The Best Vintage Hairstyles

Something very exciting has happened recently. Vintage fashion has become du jour, and so has vintage hairstyling. A shampoo and set will no longer make you look like a pensioner, or as if you’re in fancy dress. It now looks pretty cool, to be honest.

It looks great with “modern” clothes too. There’s something quite exciting about combining loose victory rolls with denim shorts and a pair of hi-tops. It’s a look that shouldn’t work at all, but for some reason it just does. Vintage hair is here to stay, and with long or short hair it’s a look that can totally work for you. What have you got to lose?

These are our favourite styles.

Quiff

Possibly the easiest vintage style to create. The 50s rockabilly-style quiff has always been cool and edgy. It looks great on both men and women, and it works on both short and long hair. A quiff will add a little edge to your look without being too try-hard, and it’s dead easy to do.

How?

If you have short hair you can backcomb the front section, slick it back and pouf it forward. Long hair needs a little more work. Create two partings just above mid-eyebrow and take the middle section. Comb it through and hold it upwards. Backcomb the roots from back to front, twist the end, push it forward and clip it with two bobby pins in an “x” shape. Finally, spray with lots of hairspray.

Bettie Page Fringe

Bettie Page was famous for many things, but the one that has made her a style icon is her unusual fringe (or bangs). Her raven hair with loose waves was offset by a sharply rounded fringe, much shorter at the sides and longer in the centre. Many people have copied this look over the years. It’s a strong style that makes a huge statement. Ordinary hairstyles look extraordinary when Bettie bangs are added.

How?

If you’re too afraid to go for the chop, you can try a fake Bettie fringe. You’ll need a hair doughnut to wrap the hair around and tuck under with bobby pins. Otherwise, go to a reputable vintage hair salon that understands retro hairstyles, because normal salons tend not to understand this look. Ask for a Bettie fringe and they will know exactly what you mean.

Probably best not to try this at home, as it needs super-sharp scissor precision.

Victory Rolls

This gorgeous 1940s style was allegedly named after the victory roll that planes performed after WWII. How cool is that? It is a versatile look that you can work into your hair when it is up or down. Wear the rolls on one side for a subtle look, or on both sides for a real vintage statement.

How?

Create a side parting and comb the hair through. Lift the smaller section of hair at the front and, from around the halfway mark, start rolling the hair tightly around your finger. Then slip the roll off your finger and keep rolling until it is tight against your head. Secure with lots of hairspray and bobby pins. Repeat on the other side. This look takes a lot of practice, so don’t be too frustrated if it doesn’t work the first time.

Beehive

When you think of the 60s, the first thing you’ll probably picture is a girl with a beehive dancing in front of a wall of swirling psychedelic patterns. No? Maybe it’s just us then. The beehive is the symbol of the 60s, and to this day it is a classic, elegant style that suits all face shapes. It isn’t difficult either. You’ll need a ton of hairspray, a handful of bobby pins and a tail comb.

How?

Using the tail of your comb, section off your hair across the middle of your head, from ear to ear, and keep the front piece separate from the back for now. Take the back section from the crown, lift a layer of hair and pull it forward. Backcomb it until it stands up, and work through the whole back section, spraying with a strong-hold hairspray as you go. Smooth the front section over the backcombed area and secure it with bobby pins. You can use the tail of your comb to lift parts of the beehive for extra height too.

Good luck creating these styles. If you’re finding them impossible and want somewhere to go to get your barnet beautiful, look for a salon in London that caters to vintage hairstyles.