Hairstyles from the 1940s

Here's how to create a 1940s updo for yourself.  Brush your hair back and gather it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Secure it with the hair elastic. Split the ponytail in two. Using a comb, tease each half. To do this, place the comb in the section of hair, about halfway down the length of the section, and then comb it back towards the elastic.  Take one section, twist it under, and secure with bobby pins. Do the same with the other side. If you want the sleek look of 1940s hair, smooth out stray hairs and spray in place.

1940s Hair: The Peek-a-Boo Bang

The style made famous by 1940s starlet Veronica Lake is the kind of 1940s hair that never goes out of fashion, and it’s super-stylish.  Wash hair and dry until it is barely damp.  Part your hair deep on one side.  This is important to get the peek-a-boo effect over one eye.

Using a 1-inch diameter curling iron, curl small sections of hair, beginning at the top. Each time, do not unwind the curling iron, but open it up slightly and slide the curl off the barrel. Then pin the curl in place with a bobby pin. After you’ve done all the curls and have them pinned in place, wait a few minutes for your hair to cool. When your hair is cool, remove the bobby pins. Use your fingertips to loosen the curls into waves. Because one side is parted so deeply, the other side will have hair that partly covers one eye. You can put a bobby pin in the wave over the eye so that you can see.  Otherwise, glance seductively out from your peek-a-boo bangs and charm everyone.

The 1940s may have been 60 years ago—but 1940s hair is timeless and ultra glamorous!

With practice, you can create 1940’s hairstyles with simple tools like curlers and bobby pins.  I’m going to give you a few "how to" tips for pin curls.  Pin curls are one of the most popular elements of 1940’s hairstyles.

 How to Tips for Pin Curls

Of all the 1940’s hairstyles, this is probably one of the most stylish.  Begin by washing hair the night before and letting it air dry until it is damp. To set your hair in pin curls, comb damp hair and part into small sections. You’re going to pin each curl with a standard bobby pin, so sections must be small. Wind each curl around your finger smoothly. Pin each curl in place with a bobby pin.

Gently tie a silk scarf around your hair before going to bed. Sleeping on pin curls will take some getting used to, but the results are worth it. In the morning, remove pins and gently finger comb your hair. If you use a hairbrush, don’t overdo it, or you’ll brush the curl out.  Letting pin curls fall loose from a side part was one of the sexiest 1940’s hairstyles. 

Creating a 1940s Pompadour Hairstyle

Sometimes associated with the 1950’s, the pompadour actually falls in the category of 1940’s hairstyles.  The pompadour hairstyle involves back combing, a technique that doesn’t take long too long to learn. 

Here's how to create a basic, 1940's pompadour hairstyle.  Choose a section near the front and top on the side of the head.  Hold it straight up.  Insert a comb about halfway between the roots and ends. Push the comb down towards the roots.  The comb will take hairs with it.  Do this a few times, until you’ve made a “cushion” at the bottom of that section of hair.  Repeat by back combing a section on the opposite side of the head from the first one.

Next, comb hair underneath the teased sections up and over the cushion of hair and pin in place. The hair from your front hairline should be combed up and off the forehead and pinned in place. You should have a nice “pouf” of hair at the crown. Of the many 1940’s hairstyles, pompadour hair has made a big comeback recently.

Victory Rolls Hairstyle

No discussion of 1940’s hairstyles would be complete without the victory roll hairstyle.  To create a victory roll, style hair in pin curls and remove pins as instructed above.  Part your hair as you usually do.  Section off hair behind each ear, and let the back hang normally.  On one side, brush the section of hair up high and straight out.  Spray with a little hairspray to keep ends in place.  Using fingers, curl the section upward so that it curls in on itself and the ends are in the innermost part of the roll.  Pin in place on top of the head using hair pins. You can make more than one roll on either side of the head if you want. When you have the rolls on one side done, repeat on the other side.

Creating 1940’s hairstyles takes practice, but they can be very flattering and glamorous—and they are never boring!

Retro hairstyles are hot right now—from 1940’s retro hairstyles like finger waves to modern versions of the 1960’s bouffant. These looks are pure glamour, and they are fun choices for everyday glamour, special occasions, weddings, and proms. You could even work a more extreme retro hairstyle, like Swiss Miss braids into a party costume.

The 1940’s retro hairstyles are glamorous and womanly, reminiscent of war brides looking their most beautiful to welcome home husbands from the war.  Hair in the 1940’s was done in the most elaborate ways. Some of the more classic styles included pin curls, perfectly placed finger waves, or a classic 1940's updo.  1940’s retro hairstyles required mastering a few techniques.  And, because of the lack of modern hair appliances like blow dryers, they also required patience.

Recreating 1940’s retro hairstyles is not as labor intensive today, because we have modern technology such as curling irons and personal hair dryers.  Getting that deep side parted Veronica Lake “peek-a-boo bang” style doesn’t require sleeping in curlers.  Creating 1940’s victory rolls or pompadours takes some practice—however, people will appreciate the effort you put into these retro hairstyles, because they look sexy and up-to-the-minute when paired with modern fashions.

Looking for retro vintage wedding hairstyles? 

The most beautiful vintage wedding hairstyles are those from the 1940’s.  Women of the 1940’s focused on hair, since fabric and clothing were rationed.  1940’s vintage wedding hairstyles took advantage of the hairstyling skills of the World War II era bride.  Veils and hats decorated with flowers were popular, as were elaborate tiaras and circular headdresses of wax flowers.

Often, 1940’s vintage wedding hairstyles featured the pompadour look, with volume at the front of the crown. It made a wonderful platform for attaching a veil or small hat. Side rolls and victory rolls incorporated flowers, and hair was almost always held up and off the face, the better to show off the deep red lipstick that was popular at the time.

One of the 1940’s vintage wedding hairstyles, however, did things a little differently, and brides today still imitate the look. That look is the long waves with a deep side part made famous by 1940’s starlet Veronica Lake. The dramatic sweep of hair, partly hiding one eye, can easily be modified with a beautiful jeweled hair clip so that everyone can see the bride’s face.

1940’s vintage wedding hairstyles are some of the most glamorous wedding hairstyles. 

Pin curls and updos have never really gone out of favor as wedding hairstyles. Each decade has made its own version, but most vintage wedding hairstyles owe something to the glamorous 40’s. Even classic long hair will often incorporate a bit of pompadour style to go with a bridal veil. Vintage wedding hairstyles often pick the best of several eras and combine them into a thoroughly modern look.

Other 1940's vintage wedding hairstyles include the simple bob.  You can easily achieve a 1940's bob—or with a bit of back combing, you can achieve a modified version of the 60’s “bubble” do. This style highlights a bride’s face, particularly her eyes. Elaborate updos take their influence from the 1960’s beehive and the classic 1940’s “chignon” updo. A very 60’s bubble at the back of the crown, with a wide white headband in front creates a dramatic hair look that goes best with a simple, elegant column style wedding dress. 

The early 1970’s free spirited look can be updated for today’s altar by creating a sheer, white bandeau headband as a veil, with a few small, white flowers attached. This works well with long, shiny, wavy hair, and a more casual wedding look. Another great hair look for a more casual wedding is long, super shiny hair gathered into a low, slick pony tail secured with a hair elastic decorated with either tiny flowers, or a jeweled brooch.

No matter what style wedding you are planning, from the casual outdoor or beach wedding to the most formal church affair, you’ll want your hair to be perfect, and you don’t want to have to worry about it or fuss with it. Take your cues from the brides of decades past, and incorporate part or all of a 1940's vintage wedding hairstyle.  You're sure to turn heads in a sexy 1940's vintage wedding hairstyle!