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. 😉
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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
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 😉
Aw thanks! Mel did mention the Dana Scully resemblance too but I was worried that it meant I looked 90s, lol!
I love it! This cut and style totally suites you!
Thank you!
Tasha, so cute so cute!! I love your new cut both ways, glad you’re back to being a redhead too!
Thanks Heidi! I’m loving the red. 🙂
OMG, you look like a million bucks!
Thanks! 🙂
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!
Thanks! Good luck with your appointment, too!
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.
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 🙂
Thanks! I know, doesn’t it seem surprising that shorter hair could be more versatile? But in this case I think it’s true!
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
Thanks Marija! It definitely did take some courage and I’m really glad I did it. 🙂
You look absolutely stunning, I was a little unsure when you first suggested it but you really suit it – congrats on being so brave!
Thank you, I did have to screw up my courage to do it!
You look glorious! And so very happy and spunky!
Thank you! 🙂
Tasha!! This hairstyle is perfect on you! I mean seriously. Super sassy and very Marilyn! Love it!
Thanks, Kacy! 🙂
Oh my god, that is just RIDICULOUSLY FLATTERING on you! Nailed it. Perfection.
Thanks, Moe!! I’m getting used to so much volume. 😀
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!
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. 🙂
Wow! Your hair looks amazing! You really suit Marilyn curls 🙂
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!!
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!!!
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.
I love it! It turned out so good.
Major high fives!!! This cut rocks and really, really looks terrific on you!
Happy Thanksgiving celebration wishes!
♥ Jessica
Wowsa! Va-Voom! I love it! The cut and the color together really look good on you!
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.
You look FANTASTIC!! I really like it straight, but curled like that just blows me away!
I like it! You can be sixties Marilyn and fifties Marilyn!
I like those pants too. They came out great!
Absolutely perfect in every way possible.
This hair is PERFECTION.
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!!
#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
I love the new hair Tasha.. Looks great. Think it’s the best yet!!!
Really cute!
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.
Super fun and flattering!
SO CUTE! I love it and the colour is amazing too! va voom!
I love your hair cut, the best one yet. Makes me wish mine was not so darn curly!
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!
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!
Love it: both set and freshly blow-dried!
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!
wow, so beautiful! 🙂
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!
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!
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