new thread
HI I am a 40 yr. old male with hair that is about 3" past my shoulders. I have been getting tight perms for the past 20 yrs. I have only had my hair set once. This was about a week before my first perm. I made arrangements to have my hair set on perm rods to see what I would look like. It was a very nice experience. There was only me and my hairdresser in the salon at the time. She was very nice and told me everything that she was going to do. As I must say I was happy with the resluts.My hair was down to the middle of my back before the set. After it was a nice tight curl. And was only an inch past my shoulders. Since that day I knew that I would forever curl my hair and keep it long and full.
But now I am looking for a new do. I still love the curl and the length that I have. When my hair is wet it down to the middle of my back. I get a perm about every 4 months in a piggy back fashion because of the length of my hair. I would like to maybe try having it set and have a nice picture perfect do with all the hair in place with nice defined and placed curls. Something that looks like it was set and combed out. Or maybe a nice updo with all my hair pulled up and placed on top of my head. I am not looking for a pony tail type do. But something that is very intricate.MAybe some nice barrel curls and all the hair in the right place. Any input at all would be greatly appreciated. Pics would be even better. Thanks
I know most folks, even most people who consider themselves "openminded" about hair will consider your post to be "over the top"
I think the idea is great.
When I had more hair, I used a curling iron daily for a couple of years, and probably went through 2 or 3 cases of hairspray to keep my bob "just so"
There used to be tons of updo photos to choose from at Rollermania. That site no longer exists. There is a site called Beauty Shop Archives that has some. (or maybe shop is spelled shoppe, but I don't know the url.) A site called Smile and Style isn't bad either, again I don't have the url available now, but it's a geocities site.
Some of he hair-interest clubs on Yahoo like Wet Set Salon have pics of guys with updos.
One retired fellow, who calls himself Catherine for web purposes, has a beautiful full head of snow white shoulder length hair. He seems to get it done by a salon every week. He has posted pics of himself in everything from really intricate updos to classic 50's teased flips.
He includes work-in-progress pics, those beautiful 'dos aren't wigs!
Have fun,
Wish I still had the hair for it!
David
I have long hair and like to wear my hair in various ways. I also like updos but haven't tried many.
One of my styles is a French braid down the center of my head.
Another is to French braid from the bottom up. Then at the crown pull all the remaining hair together in a pony tail. This is braided. It then can either hang down or be wound around for a braided bun.
I've worn my hair in a French twist.
I've worn a bun made by creating a high pony tail, then winding the hair around the stem of the pony tail.
My stylist has tried lots of braids on me. She has a braiding book. It was fun to try different things.
I'm still searching for more things. I Like intricate things as you do.
I'm going to my hairdresser this Thursday, but haven't yet decided what to try this time.
John
John
You seem to be on the way to some real elaborate up'do's. Have you tried an upsweep? Sweep it up to the crown, pin it around the head, then make a number of curls and pin those in place at the top of the head.
The French Roll/Twist that you mention is a good choice....hell, its fantastic. Nice tight feeling with pins till hell wouldn't have 'em. Can be decorated in many ways.
You could also try a Banana Comb Upsweep. Put the hair into a simple banana comb. Then form some curls with the free hair and pin them to the head until you have covered the banana comb. Very elegant.
You can also do a lot with Pollyannas. Thats the half in ponytail, half left down that you see frequently. With the ponytail you cab braid and make into a bun. You can also make a few barrel curls. The botton hair should be given some curl at the ends.
Shell curls, rolls and other structures can be tried with an up'do.
Don't be afraid to try curling that mop either. Ringlets, waves, crimps, rik-rak waves can all be put into straight hair.
Doing the hair "up" is a step up from simple braids or curls. People will definitely know that pins are involved. THAT is the big step up. You will probably feel self-conscious at first. But if the do is well executed you will get away with it. What is bad is when you see a poor do, done half-heartedly by a guilt-ridden subject. People will then see that you are ambivalent. But show them that you had it done professionally and they just assume that you are a man who knows what he is doing.
Let me know how you make out.
Keep on rolling, braiding and pinning
Gayle
Mike
I am a middle age man who was finally able to grow his hair to mid back length a few years ago. Its still that long. Even when it was shorter I had been setting it since I was 13. I enjoy roller sets, pin-curls and anything else. When it got longer I then started French braiding it. That was also great but eventually it was time for something a bit more daring. So I tried a French Roll. Complete with rolled and teased hair, 28 bobby pins and 19 "invisible" hair pins. I did this for a symphony concert, complete with tux. As you might guess my heart was in my throat for a while, but I figured that no one would hassle me at a place like the symphony. I was right. I'm sure I was rubber-necked a lot but my female consort thought it was great.
I since have worn the French Roll in everyday activities. I am still surprised at how little reaction it gets. Just act normal, not embarrassed or guilt-ridden and you will pull it off. Using pins in a style seems to be a major hurdle for us in getting the rest of the world to accept up'do's for men. But if you only wear it to accepting places, you will not get hassled and will soon be comfortable with the idea. I am now even able to sit in a restaurant and re-place a bobby pin in public. Last New Year's Eve I had gotten comfortable enough to pin in some small rhinestones along the Roll cleavage. It went over great. Once friends got used to the idea of me pinning up my hair daily, the rhinestones were easier to accept. At least on New Year's Eve.
I have also tried even more elaborate up'do's that you are contemplating. For a recent wedding I had some barrel curls pinned on top of a slightly bouffant upsweep, complete with spiral curled tendrils and small glitter sparkes sprayed onto the hair. I again had my stylist put in some rhinestones along the edge of the upsweep. Needless to say this was quite a showstopper but my friends had now come to expect this from me so I did OK.
So if you want to try something like this go ahead. Just remember that you can't wear it everywhere. There are places you can't go. But if you stick to fancy restaurants, theatres, private parties, bohemian parts ot town, bookshops, librairies, museums, art galleries, weddings etc. you will be not only tolerated but perhaps even cheered.
As with all such gender-bending the prime lady in your life, especially if you are younger, may not go for it. But the more casual contacts (with less committment) will be very curious. Few will be really anti.
For thos days when you don't want to put it "up" how about some good old fashioned ringlets, tight and well defined. These are also a show stopper. Nobody will confuse them with natural hair. Hell, you can even incorporate them in an up'do.
Unfortunately I have no pictures but I will try to remedy that in future as I get used to this internet thing. Meanwhile, you can try any style you want. It may help to get there gradually to build up the courage (I would have tried riding a Brahma bull sooner that putting those first pins into a style worn in public). Perhaps you could start with using a couple of bobby pins to hold your hair to the sides of your head, more for practicality than show. Learn to get comfortable with that. People will stop noticing very quickly. Then go a little further. Try some small barrettes. Then try a high ponytail. Then your simple bun placed on top. Let yourself and others get used to this. Then try an elaborate up'do on some special occasion or holiday. Then you're there!
So let me know how you do. I am trying to share my hair knowledge and experience and be the "male up'do advocate" so I like to see how you do. Good luck with your hair.
Keep on rolling, braiding and pinning. And keep it UP.
Yours truly
"Gayle"
HI I am a 40 yr. old male with hair that is about 3" past my shoulders. I have been getting tight perms for the past 20 yrs. I have only had my hair set once. This was about a week before my first perm. I made arrangements to have my hair set on perm rods to see what I would look like. It was a very nice experience. There was only me and my hairdresser in the salon at the time. She was very nice and told me everything that she was going to do. As I must say I was happy with the resluts.My hair was down to the middle of my back before the set. After it was a nice tight curl. And was only an inch past my shoulders. Since that day I knew that I would forever curl my hair and keep it long and full.