The Middy Thread

[Lenore]

So yeah... I didn't wait. Did the chop again myself. I must have held my hand funny, because boy do I have the layers this time around!

Later today, once my hair dries, I'll do my color. Then I'll be all set for the new year.

 

[Cara Wheeler]

I got too impatient, too. Only partially following directions- as is my way.

 

[Lenore]

Niiice.

I always wiggle the instructions around a bit myself. I got mine shorter than I like it this time around, but it'll work well I think.

 

[michwinter]

Hey!

I'm new here and stumbled upon this site and thread when I was looking for a vintage hairstyle.

I read C-dots tutorials (because I was too impatient to wait to get to town) and then when I visited my mum I got her to hack it off (but I was going from memory!). I partitioned the back into 8 segments all up, but did the sides and front in three pieces as per the tutorial. To cut the back we put the elastic in the center of the segment and I held a tape measure to my head and got mum to cut 9 inches. This also happened to the sides cos they snuck in and got cut too!

The front segment I made 5 inches deep and 5 inches across - sort of trying to follow the middy diagrams. But I kind of forgot how the tutorial said to cut the front! So I brushed the whole segment forward and got mum to cut at 9 inches from the start of the segment (middle of my head) and kind of ends at the top of my nose. Sooooo, I have a bit of a mullet going on he he. Next time I would bring leave the fringe out and then partition the top into at say 6 segments and cut them each 9 inches like we did the back. Not exactly a middy, but to give length but layers all over. Or maybe I would get it cut longer so that the layers start at the back. Not sure!!!!

I would upload some pics and ask some questions about what to do different and how to style (because even the shortest bits are not shorter than the true middy, so I should be able to get it to work...) But I cannot figure it out!

Cheers
Mich

 

[C-dot]

I got too impatient, too. Only partially following directions- as is my way.

Wow, the tutorial lead to that? How beautiful!

I hope everyone is wiggling the instructions to suit them - Me, I never do it the same way twice (usually ending up with more layers like you, Lenore!)

 

[Lenore]

I set it last night. I'm going to have to make a couple of minor adjustments, but I'm thrilled with how it turned out.

And when it's not set, I look pretty punk rock (According to my mother in law!)

 

[michwinter]

So here are some piccies of what was MEANT to be a middy, but, well it has gone a tad crazy. Please no laughing! I take cruddy photos and always pull faces, and these were taken on the mobile phone.

Cut - the top at its shortest is 4", the back is generally 9" all over. I didn't have the sides cut becase I decided I had lost enough hair!

For new years eve, some quick curls with the curling iron and a headband to keep that crazy top lot in place!

I tries pin curls today and brushed them out, but I have heaps of fine hair and brushing (for ages) just made it fluffier and fluffier, even brushed each section against my hand.

Help! Should I hack more off? What styles could I actually achieve as it is? Today I pinned the top curls up, left the bangs out and put the rest in a pony because it was sooo hot. I got laughed at majorly at work, meanies they are.

 

[C-dot]

I didn't have the sides cut becase I decided I had lost enough hair... Help! Should I hack more off?

Cut the sides! The tapering is what gives it an authentic look. Also, with this angle, the fluffier your curls are the better, so you'll like how your sets turn out. (If your curls are much too fluffy, add some pomade.)

 

[Retro_GI_Jane]

Another C-dot tutorial graduate! After pestering her in PMs about my layers and the disappointment of the curls framing my face falling after a mere brushing through, I showered and inspected my hair and decided to take the plunge and shorten the hair around my face. I started off with the tops and sides but after I was done, felt it didn't blend well with the rest of my hair in the back, so I reparted and did it all! Bless my husband, he trimmed a little in the back for me so I have more of that U rather than a V look. I no longer have a near femme fatale, more of a middy plus but I'm very happy and can't wait to set it and see how the end product looks!

 

[C-dot]

I no longer have a near femme fatale, more of a middy plus but I'm very happy and can't wait to set it and see how the end product looks!

It's normal to lose a bit more length than you expect when you first do the cut, since you're putting in new layers. Now that the cut is established, though, give it a trim every few months to get rid of the split ends and it will grow as long as you like

 

[Cara Wheeler]

Thanks! I have your tutorial to thank for the hair. The goofy expression is all mine though.

C-dot and everyone else- thanks so much for all your posts!! Fedora Lounge is a wonderful, wonderful place thanks to all you ladies and your experience and advice.

 

[Vera Godfrey]

Hello!

I have been reading this thread with great interest!

First, thanks so much C-Dot for the tutorial! It looks very easy to follow.

I'd like to take the plunge and give myself a cut, but am wondering about the length of my current hair. I got a bad cut over the summer and my hair is taking forever to grow out. The sides are just past my chin, my bangs go just past my chin, and the back is just past my collar. It's already in a U shape.

My question is this...is it too short to cut it into middy layers?

 

[Miss sofia]

Gaaah! I was just about to cut myself a middy as per C-dot's instructions, but the photos don't seem to be available for me to look at. Any suggestions ladies?

 

[crwritt]

Gaaah! I was just about to cut myself a middy as per C-dot's instructions, but the photos don't seem to be available for me to look at. Any suggestions ladies?

Look at page 10, post 93.

 

[Vera Godfrey]

Hello!

I have been reading this thread with great interest!

First, thanks so much C-Dot for the tutorial! It looks very easy to follow.

I'd like to take the plunge and give myself a cut, but am wondering about the length of my current hair. I got a bad cut over the summer and my hair is taking forever to grow out. The sides are just past my chin, my bangs go just past my chin, and the back is just past my collar. It's already in a U shape.

My question is this...is it too short to cut it into middy layers?

Anyone? I'm so afraid that if I try this, my hair will end up way short and terrible looking.

 

[Miss Stella]

I speak from experience:
If you aren't confident in doing it, DONT. If it were longer you could get it fixed if you made a mistake...not much room for error is you make a bad cut
You hair isn't too short for a short middy...it will be much shorter though when it gets curled so think about it before the cut.
And NEVER drink and cut hair...Bettie bangs seem to go rather south when this is done...hate to think of where a middy might go.....

 

[Vera Godfrey]

Thank you for the sage advice, Miss Stella! I really would love to cut it, but I think I will wait just a bit longer. I do wish my hair would grow just a little faster!

 

[Miss Sabrina Fairchild]

I got a middy plus today - ack it's so short! My hair was down to my waist but being summer (here in Aus) it was driving me mental. Now I just need to learn to style it as I think I look ridiculous with it straight....not to mention the girl blow dryed it up at the back so its a bit boufy. Wish me luck!

 

[Rosina Lee]

yay a fellow nz dame!! and one I know, hello Claire!! I will be committing to the middy this week, kinda scared!

 

[Penny Dreadful]

I got my middy done for the third time on Saturday. The only thing I change is the length, and this time I went my shortest yet because of split ends. There was also a big difference in the length of the layers to the length overall. I don't know if it's the shorter length or the fact I saw a different girl, but this time it just FEELS right, you know? I always felt beautiful before, but physically my hair has that light fluffy Marilyn feeling even though it's still relatively very long. I really love it because of how versatile it is, I can do anything with it. Just make absolutely sure when you go to the salon they don't razor anything, that's the hardest point to get across but so important that they listen.