Way back in 1996, on one of my regular Op Shop scouting trips, I came across this little beauty. Upon first glance she seems to be a garden variety beauty case. Nothing too special about her off white palour and fly specks on the lid. But I am always on the hunt for something special and it turns out that is just what she is. Back in those days, it was still legal to sell electrical goods at the Op Shop. They had to be tested and tagged, and it is the tag still adhered to the front of the case that reminds me when I purchased her. It also reminds me that I paid the princely sum of $10 for her, which at the time when I was earning a mere $15k a year, was not throw away cash. Anyway… when I opened her lid it was like opening Aladdin’s chest, so full of treasure it was to my eyes.
Just goes to show, it pays to be a “quick and alert Australian woman!”
What a sweet little treasure! I love the little booklet too and wonder if even though I am an American I am “quick and alert” enough to cut my own hair, I have been really tempted to try lately.
Betty Boogie: I am not game enough even on a good day. I am yet to find a professional that can get it right (although I have an appointment with a Master tomorrow), so it is unlikely that you’ll ever see a DIY hair cut from me.
Harbour Master: Actually I have used it before and it is too too fun. I feel like I should be having a girly sleep over a la Grease.
Wendy B: I love the way that when we remember these things it is “back in the day”, as though we are already remembering our Golden Moments. Ha Ha! Love the new blog too btw!
Aurelia: You’ll just have to pray hard to the treasure hunting gods.
Emily Kate: That sounds like a terrible disaster waiting to happen. No wonder they outlawed the sale of electrical goods! I would love to have one of those if I had the room. Imagine having your friends over for a hair setting afternoon?
Trish: Have and still will. But I am also keen to keep it in as good condition as possible. It is just such a blast from the past.
Haha! I love these, I used to see them quite often when I was younger and wonder what on earth they were for…Have you ever been game to use it?
I remember dryers like that from back in the day!
Want!
Oh! How fab! I have always wanted one of those. One time I found one of those ones that opens up and turns into a blow-dryer-hood- you know, a home version of the over-the-head dryers they still have in some salons. We put it up in the opshop counter to plug it in and see if it worked, and the motor/heater proceded to burn through the bottom and scorch the countertop. So glad I hadn’t tried it on my head first ;o)
I love this!! Are you going to use it?? I hope so.
I have one of these! I love it! I used to use it every weekend before a big night out of dancing.
Use it well and it will love you!
No way!!!! My Nanna had EXACTLY the same hairdryer. She also had a blue rinse – remember those?
I forgot to add that the “Toni” booklet was from a company that sold home perm kits (which my nanna also used – oh the smell!). If you bought the dryer from Sydney it may well be my Nans!
Wow! What a find! I bet that this little treasure is the sort of thing some collectors would offer you their house for.
And so definately YOU Super Kawaii Mama!
Xx
Dear Super Kawaii Mama, I’ve been wondering where I can turn to, to ask about what I’m about to ask about (!!!)…but I thought your post was timely coz….
I’m looking for a hard bonnet hair dryer so that I can start playing about with my hair (was inspired by Metropolitan Housewife). But I live in the very cosmo city that’s Singapore and I don’t think those hard bonnet dryers exist in our shops and our vintage and second hand/thrift scene is paltry.
Where would I be able to get a hard bonnet dryer in Australia? Coz if it’s any where in Perth or Sydney, I could get a friend to buy and ship to me.
Any advice? Thanks
Grant: Any offers of houses for the dryer are welcome!
Purple Lilac: Let me see… I’ll have a bit of a search for you and email you back.
Meream: You bet ya!
Floraposte: It does have a rather plastic aroma, not bad though, just…odd.
Rosie: Occasionally. I have never seen one in a museum!
Icy: ahh the memories!
Elise: Such is the blessing and curses of the vintage hunt.
Violet: Well when I come for a visit I’ll just have to bring it!
This is the first time I’ve seen that kind of dryer. Very quaint. Does it work?
Weird, I remember that my mum borrowed one of these from a friend once when I was about 7 or 8 and going about tethered to this kind of hoover on my head until my (very long) hair was dry. I was thinking about this just the other day. Does it have a strange plasticky aroma? I think I remember that too!
That is so cool! I’ve only ever seen them in museums. Do you use it, ever?
My mum had one of these. I remember her setting her hair with rollers and poping it on. I even had my hair done that way once I think (it was a long time ago).
oh I’ve been looking for one of those for an age…
That is officially the most awesome thing I’ve seen all week! It’s probably lucky I don’t own it or live in the same state as you or I’d be forced to steal it and cut/butcher my hair
Adorable!
My Mum used to have one of these (a different make in blue). As kids, we used to hate sitting under it with rollers in our hair for “special” occasions, but it sure brings back memories.