The 50s were truly the best decade hair-wise. Poodle cuts, rollers, short bangs – the 1950s hairstyles started trends that are all the rage to this day. These hairstyles denote the shift in the cultural activities of the time, highlighting the newfound freedom and employment opportunities for women after the gruesome second world war.
Housewives opted to cut their hair short, young girls chose pretty medium-length cuts, and the Beat girls wanted longer hairstyles. Iconic hairstyles of the ‘50s, from Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, still turn heads. 1950s fashion also saw the rise of pin curls and rockabilly hairstyles. The fear of the Second World War had passed, everyone was jiving to their favorite Sinatra or Elvis song, and hair would never be the same again!
Wondering what 50s hairstyles were like? Scroll down to check out some true classic hairstyles!
Before You Get Started
The 1950s were remembered for iconic hairstyles and revolutionary fashion choices. Many reputable celebrities of the time, such as Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn, flaunted hairdos that still reign supreme. Today, people try adding their own modern-day twists to these classic looks, blending the timeless styles sported by these amazing ladies.
The timeless appeal of all these hairstyles is recognized worldwide, from the classic red carpet hairstyles to the chic fashion shoot-esque hairdos, people are seen flaunting their hair in the iconic 50s styles.
Check out the 22 best 1950s hairstyles that look outstanding in the next section. They are sure to stun! Scroll down now.
Expert hair stylist Nadja Vanterpool, who has over 10 years of experience, says “Hair in the 50s was so polished and exquisite – not a strand out of place. My overall favorite look from that decade is a classic waves hairstyle, also known as finger waves, where the hair is set perfectly in the same direction around the head.”
This must have piqued your interest in these hairstyles, so without further ado let’s get into it!
Short hair was already big in the 1950s but the pixie cut took it to another level. The trend was largely set by the legendary actress Audrey Hepburn and is still popular today. You can simply pin it back or add fun accessories to elevate your look.
These bangs paired with curls, waves, ponytails, or updos are one of the signature hairstyles of the 1950s and were often sported by Audrey Hepburn. Simply chop off a small section of your front hair, so it falls in the middle of your forehead to create this retro look.
The ‘50s were all about short and big hair. Victory rolls were en vogue in the ‘50s, and big victory rolls like these were sported by many women. You can achieve this look with the help of some mousse, a round brush, and a blow dryer.
Like I’ve said before, the ‘50s were big on short hair. Styles like the faux bob were created, so women with long hair could temporarily jump onto the short hair bandwagon. Use a big round brush and a blow dryer to create the dramatic wave. Keep the wave big to really embody the ‘50s style. Fold and pin up the ends of your hair to form a faux bob.
The French twist was a sophisticated hairstyle of this time. It was the one hairstyle sported by women of all ages with fervor. Style your French twist with a slight bouffant and a sparkly barrette to encompass the ‘50s vibe.
During the Second World War, while the men were away fighting, women started working men’s jobs. Once the war stopped and the men came back home, women went back to their regular lives. However, short hairstyles like the curly bob cut continued to be sported proudly by women.
Trivia
The famous screen legend Marilyn Monroe popularized the curly bob hairdo in the 1950s with the signature pale blonde color, parted to one side with voluminous soft curls.
Bettie Page was known as the Queen of Pin Ups. Men wanted her, and women wanted her hair. She had thick, luscious hair, but it was her bangs that made an iconic style statement. Bettie bangs are sported by women all over the world even today.
You may have noticed that most of the hairstyles listed here are short. This is one of the very few long hairstyles that were big in the ‘50s. Women who identified themselves as ‘Beat girls’ would copy Bettie Page’s hairstyles – like this classic waves and mid-forehead bangs look.
The ‘50s started the trend of sleeping with rollers to achieve those perfect curls. Young college girls would pair their curls with a beret to create a Parisian look.
Yes, there existed a hairstyle back in the ‘50 called the poodle hairstyle. It comprised of hand-rolled curls that would resemble a poodle’s hair. This style was incredibly big in the ‘50s and worn at formal events.
Trivia
American actress and Emmy Award winner Lucille Ball popularized the poodle haircut in the 1950s when she sported it for her TV show ‘I Love Lucy.
The ‘50s were a big time for pin up hairstyles. Top rolls were sported by teenage girls who wanted to emulate the pin up look. These curls were perfectly sculpted and pinned in place to create height at the top of the head.
Women with long hair often sported low buns paired with the beehive hairdo. This added oodles of volume to their hair. Simply backcomb your hair at the crown and use a chignon bun-maker to achieve the beehive look.
Yes, this may sound strange, but heavy poodle curls were a huge trend back then. The heavier the curls, the more fashionable you looked. The key is to find the right balance between the amount of curls and the height of the updo.
Audrey Hepburn popularized the curly pixie back in the ‘50s. She sported a pixie in Sabrina and Roman Holiday. So, it’s no surprise that more and more women started opting for a pixie cut. It’s a craze even today!
The 50s saw the rise of thick bangs. Not only did they help in framing your face but they also showcased the thickness of women’s hair. Thick bangs were often paired with a bouffant and became a huge trend with many actresses sporting the look at major events.
The high ponytail is a classic. Betty Cooper from Riverdale sports a perfect ‘50s ponytail, curled ends and all. Instead of the curled end, you can also opt for a one wave ponytail.
The scarf is a timeless hair accessory that took the world by storm in the ‘50s. College girls would pair all their hairstyles with the scarf, and it looked fabulous! It’s no wonder that it’s a super stylish look even today.
Side-swept waves perfectly sculpted in place – that is the perfect Hollywood look. Even today, you can see many actresses flaunting this look at major red carpet events. This hairstyle is the best blend of sophistication and style.
Pin-ups were a big craze in the ‘50s. Every woman wanted to sport a pin-up hairstyle. Big curls and nautical-themed outfits became quick favorites of young women across the USA.
This side-parted ponytail during the 1950s was the most simple hairstyle. Whether it be home, school, office, or parties, every woman sported this look. Even today, many celebrities have graced the red carpet in this vintage ponytail hairstyle.
Not all of us can be Audrey Hepburn, but we can definitely get a haircut resembling hers. Short bangs bob created a sensation in the mid-decades of the 20th century after she was spotted with the pixie haircut.
This 17th-century royal hairstyle became popular in the 1950s. Women wore their hair in this fashion during theatrical performances and in movies. Today, even men have customized this hairstyle to suit them.
Styling Tip: Use a teasing comb to backcomb and add volume to the hair at the crown. Use volumizing sprays or gels to maintain the fluffy look of the hair.
The ‘50s hairstyles were indeed beautiful. They were easy to create and style, and since most of them were short, carrying them was not a hassle. With advanced tools and techniques available today, those hairstyles can be infused with a hint of modernity and flaunted. So, if you choose to rock some of the 1950s hairstyles, wouldn’t it be great to know more about them?
Check our infographic below to learn some interesting facts related to 1950s hairstyles.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
We can all agree that vintage never goes out of style. Retro hairstyles are a recurring trend and a crowd-favorite theme for parties and other social events. The ’50s were a time when people were intensely creative and open-minded with their styles that have since become iconic statements in the world of fashion. In a way, they were even ahead of us. It is never too late to learn more and try these timeless hairstyles to rock the vintage vibe. So, go ahead and take your pick from this list of classic ’50s hairstyles for your next outing.
Are victory rolls from the 50s?
No. The victory rolls were at the height of popularity in the early 1940s during World War II. With new styles coming up, trends shifted, but the victory rolls were still quite popular in the 50s.
Why was short hair popular in the 1950s?
The 50s was a time of many global changes post the World Wars. More women were working and kept their hair short for convenience. However, short hair also became a symbol of nonconformity as the role of women wasn’t just limited to domestic spaces. Popular actresses like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe sporting shorter styles added to the trend.
Did people dye their hair in the 1950s?
Yes. Dyeing hair in bright and flashy colors was quite the trend in the 50s. People were bolder and more experimental in those days, wishing to try every new thing in the market. Besides the popular platinum blonde, shades of pink, red, blue, and green were known to be trendy.
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Learn how to recreate a 1950s hairstyle with this easy-to-follow tutorial video! Follow the step-by-step guide and dazzle everyone with your retro look.
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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker
Nadja has been doing hair professionally as a full-time stylist for over 10 years now. She has always been passionate about hair and took a leap of faith, eventually switching her 20-year pharmacy career to pursue her dream.
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Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.
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Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.
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Bhumika is a content writer with 2.5 years of expertise in crafting articles across diverse genres. She graduated from the University of Delhi and completed her post-graduation from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi.
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