Curls and waves were created mainly by setting wet hair in pin curls.Small rollers and water waving were also used. A setting lotion could be applied and hair dried off under a hooded dryer. This really baked the set into the hair.Pin curls wound in alternating directions (referred to as clockwise and anti-clockwise) creates soft waves, and upright pin curls (or barrel curls) create lift.
Pin curls were kept in by using hair pins or small metal clips – carefully placed to prevent creasing and a skill in itself!For longer-lasting sets, perming was popular, the curls being created with small perming rods.
Pin curls were still use to create waves and curls
Colouring
Colouring products and techniques advanced in the 1950's, allowing women to change their hair at a whim at home.Experimentation with colour was seen, and coloured sprays and paint-on colours made it easy to temporarily match one’s hair with the outfit. Even products not meant for hair at all were used!
Temporary gold and silver streaks were popular and could be achieved by using tinted metallic powders to sprinkle on or liquids to paint on.One-step products allowed hair to be bleached, shampooed and dyed easily at home.
Bleached fringe in 1953
Henna was a popular colourant. Apparently henna was used by Lucille Ball to achieve the auburn-red colour she had.Bleached streaks added a swoosh of blonde to hair, particularly used in the front, and actresses like Marilyn Monroe, Diana Dors and Jayne Mansfield made the ‘blonde bombshell’ look all the rage.
Hair Accessories
Combs and Slides
Combs and slides were used to control the hair and keep it in place.
False Hair
Hair pieces were used to add a detail like a chignon or plait.Also used to add length or volume as fashions changed quicker than hair could grow, or to be able to turn short hair into an updo for the evening.
Made from real hair, the pieces came in all colours so could be matched to the wearer’s own colour.Some pieces came ready curled and styled – they simply needed pinning onto the head and dressing in with the natural hair.
Wigs were reportedly all made by hand from human hair, certainly in the early 1950's
Hair pieces could be used to embellished shorter hair
Hats
Hats were essential for all but the most casual occasions in the early 1950's.
However, by the mid-50's, hats became worn less often – the formality of having a hat, gloves and bag was tailing off. Plus, hairstyles were starting to get bigger.Hats were small, fairly simply in design and compact. Decorations could be used, like feathers or a veil.
Popular hats include the lampshade or flowerpot hat, small-brimmed cartwheels, French berets (especially liked by Beatnik college students), and the pillbox.
Hats were compact like the flowerpot style ( L) and the beret (R) decorated with birds wings and veil
(1953).
Headbands
Headbands were made of plastic, metal and material. They could be plain or decorated with things like flowers, jewels or fur.
Headbands helped when growing out shorter hairstyles like the Italian cut. A headband was placed over the front hair, pulling it smooth, and the back hair would be fluffed out.
Head scarves
Made from material like silk organza, head scarves were loosely draped over the head and tied under the chin. If the material was long enough, they were tied around the neck.
By the end of the decade, hair was getting bigger and more bouffant – hair was going one way: up, up, up! The short and tight curled styles were giving way to sleeker, more voluminous styles. Wigs and hair pieces continued to be worn, becoming an essential hair accessory in the 1960's
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