Zulu Hair!


I attended the Zulu Ball this Mardi Gras in New Orleans, a strictly formal event, and spent most of January wigging out about what I would do with my hair. I had a dress all picked out, shoes, purse, and jewelry, but what could I do with my cap of curls that wouldn't be boring or standard?? I found a great solution!

I decided to go with a modified 20's look -- a tight cap of curls with a crystal floral hair piece that I made myself! Brilliant right? :)

To get the look: I performed my first rollerset with the little blue magnetic rollers from Sally Beauty Supply. Since I'd never done it, and didn't know what setting lotion to use or whatever, I went with tried and true: I used Kinky Curly Curling Custard! Besides being a bit gooey and taking a long time to dry (an hour under my beloved hood dryer is not too high a beauty price to pay, right?), it came out wonderfully. I rolled my hair in a "brick laying pattern", back to front, using the roller caps to stretch and hold my hair to the roller. After drying, I coated my fingertips in evoo and pulled the curls apart with my fingers. I also carefully ran my fingers through the roots to erase the parting lines.

To create the piece: I went to Michaels. In the bridal decorations section, I found "crystal leaves" pre-mounted on thin silver wire (I've searched the michael's website for a pic of this... in vain). I also bought swarovski crystals. I went home, pulled the leaves apart and re-twisted them in a 3-dimensional flower pattern, and used a hot glue gun to attach the additional crystals for glitter and shine. I used a simple large bobby pin to attach it to above my left ear (where I always wear flowers).

It was a rousing success! I'm sure I don't have to tell you how wonderful all the sisters looked in all their Mardi Gras finery, but I was the ONLY one rocking a hair flower. I got lots of compliments from men and women, and it was one of those rare zen moments where your outside perfectly matches your inside. Selah.

3 comments:

JAS said...

You look gorgeous! Great job on the crystal flower, you ever thought about a side hustle of hair accesories!

Leila Daily said...

this is so pretty!

Peajai said...

Absolutely beautiful!

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