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While the retro 1940s and 1960s movie stars had a team of beauty pros on call to expertly coif their strands--there’s no need to feel unglamorous. If you're a pro hairstylist or a beauty guru in training, you can emulate these deniably stylish and beautiful hairstyles at home. Whether you are looking to add a little va-va-voom to your chin-length bob or add long waves like Veronica Lake's to your shoulder-length hair, take your hair from blah to beautiful with a few goof-proof retro hairstyling tips.
The 1950s was the decade of greasers in leather jackets and rock 'n roll. Most middle class citizens, however, wore conservative fashions and hairstyles that played up traditional masculine and feminine gender roles. Following World War II, many young G.I.s returned home and settled down with a job and a family. By the prosperous 1950s, many were considered middle class and they wore hairstyles that were neat and well put together.
Curves and glamour ruled the day in 1930s Hollywood. Contrasting sharply to the boyish, slim and straight styles of the 1920s, the thirties favored a more feminine and shapely look in fashion and women's hairstyles. Towards the end of the decade, the hairstyles of the time reflected a precursor to the tight curls of the 1940s. Late 1930s Hollywood was dominated by tightly pressed waves, loose waves and soft curls.
If you have ever looked at pictures of students in a high school yearbook, you know how easy it is to tell what decade the students are posing in. Pupils from the 1930s and 1940s were somewhat somber looking, with hairstyles closely resembling those of adults, while the word "hippie" comes to mind when looking at pictures of teens in the 1960s. Teenage hairstyles in the 1950s are also easily identified due to haircuts, hair products used and design.
Hairstyles trend, just like clothing, and have been doing so since the cave women found they could attract better mates if they ran a fish bone comb through their hair so at least their eyes could be seen. The Victorian era brought with it time-consuming updos with many accouterments. Then in the Roaring '20s, flappers cut their hair dramatically shorter. The 1950s brought waves and lots of hairspray. Actresses Lana Turner, Marilyn Monroe and Ava Garner were among the trend setters who set off '50s hairstyles.
Women took a stance of independence in the 1920s that had a permanent effect on fashion and hairstyles. The beginning of the 1930s followed a time when many women had bobbed their hair short. While this show of freedom continued, the 1930s also marked a return to softer, more feminine styles. With the Great Depression consuming the decade, many women based their hairstyles on glamorous movie stars to escape everyday realities.
Hairstyles of the 1930s were influenced by the major events happening in the world. The Great Depression was in full force, so funds for glamour were limited and more women learned to style their hair at home. Hollywood was coming into the public eye, and actresses like Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo led many trends. Coco Chanel, the famous fashion designer, was a strong influence.The boyish styles of the 1920s were fading, and women were embracing their curves and femininity.
The 1930s was a time of economic disparity the world over. Still, many women paid close attention to how their hair looked, even during the Great Depression. Fresh from the Roaring '20s, short hair was still popular and women tried to emulate the styles of what is now known as "old Hollywood glamour" by copying the styles of famous women like Jean Harlow or Ginger Rogers.
The 1930s styles broke away from the flapper and wild styles of the 1920s and became elegant and chic. Teens wore hair in similar fashions to older adults of the era, emulating the styles of the day and celebrities. Among the fashions were the hairstyles of the 1930s. Hairstyles became wavy and romantic, taking a turn away from the boyish styles of the 1920s.
Curly hair was the order of the day for 1930s fashionistas. Women sported tight finger waves and brush curls, while men kept their look short, sharp and topped with a hat. Just like today, children modeled their looks on their grown-up idols. Waves were a popular choice for girls --- a look embraced by the young Shirley Temple, who often wore a head full of tight curls and a side parting.
The free-spirited ladies of the 1920s, with their cropped bobs, were considered outdated in the glamorous 1930s, as stated by the book "America in the 1930s." Bleach blond locks were also a big trend in the decade, as women emulated the platinum tops seen on the silver screen. Though the finger waves that sculpted the '20s bob haircuts were still around, the longer tresses of the '30s were softened with the use of pin curls. The result was almost angelic curls that framed the face and brushed the neck's nape.
The 1950's ushered in a new era of fashion on the full skirt of Christian Dior's "New Look." Post WWII, it was a prosperous decade that embraced advances in the beauty industry, which included hairspray and the perm. By the end of the 1950's, hairstyles like the beehive and bouffant were at the height of their popularity. However, they also shared the fashion stage with shorter, gamine looks like the pixie.
Vintage hairstyles capture the elements of artistic beauty in dressing; this is perhaps the reason why they are so commonly re-produced in modern society. Several iconic women from the past, such as Marilyn Monroe and Betty Page, have left us with particularly popular vintage hairstyles. Vintage hairstyles are commonly seen in vintage-themed weddings, prom attire and Halloween costumes today. Because most women don't do their hair in a vintage hairstyle every day, it is important to find one that fits your existing haircut. For example, if you do not have bangs cut you must wear a vintage hairstyle which doesn't…
Vintage hairstyles are classic and stylish. You can create your own vintage hairstyles at home; you don't have to be a professional stylist to achieve the look. There are a variety of different vintage hairstyles that represent various decades of style. A very popular vintage style is the 1940s pinup look, which can be spotted on the red carpet, paired with bright red lips and a vintage dress. Pinup styles are easy to create and look classic and elegant.
If you want to create a vintage 1960s hairdo, style your hair the way they did it back then. Here are step-by-step directions to get the real thing.
Learn some easy vintage hairstyles in this free video clip about vintage outfits.
Those classic hairstyles of the past didn't use curling irons or hair dryers. Instead, the timeless tresses were created with fingers, pins, clips and lots of hairspray. Use the following instructions for three types of vintage hairstyles: pin curls, rag curls and finger waves. All should start with clean hair that is slightly damp.
