Sunday, January 3, 2010

Dye Job

I dyed my hair a shade darker this weekend - what do you think? Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but I've always loved the drama of dark hair. I've also been studiously working on my pin curl technique.

Lisa, whose hair videos I just adore, recommended a setting lotion called LottaBody. So I took a trip to my neighborhood beauty supply and picked some up. You dilute it with water, and then spray it on your hair as you're setting the curls. I also tried using wide-pronged hair pins (as opposed to bobby pins) because I read that they won't leave crimps in your hair. They didn't, but it took A LOT of those little suckers to get a curl to stay in. Then I wrapped the whole thing up in a turban (Jeff loves to make fun of this) and slept on it. Overall, I'd say it was a success! I'm hoping to get another day out of the curls as well.

Here I am hamming it up for the camera.


Hope you're having a lovely Sunday!

41 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! It's lovely! I myself prefer brunette too! Good job on the pin curls, mine always come out too... I don't know. maybe my hair isn't long enough. and I know the laughs from the husband about the turban! Gorgeous!

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  2. Looks gorgeous! They say blondes may have more fun, but us dark haired girls are more mysterious! :)

    Love the pin curls, too.

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  3. Lovely Gertie, your hair is wonderfully shiny too!
    Can I ask which lipstick you're wearing?

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  4. Gorgeous color. I think dark hair always adds depth and mystery.

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  5. gorgeous! and great job with the curls.

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  6. Great color. I used to dye my hair darker but for some reason stopped. If you did it yourself, what product did you use?

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  7. Thanks, ladies! My lipstick is my usual - MAC Russian Red. I love it! And the haircolor is Natural Match Dark Ash Brown.

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  8. Your hair looks lovely, I'm also a fan of dark hair. I slept in curlers back in the day when I was really young, I can't deal with the discomfort these days!

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  9. Beautiful! You have inspired me to try pin curls! I love the color - dark is awesome.

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  10. Oh wow! You look amazing!
    I think you need to schedule a trip to the Photo Studio & let them capture your new 'do w/ mood lighting. Bet hubby loves the new look & it made him forget all about the turban!
    Definitely a keeper :)

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  11. You. Look. Fabulous. ice job on the curls! And the color is very mysterious and sultry. I think you carry it off beautifully.

    I'm a natural blond, and I hate it. I hate being treated as though my hair color dictates my IQ.

    I've also found that I can't carry off wearing some of my favorite colors as well as someone with darker coloring can, and I'm jealous. For instance, I have a North Beach Leather blush pink bustier that just makes me look like I'm naked because it's the same color as my skin. Doesn't leave much to the imagination, if you know what I mean!

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  12. LOL.. I use MAC Russian Red lipgloss, as well as MAC Red No 2. CANNOT be beaten!f

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  13. I love hair color. Mine is the reddest red that a person can probably get, and I'm in my 60s. Yours looks lucious.

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  14. Gorgeous hair colour, and the curls suit you to a T!

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  15. Gorgeous! you look like you just stepped out of a 40's detective novel...so full of mystery and allure!

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  16. It looks beautiful! The color looks really good on you.

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  17. Lots of bounce and shine. I also think it's a very dramatic combination with the color in your tatoos. You look beautiful.

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  18. I adore Lotta Body, I could never get my curls to stay especially with the humidy here in Texas but Lotta body worked miracles!!! I love the new accoutrement sections. Have you seen the book on Vintage Styling? It's really great and she gives wonderful tips on how to do all of the vintage sytles.

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  19. i love the color. i used to be blonde (by way of too many highlights) and when I finally dyed back to my brunette/auburny color people told me I looked younger! now i notice brunettes look younger somehow. go figure.

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  20. Love the darker hue :) If you're going to keep up the vintage styles for your hair, you should keep an eye out for a bonnet hair dryer and invest in some pin curl clips (like duck bill clips, but smaller). You can't sleep in the clips very comfortably, hence the bonnet hair dryer which is also handy if you just want to set your hair for the evening and don't have time to let it air dry!

    Have you been to the Vintage Hair community on LJ yet...? http://community.livejournal.com/vintagehair

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  21. Hi Gertie,
    I discovered your blog via the colette patterns website, and I've had so much fun reading it. I can't wait to see how all of the projects from the book turn out!

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  22. I am so glad you checked out Lisa FreemontStreet's videos! She really is so good at doing a clear tute. Do look into getting the Vintage Hairstyling book by Lauren Rennels that she recommends, it's excellent!

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  23. Amazingly gorgeous! I miss dying my hair now that I see the great shine in yours. Oh well, I'm naturally quite dark, so I guess I can get away with it. The hair goes really, really well with your beautiful artwork also!

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  24. Very nice! Hm. I wonder if pin curls would work for me... I watched the you tube video... See, I have hair that only curls on the ends, and it's baby fine. And long enough that I donated 12 inches to Locks of Love last year and didn't miss it... much. Curl never stays in, but then again, I've never tried pin curls!

    It's usually in braids, 'cause they're the baby's favorite handles! ;)

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  25. Hi Gertie, I've heard that rag curls are very comfy to sleep in and you don't need pins. They seem to generate a similar soft look. Plus you can use up your scraps so very economical. Your hair looks awesome. As someone cursed with natural curls, I envy those who can choose them on some days and not on others - they can be a real pain. The dark shade is lovely.

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  26. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. The end.

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  27. Gertie - I have lots more ambition then skill (at nearly everything) and I have a hard time getting pin curls rolled up even in the easy areas right up front. How do you do the ones on the back of your head? It looks really beautiful on you!

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  28. 2 prong pin curl clips! they sell them at Sally Beauty too..

    WAY easier than those pins and they too, do not leave crimps in your hair.

    your set turned out wonderful. congrats!!

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  29. hi gertie, this fellow astorian wants to know...where in astoria did you get the lottabody?

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  30. Melissa, I got it at Solana Beauty, 30th ave and 31st street. Great place!
    Hey, has anyone tried sleeping on double pronged hair clips?

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  31. I was wondering if it would have been solana! they seem to be the best around here. thanks!

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  32. Your new hair color is lovely! I was admiring your tatoos. Whoever created them did a fantastic job!

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  33. Very lovely look, I see you as an actress playing in 55's to 60's movies, so glamour!

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  34. so pretty! (the hair, the lips, AND the tattoos!)

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  35. Stunning! I love your hair color it suits your skin so well and looks incredibly shiny.

    These photos are so adorable and its awesome to see your tattoos a bit closer.


    ♥Darla

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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