How did they do their hair in the 1950s?

Author: Prof. Josianne Kessler PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Teenage girls around the world wore their hair in ponytails while teenage boys wore crew cuts, the more rebellious among them favouring "greaser" comb-backs.

How did people do their hair in the 1950s?

Most women would set their hair in curlers and sleep with them in overnight, either using foam, pin, or rag rollers. Some would even cover their hair with a cap to protect the locks while they slept. Others still would simply try to sleep as still as they possibly could.

What did 50s greasers use in their hair?

While they didn't literally use automotive grease, they commonly used pomades, gel, and other hair products that contained oils and waxes to achieve that slicked-back look. The term ``greaser'' itself was derived from their association with grease and the rebellious, working-class image of the time.

How should I wear my hair in my 50s?

Easy-to-Maintain Styles for Busy Lifestyles
  1. Short Curly Hair. Short curly styles are effortlessly chic and low maintenance, perfect for women over 50 embracing their natural texture. ...
  2. Sleek Ponytail. ...
  3. Natural Waves. ...
  4. The Lob. ...
  5. Blunt Bob. ...
  6. Layered Bob. ...
  7. Shoulder-Length Straight Hair. ...
  8. Messy Bun.

What hair color was popular in the 1950s?

So you might think women never colored their hair pink back then. The truth is, there was a pastel hair craze in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Creative, rebellious ladies experimented with pink, lavender, mint, pale blue, and peach toners.

Long Hair After 50: NEVER Wear This Hairstyle?

What is the 1st rarest hair color?

Nature's Rarest Palette: Red Hair Standing at the apex of rarity, natural red hair occurs in just 1-2% of the global population. This striking shade results from a specific genetic variant of the MC1R gene, requiring both parents to pass on the recessive trait.

What was a popular hairstyle in the 1950s?

The pompadour was a fashion trend in the 1950s, especially among male rockabilly artists and actors. A variation of this was the duck's ass (or in the UK "duck's arse"), also called the "duck's tail", the "ducktail", or simply the D.A. This hairstyle was originally developed by Joe Cerello in 1940.

What Colour hair makes you look younger in your 50s?

Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

What hair length makes you look younger?

Does short or long hair make you look younger? Long hair can enhance facial features by diverting attention away from wrinkles or age spots and adding volume to your hair. Short hair does not need to age you, though, as the style and texture of shorter hairstyles can add a youthful appearance.

What is the best haircut for a woman in her 50s?

THE 9 BEST HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN OVER 50
  • Layered bob. ...
  • Chin-length bob. ...
  • Shoulder-length waves. ...
  • Textured crop. ...
  • Sleek lob. ...
  • Soft pixie cut. ...
  • Asymmetrical bob. ...
  • Textured fringe. A textured fringe is different to a blunt fringe - its additional layers give this fringe a lived-in vibe that adds softness, definition and, well, texture.

What jeans did greasers wear?

Male greasers typically wore loose work pants such as cotton twill trousers, common among the working class; dark slacks, or dark blue Levi's jeans, widely popular among all American youth in the 1950s.

Why did people put grease in their hair?

There are a few benefits to including hair grease in your hair and scalp care routine. It may seal in moisture. Even though hair grease doesn't add moisture to the hair, it certainly helps moisture from escaping. If you have extremely dry and porous hair, you might find hair grease beneficial.

What did 50s girls wear?

The 50s Silhouette

There are two main silhouettes in 50s fashion – the wasp waist with full skirt and the slim fitting pencil skirt. Both are iconic 50s looks that prevailed until 1956 and can be portrayed as super sexy or fun and flirty – depending on how you wear them.

What is Marilyn Monroe's hairstyle called?

Twister hair, also known as “twist braids,” is a hairstyle where twisted strands of hair are braided together to create a complex pattern. Two pieces of hair are twisted and wrapped around each other to create a rope-like braid.

What were the beauty standards in the 1950s?

The 1950s placed a strong emphasis on achieving flawless, porcelain-like skin. The iconic look included a matte complexion with a velvety finish. Women often used foundation, powder, and concealer to create a smooth base, giving them an immaculate appearance.

Do bangs make you look older or younger?

While there's no magic potion for eternal youth, hairstyles with bangs can certainly work some hair-raising wonders. Whether you opt for blunt, angled, or wispy, bangs have the power to freshen up your look and give you a youthful edge.

How to soften your look as you age?

Exfoliant creams can improve the appearance of older skin by getting rid of dead skin cells that don't slough off as readily as they did when we were young. Several prescription creams (Avita, Avage, Renova, Retin-A) have been shown to reduce wrinkles and so-called liver spots caused by sun exposure.

What hair color is most aging?

Does light or dark hair make you look younger? There's no defined hair color that is more youthful, but darker colors can look harsher over time. Consider going for a more multi-dimensional hair color with lighter and darker pieces overall.

What hair color was popular in the 50s?

The '50s saw lighter hair color making a comeback with the fashion icon Marilyn Monroe. However, instead of an icy blonde, people opted for a shade of platinum blonde. The second half of this decade also witnessed the rise of the iconic cherry red hair color.

Does long hair age you?

It is a common misconception that long hair makes you look older. In reality, the way your hair is styled and maintained has a bigger impact on your appearance. With proper grooming and styling, long hair can actually make you look younger.

What is the most famous hairstyle ever?

Ahead, some of the most iconic celebrity hair moments of all time.
  • Audrey Hepburn's Chignon. ...
  • Farrah Fawcett's Fringe. ...
  • Elvis' Swoop. ...
  • Angela Davis' Afro. ...
  • Diana Ross' Curls. ...
  • "The Rachel" (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • Halle Berry's Pixie. (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • Marilyn Monroe's Blonde Bob. (Image credit: Getty Images)

What is the oldest hairstyle in history?

The oldest known depiction of hair styling is hair braiding, which dates back about 30,000 years.

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