30's hair cut for a modern gal?

August 5, 2013 3:54 PM

I've seen some great advice on hair cuts here on MeFi and I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm performer and occasionally get the opportunity to get all decked out 1920's/30's style. I really love doing this and would like to do it more frequently but one of the hardest aspects is getting the hair right. I'm going to need a trim soon, can you help me instruct my hairstylist on a style that will be easy to maintain on a daily basis but will allow for the period styling when the need occurs?

Details about my hair:
- I'm not sure what cut I have usually but it's pretty short, like a pixie cut. It's pretty fine, so it tends to get limp quickly. It's slightly wavey on it's own. When I last had it fingerwaved back in March the stylist doing it (not my regular stylist) said that the layers were making it tough, so since then I've been trying to grow them out but it's looking pretty awful these days, even after I had it trimmed 6 weeks ago.

As far as what length would work this pic is about the right length as far as what I've had in the past.

Right now I feel like I've got a sloppy day to day look so that I can do the vintage style every now and then, and I'd like to look good everyday. Maybe a bob would work? I think I may need to give my stylist more specific instructions, can you give me some style/cut names I can share with her? Thanks!

posted by snowymorninblues to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Best answer: A-line bob so that the longer front can be finger-waved and still be in-line with the back length (exactly like the pic you have). No layers.
posted by quince at 4:00 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Best answer: you want the wedge - basically a bob that is shorter in the back than the front - very face flattering, and with a few finger waves at the front would look wonderfully art deco.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:23 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

How about this style? Or this one?
posted by bearwife at 4:24 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Ooh if you already have a pixie I loooove bearwife's #2. A lot.
posted by bebrave! at 4:56 PM on August 5, 2013

Best answer: the trick for styling a marcel look on a cut that is more pixie than bob if the hair does not have a cooperative wave is this: make at least two diagonalish horizontal rows of pin curls from the front to back on each side. the top row should be tails forward, next row tails back, and so on alternating. When the curls dry, comb through and you should have something like that second photo. just thought i'd mention that, in case layers are a better daily wear solution than a bob for you.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 5:55 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to ask for a-line or wedge bob and see where that gets us. Bearwife, I love the Louise Brooks pic, have always thought it would be awesome to pull that off, but it may be too severe for me at this point in my life. Thanks Rube for the marcel curl tips. Right now I'm dependent on a stylist doing my hair, but I've been having trouble finding people willing to do it - I'm hoping to learn to do it myself.
posted by snowymorninblues at 7:27 PM on August 5, 2013

Best answer: I have a wedge so that I can play up this aesthetic when I like, and it works beautifully. I also have fine hair that's a little bit on the thick side. I do mousse after washing in the morning, comb through and let it air-dry (not necessary, I'm just lazy), then fluff up and spray. On days 2-4 of not washing, I have all the volume I could possibly want (for the first time in my life). I finger-wave it for special occasions and sleep in pin curls when I want a slightly earlier jazz baby sort of look. Or tighter pin curls plus teasing plus aggressive finger combing for a full-on Clara Bow-fro.
posted by grar at 7:35 PM on August 5, 2013