1940'S Wedding Hairstyles

The 1940s were a turbulent time in history all over the world. Weddings often took place just before a man was sent off to fight in World War II. In the later half of the decade, returning soldiers married their sweethearts, setting off the baby boom. During this time, pin curls and updos were popular for formal occasions, mimicking the hairstyles of Ginger Rogers and Joan Crawford.

Pin Curls

Pin curls were popular in the 1940s with women who had straight or curly hair (and with any texture). Simply separate your hair into several tiny sections and roll your hair into small buns. Secure the buns with bobby pins and sleep on them overnight. The next morning, you will have a head full of pin curls. For occasions such as weddings, women often wore pin curls either down (perhaps with a barrette in her hair) or pulled back so that the curls hung on the back of the head. If the hair was pulled back, women often did finger waves, which were created by applying a little bit of hair gel and then the fingers were used to make a wave in the section to be pulled back.

Victory Rolls

Victory rolls are probably the most recognized hairstyle of the 1940s. Any time you look up a picture of a woman in the 1940s, you'll likely find at least one woman wearing her hair in victory rolls. This style was more than suitable for a formal occasion and can now be executed in only a few minutes. Purchase some foam tube rollers at a beauty supply store and cut them in half to make two. Part your hair (you can do a side part or a center part). Section off the hair you would like to place in the roll. Take the foam roller and roll it into your hair. When you meet it with the base of your head, take bobby pins and secure it. You can tilt it forward a little bit to make sure the roller is covered. This style is perfect for formal 1940s occasions such as a wedding.

Up Do

After creating your victory rolls, pin curls or finger waves in the front, try your hand at rolling up the back of your hair. With a piece of round foam purchased at a beauty store, place it at the back of your hair. Simply roll your hair up around the roll and then pin it in place. If you have longer hair, you can experiment with different shapes like making a U shape or a long round shape.

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