hairstyles

The Fashion Statement: Bouffants are Back

The bouffant, the piled-high hairstyle popularized in the late '50s and early '60s, is back!

Amy Winehouse has been rockin' a beehive for years. But, this year, bouffants kicked into high gear and were seen on the runways of Chanel, Dior, Oscar de la Renta (above) and Vera Wang. On the celeb front Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson and Kate Beckinsale have all given it a whirl.

Bouffant. Pompadour. Whatever you call it, it was born in France, reportedly first introduced by Madame de Pompadour who was a mistress of Louis XV. But the real bouffant as we know it today was created for Marie Antoinette, who apparently wanted to mask her thin hair. Closer to the truth, it was the fashion. And, as we know, Antoinette was not exactly known for her restraint.

According to Daring 'Dos: A History of Extraordinary Hair, by Mary Trasko, both Pompadour and Antoinette wore their hair high on the forehead, either brushed over a pad or "frizzed." Some estimated the towering styles stretched three feet high. Hair was such a production back then, women slept propped up on pillows. Our quips today that animals could live in those things was more than partly right-the pomades back then were made of lard and attracted vermin.

By the '60s, the style had become so commonplace in the West, it spread to American suburbs. Throngs of women made their weekly trips to the hair salon, usually Fridays. Wash. Set. Tease. And use lots of industrial strength hair spray. Teachers complained about girls whose hair was so big that they blocked other students from seeing the blackboard.

Gallery: The Fashion Statement: Bouffants are Back

Tags: Amy Winehouse, bouffant, Chanel, HairStyles, Lady Gaga, Madame de Pompadour, Marie Antoinette, Vidal Sasson

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A Messy Hair Day = A Gorgeous Head Band

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

It seems as though Mother Nature has gotten tired of engulfing most of the US with snow and has instead turned her attention to drenching us with a combination of strong winds, pouring rain and disgusting drizzle. However you look at it, this weather is the worst.

Of the many things we think about during rainy days - and the most thought about is probably along the lines of when will Mr. Sunshine sweep us off our feet again? - is how to stay dry and still look presentable once we have reached our destination. Even with the usual rain gear (boots, coat, hat and umbrella) to keep us intact, our hair still has to endure awful weather. And by the time we get to where we need to be, our hair looks nothing like its former vibrant and shiny self. So in an effort to have your hair looking great on those crazy rainy days, just put your hair in a ponytail and add a headband. It will give your hair the well needed boost it deserves. Featured to the right is my personal favorite, the Bijoux Heart Tapisserie Gold Plated Hairband. It is adorned with an explosion of crystals and various colored stones, making you an instant fashionable standout.

Although the prices of these headbands may be a little too extravagant for your budget, there are more affordable and just as gorgeous pieces available at Etsy, J.Crew, and TopShop.

Gallery: A Messy Hair Day = A Gorgeous Head Band