Women in Northern Ireland love the vintage look and they know how to work it!

I've been all over the world at hairdressing conferences for TIGI, as well as numerous international hairdressing awards and events, and I can tell you, you gals have got it over absolutely everyone else when it comes to working a fabulous vintage look.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to get the retro look is with a forward 'fringe roll'.

Everyone from Dita Von Teese to singer VV brown has rocked this look, which was first made famous by 1950s American pin-up model, Bettie Page. It works best if you've already got an eyebrow skimming blunt-cut fringe.

To get the look first add volume to your hair with products from the Your Highness collection from TIGI - the shampoo, conditioner and the Root Boost Spray and Thickening Gel Creme all help to maximum volume and long lasting hold - before backcombing and smoothing out.

Then all you need to do is use a giant roller or big tongs to curl your fringe inwards.

With practice you can also learn to roll the fringe with your fingers, keeping it secure with Kirby grips once you're happy with the look.

I think dabbling with a vintage hairstyle is a great way to stand out from the crowd at events such as Belfast's Belsonic festival this August or the regular Frock Around the Clock vintage fairs.

In the salon, ask for Katrina and Amy - they can do all the vintage looks and up-dos and they really love the retro look.

A vintage hair-do also makes for a quirky look for a wedding or summer garden party - you'll be adding interest to your look without stealing any attention away from the bride or bride's mother when it comes to outfits.

And, of course, it gives you the opportunity to have fun with fashion too. I asked the girls in the salon what their favourite looks were and here's what they're currently loving.

Get the Land Girl look with a victory roll - the 1940s wartime hair style that works on bobs as well as long hair. All you need to complete the look is a pair of trousers or dungarees, a cute knitted short-sleeve jumper or cardi and a pair of flats.

For a summer wedding, match a 1950s-style floral dress with a classic 'shampoo and set' using rollers on each section of your hair - it'll last for a couple of days and will look fabulous with your dress.

If you're going to a barbeque, try a quiff-and-ponytail combo - team it with a pair of rockabilly-style dungarees or jeans, a gingham shirt and bright red lippy and you'll sizzle hotter than those BBQ steaks!

For Saturday night clubbing, experiment with a Brigitte Bardot beehive to set off a party frock. Here's my step-by-step beehive guide - simply get yourself a good backcombing brush (we sell them in Partners) and tease the hair, starting from just below the crown, so you're creating lots of volume. Once you've got a suitably bouffant stack of hair in place, smooth over longer, unbackcombed strands from the front of your hair, for a 2011 take on the classic 60s beehive.

At a picnic in the park on a sunny Sunday afternoon add lots of volume and bounce to your hair with Your Highness styling products then blow-dry your hair using a large round bristle brush. Finish the look with 1970s-style Farrah Fawcett flicks using big-barrelled tongs before brushing out with a firm hairbrush. Team with a pair of high-waisted flared jeans, a cute retro T-shirt or a slimline button-up shirt and finish off your outfit with a pair of platforms or wedge shoes.

But for the best tips, go direct to the source - ask your mums and grannies what hairstyles they used to wear. The chances are, because of the physical similarities between you, what suited them will suit you too!

WHAT'S NEW AT PARTNERS: We're doing a 'beach ready' promotion in the salon right now - you can get a half-leg and bikini wax, toenail file and polish, and an underarm and eyebrow wax all for just £40.

And, if you're stocking up on products, check out our TIGI offer - if you buy any two Bed Head products you get a pair of TIGI flip flops and with any four TIGI products we'll throw in a large TIGI beach towel too.

Photo (right) courtesy of 20th Century Foxy

http://www.20thcenturyfoxy.com/