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!

1940's Hairstyle — Top Reverse Roll

The top reverse roll was a popular style for 1940s hair.  It is similar to a 1940s pompadour hairstyle, but easier to create.

Here's how to recreate the top reverse roll.  Set hair in rollers with all rolls going away from the face.  Take rollers out, and make a part on each side of the head from front to back, and a third part across the back.  This will give you a rectangular patch of hair that you can hold straight up off the top of your head.  Brush this section forward and put pins on both sides of the section.  Roll loosely toward the back with the ends remaining inside the roll.  Pin roll in place crosswise with bobby pins.  Depending on your face shape, you may need to make the section of hair in the roll smaller or larger.  This is a style of 1940s hair that really shows off your face.

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.

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.