Hair Styles In The 50's

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Academy for Salon Professionals
50’s Hairstyles- Not a Thing of the Past We all know that fashion trends come and go, and that something that was once outdated can become the new hottest item in today’s fashion world. The saying goes, “If you wait long enough, it will eventually be back in fashion” is not only true for clothing, but for hair styles as well. In fact, vintage hairstyles are on the rise and more and more women are choosing to create vintage up dos for special occasions. They are not just classic, but sexy and sophisticated as well.
In the 40’s, when fabric and clothing was rationed during wartime, hair became the focus instead of fashion. Women became more creative than ever with their hair. In addition to the war having …show more content…
A comb was then used to make a part from the crown to the nape at the back of the head. This resembled the rear end of a duck. A deliberate “tail” was left hanging like an elephant’s trunk over the forehead as far down as the top of the nose. The sides were styled to look like the folded wings of a duck and there were often heavy sideburns worn as well to finish the look. Another woman who influenced hair styles during the 50’s was first lady Jaqueline Kennedy. For her wedding she wore a short style in 1953 and later a beehive or bubble cut. This became the most popular women’s hairstyles in the 1950’s. However, the “Beat Girls” look was very popular with teenage girls. Hair was worn in long straight locks with fringe and often tied back with a ribbon. The high pony tail tied back with a scarf was seen on the first Barbie Dolls in 1959. A few years later Barbie wore beehives as …show more content…
There was NO HAIRDRYER invented yet, so styles required extensive pinning and curling. Hair spray was used to keep the curl and hair in its place. Women went to bed in these uncomfortable curlers in the “name of beauty”. Beauty definitely had its price, and women were willing to sacrifice a comfortable night’s sleep for that perfect curled look. Hair products were heavier and harder to wash out. They were expected to make the hair last for a week, unlike today’s styles. Today, women have access to modern tools in which to curl and set their hair. Curling irons and hair dryers have simplified and sped up the styling process. No longer are women going to bed on lumpy curlers anymore, and hair styles can be styled in minutes rather than hours. Gels and creams are less heavy and not as damaging to the hair. Many gels and sprays of the past were not only toxic, but flammable as well. Perms in the 50’s were smelly solutions. While this may still be true of current perm solutions, the modern perm allows for the natural look worn today. In the 50’s, women would still need to roll and curl out their hair to achieve a smooth desired look. The fifties was also the era of the hair color. The Clairol add “Does she, or doesn’t” she popularized the idea of women coloring their hair in a way which looked natural and couldn’t be
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