How to Properly Lubricate Your Hair Back
There is nothing more associated with 50s style than slicked back hair. If you want to look like you’re ready to rumble – or maybe start a musical number – that’s what you guys do.
Welcome to Retro Week , where we light up the flux condenser and introduce you to the 1950s know-how of everything from making casseroles to building fallout shelters to joys for kids to relax and play with trash.
First, you must have hair long enough to slick back. It should be longer than you think (by at least a few inches), so take a shower test before getting too excited. Stand under running water and try to pull all your hair under the weight of the water. Now stand up as usual, hair not in the shower. Does your hair stay in place? If so, probably long enough. If it returns to its original position, wait a little longer.
Once you have hair of the right length, you need the right hair product. Lubricants from the 50s and 60s got their trademark look with lipsticks, and this is something you’ll need to use, too. Lipsticks are a mixture of wax and other ingredients, but to achieve a real lubricating look, you will need a high oil lipstick, not a water based lipstick. It will make your hair look beautiful, oily in general, but that’s the point.
Okay, now wash your hair and let it dry completely (it will be much easier this way). However, if you have thicker wavy hair like mine, I recommend using a hair cream before lipstick like Suavecito . When you’re ready to try on lipstick, April Barton from Salon Suite 303 explains what to do in this Howcast YouTube video :
Take a large amount of lipstick (about a quarter in size), distribute it evenly over your hands, and then apply it evenly all over your hair. Don’t worry about styling it just yet! Just take your time and make sure you have an even layer of lipstick along the entire length of your hair. You will get better hold and oily shine. In addition, it will be much easier to do additional styling.
Once the lipstick is all over your hair, grab a comb or brush and comb it back. Start at the sides, then work on the top, and now you have oily hair. You can do some extra styling at this point if you want to try Folsom (where you comb the part); Pompadour (when the hair on the top of the head moves forward a little to make a giant wave); Elephant’s trunk (where you twist the bangs forward to make a curly thing); or Duck Butt (where you brush your hair so that the back of your head looks like a duck’s butt).
In addition, it is recommended that you carry a comb and a small lipstick with you after leaving the house. Your cool new toilet will probably need a little tweaking throughout the day as lipstick keeps your hair damp.
Looks sharp! Now all you need is a leather jacket, a switch knife, and a few wrapped cigarettes.