Modern hair trends are full of retro vibes. Shapes, textures, and general approaches often include notes of past styles, each slightly modified to fit the current narrative.
The most memorable vintage hairstyles marked cultural shifts and defined aesthetic eras, cuts and hairstyles that were a fusion of revolution and art. From flapper bobs to victory rolls, Birkin bangs to bombshell blowouts, these 22 vintage hairstyles prove that the past is firmly present in the beauty world.
wave bob
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Rebellious in nature, the bob visually defined the entire 1920s. This fuzzy, finger-wagging version, worn here by actress Anita Page, is sculptural yet free-form, reflecting the irreverent nature of the decade.
flapper bob
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In contrast to the soft bob of the era, the angular bob of the ’20s featured clean lines and a perfectly polished finish. Louise Brooke’s blunt bangs and curved cut that accentuates her cheekbones elegantly frame her face. Sharp variations were favored by flappers, and the chop was a free expression of traditional femininity.
kiss curl
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Jospayne Baker’s shell-like kiss curls were the French performer’s signature. Perhaps not as dramatic as Baker’s take, kiss curls persist in a variety of shapes, with edges gelled with stylized loops and swoops.
pinned curls
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Clara Bow may be best known for her eyebrows, but these stacked ringlets and finger-wave frames are noteworthy.
baby bangs
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These throwback baby bangs were cut to show off Barbara Stanwyck’s natural texture, resulting in a quirky and cute look.
scarlet twist
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Vivien Leigh’s iconic turn as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind began with this series of partial twists. This style focuses on the face without sacrificing drama, and combines with her brushed-up triangular length to create an hourglass shape.
holiday flowers
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You can’t talk about Billie Holiday without mentioning her penchant for floral hair accessories. Holiday gardenias were probably the solution to a styling problem. Jazz singers are said to have damaged their hair with curling irons (who wouldn’t?) and then used them to cleverly hide the flowers. Decades later, this outlandish statement remains.
Peek-a-boo
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This vintage hairstyle defined an era. Veronica Lake’s peek-a-boo hair, deeply parted and styled to partially cover one eye, was the height of semi-sultry glamor in the early 1940s. The look is said to have been born during the filming of I Wanted Wings, when the length of the laces fell over the face, unknowingly creating the trademark.
victory roll
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Worn throughout World War II, the Victory Curl (a style synonymous with pin-up girls at the time) was high and tucked in, forming a “V” shape. The retro style can be worn in any texture, center or side, half-up or tie-back.
luxurious lob
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Lauren Bacall’s ever gorgeous length (pictured here in her shortest shape of the decade) offered sleek sophistication with softly brushed curls and a combed back side part .
blush blowout
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The grown-up sister of Bacall’s bob, Rita Hayworth’s soft blowout is a timeless signal of luxe glamor and a harbinger of the shocking aesthetic to come.
baby beehive
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The beehive hairstyle was a beacon of the ’60s and, like fashion, it was all the rage, from the wearable to the futuristic and flashy. Jane Fonda favors the former, pulling off mini versions of big looks just as easily as a French-inspired chignon.
Gamine Pixie
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Mia Farrow’s prim pixie cut for her role in Rosemary’s Baby redefined the short style. Farrow initially cut off her blonde mane herself, but hairstylist Vidal Sassoon ultimately trimmed it and gave it a shape.
Bardot Boufan
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Brigitte Bardot’s messy, messy bouffant embodies the carelessness of a French girl.
birkin bangs
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Jane Birkin’s bangs are a classic fringe style. Long, full, blended, and perfectly fragmented, this cut oozes a timeless It Girl.
bohemian braids
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Joni Mitchell’s shiny braids are elegant with a combed back crown, braided and loose pieces mixed with jewelry like an additional accessory.
shale hair
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If “mermaid hair” is the ultimate expression of endless waves, “Cher hair” is the pin-straight mane worn around the waist. The performer’s confidence and ease (on any stage, in any ensemble) was furthered by her wild curtain of hair.
disco afro
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As Diana Ross’ career continued to grow, so did her hair. She’s adopted a variety of iconic styles over the years, but her disco-era afro was larger than life and just plain glamorous.
feather cut
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A style that fans her hair and pulls feathers away from her face might be called Farrah Fawcett. The actress’ fluffy, voluminous mane is reflected in her current retro styles, including butterfly cuts and curtain bangs.
rockstar mullet
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The subversiveness of 80s rock and roll is aptly embodied in the decade’s sassy mullet. Joan Jett’s version definitely includes parties in the front and back, and the jagged elements help with its inherent coolness.
Macrobora
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Tina Turner took the mullet and kicked it up a few notches. As the years passed, the performer’s unusual hairstyles grew in height and texture, taking on a character of their own.
bomb explosion
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The resurgence of 90s beauty is all thanks to Cindy Crawford and her healthy, voluminous style. The ’10s superstar takes its place, and Crawford’s hair (and its many emulations) plays the role, and then some.
