My first practice of Dil's final design

Edging nearer towards assessment day, I recreated Dil's design for practice. I crimped all of her hair, split it into top and bottom sections, and then backcombed the whole upper section. I then pinned a hair rat on top of her head and lay the hair back over it, pinning it into place at the back, and adjusting it with a pintail comb to make it more rounded. I loosely tied the lower section into a ponytail down the side. For the final assessment I will add ribbon or lace across the front of Dil's head, and tied around the side ponytail, draping down the length of the hair. Lastly, I crimped the loose tendrils in front of Dil's ears by wrapping them in a figure-of-eight way around a pin and clamping it between straighteners. On the left side of her head I combed this part out less, leaving a more zigzag effect, which we both preferred. 

I was happy with how I did Dil's hair, although next time I will place the hair rat a little further forward, to create more height on top of her head and make it more rounded, like her design. However, I initially felt quite anxious about creating this look as I felt it looked quite difficult, considering my skill level and lack of background in hair; so I think I did a good job. 

Dil's first practice of my final design

I decided to go with my first design idea for my hair assessment, because I felt it looked most interesting, and was a good mixture of modern and Elizabethan hairstyles.

My partner and I tried one another's hair designs on each other. Once I'd talked it through with Dil, we decided she would first have a go at simply putting my hair in a ponytail split into two plaits. However these two plaits were not long enough to reach over my forehead in a halo braid effect, so we decided four plaits - two in the ponytail and two above either ear - would work better. Being without a hair donut on this occasion, we used a hair rat, but it sat a little too low, rather than underneath the band of ponytail, so I am hoping a donut will give a more central positioning. Dil plaited the ponytail, incorporating the hair left above my ears into them in a french braid style, so that they would reach over my forehead. She overlapped them and gripped them into place, and then made sure that the ponytail was sleek and neat, with the use of hairspray. On the right side of my head, the plait at the back sat higher; I preferred the left side, where it draped lower. In further practices and the final assessment, we will use a donut to elongate the head, and weave gold ribbon around the ponytail to cover the hairband, and into the plaits; symbolic of royalty and Elizabethan jewellery. I have also decided to add a gem in the centre of my hairline, enhancing the 'heart-shaped' face shape that was fashionable in Elizabethan times. 

Overall, I think my partner did a very good job. Unfortunately my hair was freshly washed, and therefore quite slippery; for the assessment I will make sure it has more texture and grip, or provide the products to make it so. 

Following my partner's hair design - Dil

Having spoken through my partner, Dil's, designs with her, I decided to practice one on my doll head, using her hair chart for guidance. 

I found the hair chart very easy to follow; it had good drawings and clear labelling. I am pleased with my result and feel that I have executed the two different plaits and the style of bun well. I was working with a doll that had previously had crimped hair, and I found that this texture and volume really helped to style it. However, the hair is quite short. I think working on Dil's hair may be easier, as it has more length. For example, on my doll, I had to adapt the fishtail plait at the front, making two plaits - one on either side of the head, and overlapping them - instead of one plait reaching across the whole hairline. On the hair chart it did not state where the french plait would end, so I took the initiative and ran it round to join the bun. The only improvement I think I could make, in hindsight, is tucking up loose hairs at the nape of the neck. 

I think the whole style looks very nice and I am looking forward to recreating it on Dil's hair. 

Hair design practice

Design 1: hair too short; plaits not long enough to drape where I wanted them

Design 2: ponytail not as long and freely hanging as I'd like. Texture meant plaits were stiff and stayed in place. 

Design 3: bun was very small.

Mounds at front need more backcombing or maybe padding to thicken them, and to avoid see-through bits. The crimped texture made it nicely voluminous. As I was concerned about in my design, this look has ended up too Elizabethan, and less contemporary.

I struggled with the short length of the hair doll, as the styles I have planned would work better with longer hair. Also, the hair had previously been crimped so was almost too textured to work easily with. However, I found it good to practice and physicalise my drawn designs. 

To avoid my designs being too simple and add further Elizabethan elements, I've decided to add gold ribbon woven into the plaits on to my designs for my partner to follow. I will also experiment with padding or a hair donut underneath the ponytail, to elongate the head and add volume in a typical Elizabethan fashion. 

Following this practice, I feel confident my partner will be okay to follow my chosen design. 

Hair design ideas

Following previous practical hair trials, I realised that I often plan styles that are a little too complex, and consequently leave me unhappy with the result. For this reason, in my designs for my final piece, I decided to simplify the styles, keeping elements that related to Elizabethan hair, such as plaits and crimping. 

This design includes plaits wrapped over the forehead, with the rest of the hair slicked back to create the illusion of a high hairline. I felt that the plaits and large forehead created an Elizabethan feel, while the slick ponytail and 'milkmaid' braids modernised the look. When practicing this design, the length of the hair will need to be taken into consideration - if it is not long enough, four plaits will be needed (two in the ponytail and two on either side of the head), instead of two (only in the ponytail, wrapped all the way around the forehead). 

For this look I wanted to create a heart-shaped style without the typical crimping/backcombing/padding. I decided to use plaits. If the hair is quite thin, or not very textured, wire may be required to structure the plaits to stay stiff and upright when pinned as pictured. Continuing the modern feel, I decided to simply use a high ponytail at the back, but added an Elizabethan element by wrapping a fine plait around the base of it. The tendrils in front of the ears are more common in modern day hair styles, but I felt that by curling them, they would give the effect of Elizabethan styles, when they would have draped down the neck and shoulders, like so;

http://s222.photobucket.com/user/RiceCrispySquare/media/aaa-queen-elizabeth-1st.jpg.html

https://instagram.com/ingridnilsen/

For my third look I felt inspired by a look by Kandee Johnson on YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen. The large heart-shaped hair and loose curls felt Elizabethan, while the excessive volume and bleach blonde colour was more contemporary. 

Once I had finished this style design, I felt that it was too Elizabethan, and less modernised. It includes crimped and voluminous heart-shaped mounds at the front, a twisted bun with a plait around the outside, and curled tendrils down the neck. 

I think I like my first design most, and so will begin working with this one. However, I like elements such as the heart-shaped plaits from my second design, and so may experiment with adding such features in. 

Bridal hair practice

Brief: 

 

I was inspired by hairstyles like these. I think waterfall braid are beautiful, and provided a good way for me to incorporate and practice different plaits. To take it further, I decided to do a waterfall fishtail plait, although found this quite challenging. I like the look of a backcombed piece at the crown of the hair, and thought the long blonde curls looked very elegant and bridal.

 I started by back combing sections at the crown of the head and laying them back to create a raised, voluminous section. http://www.deerpearlflowers.com/

 I then created a waterfall fishtail plait around one side of the head, pulling parts to create a looser, messy effect.

 I did the same on the other side, although struggled with how much thinner the plait turned out this time. 

 I pinned both plaits into place at the back of the head below the backcombed section, covering the grips from before. I then fishtail braided the two plaits together.

 

Finally I curled all of the hair that was left down, including the fringe. 

I found this task quite challenging and stressful. I think my plan was quite difficult to start with, however I didn't really consider my model's hair type before I started. To avoid the hair looking thin or uneven in the plaits, next time I would add some false hair to thicken the braids. I will need to practice my technique a lot, as both plaits took two or three attempts; and maybe simplify my design, to perhaps a normal fishtail braid instead of a waterfall one. When curling the hair I found it hard to juggle the hair, tongs, combs and grips all at once while remaining safe while I worked. Despite these issues, after some help from my teacher, I feel my curling skills improved, and I feel happier about the finished look. 

Elizabethan hair practice

Inspiration: 

I find myself repeatedly referring to this image of Queen Elizabeth as I like the relaxed tendrils down the sides. Although much of it is hidden with the headdress and collar, it looks as though most of her hair is pinned at the back.

Plan: A plaited bun at the back; front sections backcombed and styled to create a heart shape, cover with crimped layer; curled tendrils hanging below bun down neck.

Finished look: 

Further photos:

I am quite pleased with how the hairstyle turned out and feel it is quite an Elizabethan look. I enjoyed doing it and managed to stick to my plan well. I found it difficult to work with such soft hair, so in future I would need to use dry shampoo or another product to give it some grip and texture. Also, I feel that given a bit of extra time and effort I could have made the hair look neater and more symmetrical. Also, I need to practice being able to hide hair pins!