Backcombing: It looks great but what will it do to my hair?

One of my lovely Tumblr followers difference-is-gr8 asked me for some advice about backcombing (or teasing). Though it does look fabulous, can give you dollies a really authentic 60's look as well as open up a whole new world of brilliant hairstyles there are some realities about it that aren't what you'd hope for. Unfortunately you could almost call this a situation where you can't have your cake and eat it too. 

Yes, frequent backcombing can damage your hair. Dragging the comb backwards against the hair weakens it, making it brittle. Eventually the hairs will weaken to the point where there is frequent breakage. And of course, all of you dollies who have tried it will know that backcombing can create A LOT of knots in your hair, especially near the root where they can be very difficult to remove. Trying to untangle this nest of nasty knots weakens, breaks and pulls hairs out. Frequent application of hairspray, which most often goes hand in hand with backcombing, also has its disadvantages. It works to dry your hair out and clump it together, making it difficult to comb out. This also creates knots which as mentioned previously damage hair.

However, if you care for you hair properly you can reduce the damage that backcombing (and hair spray) can cause. For starters, never never NEVER go to bed or hop in the shower (unless you're wearing a shower cap) without combing it out first. Though a lot of girls would leave their teasing in for a few days back in the 60's by wearing a snood or curler cap to bed, I would not recommend it. When brushing out the knots I personally find it easier as well as less painful to use a paddle brush with beads on the end of the bristles. Believe it or not, much more effective than trying to use a comb. Whilst in the process of backcombing try and use gentle strokes rather than big, forceful strokes that travel through large portions of hair at a time. Though this will take longer, it will not damage your hair as much and it will also make the backcombing appear neater.

If you have worn hairspray that day or night, make sure that you wash it at as soon as you get the opportunity to do so with a good conditioner to help strengthen your hair. Investing in a better quality hairspray can also help protect your hair.

Another way to help reduce damage caused by backcombing is of course to not do it so much. Have a look at some other types of hairstyles that were present within the 60's. There is so much out there. Take inspiration from your favourite 60's dolly. Though if you want that height that backcombing so fabulously creates, there are alternative ways of achieving it. What they call "Quiff Combs" are now available in some hair and accessory stores. I personally feel these don't work for me. But they could for you! There are other methods where you create a  bun at the upper back of your head and cover it with hair from the top of your head and fastening it at the back with pins.

"Quiff Comb"

Images (1. 2.)

Dynel Dolly

I thought that I might just make a quick post of a few pictures from the 1967 photo shoot of the lovely Twiggy wearing a long Dynel hair piece as she poses in a variety of cute hand knitted outfits.

In the later 1960's in order to assist in gaining height in beehive and bouffant hairstyles, many women wore Dynel hairpieces. Dynel was a synthetic hair that was originally used for Barbie Dolls. The product could be bought from large department stores and there it would be dyed to accurately match the buyer's hair colour. It would then be pinned to the woman's head in a way that it would appear as natural hair. It could be disguised by braiding it, hiding the pins with strands of natural hair wrapped around them, or by using a pretty head band or ribbon, as Twiggy has done so for this photo shoot. 

Dynel was also used to make faux fur in the 1960's.  It can be seen used in many vintage coats and handbags.

New 'Do

Outfit:

- New 'do

- Black singlet top

- Red 60's inspired mod skirt

- Black tights (that have been in the presence of Ringo Starr might I add)

- Black block-heeled Mary-Janes
- Vintage white purse

Though this may sound quite unbelievable, today I got my first ever professional haircut. 

All my life I have had my hair cut by family members, or have merely just cut it myself. I achieved this through a process of scrupulously studying the fringes of Marianne Faithfull, Pattie Boyd (and Brian Jones) and copying them to the best of my ability. So, this was a big thing for me! For the past year I have let my hair grow, and grow, and grow. Including my beloved fringe, until I no longer had one! At last I decided it was time to get the old 60's 'do back again. So. In I took my picture of Marianne and the lovely lady did her best to replicate it.

Please do excuse the dreadful quality of my picture. You see, in the past year I have also bought my first laptop, which I have christened Lovely Rita. We seem to get along alright, but the inbuilt camera isn't too keen to become too well acquainted with me yet.

Also today, on my way to the hairdressers, by chance I came across a Car Boot Sale. Fantastic! Looking rather out of place on one of the clothing racks was a big, black, beautiful 50's style petticoat. I have been looking for one that I can afford to buy for a very long time to wear under my 50's style dresses. I cautiously asked the woman at the stall how much it was. $2.00. Lucky me.

Moving on I found one of the most beautiful pairs of shoes that I have ever seen. Bright red, original 60's mod style and with a big gold buckle on them, I had to have them. But alas they were the tiniest bit to tight for my tootsies. You can imagine how disappointed I was. Though the owner found out that I collected 1960's vintage she was kind enough to let me have them for free to add to my collection. 

What do you think? Should I sell them?

(Don't mind the price stickers. I couldn't get them off.)

"Long, Long, Long"

In the words of George Harrison, it's been a long, long, long time.

For a year now, my blog has been quite unactive. And there is much reason for this. In the time that I've been gone much has occurred. I became partnered. I turned 21. I moved home...twice. I now have my own unit. I've begun a new degree at University. I went on three big trips to places that I've never been before, and I was lucky enough to see Ringo Starr live in concert.

The reason why I am now back dollies? At last, I have access to the Internet again. And this means that The Carnabetian Army still marches on. I shall be making posts much more frequently, and I hope to hear from you all in time!