Vintage Hairstyles That Still Look Amazing Today
Hairstyle trends go in and out of fashion, but there are some looks that are just as jaw-dropping today as they ever were. Victory rolls, chignons, flapper waves, and the ever-popular beehive still appear on the red carpet from time to time, and for good reason. Read on to see some of the most impressive vintage hairstyles to date.
Chunky Hair Buns
This vintage look is both classy and a touch edgy with large buns covering the entire head. To achieve this hairdo, take a chunk of hair and twirl it into a swirl, then loosely pin it up!
Part your bangs over to one side and curl them to add volume and complete the look. Add in a bandana for that Rosie the Riveter feel, or dye your hair blonde for a Marilyn Monroe kind of style.
A Floppy, Foreward Facing Victory Roll
Those who adore victory rolls may enjoy a more dramatic updo like this one. The victory roll is front and center as its positioned directly over the forehead.
The rest of the hair is even pulled back to bring more attention to the roll. To try it out, start by sectioning off the hair at the front of the scalp. Pull the rest of the hair into a tight bun, and then create a forward-facing victory roll that curves up on either side.
Partially Pinned Loose Curls
There's something very classic about hair that's curled into these loose waves. The curls are just tight enough for ringlets, which are then pulled down to create a more wavy look.
To make it look even more vintage, part the hair to one side and pin some of the hair along the shorter side. Asymmetry was a big part of vintage hairstyles like this one. Plus, it shows off your earrings more when some hair is pulled up.
Pinned Back Curls
If you've always longed to look like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, now is your chance. This timeless hairdo is simple enough to wear on an average day but refined enough to suit a nice dinner.
To try it, start by parting the hair to one side, then curl it with a hot tool or rollers. If your hair is naturally curly, then flat iron the top to smooth it out. Tease the top of the hair for added volume thin pin back the top half.
The Beehive
The beehive hairstyle originated in 1960 and was hugely popular throughout the decade. Though it is less commonly worn today, you can still spot this do on the red carpet every now and again.
The beehive consists of hair teased on top and gathered into a rounded, cone-like shape. The hair around the face is parted to one side and tightly pinned back. Pull down a few strands of hair by the ears and add a hairband to dress down the look.
1940s Pinup Style
This hairstyle came to prominence in the 1940s and has been associated with the pinup look ever since. Start by curling the bottom of the hair and smoothing out the top.
Part the hair over to one side and twirl the top so it forms a tube, then pin it. Do the same thing with the other side and voila! Complete the look with a flower pinned in the hair and pair it with red lipstick.
Soft Gibson Tuck With Flowers
If you've ever seen a period piece film, odds are you've spotted this hairdo. Known as the Gibson tuck, this style has been around for decades. It consists of straight hair that's been rolled up and pinned for a simple yet classic look.
Start by brushing all of the hair straight back, securing the strands with pins around the crown of the head. Then pin up the bottom and pull some loose strands around the face to preference. Add some flowers for an extra touch of charm.
Old Hollywood Waves
Old hollywood stars often styled their hair in a very specific kind of curl that emphasized waves rather than ringlets. the waves would curl in rather than out, creating specific shape that has vintage written all over it.
This hairstyle has remained one of the most elegant looks on the red carpet and is relatively simple to pull off. It's all about shaping the curls with a hot tool and keeping them in place with hairspray.
A Curly Bob
Though bobs generally evoke a more modern look, short cuts with curls have a vintage charm. The key is to opt for a bob cut that isn't too angled so that it fits in with the blunt cuts of the '40s but also add a touch of dimension.
Once you have the perfect cut, part the hair to one side and curl it with rollers. Be sure that the curls roll inward toward the face to get that vintage feel.
A Large Chignon With Folded Curls
Chignon is just a fancy word for hair that's arranged into some sort of knot at the back of the head. It's essentially an intricate take on a bun. The result is a stunning updo that's formal enough to wear at special events.
Chignon's can be a little tricky to style, especially if you have short or thin hair. Fortunately, there's an easy fix that anyone can pull off. Just get a chignon hairpiece that matches your natural hair and arrange it around your bun!
Face-Shaping Tight Curls
There are plenty of ways to style curls, and this particular look screams vintage. It features tight curls that are pinned into place so they don't spiral down. As a result, they stay near the head and frame the face.
Those with short hair could achieve this look by simply curling the hair and pinning each curl. If you have longer hair, gather the bottom part and pin it into a low bun to get the same look.
Victory Rolls With A Chignon
This elegant updo combines two popular vintage styles: victory rolls and a chignon. To try it, separate the hair into three sections, two at the sides and one at the bottom.
Use the hair at each side of your head to create symmetrical victory rolls. You can also part the hair to one side to do asymmetrical rolls. Then, roll the hair at the back of the head upward and secure it with a clip for a simple chignon.
Forward And Side Victory Rolls
This hairstyle features victory rolls using chunks of hair pulled from the sides and from the front. The side victory rolls create those horn-like curls that were so popular in the '40s, while the front roll creates a curl similar to bangs.
To try it, separate the hair into four parts so that some is left down in the back. Twist each side section inward toward your hair part. Then, twist the front section downward toward the forehead and pin.
Crimped Flapper Hair
This adorable hairstyle is a call back to the flapper era, during which time women often wore their hair short and style it in small waves. You can achieve the look by using a crimping hot tool.
If you don't have a crimper, you can also use a flat iron to create the waves. Another option is to french braid your hair overnight. Part the hair over to one side and gather it in a loose, low bun, securing it with pins.
Tight Hair Curls
This hairdo features curls that beautifully frame the face and then join at the bottom to form two tight curls on either shoulder. It has a vintage feel to it that's the opposite of loose, beachy waves that have become popular more recently.
To try the look, use a curling iron to curl parts of the hair in the same direction. After you've curled one section, group it together with the previous curl so that it cools as one.
A Wavy Updo
This stunning hairstyle pulls from past trends, giving it a vintage feel. The use of pomade gives the hair a smooth texture that was common back when natural hair wasn't as associated with fashion.
The complicated, curvy design and polished finish make this hairstyle feel like something that came straight out of a vintage magazine. The look consists of hair that's been folded into an ornate updo, so it may be best to go to a stylist for this one.
Pinned Curls Updo
If you're someone whose curls easily fall out, then this may be a great hairstyle for you. Instead of wearing the curls down where the weight of the hair can pull them out, you pin them up!
This design allows some stylistic freedom in that you can shape the curls into waves and spirals wherever you please. Use bobby pins to arrange them in a unique way. It's one of those styles that can look totally different each time.
A Simple Flapper Bun
Flapper hairstyles are incredibly easy to recognize even though they can take very little effort! This look is a perfect example of that. All you need is a horizontal headband and a few pins.
This look works with all hair types so there's no need to style it with a hot tool first, unless you'd like to. Simply gather the hair into a bunch at the bottom of the head and pin it into a loose bun. Throw on the headband and you're done!
Victory Rolls
Perhaps the most quintessential 1940s hairstyle is the victory roll. These rolls were often associated with pin-up girls, making them a popular pick even today. The look consists of taking sections of hair and rolling them up.
You can make the rolls as large or small as you please, depending on how defined you want them to look. This particular style made them as bold as possible by creating two symmetrical victory rolls that sit right on top of the head.
Messy Curls With A Headscarf Headband
This hairstyle has influences from the '50s and the '80s, making it a vintage look for fans of various eras. The polka dot headscarf is tied in a dainty bow and has a '50s feel. At the same time, the loose curls falling out of a high bun makes this reminiscent of Madonna music videos from the '80s.
Either way, it's an adorable look that's easy to pull off. Curl the hair and tie it in a loose bun, using pins to keep it up high. Leave some hair around the face, add in the scarf, and it's done!
