by Candice DeVille | Nov 24, 2014 | Hair
Last Thursday I posted an image on my Facebook page of my Mother and I at Christmas when I was a child. I think I must have been about three years old and I had my signature heavy fringe hairstyle. In Australia we call those bits you cut at the front of your hair “Fringes” not “Bangs”, but for the sake of this global audience I’ve included both terms.
Anyway, throughout most of my childhood I sported this look, and I wasn’t until I was sixteen that I grew them out, preferring the Morticia Addams look. I cut them in once again at about nineteen when I desperately wanted a Pulp Fiction hair cut, (not a wise choice for someone with thick naturally curly hair), and then again when I was pregnant with baby number one. Those two most recent time I came to the conclusion that it just wasn’t for me, but I know realise that other factors were at play in my dislike of the look. (The lack of a straightening iron and a very puffy face). So I decided to play around again last week.
About twelve months ago, I popped out to the shops to make the purchase of a synthetic (and therefore inexpensive) set of faux bangs. For $14 I purchased my jet black fringe and headed home to see what I could do with it.
Out of the packet they are very long, generally with an inverted ‘U’ shape. Never wear them straight out of the packet. Instead the best way to get a feel for what you want is to try them on.
Try different positions for the base, making sure it is back far enough to secure properly into your own hair; I like to secure mine right at the top. Then have a bit of a play with it uncut, to determine the ideal length for your face. Now while I advise seeing a hairdresser to do the next bits, this is something that, as a hairstylist, I did myself.
Once I had tied my own hair securely out of the way so there was no chance of accidentally cutting any stray pieces, I securely clipped the fringe into the position I wanted the base to start. Then I cut in the ‘U’ shape I wanted. However, all these fringe (or bang) pieces are very flat, not giving the bounce I’d like. Being synthetic, they don’t advise heat styling, but I was prepared to risk my $14 to test this out for you.
Using my curling wand set to the low temperature of 115 degrees celcius, I curled the piece to get just enough lift and bounce. I allowed plenty of time for the heat to penetrate and handled it with care.
The overall results are fantastic! In fact I’ve been so happy with how these turned out, looking natural and bouncy, I’m very tempted to cut it into my real hair! Still, I like the versatility of having my hair in this long midi as it makes it better for creating tutorials for you.
But what do you think, like it?
And for those who asked on social media, heck yes faux bangs are a legit thing! Have fun with your hair!
by Candice DeVille | Oct 21, 2014 | 1950, competitions, photographer
A few months ago, the team at Thread Den here in Melbourne ran a sewing challenge. The idea was to create your own outfit inspired by Grace Kelly, in recognition of the movie’s release.
As an enthusiastic sewer myself (more enthusiasm, less doing), I knew just how challenging this competition was going to be, so I offered to sponsor a prize for the winner.
When Dani from Thread Den sent me the snap shots of Adele and her creation, I was just stunned. Not only was her gown the most beautiful creation, she was even a blonde Grace Kelly look alike!
Through our vintage hair and makeup salon here in Melbourne, I offered to spend a day with the winner, transforming her into a classic hollywood vision. After all the incredible effort these ladies had gone to creating their masterpieces, I wanted to capture and share the winning dress with you too.
Adele and I chatted away about our families, our shared loved of classic films and the intoxicating detail of costume. There is the most wonderful sense of understanding you find almost immediately through a shared love of vintage. Comparing childhoods, we were amazed and amused to find out how much we had in common; from the books we read to the imagination games we played. I think perhaps that all my vintage loving friends, yourself included, may fall under these same spells.
A huge thank you goes to my wonderful friend Helen McLean Photography and her trained eye for vintage glamour. Helen met Adele and myself in the salon, were we were able to capture these stunning images.
It was such a pleasure spending the day with Adele. A far cry from her usual stay at home mum attire, she thoroughly enjoyed her time playing old hollywood with us, and I think she looks absolutely born to it!
If you fancy spending a day with Helen and I creating images like this, simply drop her a line via her website. And if you’re in Melbourne, you can always book in for a private lesson with me in the salon or book to join our Beautiful Day workshop on November 15th.
by Candice DeVille | Oct 7, 2013 | Beauty Advice & Tips, Hair, watch me
Creating vintage hairstyles with naturally curly hair is easier than you think.
I’m always surprised when I have clients with naturally curly hair, that they have so little idea what to do with it. Then I remind myself; I used to have hair like this when I was younger and had just as much frustration. I would iron it, gel it, slick it and go to bed wearing a hat, all in the hopes of waking up with perfect locks. It wasn’t until I began to learn the secrets of vintage hair styling that I realised just how lucky I was to have naturally curly hair!
In today’s episode of Ask The Editor, we look at a viewers question in regard to vintage hairstyling for naturally curly hair.
Everyone has varying opinions on this topic, but in my experience with hundreds of clients over the years, I can comfortably say that yes, there are simple and fast ways to create vintage hairstyles with naturally curly hair.
If you have curly hair and can add some of your own feedback for us, please join the conversation!
Over the week I’ve also had a bunch of questions about the scarf I use when setting my hair, so I’ve also included some simple to follow instructions on the DIY headscarf you saw me wearing here- Middy Haircut and Setting tutorial.
Making your own scarves is very simple and rewarding. It’s a very quick and inexpensive way to change up an outfit and hide a multitude of hair sins.
If you have more tips for Mona D on how to wear her curly hair in a vintage style, make sure to add your comments to the video where everyone can see them.
by Candice DeVille | Oct 1, 2013 | 1940, 1950, 1960, Hair, Tutorials-Video, watch me
There is so much talk on the vintage pages of the internet about “what is the perfect hair cut for vintage“? While there is no single answer, given we all have preferences for different eras, different hair types and different lifestyles; the most often recommended style is The Middy Cut. There are original cutting diagrams floating around of these, and so many of you will have already taken these to your hairdressers, often with disappointing results. You can read more in last week’s post about my new 1950’s Middy hair cut here.
In the wake of showing you those photos and telling my story, I’ve received a flood of messages from ladies wanting to get the same hair cut. I have sent my hairdressers details to a number of you in Melbourne, but it must come with a word of warning. This is NOT a wash and wear hair cut. You must be committed to styling it every day. This isn’t necessarily time consuming, but you need to have the skills to do it. In fact, it takes me about ten minutes each evening to roll this up, then about five or less in the morning to style it. And so, today’s tutorial is designed to help set you on the right path and show you how I style my Middy Cut with a simple pin curl set.
This set is all rolled in a downwards direction from the centre part and takes about 2-3 hours to set, or even better, can be done over night. The key to this style is knowing how to do a good comb out. You’ll see how with the same pin curl set I’ve achieved quite a variety of looks, from the soft and sexy, to the sleek and classic.
Please feel free to ask me comments on the video (so everyone can benefit from seeing the answers there) and make sure to share this tutorial as it is one of the keys to success in understanding why Middy Cuts and vintage styling isn’t just a one step solution.
by Candice DeVille | Sep 16, 2013 | 1940, 1950, CDV Vintage Salon, daily outfit, Hair
Since 1997 I have been trying to get this hair cut. Like many of you I have all kinds of pictures, illustrations and even original cutting diagrams. So the questions is, after such a very long time, why have I never been able to get this cut to happen correctly?
Although I’ve had some fabulous hairdressers over the years, I now understand what the difference is. It is all in the training. The modern hairdressing schools teach a very different style of cutting than was taught in years past. There is a myth out there that hairdressers all know how to do the same thing, and nothing could be farther from the truth. They all have different skills and different specialties.
For instance, the hair styling that I provide in my Melbourne based Vintage Hair and Makeup company, is far more complex and time consuming than what most hairdressers have ever tackled. It it what I live and breath, as well as requiring a very different skill set than those skilled colourists for instance. But I don’t cut, I don’t colour.
Last week I was recommended to a career hairdresser (Maggie Timms) who has had over 40 years experience and was taught the Vidal Sasson way of precision cutting. She has an excellent understanding of the finished styling I want to achieve, and although this cut isn’t asked for by her day to day client, the core requirement of specialty precision cutting remains. In no time at all, (and without any diagrams needed), she snipped away and created my 6inch middy hair cut.
It is perfection.
Although my regular colourist is also an excellent cutter, the difference between the close approximation of a 1940s or 1950s style hair cut I usually sport and this new cut, has made an incomparable difference. How can I tell? This cut looks perfect set or unset, it brushes out into so many different styles with the one set, and it has cut my rolling time by more than half.
In a nutshell, if you’re looking for the key to a successful Middy Cut, it isn’t in bringing pictures and diagrams, but in finding a long term hairdresser experienced in precision cutting.
What do you think?
What are the biggest problems you have when trying to explain your hair cut requests?
