Well, I can tell you how it was done in the late 60's/early 70's.
I'm over 40 and was a little girl when Brigitte Bardot was still at the height of her populartity and before she retired from public life. My sister was in college at the time and Bardot hair was all the rage on campus. I used to love to watch my sister get ready for dates...doing her hair, applying makeup, etc. I'm sure I was probably a little pest to her at the time, but she always humored me and would make me up and do my hair as well. That time I spent with her was so much fun!
My sister and I both have long, baby fine hair, but lots of it. Here's how the look was done back in the day...lol! First you'll need clean, empty, large size frozen orange juice cans with both ends cut off. You'll also need bobby pins and a big tub of styling gel known as "Dippity Do".
Wash, condition and towel dry your hair. While still damp, comb out your hair with a wide tooth comb. Once your hair is combed out, section out your still damp hair. There needs to be enough hair in each section to roll around the large frozen orange juice can.
Liberally apply Dippity Do to each section, from roots to ends. Roll each section of hair around an orange juice can and secure tightly with bobby pins (exactly like you are using a giant curler).
Once all your hair has been rolled, it's time to dry. Blow dryers weren't on the market at the time, so my sister used a soft bonnet hair dryer similar to the one pictured below. I'm sure a blow dryer would do just as well.
Very important...hair must be completely dry and cooled before unrolling and brush out. My sister would wait from 30 mins to an hour after drying to make sure hair was completely cooled after being heat dried under the bonnet dryer. You could probably speed up the process by using the "cool shot" function on a blow dryer.
Once hair is completly dried and cooled, carefully unroll each section. Bend over at the waist and lightly brush out hair. Straighten up, flip hair back and lightly finger comb into style. Set the look with hairspray.
I found one online retailer that still sells Dippity Do gel. I have no idea if it's the original forumla. I remember it came in a large, clear plastic tub. My sister preferred the pink one, but it also came in green and blue. If Dippity Do isn't available, I'm sure another strong holding gel would work.
http://www.harvardpilgrim.mimrx.com/...1&dept_id=1084
Good luck! Let us know if you give it a try!
