Hair in the 1960s meant big volume and precise curves. Beehives and flips were all the rage, and the bigger the better. Hairstyles of the 60s were very controlled, which often meant sleeping in large rollers or sitting for hours at the beauty salon under a hairdryer. Some women even wrapped their hair around cans to make it smooth. Thankfully, ladies today don’t have to go to those extremes to create the same look.
The 1960s were a decade of change, and hairstyles were no exception. From beehives to bright eccentric headbands, the '60s marked new and exciting hairstyles for everyone. This was also the start of hair coloring, from red to bleach blonde to black, everyone wanted to make an impression with their fashion and through their hairstyles.
Hairstyles are a reflection of culture and societal changes going on at the time. The great hairstyles of the 1960s mirrored a society that was heading toward freedom and individuality. The structured, heavily sprayed hairstyles of the 1950s were replaced with more free-flowing lengths and sharp cuts. Hairstyles such as the bob, the flip, the Afro and the bouffant were some of the more prevalent women's looks of the decade while for men the hair look was long.
The 1960s were a time of social and political upheaval. The conformity of the late 1950s evolved into free-spirited experimentation in life and culture, and the hairstyles of this era changed just as drastically as the politics. The decade began with close-cropped and clean-cut men's hairstyles that lacked facial hair. The mid-60s were characterized by shaggier versions of the former style, which gave way to the final look of era, a mixture of profuse facial hair and long locks that is most often associated with hippies today.
The 1960s were largely characterized by freedom and expressing oneself, and hairstyles were often experimented with and created during this time. Models and celebrities set the stage for short hairstyles, quickly spiraling them into popularity. Many women cut their long hair in order to sport these more modern, popular styles, which ranged in appearance from boyish cuts to feminine, bouncy curls.
The 1960s can easily be identified with the unique fashion trends associated with the decade. Many people correlate hairstyles of the '60s with the "flip" hairstyle, which was made famous by such celebrities as Mary Tyler Moore, Elizabeth Montgomery and Leslie Gore. Some interesting aspects of the '60s flip hairstyle include its history, the styling methods used to achieve this look, and the classic and modern variations of this hairstyle.
The '60s were about dramatic change. From the weekly salon trips of the conservative '50s to the let-it-flow casual styles of the '70s, hair trends evolved to become more diverse. In the '60s, hair could be long, short, teased, or natural -- and all of these looks were considered fashionable.
The 1960s was an era of big hairstyles that often took hours of work to complete. The finished product was an impressive bouffant creation that lasted for hours. The peak of the bouffant hairdo was the middle of the decade and popularized by America's stylish first lady Jackie Kennedy. But it was also seen on popular TV shows such as "Gilligan's Island," "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Bewitched." Creating a '60s hairstyle will still take a long time, but it will be worth it.
People over 60 used to have two prominent hairstyles: short tight curls or long hair tied back in a bun. Now appropriate style options are limitless. Senior citizens can choose from trendy, conservative, traditional and temporary styles. People over 60 can have whatever look suits their hair type and personal style.
Hair style trends helped give the early 1960s an identity of its own. Big hair with lots of volume swept the nation among both men and women. It usually takes a lot of hair and a lot of work to create old '60s hairstyles. The bouffant, beehive and bob are among the most popular styles, and each style has its own procedure, though the beehive and bouffant are similar to start.
The 1960s were a time of radical change for nations all over the world, particularly in the United States. During this time, young men were getting drafted into the army and the Civil Rights Movement hit its all time peak. An era of change and great shake-ups, the hairdos somewhat reflect the times. As people were getting more loose and liberal, so was the hair.
After all the flips and bouffant hairdos of the 1950s, the 1960s brought on a more relaxed and natural look for the most part. Young women of the '60s let their hair grow long and straight or bushy if they had curly heads. Other women started some of the twists on the bob as stylists started cutting hair in blunt asymmetrical styles.