VIDEO TIME! Going Gray Gracefully

Dear Reader-

Aging gracefully? Let’s do it! We’re dishing out advice about transitioning from artificial hair color to your natural gray.

Sincerely,

As The Curl Turns

VIDEO TIME! Big “Bangs” Theory. Vintage Hairstyling Tutorial

Dear Reader-

Bangs are an important piece in the puzzle of retro hair. Tune in to see how I roll out my own big bangs.

Best-

ATCT

VIDEO TIME! Let’s Talk About Your WEDDING Hairstyle

Dear Reader-

Wedding season is upon us. You may be a bride or know one at the very least. Friends don’t let friends do their own hair for their wedding.

Warmest Regards,

As The Curl Turns

Instagram for Business- It’s A Slow Go

Dear Reader-

As you may or may not know, I am not what one would call……techno savvy. Before I started renting a chair in a salon I didn’t need a fancy pants cell phone. Mine flipped open and it’s biggest advance was it had a camera. Once I started needing to use Square as payment, it became apparent I had to join this century.

So I got a smartphone, and with that phone came the ability to advance my paltry social media standing. I am already on Pintrest, YouTube, Facebook, my blog….well, I guess it’s not totally paltry. I only use social media for work purposes, as Hubs and I are extremely private. Enter stage left-Instagram. I am asthecurlturns56. I have a few followers, 150 or so, and I follow about as many. I post hair that I do, food I make, and anything that has to do with my 1950’s housewife brand/life. I have found that I really like Instagram. I love seeing other people’s pictures and what they are doing, although there are a few obsessive posters that could do with a few less uploads. I certainly don’t need to see seven selfies a day, although I do love a good selfie. I like connecting with total strangers far away over fun things, like tv programs or James Dean.

The issue is getting more followers in order to help build my updo business specifically. I roll updos all the time on my severed heads and post them, careful not to make it look like my manikin head. Lots of directed hashtags, all very specific. Post post post, with such slow results. I am gaining followers, but it feels real slllooooooowwwwwww. Perseverence and patience? Yep. Grandma says good things come to those who wait, but As The Curl Turns knows waiting can be challenging sometimes.

Sincerely,

ATCT

VIDEO TIME! New Stylist? Where and What To Look For In A Salon Job

Dear Reader-

If you or someone you know just passed State Board for Cosmetology, here is some advice. Finding a job can be tricky, let alone finding the right job. Good Luck!

Best-

ATCT

No Pin Updo- A How To

Dear Reader-

Updos come in all shapes and sizes, be still my beating heart. But they do not all require pins. This particular updo requires only a needle and thread. It is quite speedy, which is nice when time is of the essence during a wedding or group event. We have all had head counts or time frames change on a dime!

First, set the hair as usual. Take the set out and loosen/brush the big loose curls with the tail of a rattail comb. Spritz with hairspray and don’t be shy. The curls need to be firm.

You may need about 6 feet of doubled over thread, so three feet of useable thread. I used regular thread here, but embroidery thread works well too. A curved extensions needle works as well as a straight one. Tie a knot around a curl starting on one side of the head and start sewing, in and out and around the curls.

Up, down, in and around with the thread. Gather the hair as you like it and sew!

Once you are all the way through to the other side, tie off the thread, and viola!

A nice, loose looking but totally secure romantic updo that will last. Shellac and you are done! And without a single pin. Grandma may say there is more than one way to bake a cake, and As The Curl Turns agrees.

Sincerely,

ATCT

p.s- martinis becoming too warm too fast? Try a smaller martini glass. Those big glasses may look cool, but they lose their cool quickly.

A New Year’s Resolution Kept!

Dear Reader-

Glamour Up! was my New Year’s Resolution advice for 2015. Even if it is only once a month for something nondescript. I wanted you all to know that I take my own advice and try to walk the walk as much s possible. I attend Bingo at the local Elks lodge once a month, and I utilize this opportunity to gussy up once in a while. I went last night and I wore vintage mink and heels. Yes, I said mink. I was definitely the most overdressed person there by far, and I will tell you this, my dear readers. I was the best dressed one there as well.

So- even if you feel a bit self conscious about being over dressed, let me say this: you will clearly be the better looking of all your peers, so who cares?! Grandma always said there is an outfit for every occasion, but As The Curl Turns believes there is a better version of that outfit to be had as well.

Best,

ATCT

p.s- Is your dog’s stomach on the fritz? Try a plain baked potato.

VIDEO TIME! Conditioner, Everyone Needs It!

Dear Reader-

Whether it is a conditioner for daily use, a heavier duty masque, or a leave-in, we cover it here.

Warmest Regards,

ATCT

Really Warm Blondes….Tsk Tsk Hairdressers!

Dear Reader-

I was in a waiting room the other day when I was passed by a lovely woman with the most dismaying shade of unnaturally warm blonde hair. Please do not misunderstand I love unnatural shades of hair. I myself sport an ode to Cruella Deville. But bad warm blondes just rub me the wrong way. Especially the very brassy ones. This particular young lady happened to be of Hispanic descent, which means a thicker hair shaft, which means notoriously harder to get light blonde, which means orange/yellow/gold warm blonde when not handled correctly. Handled correctly how you might ask? I’m so glad you did!

1- Realistic Expectations- If your client is clearly not going to get to a nice ashy blonde, or a pretty golden blonde, TELL THEM THAT. Let’s be honest- certain hair textures are clearly harder than others to lift. It may take more than one visit to get your Asian, Italian (me!) or Hispanic client platinum.

2- Toner- Please tone your clients! I do not understand the mentality of not toning bleach blonde clients. Bleach can’t do it all. If our client is yellow or brassy, tone them! Lordy.

3- Highlight- Instead of an all over uncontrolled bleach that may turn out who knows how awful, try highlighting in multiple visits to slowly get them blonde. The hair will be healthier and lighter, and those brassy warm tones won’t be as much of an issue.

Grandma may say look on the sunny side, but As The Curl Turns believes the cooler side is sometimes best.

Sincerely,

ATCT

p.s.- the secret to a great dip? Mix the dip the night before the party. It gives the dry soup mix time to hydrate and absorb into the rest of the creamy ingredients.

Christmas Tree Hair Accessory-DIY

Dear Reader-

This hair accessory, like some of my others, is not for the faint of heart. You will be wearing a Christmas tree in your hair. Literally. If you are ok with that, then let’s get started!

First, I had to find a tree small enough. What an odyssey that was. Of course manufacturers of these little hobby trees are making them for home display, or office holiday cheer. Not hair. So I bought the smallest one I could possibly find, and disassembled it. It had a cement stand!

Then I had to use wire cutters to dismember the poor thing. It was far too heavy. I needed fewer limbs and a flat back so I could lay it on some felt, and ultimately, on my head.. It took two different types of wire cutters to get through this bad boy! It needed to be thinned out, A LOT.

Once that was done, I could start decorating. First to be added were the ornaments. I tied them on, one by one, strategically placed.

Then came the lights. I couldn’t find dollhouse lights that had a battery pack light enough for my hair to support the weight, so unfortunately, they don’t actually light up. Disappointment.

And what is a tree without gifts? I laid the tree to the felt and glued the gifts onto the felt and the bottom of the tree.

Cut the felt, add the duckbill hair clip, and it’s done! I could not find a small enough angel for the top, another item for the search- along with working lights. Now you have to decide how you will wear your hair to best accent (and support) your newest accessory.

Now, be prepared to take a bit of blowback from your friends and passerby. You are after all, taking a fashion chance by wearing this piece of glory. Others of a lesser station may feel the need to say something snippy about your choice of accoutrement. Just tell this riffraff that you love your style and will never compromise. Period.

Merry Christmas Crafties!

ATCT

p.s- don’t forget to at least tidy up your living room before leaving the house this holiday season. You never know who may be dropping by with good tidings.