22 Iconic 50s Hairstyles to Inspire Your Vintage Look

The 1950s were defined by glamorous, feminine, and elegant fashion. From the victory rolls to the pompadour, every woman wanted to have a unique and iconic hairstyle that would make her stand out.

The 1950s were a significant time for music, pop culture, and fashion, and the hairstyles from that era are still popular today. They have become an iconic fashion statement and are a great way to add a vintage touch to your look.

If you’re looking to give your look a vintage twist, take a look at some of the most iconic 1950s hairstyles that you can try.

1. The Poodle Cut

This iconic cut was made famous by actresses like Lucille Ball and Bette Davis. It’s a short, curly style that’s similar to a pixie cut and is perfect for anyone with natural curls or waves.

2. The Bouffant

The bouffant was one of the most popular hairstyles of the 1950s and is still a go-to for anyone wanting to achieve a classic look. This style is all about volume, and the key to getting it just right is to tease your hair at the crown. This will give you the perfect bouffant shape.

Modern-day bouffants are often paired with a half-up hairstyle, but you can also wear it with a top knot or a ponytail.

3. The Victory Roll

We love a good victory roll. This vintage hairstyle is so iconic and is a great way to add a little extra oomph to your hair. It’s really pretty simple to create. Just take a small section of hair and roll it up and away from your face, securing it with bobby pins. You can add as many victory rolls as you like to your hair.

4. The Duck Tail

The ducktail is a classic men’s hairstyle that was popular in the 1950s. The style is achieved by combing the sides of the hair back and the top of the hair forward and then parting it down the middle. The hair is then combed into a point at the back of the head to create the “ducktail” shape.

This is a great 1950s hairstyle for men with longer hair who want a vintage look.

5. The Pompadour

This style was made famous by none other than Elvis Presley, and it’s a great way to add volume to your hair without the use of hot tools. To get the look, take a section of hair at the front of your head and backcomb it. Then, use a comb to smooth the hair back and pin it in place.

Leave the rest of your hair down and curly for a classic, vintage-inspired look.

6. The Pixie Cut

The pixie cut was a bold choice in the 1950s, and it’s a bold choice now. But with stars like Audrey Hepburn and Jean Seberg rocking the look, it’s easy to see why this style has stood the test of time.

To achieve a vintage pixie cut, keep the hair longer on top and shorter on the sides. Then, use a small amount of gel to style the hair on top forward and to one side. This style is all about precision, so make sure to keep the edges clean with regular trips to the barber.

7. The High Ponytail

The high ponytail is a classic vintage style that was popular in the 50s and 60s. To create this look, you’ll want to add some volume to your hair before pulling it back into a ponytail. You can also add a little curl to your hair if you want to give it a bit more texture.

This look is perfect for a casual day out or a more formal event. You can also dress it up with a cute hair scarf or bow for a pop of color.

8. The Greaser Look

The greaser look is a classic 1950s hairstyle that was made famous by the movie Grease. It’s a slick-backed style that’s usually worn with a side part. This look works best on men with straight or wavy hair. If you have curly hair, you can still achieve the greaser look by using a strong-hold pomade or gel to slick your hair back.

This style is perfect for a night out or a special event. You can even add a little extra volume at the front of your hair for a more dramatic look.

9. The Flat Top

Think of this as the women’s version of the crew cut. You’ll need to get your hair cut very short on the sides and back and keep the top a little longer. Then, you can style it by slicking it all back or to one side. If you want to add a little volume, you can tease the hair on top and spray with a strong hold hairspray.

10. The Mop Top

The Beatles were a huge influence on pop culture in the 1960s, and their mop top hairstyles were no exception. The look is created by letting the hair grow out and then trimming the sides and back of the hair to create a rounded shape. The hair on top is left longer and is typically styled to lay flat against the head.

11. The Crew Cut

Crew cuts were typically seen on men, but women in the 1950s started to adopt the look as well. This short style is a great way to experiment with a vintage look if you have a pixie cut.

To get the look, simply part your hair to the side and use a bit of pomade to style your hair down. Add some curls to the front of your hair for a feminine touch.

12. The Beehive

The beehive is one of the most iconic 1950s hairstyles. It was created by Margaret Vinci Heldt in 1960 and quickly became a staple look for the decade. The beehive is a high, rounded bun that is teased to add volume and then smoothed out to create a sleek finish.

To create a beehive, you will need to tease your hair and then use a comb to smooth out the top layer. Then, you can gather your hair into a high ponytail and twist it into a bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins, and use a strong-hold hairspray to keep everything in place.

13. The Pageboy

The pageboy is a classic hairstyle that was popular in the 1950s. It’s a variation of the bob, where the hair is cut to the same length all the way around, and the ends are curled under. The hair is typically parted on the side and tucked behind the ears.

This hairstyle has a sleek and polished look that is perfect for special occasions. You can even dress it up with some vintage hair accessories, like a headband or a scarf.

14. The French Pleat

The French pleat is a little more challenging to create than the French twist, but it’s worth the effort. It’s a sleek, elegant, and timeless updo that you can wear to any occasion.

To keep the look as authentic as possible, make sure you don’t tease your hair too much. While some volume is needed, too much will make the pleat look more like a beehive.

15. The Flipped Bob

This hairstyle has a little more volume and texture than a traditional bob. To create the flipped ends, use a large curling iron or a flat iron to curl the ends of your hair inwards.

After you’ve curled your hair, brush through your curls to create a soft, bouncy look. This technique is also known as a pageboy haircut.

16. The Brush Up

This look was popular with men in the 50s but women also made it their own. The front of the hair is styled up and back with a swoop and the sides are styled in a similar fashion.

This look is one of the most iconic 50s hairstyles and is still popular today.

17. The Bubble Cut

If you have naturally curly hair, you can achieve this look by setting it in pin curls or using a curling iron to create ringlets.

Once you’ve created the curls, use your fingers to gently brush them out, creating a soft, fluffy texture. Then, use bobby pins to secure the sides of your hair to your head, creating a rounded shape.

18. The Italian Cut

The Italian Cut was a popular hairstyle in the 1950s that was inspired by the short, feathery layers of the Italian movie stars.

This haircut was perfect for anyone with naturally curly hair. The short layers allowed the curls to take shape and move freely without being weighed down.

19. The Dutch Boy

This cut was made famous by the Dutch Boy Paint mascot in the 1920s, but it made a comeback in the 1950s. The cut is characterized by its straight, blunt bangs and straight bob. This cut is perfect for those with straight hair, and it’s a very low-maintenance style.

20. The 360 Waves

The 360 waves were a popular style for men in the 1950s. The look features deep waves that travel all the way around the head.

The style was popular among African American men and was achieved through a process of brushing and applying a setting lotion to the hair.

21. The Afro

The Afro has been a symbol of African-American pride and heritage for centuries. But it was in the 1950s that the Afro as we know it became popular.

As the Civil Rights movement gained traction, African-American women began to embrace their natural hair texture, and the Afro was born. In the 1950s, the Afro was a bold political statement, and it remains a symbol of strength and resilience to this day.

22. The Modern Quiff

A quiff is a classic 50s hairstyle that you can still see today. It’s got that high volume on top, but it’s a little more polished and modern. If you’re looking for a vintage hairstyle that will work for a modern event, this is it.

Conclusion

The 1950s was a decade that saw a lot of experimentation with new hairstyles, and it was when many of the styles that we still see today were invented. The 1950s was the decade that saw the birth of the ponytail, the beehive, the bouffant, and the pixie cut, and it was when hair was first being styled in a way that was specifically designed to complement the face. There are a lot of 50s hairstyles to choose from, so you should be able to find one that suits you.