Finger Waves Updo

1914 updo with finger waves previous hairstyle next hairstyle
 
Every wave is deliberate, every curl is placed with intention, and the overall effect is one of controlled elegance. This is the finger wave updo - one of the most technically demanding styles of its era - and it is shown here in a form that perfectly captures the spirit of 1914 fashion.
 
Finger waving is a technique that involves using the fingers to press wet hair into a series of even, S-shaped waves while it dries. The result, when done well, is a pattern of smooth, flowing ridges that looks almost like the surface of a calm sea. This technique was already becoming well-known by 1914 and would go on to become one of the defining looks of the 1920s.
 
The waves in this hairstyle are deep and generous, flowing across the top of the head and around the sides before being gathered and pinned at the back into a low bun. The bun itself is arranged loosely, rather than being pulled into a tight knot. This gives the back of the style a romantic appeal that balances the structured waves at the front.
 
1914 updo with deep and generous waves
 
The decorative element here is a silver leaf-shaped barrette, which appears both at the front of the style and at the back, holding the bun in place on one side. The leaf shape is a classic motif in jewelry and accessories of this period, inspired by the natural world and the Art Nouveau movement that had been so influential in the years leading up to 1914.
 
This was a transitional moment in fashion, as the elaborate updos of the Edwardian era were beginning to give way to something slightly simpler, slightly closer to the head. The finger wave updo sits right at that crossroads. It is still very much a style requiring real skill and time to achieve, but it has a cleanness that feels forward-looking.
 
From the side view, you can see just how beautifully the waves flow from front to back, wrapping around the head in a consistent, even pattern. The high lace collar of the cream-colored dress adds a final note of formality.
 
To recreate this look today, you would need to work with setting lotion applied to damp hair, carefully finger-pressing each wave into place and securing it with clips while it dries. Once dry, the clips are removed and the waves spring into their final shape, ready to be pinned into the finished style. It takes patience, but the result is one of the most graceful and photogenic hairstyles in the history of fashion.
 
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See also: Vintage Hair