My Little Boudoir

Sex Kitten Bump. Beehive. Hair Bump. Bouffant. Bitch Bump. No matter what you call it, we’ll settle in the middle on “bump” for the purposes of this post.

Tyra Banks

Marilyn Monroe

Kourtney Kardashian

Gwen Stefani

Eva Mendes

Drew Barrymore

Nancy Kwan

Jessica Simpson (dipity.com)

Brigitte Bardot

Angela Bassett

You’ve seen the infomercial for Bumpits. Promising to add instant hair volume, leaving you with the perfect “bump”. When I first saw the advertisement, I wanted them, but I wasn’t willing to pay the $20 + shipping for something that might not work. Then, the commercial became a household joke, because some of the “bumps” are so over-the-top that they look ridiculous. So, I never did fall for the “…and that’s not all” pitch.

Long before a Bumpits commercial and the debut of Amy Winehouse (whose bump is nasty, by the way), I’ve been a big fan of this hairstyle. To me, the look is beautiful, timeless, and yes, sexy. Though “bumps” of different varieties have been popular for centuries, the one I’m referring to was made popular in the 1960′s by fashion icons such as Brigitte Bardot and Jacqueline Kennedy. It has remained stylish ever since, with a recent resurgence over the last decade.

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot

Jacqueline Kennedy (Life)

Jacqueline Kennedy

Jaqueline Kennedy

I, however, haven’t been able to do a good job achieving this look, because I have baby-fine hair that is on the thin side. It requires so much backcombing and hair spray, that it just looks frizzy by the time I’m done. And, when it does turn out right, it only lasts for a good 30 minutes before it’s flat again.

I recently attended a party at one of my best friend’s house. She was wearing a cute “bump” with a ponytail, embellished with a darling headband. Just like me, she was not blessed with thick locks. She pulled me aside and admitted that she recently purchased Bumpits and loves them. She bought them at her local Walgreens drugstore for a mere $10…and they worked! I was sold. I, too, would now own a set of Bumpits!

A few days later on a trip to Walgreens, I was in search of a set of Bumpits. No success. They had the Ped-Egg (BTW, I own this…and love it), Snuggies (I had a pink one, but got rid of it, because it always slips off my shoulders) and Kinoki Detox Cleansing Foot Pads (I secretly want these, too). They had just about every “as seen on TV item”, but no Bumpits! Not really thinking much else of it, I went on about my daily business, until a few days later, I stumbled upon a set of Bumpits at Ross. They were only $5.99! I snatched them up and couldn’t wait to get home and let the bumping festivities begin.

(drugstore.com)

I am a little sad to report that they are not what they were all cracked up to be. I’m still trying though…

The big ones didn’t work well. There is no way I could wear one without a clip or ponytail in the back, because I’m sure it would slip out within minutes of leaving the house. Also, it is quite difficult to get my hair to cover it all the way. Part of the reason I don’t have enough hair to cover the big one is because I have bangs. Maybe if I had a thinner layer of bangs I would have more hair to comb back over the top of the bump. The only way I can get it to even remotely work is with a fair amount of backcombing and hairspray.

Now, on the contrary, I am quite fond of the one for bangs. I have been able to use it for a little bang bump in the front and also for more subdued version of this Jennifer Lopez look.

Jennifer Lopez

I found a few YouTube.com videos with tricks for using Bumpits with thin hair. I’m going to keep trying and I’ll keep you posted…

If you’re looking to try them yourself, and can’t find them at Ross, I also saw them at Wallgreens.com for $5.99. Here are some more photos for inspiration….

Gwen Stefani

Nia Long (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com)

Jessica Simpson

Jennifer Lopez

Eva Mendes

Brigitte Bardot

Ok, here goes my top ten best dressed list (in order leading to my very most favorite) of the 82nd Academy Awards (the “Oscars”):

10. Anna Kendrick

I love a flesh tone on a woman, provided that it doesn’t make her look washed out. Anna looks perfectly rosy in this gown, and I love the plat on the shoe!

9. Molly Ringwald

Looking better than ever, Molly donned a timeless Hollywood look, but owned it in purple, which is very complimentary to her skin tone and hair color. The hairstyle is genius, too!

8. Miley Cyrus

While I don’t believe Miley still belongs on Disney channel as a role model for young girls, I can’t deny that her look tonight was a winner. It is pure, but the corset look gives it an edge.

7. Nicole Richie

This isn’t a classic Oscar look, but that’s what I like about it. A woman who can wear this dress and pull it off looking vintage, yet fresh all at the same time deserves a place in the top 10.

6. Queen Latifah

She looks so radiant in this sparkley pink number. I love how she’s transformed her style.

5. Rachel McAdams

I think Rachel McAdams is darling. I don’t usually go for a printed fabric on a gown, but she looks stunning!

4.  Elizabeth Banks

The gray goes oh so well with the blonde. I think Elizabeth and the dress look beautiful.

3. Sarah Jessica Parker

A staple on my top 10 list, Sarah Jessica Parker, looked glorious in this yellow frock. She pulls of that 1960′s look so well. I especially loved the giant barrel curl hair style. I can’t get enough of that look.

Here are a few more views of her jaw-dropping hairstyle.

(eonline.com)

(eonline.com)

2. Mariska Hargitay

It was a difficult choice between SJP and Mariska, but ultimately I had to go with Mariska for second place. She is so beautiful, and never mind that the black dressed lacked a pop of color, because it was elegant and and smoking hot (all at once) on the red carpet. Could we expect anything less from the daughter of Jayne Mansfield?

1. Jennifer Lopez

Another staple on my top 10 lists. Jennifer Lopez’ gown takes my breath away. It makes such a statement, I am left without words.

Which look is your favorite? You can respond my leaving a comment (below).