How to Do the 1940s Wave Hairstyle

Use a liberal amount of styling gel before setting.

Women's hairstyles in the 1940s included all kinds of waves. Longer hair was curled and placed to the side with bangs sweeping over one eye. Shorter hairstyles meant hair was fastened with bobby pins and then released to form a wave or curl. No matter what length your hair is, there is a 1940s wave hairstyle that is achievable at home.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Comb
• Styling gel
• Hand soap
• Hairdryer
• Hair clips
• Medium-large curling iron (for longer hair)
• Hot curlers (for shorter hair)
• Bobby pins
• Decorative clips or barrettes
• Hairspray

Instructions

1. Wash your hair. Shampoo according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place a dime- or quarter-size (depending on your hair length) amount in the palm of your hand. Massage the shampoo into your scalp and down your hair. Rinse with warm water. Repeat using conditioner.

2. Comb your hair starting from the bottom, which easily releases tangles. Move the comb upward toward the scalp and comb gently from the scalp to the ends.

3. Place a dollop of styling gel in your palm. Using your other hand, work the gel into the hair. Start at the bottom and work upward toward the scalp. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water.

4. Blow-dry your hair using using only your fingers at first. Get the hair dry, but not fully. Separate your hair into 3-inch sections and fasten each section with a clip. Place a round, ceramic brush close to the roots at the crown of your head. Pull gently as you blow-dry downward. When the section at the crown is dry, release another section and repeat until all the hair is dry.

5. For longer hair, part your hair on one side. Plug in the curling iron and wait three to five minutes until hot. Starting at the top, take small sections and wind the curling iron around the hair. Hold for 10 seconds. Instead of unwinding the hair down the iron shaft, release the barrel up at the scalp by gently letting the hair loose from the iron. Roll the section back toward the scalp with your fingers and pin with a bobby pin. Continue with the entire head.

6. Wait at least 15 minutes and release the bobby pins. Tossle the hair gently with your fingers. Use hairspray to keep the waves in place. Make sure to keep your side part. Add a decorative clip, if desired.

7. Create the top-reverse roll for shorter hair. Wash and blow dry as instructed for longer hair. Plug in the hot rollers and wait five minutes until hot. Starting at the crown of your hair, make three sections. Roll the hair around a hot roller in each section and fasten with a clip.

8. Roll the rest of your hair, rolling away from your face. Leave the curlers in for 10 to 15 minutes.

9. Take the rollers out. Use a comb to part the hair on both sides of the head and horizontally across the back at the crown. This forms a rectangle. Comb this section forward and place a bobby pin on either side. Roll this section loosely toward the back using your fingers. Cross-pin the roll on both sides.

10. Add decorative barrettes on either side of the waves. Spray the entire head with hairspray.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a heated curling device, wash your hair at night and dry it slightly. Roll sections of your hair neatly from the bottom up to the scalp. Pin the hair sections with bobby pins. Release the pins in the morning and style as usual.

• Keep children away from hot styling tools.

References

• High on Hair: 40's Hairstyle
• 1940's Hairstyles: Hairstyles from the 1940s — Updos and Bangs