The History of Hairstyles!

Hair styles, techniques, colors, etc. have been evolving since the early 1900’s! Beauty
overall is constantly evolving and it’s up to us to keep up!
The 1910’s
For the early years of the 20th century, the Gibson Girl hairstyle was the one most popular
amongst women of the middle and upper classes. The first decade of the 20th century is characterized by
the transition from confined styles to looser top knots often held in place with barrettes and bows.
The 1920’s
The Jazz decade saw the first bobs ever. Irene Castle is responsible for creating a trend that would
become a staple of the golden years. There were other varieties of bob styles that developed throughout
the decade, but it was the short bob with straight bangs and curled sides that really stood out from the rest.
Another famous actress that styled her hair in a super short bob was Louise Brooks. She managed to
accentuate this hairstyle by adding feminine touches such as headbands, beads, hats, and even feathers
attached to a hairband.

The 1930’s
Marcel waves were styled after french stylists François Marcel and it was Jean Harlow and Myrna
Loy’s favorite hairstyle at the time. They way they’d create the look was by using an old-fashioned heat
iron that would crease the hair into a wavelike pattern and then pinch it into an S-shaped curl at the
crease. Back then, they would use a special pomade and bobby pins to keep the curls in place.
The 1940’s
The most popular hairstyle at the time was the “peekaboo” or “femme fatale” waves. The
glamorous wave covering one side of the face became a trademark for Hollywood stars. This hairstyle
encouraged women to feel more mysterious and sensual.
The 1950’s
In the 1950s, short hairstyles were trending again. The “Italian cut” featured tousled pinned back
curls and head scarves were also a popular accessory thanks to Audrey Hepburn. Other styles that were
used during those years were the Marilyn Monroe look, short fringes, sleek chignons, and the french
pleat.
The 1960’s
For the first time in decades, an airy hairstyle became popular in the sixties. The sky-high bouffant
became trendy amongst teens. It required a generous coat of hairspray to prevent from falling or deflating.
This decade is remembered as one that brought important changes in many aspects with one of them
being the sexual revolution. Women styled their hair in a boyish way with sleek sticked frames.
The 1970’s
The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the rise of the afro: a popular hairstyle that became a symbol
of black identity amongst people who decided to embrace natural styles and forget about white beauty
standards. The afro was more than just a hairstyle, it was a form of expression and communication for the
black community in North America. Also, hippie hairstyles such as the feathered look emerged and had
both men and women styling their hair long and layered with bouncy waves.
The 1980’s
Big hair time! In the 1980s, women in North America were getting perms twice a year to achieve

big curly hair. They would reverse comb to gain volume and then apply extra loads of hairspray. The pop-
queen Madonna was one of the biggest influences in terms of hairstyles.

The 1990’s

New and different hairstyles made their way into the 90s. Braids, which have been worn by
African women for centuries, became popular in the United States when Janet Jackson rocked them in the
1993 movie “Poetic Justice”. There were also the sleek straight styles that eliminated any kind of frizz or
volume. There was one haircut that became popular after Jennifer Aniston’s character from
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. wore it: “The Rachel cut”, which involved mid-sized bangs and some layering.

The 2000’s

For the beginning of the 21st century, hairstyles varied like never before. We had the half-up half-
down with a pouf and a side fringe. Bobs and pixies got back in style and emo looks made their way

through as well.

The 2010’s
Long and luscious waves were the go-to style when trends started to shift towards a more natural
look. We had lobs and bobs, which come back for short periods of time every now and then. Coloring the
hair with ombré highlights was also a huge trend that replicated natural, sunkissed waves.