29 Modern Ways to Wear '50s Hair

Cropped Pixie

Made popular in the early '50s by Audrey Hepburn in the films Roman Holiday and Sabrina, the cropped, face-framing pixie became a timeless favorite for many women. Tyra Banks' version is updated for the 21st century.

• Start by asking your stylist for longer, face-framing layers to create choppy bangs. Keep the sides and back cropped more closely to the scalp.
• "The key [to a modern pixie] is to get maximum fullness and volume," Papanikolas says. "Start with a volumizing foam like Matrix Total Results High Amplify Foam Volumizer ($20) on damp hair before you blow dry."
• "Use a round vent brush and go section by section to give you maximum volume and a slight bend," he adds.
• "Use a flexible pomade like Matrix Style Link Shape Switcher Molding Paste ($18) to give a piecey texture which makes the style more current and modern." 

Perfectly Primped

There was a time, pre-Drybar, when going into the salon weekly to get your roller set and wash was more common than not. Today, plenty of red carpet 'dos are still beautifully shaped and fluffed out. A favorite take on this look is Mandy Moore's big, voluminous waves at the 2019 Emmys.

• "Deep glamorous waves can seem super intimidating," Williams notes. "Give them a modern and fresh feel by curling your whole head with a small to medium size curling wand."
• Then, let your hair completely cool down from the hot tools before continuing to style.
• "Brush out with a paddle brush," Williams adds. Top off with a flexible hold hairspray like the Kristin Ess Ultra Fine Workable Hairspray ($15).

Short and Sculpted

Short hair with fluffed out or structured curls was one of the most popular hairstyles of the '50s. Here, Janelle Monáe channels her inner '50s starlet. Don't have short hair? You can fake this look with the faux bob technique.

Silk Scarf

A loose silk scarf draped over the hair and tied around the neck or shoulders is a great way to make any hairstyle instantly look a bit vintage.

• First, pull your hair back into a low bun or ponytail. Don't worry about styling too much—the scarf will do most of the work for you.
• If you're using a larger piece of fabric, Papanikolas suggests folding it into a triangle shape before laying it over the crown of your head with the points hanging downward.
• Then, he suggests tying the scarf around the neck, as pictured above.
• For a smaller scarf, you can roll it up into a narrower strip and secure the fabric at the nape of the neck like a headband.
• Bonus points for adding oversized sunglasses.

Structured Shape

Bouffants, beehives, and French twists were popular updos that consisted of lots of hairspray and backcombing, giving the hair both lift and structure. Here, Mary J. Blige wears a clean, modern hybrid of the beehive and a classic French twist. To achieve:

• Start by teasing the hair at the crown of the head, using a rattail comb, Papanikolas says.
• "Smooth out your backcombing, then pin it in the back" to secure.
• Next, set the entire look with a generous amount of hairspray.
• Side-swept bangs, pictured above, help to update the look and keep it fresh.

Flirty Ponytail

A simpler look that caught on in the '50s was the ponytail. Reincarnated, we love this modern, flirtatious pony on Zoey Deutch. The front is similar to look #5, but instead of a teased backcomb, simply secure your hair into a high ponytail and use a flat iron to gently curl the ends outward, creating that sumptuous S-shape.

Bettie Page Bangs

Katy Perry is a vintage queen who has been rocking Bettie Page bangs on and off for years. The beauty of this style is that it can be worn with any hair length, texture, and style. Talk about versatility.

Pin-Up Bandana

Go rockabilly-chic with a tied-up bandana in bold pin-up red. "Hair scarves have endless styling options," Williams says.

• To begin, pull your hair back into an updo of choice. No need to make it complicated; a loose bun or ponytail will do.
• "Brush your hair back and tie around the front for a cute headband," Williams suggests.
• Another option is to actually tie the scarf around the base of the ponytail "for a great pop of color."
• Or, "leave out bangs and pull your hair into a cute messy bun, tie the scarf around the middle, and make a bow in between your bangs and bun."

The Poodle

Largely made popular by Lucille Ball, the Poodle was a notable hairstyle in the '50s, with bouffant-like volume in the front and fluffed out curls pinned up in the back. Kate Winslet's red carpet updo is a modernized version. "Those patterns from the '50s still translate to a great foundation for current hairstyles," Papanikolas says. "What makes them more current is that they are less stiff and less teased so that they have a more moveable texture."

Victory Rolls

More often than not, pin-up girls in magazines were seen wearing victory rolls, a hairstyle that took voluminous curls and pinned them up to frame the face and add height. Here, Tessa Thompson wears one elongated victory roll above her long, flowing strands. "Hot rollers are a great tool for quick curls," Williams says. Follow her tips:

• Start by setting the desired victory roll section with hot rollers.
• Once cool, brush out the curls.
• Next, "wrap your hair around your finger at the desired height of your victory roll." To copy Thompson, you may need to bump the height a bit.
• "Slide your finger out carefully, and pin into place."

Curly Pixie

A curly crop is both timeless and oh so modern.

• Start by following our tips for look #1, using your favorite product for creating curl dimension instead of brushing out the hair.
• Then, apply some pomade or modeling paste. If your hair is longer in front, lift the front sections back for a windswept appearance.

Lifted Ponytail

The lifted crown on Lucy Liu's sleek ponytail has a bouffant vibe, with a slightly teased crown that elevates the look beyond your average gym-friendly style. Copy the tips from look #5, leaving the ends down instead of pinning them up.

Vintage Wave

We can't get away with a post about 1950s hair without mentioning inward, forward-facing curls usually created using a widespread roller set, softly brushed out and held up with hairspray. Lily Collins's red carpet appearance in this look has kept it alive, relevant, and lust-worthy.

• The vintage wave is easy to replicate with rollers.
• Simply wrap your ends up towards the face, stopping around the ears (exactly where you stop depends largely on your length).
• "You can achieve the same look with a curling iron by pinning it in place to let it 'set,'" Papanikolas adds. "You should follow a pattern to achieve your desired looks."

Hollywood Glamour

This classic, old Hollywood style worn by Lucy Boynton at the Oscars was an obvious ode to Grace Kelly, who was known for her soft, blonde hair and face-framing waves. While Boynton has turned down a bit of the volume, with asymmetrical curls and clean, structured ends, this modernized style hasn't lost one bit of its glamour.

All Rolled Up

Stylized updos were worn by many women in service during the war. While it may not be how working women show up for the job today, Rihanna displays a '50s-inspired updo as one of pure glamour and glitz.

Braided Crown

This cool braided style nods to '50s updos like the poodle and the bouffant without looking dated in the slightest. It's also much simpler than it looks.

• Braid a medium-sized section of hair in a classic braid and secure at the end.
• Loop the braid in a crown-like diagonal across the forehead.
• Secure into place with a headband. Use one that mimics the color and texture of the real braid to create the illusion of more braids in the hair.
• Leave hair down or pull it back into a ponytail or bun for the final touches.

Soft Waves

Soft, structured waves never go out of style. Follow the tips from #2, taking care not to brush out the waves too much to keep the curls intact. If you're feeling adventurous, you can throw on a silk scarf to modernize the look.

Baby Bangs

"Baby bangs like [those seen on] Mia Farrow and Audrey Hepburn are having a huge moment in pixie cuts right now," Williams says. Zoë Kravitz gives us a contemporary take with sexy, jagged edges. To get a similar look at home:

• Bring a photo of the look you're going for to the salon and request a pixie with baby bangs.
• To style, "blow dry hair flat with Matrix Total Results High Amplify Foam Volumizer," Williams advises.
• Then, use your fingers and a pomade/styling paste like the Matrix StyleLink Shape Switcher Molding Paste to get that piece-y, high-shine appearance.

Pin Curls

Lizzo demonstrates the totally timeless effect of pin curls, which work beautifully on any length.

• "For pin curls, wrap a small section around your pointer and index finger in the direction that the curl falls and use a pin to place the curl flat," says Williams.
• "Pin curls can be done on damp hair and allowed to dry for a damage-free set," Papanikolas says.
• If you're short on time, "speed it up with a curling iron and hair clips to allow it to set."
• Let the pins out, shake out your curls, and you're ready to hit the red carpet.

Modern Beehive

Zendaya's modern beehive is softer than the '50s version. Go light on the hairspray to allow flyaways to sneak through. We love this modern version, which leaves the side bangs free and imperfect rather than sleek and slicked back.

Curly French Twist

The French twist gets a bad reputation as a staid prom hairstyle that's stuck in the past, but this curly version is totally current. Follow this video tutorial by stylist Caitlyn Meyer:

• Divide hair into two sections, clipping the top part out of the way.
• Working from top to bottom, form the iconic French twist shape.
• Start by pulling the hair to one side and securing with bobby pins, then wrap the hair under to create the twist and pin into place.
• Release the top section and spiral over the head to create a faux bang, once again pinning into place to secure and gently arranging the curls with fingertips.
• Leave a few strands loose by the ears for a soft, romantic effect.

French Twisted Ponytail

This low ponytail combines elements of the French twist to create a red carpet-worthy style. Follow the guidelines from #21, but leave the ends hanging loose instead of wrapping all the hair.

Shoulder Length Pin Curls

As Emma Stone demonstrates, pin curls work on most hair lengths. This wavy bob follows the same general steps as #19, just with shorter strands.

Tucked-Under Ponytail

This red carpet style on J.Lo is simple, but it makes a big statement, especially when paired with stunning diamond and emerald drop earrings.

• Slick the hair back into a high ponytail, using copious amounts of gel and hairspray to obliterate flyaways.
• Tuck the bottom of the ponytail underneath itself and secure with bobby pins to form a large loop.
• Fan the tucked hair out over the back of the head and use a light coat of hairspray. Don't overdo it; you want the hair to remain soft and pliable.

Grease is the Word

Traditionally feminine hairstyles are not the only option when it comes to '50s inspiration. For example, Emma Roberts is serving up impeccable greaser vibes (Danny Zuko, anyone?) with this slicked-back style. All you need is some gel and a pack of bobby pins to pull this off on chin-length hair.

Braided Poodle

Unless you're a professional braider, you'll probably need some help from the salon to achieve Amandla Stenberg's impeccable updo. Reminiscent of the classic poodle style, it features goddess braids and a low bun.

Loose Scarf Ponytail

Forego the elastic entirely and create a bohemian ponytail by tying it only with a silky scarf. To get the look, follow the above tutorial by stylist Emma Chen:

• Begin with pre-styled and fully dried waves or curls.
• Take your scarf of choice, ideally something thinner and longer that will be easy to manipulate.
• Gather the hair loosely at the nape of the neck, tying the scarf around the base of the ponytail.
• Double-knot the scarf, then create a soft half-bow and let the ends mingle with the ponytail. Overall, it's pretty simple.

Brushed-Out Bob

Once again, follow Williams' advice from look #2 to achieve sexy vintage waves, giving them a thorough brush out and a center part to update them for today.

Pink Bettie Page Bangs

A surefire way to ensure your Bettie Page bangs (or really any '50s hairstyle) reads as up-to-date in the 2020s is to dye the whole thing pink.