Absolutely perfect in every way possible.

    Reply
  25. Kate says

    November 28, 2015 at 2:19 am

    This hair is PERFECTION.

    Reply
  26. Frances says

    November 28, 2015 at 9:35 am

    it looks AMAZING. I tried to set my hair for a Marilyn-esque style the other evening but I think I have too much length. When I go to get a haircut I might just have to bring your pictures!!

    Reply
  27. bonita says

    November 28, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    #ultimatehairgoals ~ for real! I love the relaxed casual curl style you created. I think yours is the best modern version I’ve seen of this look ~ you could have stepped straight off the beach with Marilyn I think! ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

    Reply
  28. Jessyka says

    November 29, 2015 at 11:53 am

    I love the new hair Tasha.. Looks great. Think it’s the best yet!!!

    Reply
  29. Evie says

    November 29, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Really cute!

    Reply
  30. Jessica says

    November 29, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Looks amazing! I love the ginger color, and the cut is really fun and flattering on you. I just got a similar cut, and I would love to see a tutorial for this if you’re in the mood to do one.

    Reply
  31. jeanine says

    November 30, 2015 at 8:45 am

    Super fun and flattering!

    Reply
  32. Debi says

    December 4, 2015 at 9:51 am

    SO CUTE! I love it and the colour is amazing too! va voom!

    Reply
  33. Tammy says

    December 4, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    I love your hair cut, the best one yet. Makes me wish mine was not so darn curly!

    Reply
  34. Lizzie says

    December 5, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    I know you were going for Marilyn, but I’m kind of seeing Ava Gardner. You can definitely glam this cut up when you want to. Great!

    Reply
  35. Jeanne Marie says

    December 7, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Both versions of the hair are fab (because both Dana Scully and Marilyn are, of course, awesome), and I am loving the neckline on your blouse. Hope all is well! I was doing my Vintage Secret Santa shopping today, so I thought of you!

    Reply
  36. ina says

    December 14, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    Love it: both set and freshly blow-dried!

    Reply
  37. julie says

    December 15, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    I absolutely love the sponge roller style, even better than the blowout. Please give us good instructions on the sponge roller set, I want to try it even with my longer hair. You look awesome, love love love it!

    Reply
  38. Diana says

    December 22, 2015 at 10:54 am

    wow, so beautiful! 🙂

    Reply
  39. Grainne says

    April 11, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    I know this post is a few months old but I do wish you’d post how you set your hair for this style. I would loooove to try to reproduce it. It looks wonderful!

    Reply
  40. Allison says

    January 29, 2017 at 7:40 pm

    This is adorable!!!!! I happened onto your blog looking for setting ideas for my shorter hair (that is almost the same cut you have now) and this is great inspiration! I have to say, I loved the longer dark hair on you, but this is my fave look for you by far! Gorgeous!

    Reply
  41. Emily Ferguson says

    February 22, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    Your hair is looking even better now.if you could find time for a tutorial on how you set I would be ever so grateful

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Nancy Drew and the Clue in the Wrap Dress | By Gum, By Golly says:
    December 15, 2015 at 8:31 am

    […] the way, I’m still super loving my new haircut! Lots of outfit photos with it have made it to Instagram even while I’ve been bad at […]

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