How to Do Pinup Curls

By: Mimi Abney

George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images

Hairstyles come and go, but retro pinup curls are forever glam and gorgeous. This screen siren-inspired hairstyle, made popular in the 1940s, '50s and '60s, is just as wearable for today’s modern beauties. To unleash your inner Rita Hayworth, Dorothy Dandridge or Marilyn Monroe, you can easily recreate these star-worthy waves without a visit to the salon. For a special event or a holiday party, add a little va-va-volume to your hair in a few simple steps.

Step 1

Begin with freshly washed, conditioned and blown out hair. Adding curls to dirty or wet hair may cause breaking or burning of your strands.

Step 2

Use a 3 ½-inch curling iron to create soft curls all around your head. Wind a 2-inch section of hair vertically around the curling iron. Make sure you curl the hair inward toward your face. To prevent damaging your hair, hold the curling iron on your hair for five seconds or less.

Step 3

Slide your hair out of the iron and pin with small, flat metal clips. Repeat until you cover your head with pinned curls.

Step 4

Spray a medium hold hairspray on hair to set the curls. Allow the curls to cool for at least 10 minutes.

Step 5

Put a pea-sized amount of shine serum on your hands. Run the product lightly through the hair to separate curls. To create smooth waves, lightly brush hair with a soft, boar bristle brush. Mist hair generously with the hairspray to set the style and tame flyaways.