The Bubble Flipby Eva Pasco 
"Gimme a head of hair, long beautiful hair...Shinin', gleamin', streamin', flaxen,
waxen..."
These commercial lyrics from the rock musical "Hair," were
released in 1969, and gelled into place by the Cowsills, a local singing band formed in
1966, hailing from Newport, Rhode Island. The family group basked in the
spotlight during the 60s and early 70s. In fact, their version of the musical's title song
was no. 2 on the charts, going up against the heaviest hitting rock bands of the
day. Though seldom taken seriously, the Cowsills became the inspiration behind the popular TV
series, "The Partridge Family."
One of the popular hairdos of the Sixties decade was that of the Bubble
Flip--no simple undertaking indeed! In order to achieve the "look," serious
commitment was a major requirement:
Thickening gel--preferably Dippity Doo goo
for priming towel-dried hair.
Brush rollers-- though most likely the culprit for split ends, 3" to 3
1/2" rollers were prized objects to wrap sections of hair around. If that didn't cause you to say
"ouch," securing each one in place with a metal clip or plastic pin raking across your scalp would.
Resembling a Martian, I would sleep on these things. My head never touched the
pillow. Many others opted to go out in public, bonneting their rollers under a kerchief,
a trendsetting style in itself.
Helmet hairdryer--for those who didn't mind sitting under a hood frying
for close to an hour to get a "set."
Setting tape--touted safe against pulling out hair, it assured straight
bangs.
Round brush--for those who wanted their bangs curved and voluminous as
car bumpers.
Back comb--this jagged tooth comb was necessary to rat or tease the
hair at the crown for elevation.
Hair spray--the finishing touch was provided by a must have shellac of
the decade-- Aqua Net Ultra Hold.
After all of this, one was rendered "Saturday Night Date Ready." The Cowsills
harmonized it best:
A home for the fleas, a hive for the buzzin' bees.
A nest for birds, there ain't no words, For the beauty, the splendor, the wonder of my... ...Hair
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