How to Do Your Hair in the 30's Rolls

Create 1930s-inspired tight pin curls with a few basic hairstyling supplies.

Pin curls, a hairstyle that continues to be popular, first originated in the 1920s and reigned in popularity over the next three decades. Although the pin curls started off as a flatter curl, in the 1930s most women added a slight variation to the tight pin curls hairstyle by using an elevated curl instead. You can achieve the 1930s pin curls style yourself easily enough with basic supplies and proper techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Hair comb
• Bobby pins
• Hair diffuser or head cap
• Hairspray

Instructions

1. Wash and condition your hair as normal. Although some curly styles work better on slightly dirty hair, you want the most body and volume in your hair to get the best results with 30s pin curls.

2. Blow dry your hair or let it air dry until just slightly damp.

3. Part your hair down the center, or on the left or right, and comb any tangles out of your hair.

4. Comb out a 1-inch section of hair from the front section of hair and wrap it tightly around your finger. Continue wrapping the hair in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until the entire length of hair is curled fairly tightly.

5. Twist the section of hair around in a circular motion, starting with the top portion of the hair, resting it on the top of the head and twisting around creating a small pile of curled hair. The longer your hair, the longer this pile will be and when you reach the ends of the hair, secure the hair by sliding two bobby pins in across the width of the hair overlapping in an "X" shape.

6. Repeat this process on the rest of the hair to create pin curls across the entire head.

7. Dry your hair with a diffuser, or put on a head cap and sleep with the pins in overnight. The latter is the ideal method if you want to avoid heat styling tools and prevent damage to your hair; this is the traditional method for creating 1930s pin curls.

8. Remove the pins from your hair once your hair has dried completely.

9. Spray hairspray lightly over your hair to set the style.

10. Tousle your fingers gently through your hair to slightly loosen the curls.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find the bobby pins leave creases in your curls, you can replace them with small salon clips.

• For very long or fine hair, apply a volumizing mousse or gel to the hair before starting on the pin curls to help add more volume to the finished look.

References

• Hair Boutique: Creating Pin Curls- Short Cuts
• Hairfinder: Pin Curls