The Tease: A Timeless Hairstyle from the ’60s
The Tease: A Timeless Hairstyle from the ’60s
The tease, also known as a bouffant, is a classic hairstyle that has stood the test of time. Modern celebrities like Adele, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and Gwen Stefani continue to rock this iconic look, making it a symbol of elegance and individuality.
The Evolution of the Tease
The tease has evolved over the decades, remaining one of the most popular hairstyles in contemporary fashion. Women wear teases to work, parties, and special events, proving its versatility. Today, you can find not only the extremely high teases reminiscent of the ’60s but also more modest versions suitable for everyday wear. Over 30 years ago, the tease revolutionized the world of fashion and continues to be a trendsetter.
History of the Tease
The tease hairstyle was born in 1960 when Modern Beauty Shop sought a new design for their publications. Margaret Vinci Heldt, a renowned stylist and salon owner, was tasked with creating something innovative. Inspired at home, Margaret used a large cone-shaped hat to craft a new hairstyle. The February issue of Modern Beauty Shop featured this completely new style called the “tease.” By 1961, the iconic Audrey Hepburn showcased the new hairstyle in the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” cementing its place in fashion history.
Iconic Teases
- Marge Simpson: The mother of Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, and wife of Homer, sports a two-foot-high blue tease in every episode of The Simpsons. Thanks to Marge, the high tease gained even more popularity in the modern world.
- Brigitte Bardot: She gave charm to the low tease, which was later named “choucroute” (French for “sauerkraut”).
- Grace Lee Whitney: Her appearance as Janice Rand in the 1970s TV series Star Trek marked the peak of the tease’s popularity.
- The B-52’s: In 1976, this rock band also popularized the tease when band members showcased the fashionable hairstyle during a concert. After the B-52’s appearance, any voluminous, round-shaped hairstyle began to be called a tease.
The Modern Tease
Today, women from different countries continue to wear teases as both everyday and special occasion hairstyles. The tease has given modern women more opportunities to express their sexuality and elegance, as a high hairstyle not only emphasizes height but also reveals the neck. For Amy Winehouse, the high tease became a signature look. The singer once confessed:
The more vulnerable I feel, the higher my tease.
In Moschino’s 2016 summer collection, teases appeared as a combination of retro style and femininity, further solidifying the hairstyle’s place in modern fashion.
Creating a Tease at Home
The foundation of a tease is volume. Be prepared to spend some time creating this beautiful hairstyle. The tools you’ll need may vary, but start with a round hairbrush, curling iron, hairspray, and bobby pins.
- Create volume by teasing several sections of hair with a comb, giving them a rounded shape.
- To make your hair more manageable, use a curling iron. This will help you style the sections more easily, and the curls will add elegance to your look.
- Don’t worry if your hair starts to puff up too much; use hairspray to fix the height.
- Use bobby pins to secure the hairstyle in place for an extended period.
- Once the hair is lifted and secured as high as possible, use the remaining long sections to form a ’60s-style nest.
As a result, you’ll have an elegant hairstyle that will maintain its volume and shape throughout the day. If you feel that you can’t do the tease yourself, you can ask someone to help you follow the steps above or use a video tutorial. For more information, you can refer to authoritative sources like Vogue.
