Emma Inspired Regency Hairstyles

As I am a huge fan of the 1996 Mirramax version of Emma, I have been attempting to mimic the costumes and hairstyles into my own wardrobe. Try as I might, my results are not replicas and fall under the category of "inspired by" the movie more than anything.

Here is my take on two of my favorite styles worn by Emma. Both are very similar in their styling and easy to execute with hair just below the shoulder.

Lets talk tools...
Other than the curling iron and hairspray, I highly recommend investing in the large bobby pins as they perform 4 to 1 compared to small bobby pins. Also I like using a Topsy Tail. Yes, that silly plastic thing from the 80's. It works wonders. If you don't have one you can do the same function by making a hole in your hair with your comb or finger and then pulling your hair through. The Topsy Tail is quick, easy, and less painful. I found mine at Bartel's for a couple dollars. Amazon also carries them.

Accessories...
I received lots of compliments on my little ribbons in my hair. Ladies these are really easy to make. Simply take  your favorite ribbon. Make a bow the size you want and tie it tight, then thread a bobby pin through the center knot. It is ready to insert into your hair. Other ribbon headbands I made were inspired by bridal headbands which were the closet thing I could find to something a Regency lady might wear. You can take strings of beads and attach them to ribbon that can be tied and pinned around your head. I also made bows (boutique style - no these are not just for infants!) and small jewels that I added to the headbands for extra bling.

Chestnut Bun Style

1. All my Regency styles start out the same way. Part you hair down the center. 
2. Pull a front section forward. This is your top style. Make sure when you pull these sections forward that you are only take the top front part of your hair. You should not see a part line on the side of your head. 
3. Pull the rest into a pony tail with a hairband. 
4. Curl your hair in as many small sections as possible / you have patience for ;)
5. Thread the Topsy Tail bottom to top between your head and the hairband and pull your hair up through the ponytail.
6. Flip the hair back and pull through the pony tail again. You should have a bun on one side and curls on the back crown of your head. 
7. Pull the bun tight and fan it out for volume. You can pin in place if your are worried about it falling out but the loping keeps it pretty tight.
8. If you are adding a headband place it under the top curls and wrap around the bun now prior to pulling back the front locks.
9. Now take a front section and twirl it towards your head. Pin it back next to the bun and curls. Then flip it forward and pin again for the curls are facing forward instead of back. When pinning the front locks back you can really change the look by the location of and tightness of the pin. Play with it.
10. To finish add some pre-pinned ribbons around the base of the bun.

Knotted Tail Style

1. Look familiar? All my Regency styles start out the same way. Part you hair down the center. 
2. Pull a front section forward. This is your top style. Make sure when you pull these sections forward that you are only take the top front part of your hair. You should not see a part line on the side of your head. 
3. For this style my hair is too short to create a bun and have enough extra hair for a tail so... Instead of a single pony tail. Divide the back section of your hair in two parts. Clip the top section of your hair forward. This will be the tail part. The bottom back section pull into a pony tail as high as possible. This will be your bun.
4. Curl your hair in as many small sections as possible / you have patience for ;)
5. First we'll make the chestnut bun. Thread the Topsy Tail bottom to top between your head and the hairband and pull your hair up through the ponytail.
6. Flip the hair back and tuck ends under making a nice little bun.
7. Pull the bun tight and fan it out for volume. You can pin in place if your are worried about it falling out but the loping keeps it pretty tight.
8. Next take the remaining back section and thread through the Topsy Tail top to bottom between your head and the bun. To replicate Emma's style make it off to one side. Secure edges of section back by the bun.
   
9. Now take a front section and twirl it towards your head. In this style they should be pinned loser, and if you have enough hair pulled back and draped across the back of your head next to the bun. Tuck the ends into the back to finish. 

Hopefully this helps give you a few ideas. A lot can be accomplished by twirling, pinning, and tucking! If you have questions about my tutorials please let me know. I will update with anything that needs to be clarified.

Happy Styling!