Women’s hair Styles of the 1950s
Depending on the length of their hair, they could opt for bouffant-style curls, sleekly brushed back Italian or page boy cuts, or fashionable pony tails with bows or flower corsages.
Poodle Cut
The Poodle Cut was a popular choice among teenagers and young girls in the 1950s. It featured tightly curled hair styled into a poof on top of the head, with tapered shorter styles on the sides. Some women added bangs to this look for added flair.
Greasers
Men also embraced stylish haircuts in the 1950s, such as the greaser haircut. This style had longer hair on top and shorter sides, with the sides slicked back with pomade for a neat and attractive look. The name “greaser” originated from this greased-back hairstyle.
Pin-Up
The pin-up style was a fashionable look in the 1950s, emphasizing a powerful and feminine appearance. Women would style large lush curls piled high on top of their heads, with soft spiral curls framing their faces. Accessories like hats, headbands, and bandanas added extra flair to this style.
Upswept
Beehive hairstyles were a timeless classic in the 1950s. They featured perfectly sculpted and pinned coils that created height in the crown region. Beehives worked best with natural textures or slight waves in the hair, making them versatile for all hair types and textures.
Bettie Page Bangs
Bettie Page bangs were short fringe bangs shaped to fit around the ears, and they became increasingly fashionable in the 1950s. Pin-up model Bettie Page and actress Audrey Hepburn popularized this style. Longer locks could be worn in sleek pageboy cuts or pulled back into a ponytail known as a horsetail, while adding side-swept bangs could modernize this classic look.
Greaser
The greaser hairstyle, made famous by John Travolta’s character in the film “Grease,” featured a full quiff that spanned the entire forehead. Pomade was used to secure the quiff in place. This style also highlighted short fringe bangs, which gained attention thanks to Bettie Page’s iconic look. The flat top haircut became popular as a low-maintenance alternative to elaborate greaser styles, and it could be enhanced with texture or a fade for added style.
