Inspiration: The Shingle, Finger, Marcel Wave & Eton Crop

The Shingled Wave

Mae West made the Marcel Wave the go to hairstyle in the 20's and 30's

Well ladies, we talked crowns, tiaras and headpieces. Lets move on to hair. The 30’s and 20’s was all about short hair, the new modern woman! Of coarse that doesn’t mean you have to chop it all off but you can wear a wig and your stylists can certainly get creative. The Shingle was most popular with the ladies who choose not to chop of their locks to a bob length. Generally ladies who preferred to keep their regular length at either the top of the shoulder or shoulder blade. The hair is cut short to the neckline under the upper strands that drape from the top of the head. The hair is then styled in a shingle or heavy wave pattern against the head. Typically this style is done using a hot curling iron and product like gel, along with a good amount of hairspray. The finished look is similar in length to the bob, with the hair tips just below the bottom of your ear lobe. 

The finger wave is similar to the shingle, the difference is in the length. The styling refers to the use of your finger to section waves going down horizontally from the top of the head. The styling goes all the way from ear to ear with the ends of the hair curled. Today, some stylists opt to use clips to hold the hair in its long waves. This hairstyle can also be worn by women with longer hair. 

Josephine Baker did the Eton Crop Justice

Francois Marcel invented his namesake wave in the 19th century. The style was created to utilize the heated curling iron. What a better way to sell curling irons than inventing a new hip hairstyle. The difference between Marcel’s style from the previous 2, was the alternation of the hair direction creating a double wave effect around the woman's head. Shoulder length hair is ideal for this look because the waves are so tight together, length is key to create a look that drapes down past the ear.  Lucky for the ladies today, they don’t have to use the heavy irons of the 20’s. Thanks to improvements in materials and design, irons are safer and lighter. Marcel opened his first Salon in Paris in the Montparnasse late 1800’s. The Marcel withstood the test of time and is seems on the runways of the fashion capitals of today.

The Eton crop was named after the famous British school  and was early on called the Boyish Bob. The name says it all, it’s for those ladies who have cropped their hair short. The hairstyle is short all over except for the hair on top of the head. Women style the longer hair in a simple single wave or curl flat to the head. This style is finally slicked down by a heavy product like gel or a pomade. The credit for the Eton Crop going mainstream goes to the amazing Josephine Baker. Sadly Josephine has already been grabbed as costume. I know most ladies have long hair, but be adventurous with your hair, ask your stylist what can give you for one night only! Be sure to book those salon visits before they fill up fast.