1950s Hairstyles

1950s hairstyle - Fifties-inspired style for hair — Photo: Depositphotos

Q: For my 21st birthday, I want a 50s hairdo that I can do myself. Do you have any suggestions? If you can reply that would be great!

A: What a fun way to celebrate your 21st! The 1950s were iconic for their glamorous hairstyles, and the best part is that many of these looks are totally achievable at home with a little practice and the right techniques.

Just like with today's hairstyles, the key to nailing a perfect 50s look is choosing a style that complements your hair type and face shape. The golden rule that guided 1950s hairstyling was creating an oval silhouette around the face, which was considered the most flattering and feminine shape. This means adding volume where needed and softening angular features with gentle curves and waves.

If you have longer or naturally straighter hair, you're in luck because one of the most popular and recognizable 50s styles is the classic pulled-back ponytail with bangs. This isn't just any ponytail though. The authentic 1950s version sits much higher than what we typically see today. The ponytail should be positioned at the back of your head at roughly eye level, creating a perky, youthful appearance that was all the rage back then. The bangs were usually cut straight across or slightly curved and styled to frame the face beautifully. To achieve this look, you'll want to style the hair at the crown for extra height before pulling it back, and make sure your ponytail is smooth and sleek with plenty of volume at the roots.

Another popular style from the era was the circle cut with roller set, which created gorgeous, bouncy curls with impressive height and volume. The original technique involved carefully wrapping sections of damp hair around rollers, paying special attention to the placement to achieve maximum lift at the roots and crown. Women would sleep in these rollers or sit under hood dryers for hours to get that perfect set. Once the hair was completely dry, they would gently comb out the tight curls and use a brush to style the hair into soft, voluminous waves with plenty of height at the top and crown of the head.

The wonderful news is that you don't need to go through the discomfort of sleeping in rollers anymore! Modern curling irons and hot rollers can create those same beautiful barrel curls that formed the foundation of so many 1950s hairstyles. When using a curling iron, work in small sections and curl away from your face, holding each curl for about 10-15 seconds depending on your hair type. After curling each section, pin it up while it cools to help set the curl, then gently brush through all the curls to create those soft, vintage waves.

For those with shorter hair, don't worry, the 1950s had plenty of chic options for you too. The popular "poodle cut" was essentially a short, tightly curled style that created a fluffy, voluminous look all around the head. There was also the elegant "Italian cut," which featured soft, face-framing layers that could be styled with gentle waves or kept sleek and smooth.

To really nail the authentic 1950s vibe, pay attention to the finishing details that made these hairstyles so glamorous. Hair accessories were huge during this decade. Think decorative combs, silk scarves tied around ponytails, or delicate headbands positioned just behind the bangs. A light misting of hairspray was essential for keeping everything in place, and many women used a bit of hair pomade or setting lotion to add shine and hold to their styles.

If you're looking for inspiration and want to see these hairstyles in action, I'd definitely recommend checking out some classic films from the 1950s. Movies featuring stars like Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, or Audrey Hepburn showcase the era's most iconic looks. You might also find it helpful to watch TV shows that were set in that period, such as "Happy Days" or "Laverne and Shirley," which often featured authentic 1950s styling.