Creating a moustache

To create a moustache :

-You need a maleable block

-with cling film measure the moustache to fit a persons face

-draw it out

-cut it out

-Stick it on the block and start sewing through it

-take the pins out carefully 

-Take pins out carefully

Contemporary assessment

For my contemporary design I came up with something edgy and out there and this is because in the 1940's women had to go to wars and do mens jobs they had to get stronger and change their style, wear outfits that was more fitted to the and fight the views of society. In modern day more and more boys/men are starting to feel comfortable expressing themselves as for who they are and how they want to dress, hence my design. 

It is to show that just like in the olden days women were fighting for power, boys are doing the same but nowadays.

I found the contemporary design easier than the historical as my design was messy and backcombed. I am pleased with how the shape of the hair turned out and also with the fringe because it is rolled up and thick how I wanted it to look. 

Historical Assessment

This is the outcome of my 1940's pin up inspired hairstyle. 

I am pleased with the way the overall hairstyle turned out as the curls look very glossy which I what I aimed for. I also like how voluminous the hairstyle looks which I feel gives a nice shape to the look. Bits that I struggled with was the front of the hair as it was attached to the whefts when back combing it felt very rough and kept on separating leaving gaps in the hair. I feel like If I had practised this look before hand then I would have gotten the hang of back combing. Improvements for next time would definitely be working on rollers as some of them were uneven which led to the curls being bigger and smaller than others which took away from a nice shape and made it look messier. Overall I am pleased with this look as I feel like I have now learnt the skills of blocking, setting and styling acrylic wigs into a historical hairstyle however I feel like more practise would lead to a better outcome and also having an accurate eye for things like the black pins which were showing from one side. 

Historical Hairstyle research 1940's

Fashion has and will always be becoming stronger determinig how people should look, classifying their wealth and status but at the same time empowering women and making them feel beautiful and in control of their own body. Fashion icons are the main reason why people desire to purchase an item of clothing that may not be a nessesity, they deisgn and create a new sense of style which envokes freemdon and excitment into peoples lives. It can create chaos by changing a style compeletely which can develop into the fashion trend. One of the fashion icons that inspired me with my historical hair design is Bette Davies 1943 and Katherine Hepburn in 1940. 

In the 1940's Veronica Lake was a popular fashion icon and actress during the 1940's what I like about the 40's is that the hair became looser and glossier and less slicked and perfected which was like the pin up look which came into style.


Hair assessors also came into fashion in the 40's as women started to grow their hair wavy and long and would addd beautiful jewellery such as crystals, flowers and ribbons to give a feminine look. Curly hair was very much in fashion and to achieve this they would use the rag-curling method which would curl the ends of the hair and ass that fluffy full shape to ends. This would add volume to the hair and give it a sexy look.
Learning Wig Work I have learnt that patience is key when achieving hairstyles as these styles took hours to style and create to present glamour and perfection. 

Step by step on Victory Roll hairstyle

1. First, part your hair from ear to ear, and put the hair in the back in a pony tail.
2. Part the loose hair down the middle. You can make a part straight down the middle, or slightly to the side for a different look. Pin half of your hair down.
3. Back comb the loose hair and then comb the front layer over the teased hair, and smooth it with a product.
4. Wind the hair around your fingers a couple of times and form a loop. Slip your fingers out, and tuck the ends of the hair inside the loop. Hold the hair secure while you roll inwards towards your head.
5. Once you reach your head, spread the loop out to achieve the "roll" shape. 
6. Pin so that the rolls are secure.
7. You should now have one roll. 
8. Repeat on the other side.
9. Take your curling iron, and curl the back of your hair. 
10. Let the curls cool and then comb them with your fingers, spray with holding spray.

I decided to create a 1940's inspired hairstyle before work and was pleased of how it came out. 

From historical to modern 

1940's hair using Rollers

• Heat the rollers and handle carefully
• Part a straight line from behind the ear going across to the other ear
• Use larger rollers (red and blue) for more of a lift than a tighter curl
• Wrap hair around the roller tight and neatly avoiding any hair falling out from the side and carry out brick work going downwards
• Use tail comb to help keep the hair wrapped in tight
• When the brickwork is done half way down the head make a straight parting and use the rollers going in the natural direction of the hair
• The left side of the head going towards left ear and the right side towards right ear, middle going downwards
• Use hairspray to make sure the hair stays in place and wait till all of the rollers are cooled down before taking them out
• Brush the hair out downwards then inwards and then same from inside of the hair and manipulate it to the hair style and shape you want
• Finish of with hairspray and shine spray

The part which i found the hardest was the sectioning as I tried to do it exactly like Lottie showed us in her demo however In the end she told me that I have to go with the way the natural hair follows otherwise It will get confusing. I found using the rollers and pinning it tightly to the head easy however that is because the hair on the doll was corse and had product in, I can imagine using this on soft shiny hair would not be as easy.

The end result showed me that number 1 I did not heat up the rollers enough and number 2 I did not wait till they cooled down completely before taking them out which gave me a very nice lift, however not enough curl. I am happy with the way the hair is lifted however I do not like the way the fringe sits and the lack of curls at the front. To improve I will take my time making sure every roller is heated enough and wait until cooled down completely before taking it out.

As I wasn't pleased with the way the look turned out on the doll i decided to do it on my friend to make sure I get enough practise.

I was much happier with the outcome on my model than the doll head. The rollers made her hair voluminous which is what i was aiming for. My model had extremely long hair which made it harder for me to even the sections of her hair as by the time i finished wrapping the hair on the roller it would be falling out from the side. This overall made some of the curls bigger than others therefore the look isn't as tidy as i would like it to be. Next time to make it even better i would spend more time in making sure the sections are very even.

Introduction to wigs

Introduction to wigs 

In this unit we will learn all about different types of wigs the application of them, health and safety of them and how they are used to transform a person into different types of characters. Maintenance of wigs can be divided into four areas which are : Cleaning, blocking, setting and dressing. 

Wigs are extremely important as directors, designers and stylists will use them for many different purposes such as:

Creating a character, using wigs to create a character is important as they might want to transform an actress that has really black hair to a girl with long blonde hair. It can also be used to create historical hairstyles which need corse and thick hair which wigs tend to have. Wigs are also important in high fashion as the designer might want 3 different hairstyles on a model that is going to walk a catwalk show and instead of wasting time creating a hairstyle over and over again they can just have wigs ready and set up for the model prepping for the next look. Wigs can also be used to create fantasy, change the length or texture of the hair and maintain continuity. Wigs are important in maintaining continuity as if a hairstyle is very complicated then styling a wig and keeping it for the next scene which may be shot a few days after can be helpful. 

In the unit we will learn to :

• Recognise various wig types
• Take measurements of a head for wig fitting
• complete prostiche order form 
• prepare a malleable block and block a wig in preparation for washing , setting or dressing
• set and dress wigs according to design requirements
• knotting
• creating different era hairstyles

 

Applying a lace fronted wig (Helen)

Firstly decide on the technique you will use to place the wig. Finger waves or plaits.

1. Apply hair net to flat surfaced hair
2. Get the performer to hold the wig by the wig lace half way down the forehead
3. Pull the wig over the net or the stocking. Once placed do not pull it forward only jiggle it forward
4. Pin the wig to secure it and make sure the pins match the colour of the wig
5. Make sure natural hair is not visible under the lace. Push any stray hairs by tail comb
6. Glue the lace into place using matte mastix glue. Roll back the lace and put drips of glue on each side. Wait for glue to become tacky and pull the lace into position with tension. Use a damp cloth to spread the glue.

Removing a lace- fronted wig

1. Using brush apply matrix remover to the lace, working from the edges inwards until the lace begins to lift from the skin.
2. Once the lace is lifted from the skin check for any sticky areas and gently remove them with matrix remover.
3. Remove hair pins attaching the wig to the head
4. Lift the wig off from behind holding it carefully by the foundation at the sides of the nape. Pull the wig gently forward and off the head.
5. Detach the hair net or stocking and hair grips from the hair