The 1920s: Sleek Finger Waves
The Roaring Twenties were an era of liberation, and nothing captured that spirit quite like the bobbed haircuts and finger waves that defined the flapper style. Popularised by silver screen stars like Josephine Baker and Bette Davis, this look was about
softening the sharp new bob cuts with a sculpted, feminine 'S' shape. Traditionally done on wet hair with lotion and a comb, you can get a similar effect at home with modern tools. Start with clean, dry hair and a deep side part. Apply a heat protectant and a medium-hold gel or mousse. Taking a two-inch section near your hairline, clamp a one-inch curling iron near the root, turning it upwards to create the top of the 'S' curve. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Move the iron just below that first curve and clamp it facing downwards to create the next bend. Continue this alternating pattern down the length of the section. For an authentic look, you can use your fingers and a comb to pinch the ridges into place while the hair is still warm, and use flat clips to secure them as they cool. Repeat on sections around your face for a look that's pure Jazz Age glamour.
The 1940s: Patriotic Victory Rolls
Born from a mix of patriotism and practicality during World War II, Victory Rolls are perhaps the most iconic hairstyle of the 1940s. The name is said to be inspired by the aerial manoeuvre performed by fighter pilots. For women working in factories, rolling the hair up and away from the face was a necessity to keep it from getting caught in machinery, but it quickly became a glamorous statement of resilience. The signature look features voluminous rolls of hair pinned on top of the head or framing the face. To create them, start with day-old hair, as it has more grip. Section off a three-inch-wide piece of hair at your temple. Comb it straight up, then begin rolling the ends around two fingers, moving down towards your scalp to create a tidy 'sausage' shape. Carefully slide your fingers out and secure the roll to your head with bobby pins at the base, front, and back. Don't worry if it's not perfect on the first try; practice makes perfect. Repeat on the other side, making sure the rolls are symmetrical. Finish with a strong-hold hairspray.
The 1960s: The Bold Bouffant
The 1960s were all about volume, and the bouffant was queen. A predecessor to the even taller beehive, the bouffant was a softer, wider style popularised by figures like First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. This look was a symbol of youthful glamour and required a healthy amount of teasing (or backcombing) and even more hairspray to achieve its signature height. A simplified at-home version is easier than it looks. Start by sectioning off the top front part of your hair and clipping it forward. Take the section behind that, at the crown of your head, and begin backcombing. To do this, hold a small subsection of hair straight up, and run a comb down from the mid-shaft to the roots several times to create a dense cushion of hair. Repeat until the entire crown section is teased. Gently smooth the surface of your teased section and gather it into a 'pouf', pinning it at the back. Now, take the smooth front section you saved and drape it over the teased part, tucking and pinning the ends underneath. This creates a polished finish over your hidden volume.
The 1970s: Feathered Farrah Waves
If one hairstyle defined the mid-to-late 1970s, it was Farrah Fawcett's iconic feathered flip. Moving away from the structured updos of the '60s, this style was all about movement, volume, and a sun-kissed, natural vibe that captured the era's free spirit. The key to the look is a layered haircut, but you can fake the effect with the right styling technique. Start by applying a volumizing mousse to damp hair. Using a round brush, blow-dry your hair in sections, pulling the hair up and away from the face. As you reach the ends, flick your wrist to curl them outwards. For extra staying power and bounce, you can set the warm, curled sections in large velcro or hot rollers while they cool. Pay special attention to the hair framing your face, ensuring it sweeps back and away. Once your hair is cool, remove the rollers and gently shake your hair out with your fingers—don't brush it too much. Finish with a light hairspray to maintain that bouncy, feathered movement.
