Retro Chick Presents : Easy Pin Up Hair for Hot Days

by Retro Chick
July 1, 2011
16 Comments
1 minute read
97 Views
13 years ago

I’ve been meaning to start doing videos again more often for some time.

So. This week I thought I’d do a little tutorial on the super easy hair style I’ve been doing every day this week while the weather’s been humid. It keeps my hair off my neck and avoids problems with dropping curls when the weather is humid, it can also be done on completely straight hair, meaning no sleeping in rollers when the nights are boiling.

In the video I use a large flat lily on the smaller side of the parting, but this morning I’ve actually tried it with a little cluster of small roses right on top of my head by the parting and it looks good, very 40s. What I’m trying to say is, once you’ve done the twisting and pinning bit, try experimenting with different flowers and accessories till you find one that works for you!

Paper roses £3.50 each at Abilu Creations, by the way!

I have to confess, that now I’ve made it I was in 2 minds about posting it. I’m not completely happy with the video itself as the software on my new laptop is nowhere near as good as the old stuff (any recommendations for software that doesn’t cost a fortune?) I’m also not sure as it REALLY is such an easy hair style. A couple of people on Twitter reassured me I should post it, and frankly I have nothing else interesting to say today, so, now I’ve convinced you it’s rubbish, here it is!

I’ve not done it as well as I can do in the video (isn’t that always the way?!) it really is just “twist and pin”. The volume at the front provided by pushing it forward and a bit of backcombing, along with the nice twisty effect, do give it a nice retro look though. I got actual compliments from a complete stranger this week with my hair like this, so if you’re a complete hair beginner, it’s worth a try!

Do you have an easy do for hot days that looks good?

- by: Amii
- 13 years ago
Ahhh this is utterly adorable! Especially the little roses on top. I bet you could give it a quirky look with maybe some daises with fake leaves like from the fake hanging plants you get?
My ultimate hairstyle for hot days? Leave your fringe and the front panel of your hair down, comb the rest of your hair back into a round bun in the middle of the back of your head. Brush your fringe under and maybe even curl the ends slightly to bring it higher, and the two sides bring them up and curl them loosely to your head in little pin curls 🙂 works a treat! I always tie a ribbon round my bun as well 🙂
- by: LandGirl1980
- 13 years ago
I have just got into the this hair twisting malark – so this was right up my street! Fancy doing some more? I’d love to know how you do a continuous role at the back – I have one in today – but it is uber naff-tastic.
- by: Carrie at In the Hammock Blog
- 13 years ago
Thanks for the tips!! Love the paper roses, too!

Love your blog, I’m a new gfc follower 🙂
- by: Miss Peelpants
- 13 years ago
You’ve got one of the nicest ‘video manners’ I’ve seen!! Makes yours some of the most engaging tutorials out there. Would like to see more Sixties ones too, obviously 😉
- by: Joanna
- 13 years ago
Thanks for this video, it’s a great hairdo!
I did have to look up a video for how to do the french pleat (or french twist as we call it in Canada) because I had never tried one before.
Can you put up a picture of the back of this hairdo sometime? I would love to see how it looks with the flower comb. If in your next video you could just turn around and give us a look at what you’re doing at the back, that would be super helpful.
- by: Button Bunny
- 13 years ago
Love this look. I really need to make an effort with my hair.(Long straight and just left hanging!)
I have tried the Imelda May look one time, the only time my backcombing didn’t frizz, and it fell out after an hour!
Is it better to backcomb damp hair?
- by: Perdita
- 13 years ago
Love it- extremely effective and quick, which is what every girl wants! I will most definitely be trying this look soon.

I’m a big fan of chopstick buns or the classic ‘ballet bun’ for quick hot day hair. I always cheat with sticks or a bun shaper as my hair is rather stroppy! I use an old tennis wristband (clean, of course) as a bunroll (I believe it’s called a ‘sock bun’ in online tutorials) and slide a ponytail ring with a big pinup-style rose over the top to hold and decorate. Or for a more minimalist 60s/mod look, a plain thick ribbon. It gently waves my hair if I wear it all day to work, too, for 70s beach-curls in the evening.
- by: Suzy
- 13 years ago
Thanks for the tutorial. I too have thin, flat hair so am looking forward to trying this out. What hair dye do you use, Retro Chick?
- by: Katy
- 13 years ago
Thanks so much for this. I was looking for something new to do. I’m a big fan of the snood on a barrette too. Just pull a ponytail back into a barrette and pop yours locks into the little mesh snood pouch. I have them for sale on Etsy. Again thanks for taking the time with the vid! K
- by: Rachel
- 13 years ago
nice do, only suggestion is maybe you need to change the angle because your dark red hair gets lost amongst the background clothes!
- by: Paperdoll
- 13 years ago
Love this hair do! However now I’ve had a 30’s bob cut (from long hair between my shoulder blades!!) I can’t pin mine up very well!!!! It was worth it though, lol… X
- by: jennine
- 13 years ago
oooh i love doing the pinup hair on these hot days, my hair is too thin put in a pony, so this is a great alternative. 🙂
- by: Old Fashioned Susie
- 13 years ago
Hi!! I do something really similar, make it up as I go along and it rarely turns out the same way each time!! I sometimes do it whilst my hair is still wet if it’s a really hot day xx
- by: Retro Chick
- 13 years ago
Yes, there’s another up do I do with twists and a rolled fringe when it’s hot!
- by: Elspeth Trigg
- 13 years ago
Lovely up do. I decided to go with the twists on each side and a double victory rolls at the front to keep my hair from causing me to perspire.xx
- by: Gina Vintage Girl
- 13 years ago
You are adorable. Love your video! I have flat hair and can’t be bothered with curling it. Thanks for this great Tutorial! Your flowers are beautiful and your hair looks great.