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!

Here's how to create a very basic updo.  All you have to do is take a low pony tail, split it, tease the two sections, wind them under and pin them in place. This is a look that can be sleek and perfect, or messy and modern.  No wonder it is a “go-to” choice for everyone from working women having a bad hair day—to Hollywood stars walking the red carpet!

1940s retro hairstyles are not the only vintage styles that are gaining popularity.  Other vintage hairstyles from the 1950's and 1960's are also coming back into fashion.  Even the hair damaging confection that was the 1960’s bouffant is seeing a bit of a comeback.  Sure, Penelope Cruz would look gorgeous no matter what hairstyle she wore, but at the 2009 Academy Awards, the slightly bouffant updo served to highlight the lines of her strapless gown and her graceful neck.  The key to creating this look is back combing at the crown of your head. 

Celebrities Spotted With Glamorous Retro Hairstyles

At the 2008 Academy Awards, Katherine Heigl had her chin length blonde hair in a style that was reminiscent of the sexy, face-framing curls that Marilyn Monroe wore. And many casual snaps of young Hollywood starlets today show that the long, tumbling waves made famous by Farah Fawcett in the 1970’s are influencing styles today.

Believe it or not, even the 80’s are having some influence on today’s retro hairstyles. Fashion icon Kate Moss was photographed at the red carpet premiere of her perfume line with big, stiff hair. Maybe there is no such thing as a “new” hairstyle, but it’s a fitting tribute to the women of earlier decades to bring back a retro look and remind everyone what old school glamour really is.

Retro hairstyles hail from just about any decade of the twentieth century, with a 1940’s bob looking fine with your work outfit, or a sleek, 1950’s pony tail keeping you cool and pretty at a summer picnic.  It’s difficult to turn on a television show about stars today without hearing some reference to Old Hollywood Glamour, which more often than not means 1940’s retro hairstyles.

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.

Marilyn Monroe Vintage Retro Hairstyle

1950s star Marilyn Monroe often wore soft curls at an angle that framed her face.  This is one of the best vintage hairstyles for hair that is shoulder length or shorter. You can use medium sized foam rollers that you get at the drugstore, or you can use hot rollers.

 To set hair, apply mousse to hair that is not quite dry, then comb it into several sections. Roll sections of hair under, and roll the sections framing your face so that they’re angled toward your face rather than horizontal. Once hair is dry or the hot rollers have cooled, take rollers out. Using only your fingers, arrange the curls in front so that they frame your face. Once you get it just right, spray it in place with hairspray.  This glamorous look is one of the most popular vintage hairstyles, and for good reason.

The Beehive Hair – Beehive Hairstyles Revealed

Among vintage hairstyles of the 1960s, the beehive took hair to magnificent heights—literally.  It has been seen in the 80s on Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson of the band B-52s (which itself is a style of beehive hairdo shaped like the nose cone of a plane), and more recently on British singer Amy Winehouse. This is a style that gets noticed—one of those vintage hairstyles that you need to save for a special occasion!

To recreate the beehive, work mousse through the roots of your hair, then set on hot rollers. When you remove the rollers, separate out your bangs, or if you don’t have bangs, the hair where bangs would be. Pin this aside. Starting with a section of hair crossing the top of the back of your head, bring hair up and towards the front of your head, secure it in place with styling gel and bobby pins.  Repeat this process one section at a time, bringing each new section up and over the last, which will build up layers of hair.  The more layers you have, the higher the beehive.

The front section can be styled however you like: pulled up over the beehive, across the forehead, or in bangs if you have them. Once you’re done, spray generously with hairspray. This is one of those vintage hairstyles you’ll want to get pictures of!

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.

In the video below, Amanda Hallay shows you how to use a modern-style "rat" to create 40's hair like Betty Page and Ingrid Bergman. 

40's hairstyles are sexy and super-stylish.  1940's updos, pompadours and bangs are some of the most coveted styles. 

Actress Veronica Lake was famous for a classic 1940s hairstyle: cascading waves tumbling from a deep side part.  This style was sometimes called the “peek-a-boo bang,” because the deep side part allowed hair to fall seductively over one eye, partly hiding one side of the face.  Women today still wear similar styles, because they are flattering to most faces.

The classic updo also became popular in the 1940s.  Less labor intensive than victory rolls, the updo never goes out of style.  Once you master the updo or pompadour, it’s a great trick when you have to go to work and your hair just isn’t cooperating. Finger waves and pin curls, seen on legends like Judy Garland and Joan Crawford were also representative of 1940s hairstyles, where glamour reigned and hair was anything but “wash-and-go.”

40's Hairstyles Sported by Celebrities Gwen Stefani & Dita Von Teese

The elegance of 1940s hairstyles is not lost on the stars of today.  Burlesque artist/model and actress Dita Von Teese often chooses glamorous 40s finger waves to go with those ultra-feminine, cinched waist gowns she favors. 

Musician Gwen Stefani has been seen in a number of 1940s hairstyles such as the reverse roll. She has also rocked the finger waves and Veronica Lake styles with her platinum tresses.  Another popular musician, Katy Perry wowed the crowds at the 2009 Grammy Awards and the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards wearing her black wavy medium length hair in sexy 1940s waves. These are all great looks that you can try when you really want your hairstyle to stand out for its glamour.

There’s no doubt about it.  The “Greatest Generation” of men and women, who worked so hard on the home front, gave today's generation much to imitate, right down to the glamorous 1940s hairstyles.