How to Do 50s Hair

Hair pins are essential to creating 50s hair.

In the 1950s, hairstyles, whether on long or short hair, were structured curls that were glamorous, neat and meticulous, never disheveled or messy. Creating these hairstyles employed the use of rollers for long hair, and pin curls for shorter hair. With these tools and the right products, 50s hair can be re-created at home.

Things You'll Need

• Brush
• Hair mousse
• Sectioning clips
• Hot rollers and roller pins
• Hairspray
• Pins
• Hair wax or pomade

Instructions

Long Hair

1. Part your hair on the side and brush it so that it's free of tangles.

2. Squirt out a dollop of mousse and run it evenly throughout your hair.

3. Divide your hair into 1 to 2 inch sections. Secure each section with a sectioning clip so that it doesn't fall in the way.

4. Grab a section of hair near the front around your hairline. Wind the section of hair around a hot roller, making sure to roll away from the face, not toward it. Secure with a roller pin.

5. Continue to roll your hair, section by section, working from the front to the back.

6. Allow the rollers to cool, which may take at least 15 minutes.

7. Unwind each roller. After the hair is down, tousle carefully with fingers to keep the curls somewhat defined.

8. Mist with hairspray.

Short Hair

1. Rub a dollop of mousse evenly through your hair. Do this at night before bed.

2. Divide your hair into 1 inch sections.

3. Twirl each section around your finger. Hold the curl to your scalp, then use a pin to secure into place. Continue all over your head.

4. Remove each pin in the morning. Finger-comb your curls.

5. Rub a bit of wax or pomade through curls to make them more defined. Mist with hairspray.

References

• Beyond Jane: How to Do 1950s Makeup and Hair
• Fifties Web: Hairstyles and Makeup
• Simply Hairstyles: 1950s Hairstyles
• Hairdo Hairstyles:1950's: An Era of Elaborate and Dressy Hairstyles

Resources

• Learn How To: 1950s Hairstyle How-To