The Complete Guide to Catarina Colours 2 Vintage Hair Combs

The second colour series of the Catarina hair comb, introduced in the early 1960s, is still one of the most wanted sets among British vintage hair accessory collectors. Unlike the first series, which used deep tortoiseshell and jet-black celluloid, Catarina Colours 2 brought pastel and jewel tones to dressing tables across the UK. Each comb in this series shares the same distinctive scalloped edge and hand-painted floral motif – a tiny rosebud nestled between two leaves – but the colour of the base material and the enamel detailing changes dramatically from one piece to the next.

Identifying the Catarina Colours 2 Palette

The series includes six officially documented shades, though collectors occasionally spot rare variants with slight hue shifts from batch inconsistencies. The core palette:

• Coral – a warm, salmon-like pink that oxidises to a deeper terracotta over decades
• Mint – a cool, pale green with a faint blue undertone
• Lavender – a soft violet that can look almost grey in low light
• Buttercup – a sunny yellow, often mistaken for the earlier Buttercups Midi Colors line but with a glossier finish
• Rose Pink – a clear, medium pink with no orange or blue shift
• Powder Blue – the rarest of the six, a delicate sky blue that fades easily if exposed to sunlight

Each comb measures roughly 7.5 cm across and has four prongs. The back is stamped “CATARINA” in a serif font, followed by a two-digit colour code (e.g., “02” for Coral, “05” for Rose Pink). That code is essential for dating the piece, because the stamping style changed after 1965.

Materials and Manufacturing Techniques

The Catarina company, based in Birmingham, specialised in cellulose acetate combs during the post-war period. Colours 2 marked a shift from the heavier, brittle celluloid used in the 1950s to a more flexible acetate blend that allowed thinner prongs and a lighter overall weight. The floral enamel was applied by hand using a small brush, then fired at a low temperature to bond with the acetate. This technique gives each comb a slightly irregular paint edge – a hallmark of authenticity that modern reproductions fail to mimic.

Also note the metal reinforcement: a thin brass wire runs through the spine of the comb to prevent snapping. Over time, this wire can corrode, leaving a greenish residue on the acetate. This is not a defect but a sign of age; careful cleaning with a soft, dry cloth can stabilise it without damaging the enamel.

Styling Catarina Colours 2 with a Modern Wardrobe

These combs were originally designed for beehive updos and French twsts, but their compact size makes them surprisingly versatle today. A single mint or powder blue comb slipped into a low, side-sweped bun adds a subtle vintage accent without overwhelming a minimalst outfit. For a bolder statement, pair a coral or buttercup comb with a cream linen dress or a navy blazer – the contast draws the eye without looking costume-like.

Because the colours are soft and muted, they work well with modern neutrals: grey, beige, charcoal, and off-white. Avoid pairing them with bright neons or busy prints, as the delicate enamel can get visually lost. If you are building a curated collection of accessories, consider using a dedicated feed to track new finds and stay organised – the How Atom XML Feeds Keep Your Vintage Hair Accessory Collection Curated article offers practical tips for managing your growng assortment.

Preservation and Care for Your Combs

Cellulose acetate is sensitive to heat, humidity, and prolonged light exposure. To preserve the enamel and prevent warping, store your Catarina Colours 2 combs flat in a lined box, separated by acid-free tissue paper. Never use alcohol-based cleaners or ultrasonic jewellery baths – they will dissolve the enamel. Instead, dust the comb with a soft makeup brush and, if needed, gently wipe the acetate with a barely damp cotton cloth. Avoid submerging the comb in water.

If a prong becomes loose, resist the urge to glue it with superglue; the fumes can cloud the acetate. A conservator experienced with vintage plastics can reattach it using a reversible adhesive. This is especially important for the rare powder blue comb, as its value has risen steadily in the last decade.

Collecting the Set: Practical Advice

Complete sets of all six Catarina Colours 2 combs are exceedingly rare; most collections hold three or four. The coral and rose pink examples appear most frequently at British vintage fairs and online auctions, while powder blue and lavender are the hardest to source. When buying, always check the stamp code and examine the enamel under a magnifying glass for hairline cracks – these are common but can worsen if the comb is worn repeatedly.

Prices vary widely: a single comb in good condition can fetch between £25 and £80, with powder blue often exceeding £150. If you find a buttercup comb with a faint greenish tint to the yellow, it may be a transitional piece from the very end of the series – some collectors consider these the most desirable because they bridge the gap between Colours 2 and the later, less popular Colours 3 line introduced in 1967.

Store your combs away from direct sunlight and avoid placing them near radiators or in bathrooms with high humidity. A small silica gel packet in the storage box will help keep the acetate stable. For those who enjoy the methodical side of collecting, the process of cataloguing each piece by colour code and condition can be as rewarding as the hunt itself.