Girl of a different Era

I know what you are thinking? “She wants to make a long-tailed pest, carrier of the bubonic plague, ugly flea-bitten varmint out of hair, has she lost her sanity?

Well, friends I am happy to reassure you that this is not the case, a hair rat is just the term for extra hair that is saved and used to ‘puff’ up hairstyles. These were once quite popular and can be made the traditional or a modern way, both work well.

Have you ever just stared at some hairstyles and asked yourself how did they get their hair to be so, so puffy? Well just like women in the 1700’s used frames as the foundation for the towering hair styles so women throughout time have used hair rats. And while these was used throughout many decades I am focusing on how you can make your own DIY hair rat (two different ways) to get the perfect ’40s faux bangs.

So let us get started………

#1 The Modern Way

So this method doesn’t take any actual hair (if the thought of bundling your hair up into a roll disgusts you) And can be made easily.

You will need

• 1 bun maker
• scissors
• needle
• thread

First off take a bun maker (you can get them at most stores that sell hair supplies) and clip it in half

Now thread your needle and stitch up the ends so they won’t fray

And here is the finished look…

The Traditional Way; (this is a simple and completely free way)

You will need

• hair (taking it from your brush everyday and putting it somewhere is the simplest way)

Collecting enough hair may take a few months (however I had saved some hair from when I had mine cut awhile ago and that worked well.

Once you have enough hair

Take it and after piling it together until you believe you have enough (keep in mind it condenses a bit) Roll it gently between your hands (it amazing how this simple motion gets all the hair to hold together) until it all forms a stable sausage shape (Make sure to find your approximate length you want it to be. Mine is about 10 inches, I think)

And here is the finished look this way…..

Let me know what you think, in the comments and as always don’t forget to like and subscribe!

Notes;

Think of all the hairstyles you can that seem ‘unachievably puffy’ in the new light of a hair rat. (and let me know😉)

Do you have any vintage hairstyling hacks? Would you want to know more?

Disclaimer; No rodents were harmed during the construction of this product.