Finger Waves

A lot of brides surely dream of having even just a whisk of old Hollywood glam in their weddings. There is just something so fabulous about boarding off a vintage car wearing expensive-looking wedding gowns accentuated with the ethereal beauty of dominant head pieces.

What’s stopping a lot of brides from holding a vintage-themed wedding is budget restrictions. Face it. Renting vintage cars and purchasing dresses made during the 40’s or 60’s may overwhelm couples when it comes to expenses. Fortunately, brides who have always wanted to exude the old Hollywood glam can look dashing and classic down the aisle without exhausting their bank accounts. It is just a matter of tweaking the style of the gown and fixing the hair to mimic the ‘do of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and other style icons during the past decades.

When one hears of old Hollywood glam styles, the first thing that comes in mind is the finger or Marcel waves. This style was popularized in the 1930s by icons Bette Davis and Jean Harlow. This classic hairdo may look like a lot of time should be spent on it, but what you really need are your fingers and flexible hold hairspray.

Brides with either long or short hair can don this look, but the appeal of vintage hairdo is exuded the most by brides with shoulder-length mane. Start by washing and conditioning the hair. Towel dry the hair and leave it damp. While it is still in the most manageable state, part the hair to the side of the head where you think you would look the best.

Evenly apply waving lotion or any styling product like flexible hold hairsprays. Comb the lotion through the damp hair to distribute the product properly. The trick is to do one side at a time to keep the product away from drying too quickly and avoid the need to apply another coat (this can wear down the waves at the end of the day).

Use the index finger to guide the comb starting from the front of the head. Get a section of the hair (about one or two inches wide) and insert the comb into this section, with the teeth of the comb pointing slightly up under the finger. Slowly pull the comb forward (about an inch far) using your index finger. Flatten the comb, pressing it against the scalp with the comb’s teeth still holding the section. Notice that you are working with slightly circular motion in drawing the hair.

Place your middle and index finger on one side of the comb and squeeze the hair with slight pressure. Keep the teeth of the comb in the hair and turn the teeth down. Slowly comb down in the opposite direction to form a dip in the hollow part of the wave. Repeat this step for the sections of the hair and apply products to hold the waves in place.

Brides may also have the liberty to use bobby pins to add a little flair or hair accessories that match the design of their gowns.