Period Hair - 1950s

The 1950s was the first full decade after World War II ended. There was so much that happened during this era. For example, the first modern credit card was introduced, the satellite Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union, which began the Space race between them and the US during the Cold war, and the first regularly-scheduled colour TV programme was introduced, which was called 'The World Is Yours!' (1951). (Rosenberg, J. 2020).

Figure 1 - Sputnik (Theinvisibleagent, 2011)

This era had many different trending styles to pick from. A classic one would be the soft waved bob. Many women liked this style as they could mould the hair to frame their face. (Vintagedancer, 2018). This style was very commonly worn by the actress Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962). 

Figure 2 - Soft waved bob (Stylezco, no date)

Figure 3 - Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962) (Higgs, C. no date)

Figure 4 - Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962) (Biography, no date)

Bangs became very popular during this decade, and in different styles. Audrey Hepburn debuted her iconic pixie cut in the film 'Roman Holiday' (1953) with short choppy bangs. Although, this apparently didn't look good on many women, and was highly criticised for looking too much like a mens haircut. (Vintagedancer, 2018). Another version was the bumper bang, which was commonly seen on the model Bettie Page (1923 - 2008). These were very thick, straight across bangs.

Figure 5 - Audrey Hepburn (Shortpixiehairs, no date)

Figure 6 - Audrey Hepburn (Afrotherapysalon, no date)

Figure 7 - Bettie Page (1923 - 2008) (Pomade, S. 2016)

Figure 8 - Bettie Page (1923 - 2008) (Squillace, M. 2016)

Even simple styles such as the ponytail started to become popular. This was worn by teens and young women in the early years. "It was low maintenance, simple and chic" (Vintagedancer, 2018). This hairstyle was commonly worn with a wide poodle skirt, and a matching hairbow. (Whitaker, C. 2020).

Figure 9 - Ponytail style (Covellifashion, 2011)

Figure 10 - Ponytail style (Passion4fashionillustration, no date)

Mens hairstyles started getting some volume. A well known style is that of the greaser. It had swept back, voluminous hair on top, with the sides slicked back. They would style their hair in a pompadour shape. This was Elvis Presley's (1935 - 1977) signature look.

Figure 11 - Elvis Presley (1935 - 1977) (Esquire, 2012)

Figure 12 - Elvis Presley (1935 - 1977) (Freidlander, M. 2017)

Figure 13 - John Travolta on the set of 'Grease' (1978) (Oliver, D. 2013)

Setting the wig

The style that was attempted was similar to the Bettie Page style, with the bumper bangs, and long wavy hair. A triangle section at the front of the hair was rolled forwards to create the bumper bangs. The side sections were put into pin curls to create some detail later on. The rest of the hair was set vertically, to create some nice waves.

Figure 14 - 1950s wet set (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 15 - 1950s wet set (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 16 - 1950s wet set (Brown, J. 2020)

Styling the wig

Styling the wig was quite easy. The only fiddly bit was the bumper bangs, as it took a little bit of time to get them to sit right, but it got there eventually. The waves at the back were brushed out and curl detailing was pinned in place on top. For an extra version of this style, the hair was also put into a ponytail. 

Figure 17 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 18 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 19 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 20 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 21 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 22 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 23 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 24 - 1950s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Overall, the stylist is very happy with how this turned out, however if this style were to be tried again, the long waves could be more cohesive at the back, and the ponytail could be centred a little more.

-Jess

References:

• 1950s hairstyles - 50s hairstyles from short to long. (2018) Available from https://vintagedancer.com/1950s/1950s-hairstyles/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Rosenberg, J. (2020) A Brief Timeline of the 1950s. Available from https://www.thoughtco.com/1950s-timeline-1779952 [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Whitaker, C. (2020) 1950s hairstyles - most popular hairstyles of the 1950s. Available from https://www.rebelsmarket.co.uk/blog/posts/1950s-hairstyles-most-popular-hairstyles-of-the-1950s [Accessed 20/11/2020].

Bibliography:

• 17 memorable 1950s hairstyles you can try now. (2019) Available from https://www.allthingshair.com/en-uk/hairstyles-haircuts/vintage-hairstyles/50s-hairstyles-bouffant-curls/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• 1950s. (no date) Available from https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/timelines/1950s [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• 1950s Important news and events, key technology fashion and popular culture. (no date) Available from http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1950s.html [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Baby boomers. (2010) Available from https://www.history.com/topics/1960s/baby-boomers-1 [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Burr, S. (no date) Ten trends from the fabulous fifties. Available from https://southtree.com/blogs/artifact/ten-trends-from-the-fabulous-fifties [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Cold War. (2020) Available from https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Dyas, B. (2020) 50+ Totally amazing things that happened in the '50s. Available from https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g4505/50-facts-about-the-50s/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Gardiner, J. (2015) The story of women in the 1950s. Available from https://www.historytoday.com/reviews/story-women-1950s [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Hair through history: 9 memorable hairstyles of the 1950s. (2019) Available from https://www.beautylaunchpad.com/galleries/portfolio/article/21144202/hair-through-history-9-memorable-hairstyles-of-the-1950s [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Johnson, B. (no date) Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Available from https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Britaininthe1950s1960s/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Kuehn, P.R. (2020) Fads of the '50s: What was popular in the '50s? Available from https://owlcation.com/humanities/Fads-of-The-50s-What-Was-Popular-in-The-Mid-And-Late-1950s [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Popular culture and mass media in the 1950s. (no date) Available from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/1950s-america/a/popular-culture-and-mass-media-cnx [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Tha Happy Pompadour bumper bang tutorial. (2009) Available from https://www.vintagehairstyling.com/bobbypinblog/2009/01/tha-happy-pompadour-bumper-bang-tutorial.html [Accessed 20/11/2020]. 
• The 1950s. (2010) Available from https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/1950s [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Timeline. (no date) Available from http://www.sechistorical.org/museum/timeline/1950-timeline.php [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• World events during he 1950s & 60s. (no date) Available from https://livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/worldevents_01.html [Accessed 20/11/2020].

Figures:

• Figure 1 - Sputnik production, Russia - 1950s. (2011) Available from https://theinvisibleagent.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/sputnik-production-russia-1950s/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 2 - Classic 1950s hairstyles for women (best vintage haircuts). (no date) Available from https://www.stylezco.com/1950s-hairstyles-women/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 3 - Higgs, C. (no date) Marilyn Monroe's skincare routine included a crucial step that most people skip. Available from https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/marilyn-monroe-skincare-routine/slide2 [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 4 - Marilyn Monroe. (no date) Available from https://www.biography.com/actor/marilyn-monroe [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 5 - Pixie haircut vintage. (no date) Available from http://shortpixiehairs.blogspot.com/2015/04/pixie-haircut-vintage.html [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 6 - History of the pixie cut. (no date) Available from https://www.afrotherapysalon.com/news/history-of-the-pixie-cut/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 7 - Pomade, S. (2016) Bettie Page Hair Tutorial. Available from https://www.suavecito.com/blogs/suavecita/82874820-bettie-page-hair-tutorial [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 8 - Squillace, M. (2016) Iconic bangs through the ages. Available from https://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/674197-iconic-bangs-ages/#/slide/1 [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 9 - 1950s hair: sets and styles. (2011) Available from https://covellifashion.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/1950s-hair-sets-and-styles/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 10 - 1950's hairstyles. (no date) Available from http://passion4fashionillustration.blogspot.com/2015/04/1950-hairstyles.html#.X_22Q-n7TPY [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 11 - Elvis Presley: What I've learned. (2012) Available from https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a809/esq0902-sept-wil/ [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 12 - Friedlander, M. (2017) Remembering the King: Elvis Presley died 40 years ago today. Available from https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/remembering-king-elvis-presley-died-40-years-ago/story?id=49251303 [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 13 - Oliver, D. (2013) 17 Pompadour hairstyles we'd actually dare to try (PHOTOS). Available from https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/pompadour-hair-evolution-photos_n_4024636?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jb25zZW50LnlhaG9vLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHHLVD7HvZeOXeulpdK7FBqk7UcraO0wcnmiMIKscq7_n8TJb6uuQs0_Bb3PGhh2EimDvoAZIku0JfM-hxOA34rS6NE8eaaUOFHCi-r20eVWdvwJOAO5EeBFkMrU8UtcTMfhfGsbGuHFN5hgh7DbIumKSX5PALWTXdW_5_b1Ajd9 [Accessed 20/11/2020].
• Figure 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 - Brown, J. (2020) York College.