Working with a model for the first time....

It was my first time working with a model today and not my Katie doll. It was interesting to see the difference because they are an actual person so there's a lot more to be aware of when working with hair. You have to make sure they're covered and comfortable. You have to make sure you are more gentle with brushing and combing and you also have to be really careful with hot curling irons etc. because you don't want to burn them. This was really interesting because with the Katie head you don't have to be aware of 'her' because she's a doll. You don't have to be aware of hurting her or being too rough etc.

I did feel comfortable enough working on a real person rather than a Katie doll. I have had freelance makeup artist experience so I'm comfortable working on the general public. This really helped with this as it meant I could just get on with the task at hand. The biggest challenge with working on my partner was the hair type (This was the day we had our first Elizabethan hair attempt). My partner Tara had really soft, good condition hair so this was obviously more challenging to work with as its slippy when your trying to put it up. I had to crimp most of her hair to get more texture and then I was able back brush it to create more structure. This technique worked in the end and I was able to put Tara's hair up easily enough. I think next time I would use a strong hold hair spray to get rid of fly away hairs. This will also give the hair more texture and make it easier to work with.

Adding accessories to the hair

For today's lesson we had to add accessories to Elizabethan hair styles. In Elizabethan Times Women would have elaborate hair design but they would also decorate their hair further with jewels, ribbon, netted hair cages, pearls, hats and hair ornaments. This was to showcase their wealth and stature. these weren't available to the lower classes so it was a huge sign of your position if you could get a hold of these accessories.

I chose to work with a feather and diamond hair accessory and some ribbon I'd picked up from Fabric World in the high street.

Technique:

I began sectioning the hair into three sections. I french plaited these sections and going towards the nape of the neck. I tied the ends of the plaits with clear bands and folded them under the plait. I then used 2 bobby pin clip's and secured them in place. I then got a bobby pin and attached the ribbon to it and proceeded to thread the ribbon through each plait. Once I had finished I clipped the ends of the ribbon in place to secure them. I then took my feather and diamond hair accessory and threaded it through the bottom of the middle plait I then secured this with a bobby pin. 

Outcome and Feelings of technique:

 This was tricky. Threading the ribbon without loosening the plaits and I think it will take a bit of practice to perfect this technique. I really like the look of this. I tried to make a contemporary version of the Elizabethan style with this design. I think it came together nicely and the colour's are very autumnal. 

Assessment for final design. Me doing Erin's design.

Today I had to construct Erin's hair design. I didn't have much opportunity to practice it on Erin herself as we had conflicting schedules but managed to do a lot of practice on my Katie doll. My practice went well and I went into the timed assessment feeling confident and prepared.

Tools used:

•  clear bands
• hair grips
• bobby pins
• decorative clips
• hair spray
• sectioning comb
• paddle brush
• crimpers
• curling wand

The design steps: 

I had to part the hair into 4 sections horizontally and tie them into bands. I then crimped the entire 3rd section and put this into a band to hold. I then French braided the second section (plaiting towards Erin's ears on both sides) after parting it slightly off center as to follow Erin's natural parting. After French braiding it I loosened the plait and pulled at it to make it wider and softer. I then tied them at the ends to secure them. I then went back to the third section and back brushed the whole lot of hair to create a large bouffant. Once it was back brushed I held it together and began to comb over the top layer to smooth it out. I then untied the fourth section and put it together with the 3rd section into a loose ponytail. I then made a little bun with this and rolled it under and clipped it in place so that it was hidden and secure. I then smoothed it all out with hairspray and pushed it up a little more to create height and clipped it in place. I then took the two plaits and placed them around the bouffant, over the ear, crossed them over each other at the back and tucked them in the bouffant and clipped them in place.   I then got the front section split it to Erin's parting and curled them loosely so to create softness around the face. I then clipped them back into the bouffant and let some bits fall to keep it loose and pretty. I then put in the decoration which I think brought it the whole design together. 

After thoughts. 

I'm really happy with the outcome. I think it worked really well and I managed to stay within the desired time frame. I think it looks really clean and neat and well constructed. I feel I was well planned and practiced and kept to Erin's design. Erin also gave me a very detailed set of steps and instructions with photographed examples that were very helpful. I found this really useful as I could practice on my own and know what I needed to do with each step. I also feel that we worked really well as a team and communicated really well with each other. I felt I understood what Erin wanted me to do with her design too. I also really like the design it worked really well with Erin's hair and looks great with Erin's skin tone and hair colour. A really great contemporary interpretation of an Elizabethan hairstyle.

Final Assessment for my design. Erin doing my design.

On Monday it was assessment day for hair. I had completed my design and Erin had to construct it. We had practiced a lot and I had prepared everything she needed  (hair brushes and sectioning combs, clear head bands, hair grips, hairspray, hair wax for the braids and accessories for the finishing touches). I also felt that Erin was really well prepared.

List of products and equipment used.

1. Pin tail comb for combing and sectioning
2.Hairbrush
3. hair crimpers.
4. hair wax
5. hairspray
6. clear bands
7. hair grips
8. sectioning clips
9. accessories for decoration. 6 diamond ended bobby pins and diamond swirs to curl into the hair.
10. hair plan.
11. hair plan step by step
12. photos of practice sessions
 

Erin completed the assessment in good time. She was really professional, fast and the finish was really clean. The placement of the accessories was accurate and I was happy with the final result. The only thing I think I would have changed was the top bun as it looked a little over to one side, it wasn't quite as symmetrical as I would have liked but Erin did notice this herself and tried fixing it in the end.
Erin also took direction really well and I felt that our communication was our strong point. Erin understood the look I was going for which really made it easy when talking through my design with her. 

I really enjoyed designing this hairstyle. I took a lot of inspiration from a lot of avant garde hair styling sites and also from a lot of the Elizabethan portraits. I feel that I really managed to combine the Elizabethan crown with the modern avant garde hair crowns I found photo's of. I enjoyed the progression of my changing ideas. Each time I practiced I would alter something or move something. This was very important as I wanted to make it easily constructed by my Partner Erin, in the time frame given to us by Lottie.  I also wanted it to be well balanced and I found that my first design didn't quite fit with my head shape and hair thickness.  I feel that my final design worked really well for my hair. I have bleached it a couple of times so the condition is quite course. I found that because of this my hair took to the different styles really well and held really well too.
I used my first makeup design idea for my hair design photo. I thought it worked well and because it was a simple makeup design it fit well in the time frame. I do think though, that it made it look a little 90's Gothic when I used the black back ground (for the photo) which I wasn't entirely keen on as this wasn't what I was going for. Next time I will choose a simpler makeup look if my hair design is elaborate Or I will use my white background photo's as this sits better and balances everything out.
 

Preparation for final practical assessment. Me doing Erin's design.

After receiving Erin's detailed steps and instructions with photographic examples I was able to practice at home. They were really easy to follow and it gave me a clear way of understanding exactly what Erin wanted. 

Erin's instructions:

My practise images.

Outcome of practice.

I actually found this design very straight forward to do, made easier of course with Erin's notes. The only bit I struggled with was how to make the bouffant bigger. Once I new what size Erin wanted it I practiced until I perfected it. I think I got really good height with the bouffant in my practice so this gave me confidence to re-create this on Erin in the timed assessment. I think it all came together really nicely and I'm pleased with the outcome. 

I really like this design. I love the frizzy look of the bouffant and how it's neatened up by the front. 

Photo credit: Erin Stacey.

Practise of final design- Design 3 my final chosen design.

Add caption

 This was one of our practice sessions. We did the original design but when Erin did it on me the Braid coming across the forehead didn't look right on me. So I thought of lifting it back and when I did It changed the whole look. I immediately loved it as it fit perfectly with the side plaits and it created a really regal look and instantly turned it into a hair crown which was what I was going for having been inspired by the crowns and jewels Elizabeth wore. When we pulled the split braid back it looked very structural. It sat about an inch off of my head. I have bought some accessories from Claire's accessories to add to it. I have some diamond ended clips that I can just poke into my hair and they will sit there. I also have diamond ended clips to poke into the rolls at the back because I was inspired by the sleeves of the Elizabethan portrait below. she has huge bell sleeves with diamond and jewels embroidered into it.
I've also picked my first makeup Idea to wear for the photo's to give it extra quality. Ive Included a photograph to give an idea. 

Makeup Idea to go with my hair design. 

The side and back of my design has remained the same but Ive played with the front braid running towards the forehead. 

  I'm really happy with my final Design and I'm really pleased with Erin's execution of it so far. We will keep practicing to perfect it for the assessment. 

By pulling back the split french braid I was able to create a love heart shape.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/15/8d/92/158d920823f8aa000a7a6064b386e7c1.jpg

I have really been inspired by crowns and I'm really happy with the way I have been able to incorporate them into my hair design. i feel this is a really strong design now and definitely 

Practise of final Design- Design 2

3 Plaits down the side of the head. curved to make a crown shape.

So I practised my second design at home. This time with just 1 braid running through the parting towards the forehead. I felt that since the last one had two it looked like their was too much going on and I wanted to make it a little less busy. This also helped bring the timing down for my partner. I'm really pleased with the outcome. Its exactly how I wanted it to look and it feels avant garde to me, which is where I grew most of my inspiration from. 

I love the shapes and the symmetry of my design and it still feels like something an Elizabethan woman would wear. I love how the plaits along the side create a crown shape. This really worked on my hair as well as it showed the different tones of blonde. The timing was kept short too which is really useful to my partner. I feel like I've used the techniques really well, that I've learned from this semester and its all really well balanced. 

Two round padded shapes at the back.

http://all-that-is-interesting.com/historys-most-prolific-women-2/most-prolific-women-elizabeth

The crown in this image has very much inspired the crown shape in my design. I definitely want to keep this bit as I feel it is a really strong symbol of royalty but modernised using the hair. 

A french braid running towards the forehead and then split into two.

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/rbi-communities/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2013/08/2013-Avant-garde-Redhead.jpg

I love the idea of making a crown out of hair as its very avant garde to me and creative by turning the hair into an accessory. 

http://minniemuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Slide1.jpg

I absolutely love this! I love the shape of the crown but because of the time I'm going to stick to a more simple shape to create the crown look. I think it will showcase my design abilities by using my own hair to create the crown shape. I also don't want to make it too complicated and long winded otherwise my partner will run out of time. 

Practise of final design- Design 1

side view 

Another side view 

Today we were practicing our final design. I'm partnered with Erin Stacey and we thought we would test out our own designs on each other, and get the timing right, before passing it to each other to complete.

Practice and technique: Mine is quite time consuming as there is a lot going on. I began buy creating my 3 sections. I created one wide section in Erin's parting that would create two French plaits. I then created two sections down either side of Erin's face, that would be split into 3 more tiny sections each that I will plait to create a crown shape. I was then left with the large back section. I began with the back section. I crimped this section and back brushed it and split it into two sections. This was very time consuming as Erin has long hair so I will have to adjust this later. I then began to mould these two sections into round bulbous shapes. I struggled with this so Lottie suggested I tie them with hair ties and mould the shape around them and pin in place. This was successful and I was able to create the shape I wanted and make it strong enough to hold. Lottie also suggested I put these sections in hair ties straight away and crimp the hair when it is already held up. This will half the crimping time and also give a cleaner finish. I will definitely be noting this down for Erin. 

Once these two shapes were created in the back I began to split the hair down the sides and began plaiting them. Going in the direction of the shapes at the back, as I will need to create a crown later. After this I split the sectioned hair on Erin's parting into two and began French plaiting them in the direction of her face. Once the French plait has reached the face I then split each one into two singular plaits. I then curved them around her forehead to create an ornamental shape and clipped them in place. I the clipped in the side plaits but raised them off of the head to create a crown shape. 

Outcome: I was pleased with the outcome and I like the end look. I like the fact that there are different things going on, although if I had more time I would have focused on hiding the clear bands and structure of the raised plaits. I also need to simplify it so that Erin can complete it the the timed assessment. 

Side view 

My partner Erin front view

Inspiration for the centre braidhttp://www.hairstyles123.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Avant-Party-Hairstyle.jpg

Inspiration for the reverse side braidshttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/75x75/1e/d9/4a/1ed94a7aee1635186aa3e7f70796953d.jpg