Customer Reviews

Hair & Wigs for the Stage Step by Step

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The photos are remedial and the contents are not appropriate for anyone past high school or community theatre. I teach on the University level and this book was of NO use to me in a teaching environment. I think that it is a book that is good for enjoying different styles and looking at techniques, but it is not up to the standard of other books on the same subject.

I got this book at the library for a recent HS production of a 1900's melodrama. The school had student volunteers to do the hairstyles of the girls in the show. The students (who had no experience with historical hairdos prior) loved the book with the steps to make the Gibson girl updo.It even inpsired me to create a modern day adaptation of the hair rat used back then (think nylon knee hi and plastic sacks!). The students (even the boys) enjoyed looking through the book at the various styles. I am going to buy a copy for the Drama Teacher to have on hand for future productions.

I've found it very difficult to find books on this subject. While this book isn't perfect in terms of really re-creating authentic period styles (note cheap looking, super-white wig on the cover; real 18th-century powdered hair tended to be grayish) it does have some great tips, and there are lots of photos to show you what to do, and what tools to buy. With the help of this book I made a perfect Gibson-Girl era updo, and turned a cheap mid-length wig into a pretty authentic looking 18th-century gentleman's wig (p. 65). It looked much better than the pre-styled costume wigs you can buy. (Tip: fat ribbon really helps.) I would definitely combine this book with your own research using contemporary images, but it's not a bad place to start, and for those of us who don't know many hairdressing/makeup techniques, it's valuable.

I been doing wigs since 1964 and still developing new looks and creative designs. I've done wigs for all the department stores,Bromdale's,Macy's,Sacs 5th Ave, etc. Wigs for mannequin's as well as for people's. Wig's will always be in stlye "INFINITY".