Women born in the 1950s can appreciate hairstyling from the 1950s. Schooling haircuts from the 1950s are making a comeback, so we have created a list of 25 styles that are perfect for women of all ages. Vintage inspired haircuts like sleek bobs, glorious curls, and retro updos are timeless. Get ready to travel back in time and relive the best hairstyles of the past.
Women who lived during the 1950s don’t want to look like a costume version of themselves, they want to remember what they felt like and just have hair. And that’s a really fun conversation to have in my chair because there’s a lot to work with. The silhouettes from that era, the soft volume, the finger waves, the bobs with shape to them… those were more than just trends, they were flattering in a way that a lot of modern cuts frankly aren’t.
I remember a lovely client a few years ago who was in her early seventies, and who said to me, while showing me a photo of her mom from 1957, “I want to feel like that.” The photo was not a glamour shot. It was a portrait of her mom at a kitchen table, and her hair was styled in soft curls with a bob that was definitely rolled the night before. Bob haircuts are extremely evocative and emotional, and we eventually decided on a version of that bob which would suit her hair, which was thinner and silver, and she cried when she saw it. With that in mind, here are 25 hairstyles from that era that will suit any hair type, thickness and styling commitment.
#1: Warm Copper Pixie with a Little Lift on Top
The best part about this cut is that it’s the color of copper! With a pixie this short, color is what gives personality to the cut of hair. These highlights are perfectly placed to catch light right around the face, and that light is going to give a soft look on top, and keep the length just enough that it looks like you’re not trying too hard. If your hair is fine, this type of cut is perfect because it gives the illusion of more volume than there actually is. You will need to go to the salon for trims every four to five weeks because a pixie cut loses the effortless feeling quickly Once it starts growing out unevenly.
#2 Soft Shoulder-Length Curls with Easy Movement
I love this style & recommend it all the time because it suits so many people. The soft, loose curls look so nice because they won’t look overdone and the shoulder length keeps it nice and balanced. If you have fine to medium hair, then the light layering will give you that fullness without looking too wispy at the ends. To keep it looking this polished will take a little bit of a curling iron or some rollers, and some patience, but it definitely feels put together and is worth it.
#3 Curly Chin-Length Bob with Natural Texture
This looks good as it plays into what the hair naturally wants to do as opposed to going against it. The defined curls are not crunchy which is good, and the chin length keeps everything looking intentional. There is a softness that you can’t really fake, which comes from letting the natural texture do its thing while just shaping around it. A good moisturizing curl cream scrunched in while it’s still damp is all you really need for this. The only thing to mention is that curly bobs do need reshaping regularly or else they kind of start to go triangular and that’s not the vibe.
#4 Big Beautiful Beehive with Soft Waves Through the Ends
Look at this style! Would you like to go back to a cocktail party in 1959? Here’s your chance! The crown volume says look at me, and the soft waves at the ends mean it won’t be too stuck or done. I won’t lie, this look will take some backcombing and a good amount of structure mousse, a light hairspray to keep it all in place, and ideally your own medium hair density to hold the shape without it all collapsing. But, done right, there’s nothing else like it! This is the style that gets me the most excited when someone asks for it!
#5 Gentle Waves Just Below the Chin
There is an understated beauty that with a certain style, where there is no need for boasting, but all forms of admiration are nevertheless drawn to it. The waves are gentle, the volume is soft, nothing is over done. I find lengths that fall just below the chin very flattering, especially for women with heart or oval-shaped faces. The shine is wonderful and if you would like to amplify that more, a leave-in conditioner would do the trick. Getting the waves right takes a little more time in the morning, but we are talking about ten minutes and not thirty.
#6 Rounded Bob with Warm Brown Tones
A bob that is rounded feels classy and effortlessly elegant. This style’s soft layers ease you into the look and prevent it from being too stark. The rounded shape enhances the fullness of the hair which is perfect for any hair that is more on the thinner side. Aside from needing to be trimmed regularly to maintain the shape, the style is quite low maintenance. The warm tones of the brown color create an even nicer overall look.
#7 Short Curly Cut with a Playful Energy
It is always a blast when people sit in my chair and say they want something short and curly! This cut is neat and tidy, and the curls add that extra element of fun. The best part is using a little curl cream and you are pretty much ready to go. It’s such a dream! This cut will also show off your natural highlights. In the case that your curls are a little looser, you may need to use a product for more definition.
#8 Textured Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
My all-time favorite feature has to be the bangs. The way the bangs sweep across the forehead in a really natural way to soften the look of the bob is awesome. The way the hair is textured, just enough to keep it from looking flat, is perfect to give it that modern look. The length is perfect, just above the shoulders, so you can tuck it behind your ears, clip one side back, or just let it hang. This is a great cut for finer hair as the layers create movement without a lot of hair. I love that it is modern yet effortlessly done.
#9 Textured Short Cut with Effortless Waves
Although this style looks like it would be great for running errands and going out to dinner, it actually works for a lot of looks. The waves are deconstructed, and the face framing is spot on; it softens things up without rounding the face too much. The length of the hair is just above the shoulders, so there is enough to play with, but not so much that it becomes heavy or difficult to manage. It allows for varying degrees of styling and can be done in fine or medium hair since the waves will add life to it, rather than making it look stiff.
#10 Silver-Toned Bob with Soft Textured Layers
I like silver hair instead of fighting it, and this cut is the perfect example. The soft layers create a shape and movement, and the silver tone makes it look intentional and chic instead of giving the vibe that you stopped caring about color. The length is easy to maintain, just above the shoulders. The only thing I will say is that the layers do need to be kept up a bit because silver hair tends to look flat if the shape is lost, but that’s true for most bobs really.
#11 Lob with Highlighted Layers and a Little Bounce
Lobs are clearly trending, and they should be because they look amazing on all hair types! The way the highlights are layered here is stunning and gives such a vibrant, full look, and creates the illusion of a lot of thickness. This length is really nice for oval and round face shapes and the layers help it keep from looking too boxy. The overall maintenance is low, but you may need a round brush blow dry to get the layers looking just right.
#12 Textured Lob with a Subtle Ombre
What I love most about this lob is the ombre. It’s not super overly dramatic, but the soft lightening towards the ends brightens the face up without the “I’m trying to be twenty-five again” look. The layers also really nicely frame the face and medium length lobs give you a ton of versatility for styling. If your hair is more on the fine side you might want to use a volumizing product so it doesn’t fall flat. All in all, it’s an effortlessly polished cut.
#13 Textured Short Cut with Airy Volume
‘Look like you just rolled out of bed’ cuts. The length is cropped just above the neck, and the subtle layering on top adds the softness and dimension. For fine hair, this is a great cut because it maximizes the amount of hair you have without having to rely on thickness to hold the style up. Daily styling shouldn’t be too much work, and all you’ll really need for root lift is a volumizing mousse.
#14 Curly Bob with Crown Volume and Soft Layers
This style focuses on volume at the crown. It prevents the style from looking plain by making the curls appear to have life. The defined layers that encapsulate the face compliment the overall shape. Everything appears to be harmonious. If you have medium density hair, this style will feel custom made for you. The look is best with consistent maintenance because wavy bobs can appear unkempt as the layers become uneven. However, that is a small trade off considering how adorable the style is.
#15 Copper Pixie with Layered Texture
I’m looking forward to seeing another copper pixie. Warm colors like copper really brighten up a person’s face. The subtle layers give the pixie just enough texture to avoid my biggest concern with uniformly cut pixies: the helmet look. This cut and color combo works best with fine to medium texture hair. If your face shape is oval or heart then the short length is really going to be flattering to you. It’s super easy to style too; just a little bit of texturizing paste and finger comb through and you’re ready to go!
#16 Lively Defined Curls with Lots of Body
The curls really stand out and have lots of movement, plus they have the right amount of volume to look styled instead of stiff. This will work well if your hair is medium to thick since the curls require more density to hold their shape. A curl-enhancing product will be required here, but use a lightweight one that defines without the weight. There is a bit of a vintage vibe, which I think is the point, and it avoids feeling costumey.
#17 Textured Bob with Soft Bangs and a Lively Feel
The bangs on this look really good! They are soft and gently frame the face which keep the look youthful and approachable. The bob is medium length and has just the right amount of texture to keep it moving. If your hair is fine to medium this will feel really natural and easy, just a bit of texturizing spray to mess it up and that’s your entire routine. Keep in mind though if you prefer longer hair it might feel like a bit of a change. But if you’re ready for it, this is a lovely shape!
#18 Sharp Blunt Bob with Quiet Elegance
This haircut is a sleek and thoughtful bob. The chin-length blunt cut is very modern yet it is classic enough to picture it on Audrey Hepburn. The hair has just the right amount of volume at the roots to soften the look (this is key, as blunt bobs can look too strong). Fine hair, straight hair, or hair with minimal texture will look great with this cut because the cut itself is the main focus. This style is very low maintenance as it will maintain itself with regular trims.
#19 Soft Curly Layers with a Vintage Feel
The old Hollywood vibe is amazing here. I can see her setting those curls the night before, shaking them out in the morning, and they looked picture perfect. The curls are light and layered, so they won’t feel heavy or droopy. I love how flowing this looks on finer hair too. If you have a rounder face shape, you’ll really benefit from these top layers and that extra volume. The maintenance to keep these curls looking this intentional is def on the easier side, and they’re worth it.
#20 Medium-Length Curls with Warmth and Definition
The brown color is beautiful, and the defined curls look natural and not too exaggerated. Medium is a safe bet as it works on just about everyone. The layers will give you some great texture, and dimension, that a straightener just won’t do. If you don’t want to spend a ton of time on it, it’s a good option. Just keep a styling product nearby to keep the curls from frizzing out. This is very warm and welcoming. It’s classic, but not too dated.
#21 Layered Vintage Bob with a Touch of Highlight
This bob is sophisticated and chic — a great compliment. The soft layers create a non-heavy bottom and the highlights are subtle. The color is bright and lively. It’s a medium length that is low maintenance, and if you have fine, straight hair, this cut will give you some structure without too much product or heat styling. Just maintain the layers and you’re set.
#22 Short Textured Crop with Warm Tones
This is cute and super fast to do! The light warm tones create a nice softness to the face and the layers give nice movement. The length is perfect because it is short enough to be low maintenance but long enough to not have an overly blunt look. Cropped styles can often be tricky to achieve that sort of balance. Fine to medium hair is the best for this style, and if you want to add some texture use a little product on the ends. This is great for an everyday style that looks good whether you took 5 minutes or 15 minutes to do it!
#23 Vintage Finger Waves with Timeless Elegance
And then we have finger waves. These are all about old school glam as you don’t see them around anymore, which is a shame because they are extremely beautiful when done right. Finger waves can be a lot of 1950s vintage era cosplay, but the soft edges can help prevent the hairstyle from looking too costume-like. The hairstyle is best created on medium-length hair, so you just might need to be patient. You will also need a fine-tooth comb, and some strong setting lotion, which will allow you to get everything to stay just right. The final outcome is truly oh so stunning. I would love to see it on even more people, and especially at more events because it really is that beautiful.
#24 Vintage Bouffant with Volume and Soft Movement
The bouffant hairstyle scares some people, and excites others, and I’m one of the people that is excited. The height is so dramatic in the best way, and the waves through the length of the hair help keep the style from looking like a hard helmet. If your hair is fine to medium, achieving this look with some backcombing and volumizing mousse at the roots shouldn’t be an issue. Although it may take a while to do, this hairstyle is a really great option for special occasions, or for the days where you just want to really look your best!
#25 Classic Bob with Soft Bangs and Effortless Shape
This is a good honest bob. It has chin length soft bangs. Although it is quite simple it looks polished. The bangs frame the face nicely. Soft bangs are great for round and oval face shapes. Fine hair works in its favour as it keeps everything looking light and easy. With this haircut you will need to do frequent trims to maintain the shape. But this style is as low maintenance as it gets. If you want to do something extra, subtle highlights through the bangs and front pieces will add some extra life. But, it looks good like this as well.
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