My journey with the Elizabethan's...

My journey with the Elizabethans...

 

Interpreting contemporary pictures with plaits and buns...

 

 

Creating a fishtail braid...

We were shown how to create a fishtail plait. You begin by splitting a piece of hair into two so you have two strands. Hold these two strands with your left hand and now take a thin piece of hair from the right strand and join it with the left strand. Now reverse how you are holding the hair and switch hands. Now we do the same process but with the left hand side. We take a thin piece of hair and cross it over to join the right hand strand. This process if repeated until a fishtail braid is formed.

Equipment used for the plait and braids:

Elastic band to secure the plait at the end

I originally was already able to French plait but didn't notice that I wasn't plaiting it correctly. For example the plaits in the images below has some twists near the forehead where I haven't kept my hand in a secure position allowing it to twist away from the scalp. Because I move my hands to collect the hair rather than slowly add hair into the plait it results in a much messier, unkempt plait.

French plaiting is a more complex version of a plait. You begin by picking up three piece of hair like in an average, everyday plait but as you overlap each piece you pick up an extra piece of hair.

 

 

French plait styled in curly, wavy hair...

 

 

 

 

Another French plait but styled with naturally straighter hair...

 

  

 

A smaller French plait at the front of the head...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buns...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was my attempt of creating a bun in the new way we were shown. I have only ever used doughnuts when creating buns but this version looks much more natural and realistic.

Creating the bun...

• Spilt the hair in two if the hairs long, tie half up then join other half . This also makes it stronger as its doubled banded.
• Split pony tail into four sections
• If the hair flops or is broken back comb underneath for more volume.
• Fold hair forwards, roll around two fingers if its long to secure tight roll and grip with bobby pin.
• Use bigger bobby pin to gently move hair around so all sections are connected.

Plating with ribbon...

• I began by tying the ribbon at the root of the hair underneath a layer of sectioned hair so that its not visible.
• I then began to French plait the hair bringing the ribbon into each section whilst I plaited.
• The ribbon doesn't tend to become visible until further down the head.
• I then secured the end of the plait by knotting the ribbon at the end as they did in the Elizabethan Era.

It was interesting to see how the Elizabethan would secure the hair as they didn't have bobbles or grips so everything would be tied and secured using plaits and ribbon.

Equipment used:

Ribbon
Clips if sectioning
Elastic band to tie the plait at the end if not traditionally tying with the used ribbon.





 

 

Frizzing the hair...

Frizzing is created by placing a hair grip at the root of a strand of hair. Then still holding the grip at the root of the hair you begin to wrap the strand of hair around the hair pin to create an 8 like shape. When the strand of hair is completely twisted around the grip secure it then hold it between the straighter plates for around 5 seconds then remove the hair from the grip. These images below are taken from http://shannenabbottsolenthair.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/frizzing-last-week-we-were-shown.html a girls blog page I work with during the lesson. Her result was much stronger than mine.

Equipment used:

Straightener’s

Pin

Wide tooth comb to brush through the frizz

 

Elizabethan hair quote interpretation...

Elizabethan hair quote...

 

This was my interpretation of an inspired hair quote. The hair was described to be rough and cutting, like hedge trimmings with tight pin curls featured at the top. I found this difficult to style at first as its quiet hard to create a dark, harsh look with pin curls which I think are delicate and pretty, the opposite of the original description. I decided to add some black bow ribbons to try  and make it look more Gothic and rough. I also included pink hair which I think adds a more punk theme to the look.

 

 

 

Plaits, twists and braids...

Plaits twists and braids...

 

 

Unknown, (2013), Unknown [ONLINE]. Available at: http://celyneglam.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/i-want-soft-braids.html [Accessed 13 October 13].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Stylecaster Pictures, (2013), Unknown [ONLINE]. Available at: http://allthingsmajor.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/holiday-hair-inspiration/ [Accessed 13 October 13].

 

 

 

 



Unknown, (2011), Unknown [ONLINE]. Available at: http://madeline-kosmetycznie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/moje-inspiracje-wosowe.html [Accessed 13 October 13].

 

 

 

Elizabethan quote...

Elizabethan quote... 

 

I have struggled to find a direct Elizabethan hair quote so I chose one of Shakespeare's most popular sonnets that includes common metaphors used to describe the ideal beauty:

"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun
Coral is far more fair then her lips fair
If snow be white, why then, her breast is dun,
If hair be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks..."

The ideal Elizabethan female has white skin, bright eyes, red cheeks and lips plus fair hair.

La Boutique , (2013), Unknown [ONLINE]. Available at: http://laboutique-blog.tumblr.com/ [Accessed 13 October 13].



Nicol Vizioli, (2012), 006 [ONLINE]. Available at: http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/yuanziwang [Accessed 13 October 13].

 

I think both these images are modern representations of Queen Elizabeth. The first image is a much more literal representation with the red hair and pale skin however the second image is more contemporary as they have the taken the statement pale skin and applied it to the whole of the model. The image still looks and incorporates elements of the well known Elizabethan appearance but embodies a winter feel to it as it has been purposely created for a winter theme. I aim to involve a similar theme in my work, something that stands out and has a different take on the era.

Wash and blow dry...

Wash and blow dry...

I first started by washing my models hair...

• I began by sitting my model down and gowning her with the black cape.
• Normally the hair would be shampooed twice when washed but as we needed time to blow dry it was only shampooed once and conditioned only at the ends of the hair. Never condition the roots. (Always check the temperature of the water on your wrist before wetting the models head.)
• I then took my wide tooth comb and brushed the conditioner through my models hair to avoid any tangling when drying.
• Then wash the conditioner out and bring the towel around the models head squeezing any excess water out of the hair.

Blow drying...

• I first began by lightly blasting my models hair off so that it was slightly dryer but still damp.
• I then sectioned the hair starting from the bottom. (It's always important that the sections are straight to enable you to get to the root of the hair.)
• Then using a round brush place it under the strip of hair ensuring its firmly gripped. Dry closely to the root under the hair strip and above. This will create a lift in the hair.
• After the hair is slightly lifted from the root pull the brush downwards through the rest of the hair in a rotating motion allowing the hair to take the shape of the brush. (Make sure the nosel of the hair dryer is sat closely to the hair and the brush is pointing downwards so it is able to direct and shape the hair with the heat of the dryer.

I struggled to shape my models hair at first as you have to be confident and firm when drying. (You control the hair, the hair doesn't control you. As I was told.) I don't think the image

portrayed the ending look that well but you can definitely see a shaping to the hair in my final image.

Equipment used;

Wide tooth comb

Shampoo

Conditioner

Black Cape

Round brush

Blow dryer

Clips to section the hair

 

 

Before...

 

 

 

 

 

After...

 

 

 

 



Red heads and Royalty...

Red heads and Royalty...

I aim to translate and track all my new found knowledge and skills onto this blog whilst studying my new topic the 'Elizabethan Era' (1558-1603.) I also aim to learn a lot about the era such as Queen Elizabeth's historical background, aspirational style and duty as Queen of England. All these researched aspects will help me produce my final piece and assessments at the end of my topic. On this blog in particular I will focusing more on hair and how it was represented in the Elizabethan Era.  

Hair descriptions, modern...

Hair Descriptions... 

 

 

Modern.

 

 

 

Unknown, (2013), Unknown [ONLINE]. Available at: http://bloodymurders.tumblr.com/post/11699606087 [Accessed 06 October 13].

 

 This image represents of the word modern. The hair colour in particular was why I chose this image as its very contemporary. Bright colours such as pink and blue are commonly seen in the hair nowadays as there is a much more easy going spirit when it comes to styling hair. Charlotte Free in particular is a model well known for her pink, outrageous hair, a great modern representation. The hair is also seen to be in pig-tails with a zigzag patterned parting. This type of hair styling isn't commonly seen on the average person walking the streets because its very daring and adventurous. However I think these type of styles are becoming much more popular as people are daring to style out of there comfort zone.

 

Hair descriptions, Chic...

Hair Descriptions... 

 

 

Chic. 

 

Unknown, (2012), Unknown [ONLINE]. Available at: http://lovertolover.tumblr.com/post/17266696350 [Accessed 06 October 13].

                                          

The word Chic can be described as someone with style, elegance or can be associated with the words posh and smart. I think this image in particular represents chic as the hair is styled in tight sleek curls, a more elegant evening type of look. However the style is quite 1950's it still depicts a fashionable design through the different use of colour shades from brown to blonde.