Is That Your Real Hair?

Dear Reader,
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Yes, the above title is something I hear quite a lot when it comes to my hair when it's pin curled. If you've been following me for a while you know that I desire to share the dying art of pin curls, and that I love a good retro wet set.  Fortunately or unfortunately, I was blessed with a lot of hair that is extremely healthy and stick straight. None of those things are really conducive to wet sets, but I'm stubborn and I make my hair conform to my whims.

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Creating the distinctive U-shape of the middy haircut.

But, how did I get there? It's only fair to tell you that it's taken me seven years to get my sets to where they are today. It took a lot of work, a lot of patience (which is not my virtue), and tenacity. I also would not be here today without the help of my amazing stylist, Dez. She has worked with me every step of the way to help me achieve my #hairgoals. ​

When I started, I hadn't a clue where to really begin. One of the first resource books I acquired was Daniela Turudich's 1940's Hairstyles. Talk about a scare! Setting patterns? Specialized hair cuts and hair cutting diagrams? Brush outs? What was this sorcery? Stubbornness prevailed and I set to work with some help from a few people (like Dez).

The best part about having Dez as my stylist? She knew exactly what the sorcery meant.​​ We usually talk about a new (to me) technique or something I'm curious to try at each hair appointment. I'm always learning and always striving to make my sets better.

We also have things pretty much down to a system. She cuts my hair in a modified 1940s haircut: the middy. She usually uses a razor rather than scissors, and modifies it with layers rather than a blunt cut so if I don't feel like setting it, I don't look like I have a bad mullet.  It is also not uncommon for her to take out a ton of weight to make it easier for the curl to hold.  It has made all the difference!

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Want to see a horror story set? This was early on. The curls are squashed and barely hanging onto life.  You can see the massive amounts of hair that weighed the whole thing down. I'll guarantee that shortly after the Honor Flight was finished that set fell. I've at least learned now that should my set fail me (for example if it's still wet or for some reason the curl didn't take), I can restyle it with a snood, put it up in a poodle-do a la Betty Grable, or create a back roll. While I force my hair to do as I want, I also am flexible enough to listen to what direction it wants to go.  And working with it rather than against it usually results in an awesome brush out. Clear as mud?

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By contrast, this is what seven years of hard work and practice (and the right hair cut that doesn't pull out the curl) looks like.

I can say I feel much more at ease and accomplished with wet sets. And that book by Daniela Turudich? It has become one of my greatest resources because the sorcery has been unlocked. Wet sets will always be known to me as "pin curl adventures," but now I can sit back and enjoy the ride a bit more.

Have you tried pin curls or did you wear them daily growing up? What was your biggest challenge and what did you find was the most useful tip to help you achieve a great set? Leave me a comment below. I'd love to hear.

Till next time. I'll be seeing you!
~Molly

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