The Bubble Flip
by 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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