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!

The 1940’s rockabilly hairstyles influenced all rockabilly hairstyles that followed.  The most popular of the 1940’s rockabilly hairstyles was a mid-length style made famous by pin-up girl Bettie Page.  This look from the 1940’s goes great with swing dancing, and at celebrations of anything vintage—from cars to music.

The 1940’s were very special years in terms of hairstyles. With fabric and clothing being rationed in wartime, women became more creative than ever with their hair.  Though some 1940’s styles were more glamorous and subdued, the 1940’s rockabilly hairstyles were more of a fun look.  The Bettie Page look from the 1940’s is a very common rockabilly hairstyle. The hair is around shoulder length, with blunt cut bangs across the forehead. Hair is center parted and styled with soft waves—except for the bangs, which are straight and smooth, and reach to the middle of the forehead.

Want some tips on how to create rockabilly hairstyles?  This article on rockabilly hairstyles how to will help you.

True rockabilly hairstyles require hair to be cut into layers that are about 4 inches long all around, except for in front of the ear.  It should be about 3 inches long there.  Hair in the back can remain long—up to 10 inches long. If you don’t want to commit to the haircut, mid-length hair can be coaxed into a rockabilly hairstyle with some extra patience.

To begin creating a rockabilly hairstyle, section hair, and set in large rollers.  Hot rollers work great, as do regular foam rollers on hair that's slightly damp.  Once your hair is cool (or completely dry) remove the rollers, and back comb the inside of the front curls to create volume. To do this, hold up a section of hair, insert a comb about halfway down, and gently comb it back toward the scalp. This will create pouf and volume. Create a roll from the hair at the very front. Using your fingers or a brush handle, roll hair under with the ends of the hair tucked inside. Use bobby pins to hold in place. Spray with hairspray and make sure pins aren’t visible.

You have some flexibility about how to style the sides and back. Rolls and loose curls will work. Set the back hair on rollers or in pin curls, spray with hairspray and let cool or let dry. Remove pins or rollers and arrange back and side hair with your fingers. Variations in rockabilly hairstyles for women include wearing mid-forehead length bangs rather than making a front roll and pinning it in place. There are also variations in the tightness of curl in the back hair.

You can learn how to do rockabilly hairstyles once you master the technique of curling hair on rollers or in pin curls. There are numerous variations in rockabilly hairstyles, but in general, they have height and volume on top, are shorter and closer to the head on the sides, and the longest hair is at the nape of the neck.  Women’s rockabilly hairstyles are curly—with the loosest curls being waves cascading down the neck.