Historical Hair

[bethzylla]

Thinking back on my early costume exploits, it's clear to me that my biggest challenge (and deficiency) was appropriately styled hair.  I had big ideas, but no clue how to execute them.  At that time, the internet was still a baby and the vast amount of resources available to today's costumers was nothing but a whisper of a dream.  So I stumbled along, doing the best I could with my own hair (which really left a lot to be desired.)  Fast forward a decade and some, and I've got my hands on Kendra's 18th Century Hair and Wig Styling book, not to mention an entire plastic tub of false hair, wigs, and styling accessories.  Oh, how far things have come!

At the party last weekend, I did something that might border on taboo (it's debatable.)  I took off my hat and wig while I was still at the event.  I've got lots of excuses...it was getting late, I was tired from a full day of fun that was preceded by not enough sleep, and I think all my bobby pins and my hat pin had conspired to shift just enough that they were all poking my scalp.  So...I just took them off!  There's even photographic evidence of my breach of conduct:

A little while before, just for reference:




Luckily I was surrounded by friends who found it all very amusing (or at least tolerable.)  A few new acquaintances were shocked that the whole thing was a wig.  My own hair, which is pretty finely textured and waist length, would never behave long enough to do anything remotely like this!  I once wore just the wig itself without the long curls and tried to do those curls with my hair.  Nope!  It was sad and stringy before I even got to the event.  Having people think the wig was my real hair made me feel like I must be doing something right.  And really, it's about time!  This particular wig has gone through at least 4 transformations/tweaks to get to this point.  Kendra's book should make my next one go a LOT smoother!

Looking at those pics just makes me chuckle.  It's a reminder that no matter how great your costume is, the hair and hat that you wear (or don't wear) with it can make ALL the difference.

Comments

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

I loved it when you did that. So funny!!! I always want to yank mine off before the event is over too.

We should have a wig styling party sometime! After seeing Kendra's book, I'm itching to restyle one of my older wigs into that Georgiana 'do.

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way sometimes!

I would LOVE to have a styling party! I'm dying to make some buckles (I know what to call those rolled curls now!) and create a high styled wig for them.

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

Let's do it! I'll be happy to host it at my house too unless we get a better offer. If we want to get together in the next few weeks, we could even do it on a weekday, but weekends in September work well too. I'll start asking around and see if anybody else is interested.

You know, I never had much interest in 1770s styles until this book came out, but now I'm considering changing my picnic plans just so I can make one of the high hair wigs!

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

That sounds great! I've got a family vacation in September (probably the 8th-18th, with my in-laws staying with us a few days before and after) so anytime in August works better for me. I'm good for weekdays or weekends. Oooh, I'm excited now!

[starlightmasque.livejournal.com]

You're adorable! The wig was fantastic!

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

Ha! I usually get mine off the minute the event is over. Very flattering wig on you btw

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

I'm used to waiting until I get home, but this time I just couldn't!

[llyrafantasyfae.livejournal.com]

It really is a fabulous wig. I assumed it was a wig simply because the thought of combing that out again terrifies me and I assume most people. But if you said it was your hair I wouldn't second guess you.

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

My hair would never be the same after combing out those teased curls (if I could even get them all combed out!) I know Lyze Lynch of The Ornamented Being fame wore her real hair in that style to a party in Colonial Williamsburg, then had to trim a few inches of hair off when it wouldn't all comb out. That would make me VERY unhappy, so I've crossed it off the list of possibilities.

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

I've always thought your hairstyles look great with your costumes!

Nor do I blame you for taking it off. Sometimes you just can't anymore! ;-)

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I was definitely into can't-take-it-anymore territory. :)