Creating a 1950s Wig

alinarads
Nov 25, 2020
6 min read

Updated: Jan 15, 2021

Research into 1950s history:

The 1950s had a powerful rockabilly movement with explosive energetic music from artists such as Elvis Presley, the music was paired with lively dances, figure 1.

Rockabilly : ‘Early form of rock music originated by white performers in the American South, popular from the mid-1950s to 1960s. Record reviewers coined the term rockabilly—literally, rock and roll played by hillbillies—to describe the intense, rhythm-driven musical style introduced by Elvis Presley on his first recordings.’ (Britanica, ND)

As the younger generation embraced the rockabilly lifestyle, majority of middle-aged women were housewives. ‘The life of the average married woman in the 1950s and 60s was very different from that of today’s woman. This was the age of respectability and conformity. Very few women worked after getting married; they stayed at home to raise the children and keep house. The man was considered the head of the household’ (Castelow E, ND)

Figure 1, 2 & 3

1950s Fashion:

Continued from the 1940s, women’s dresses still had the collared shirt with the long ankle length A-line skirt, a structured style but with the ability to accentuate femininity. Trousers were more commonly worn as everyday clothing after their use during world war 2. For easier movement during the rockabilly dances, younger women wore large free moving skirts named poodle skirts, the rockabilly look was usually accessorised with neck and head scarfs.

Figure 4 - 9

Influential people of the 1950s:

Marilyn Monroe

Known as the sex symbol of the 50s, Monroe was an American model, actress and singer portraying the ‘blonde bombshell’ in many films from the 1950s-1960s. Monroe’s style was extremely glamourous yet effortless becoming the classic ‘Hollywood Glamour’.

Figure 10 & 11

The American film actress found fame in films in the 1950s, she later married a prince and gave up acting.

Figure 12

Bettie Page

The original 'pin up' girl Bettie Page became an icon in the 1950s with her pin up photos. Her now iconic look of shoulder length jet black hair, blue eyes and hourglass figure has inspired many artisits over generations.

Figure 13 & 14

1950s Hairstyles:

After the restrictions of styles from world war 2, the 1950s was about experimenting with different styles, from the beehive to the poodle hairstyle and the faux fringe rockabilly style the 1950s went through many trends. ‘Women’s 1950s hair came in short, medium, and long styles, matching the personality of the wearer. Short for the typical housewife, medium for the young, long for Hollywood pin ups. Each cut was as unique as the woman, shaping her face and giving her a style that only belonged to her.’ (Vintage Dancer, 2018)

It is important when researching for film or televison roles to pick the correct style for the correct age group and social status of each character, this will add to the accuracy of the production.

Figure 15 - 23

1950s interpretation in film and televison:

Grease - Film 1978

Set in 1959

Hair stylist = Arthur Johns

Makeup artist = Dan Striepeke

Oliva Newton-John as Sandy Olsson

Stockard Channing as Rizzo

Dinah Manoff as Marty, Didi Conn as Frenchy

Figure 24 & 25

Cry-Baby - Film 1990

Set in 1954

Makeup designer = Van Smith

Hair designer = Christine Mason

Figure 26 & 27

Queen and Country - Film 2014

Set in 1953

Key hair stylist = Adelina Handuri

Key makeup artisit = Daniela Busoiu

Figure 28 & 29

Creating 1950s wig:

Figure 30

Using a human hair wig, the hair is wet down and parted into 4 sections: a triangle shape at the front of the hair for the faux fringe pompadour, two side panels and the back of the hair is left over.

Figure 31

To create the fringe the triangle section is split into two, this is then put into one brown flocked roller and the front section into two taped together. The two rollers are merged into one to prevent a parting in the hair when the rollers are removed. The brown rollers are available from most wig retails such as The Wig Department from the following link: https://thewigdepartment.com/products/782-28mm-brown-flocked-hair-roller-6-5cm-long?_pos=4&_sid=a9a35ecd7&_ss=r

Figure 32 & 33

The two side panels of hair are pin curled with end papers to create a curly effect on the top of the hair later. The end papers are used to keep the ends of the hair tight and curled.

Figure 34 & 35

The figures above are a comparison of each side of pin curls, from the images above it is evident that figure 32 pin curls are neat and in proportion to each other, where as the other side figure 33 the pin curls are large and messy due to the student rushing and feeling the pressure of keeping up with other students pace.

Figure 36

The remaining back of hair is placed in large flocked rollers also available from The Wig Department. The hair is placed into a vertical set, this will create a large bouncey wave in the hair when removed and also a tube effect curl when in a ponytail.

Figure 37 & 38

The rollers and pin curls are removed, the hair is brushed through and the fringe is curled under and pinned onto anchor points. The pin curls are then brushed up onto the top of the hair and styled with a small amount of oil. The back of the hair is brushed out and blend with oil.

Final images:

Figure 39, 40 & 41

Reflection:

The student struggled with this set and dress, from the failure of the 1930s set that was done before the student had the wrong mindset going into the 50s set. Struggling with time management and the wig taking a long time to set due to the amount of product in the hair from the previous styling, the student felt hopeless and frustrated when styling the wig. It is evident in the final images that the work isn’t polished and up to the usual standards. The back of the hair is very limp and not the bouncy curls that was desired, this will be due to rushing the roller set by putting larger roller sections, therefore the hair could not dry fast enough. The fringe could also be neater and better secured. This will come with practise.

Comparison:

Figure 39 & 13

When comparing the students work to a traditional 1950s hairstyle, the hair needs some practicing to get it smooth and glossy. This wig would not pass in industry as it is very messy and not up to professional standards.

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References:

Britanica (ND) Rockabilly https://www.britannica.com/art/rockabilly [Accessed 6/12/20]

Castelow E (ND) The 1950s house wife https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-1950s-Housewife/ [accessed 6/12/20]

Vintage dancer (2018) 1950s hairstyles – 50s styles from long to short https://vintagedancer.com/1950s/1950s-hairstyles/ [accessed 23/12/20]

Figures:

Figure 1

(Ann Lintar, ND) 1950s rock and roll dancers [image : internet] https://lanntair.com/1950s-rock-and-roll-dancers/ [accessed 6/12/20]

Figure 2

(Media storehouse, ND) cooking housewife [image : internet] https://www.mediastorehouse.com/advertising-archives/john-bull/john-bull-1957-1950s-uk-cooking-housewives-7080051.html [accessed 23/12/20]

Figure 3

(Daily mail, 2009) A vanished Britain [image : internet] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1224231/A-vanished-Britain-50-years-ago-country-doors-left-unlocked-children-played-street.html [accessed 23/12/20]

Figure 4

(Recollections, ND) The fun history of poodle skirts [Image : internet] https://recollections.biz/blog/the-fun-history-of-the-poodle-skirt/ [accessed 6/12/20]

Figure 5

Vogue (1954) Clothing advertisement page [Image], p19 Vogue House, LONDON

Figure 6

Vogue (1954) [Image], p19 Vogue House, LONDON

Figure 7

Book : 50s Popular Fashions. Ettinger R (1995)

Figure 8

Book : 50s Popular Fashions. Ettinger R (1995)

Figure 9

Vogue (1954) Prom dress advertisement [Image], p19 Vogue House, LONDON

Figure 10

(Pinterest, ND) Marilyn Monroe [Image : internet] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/478437160410983291/ [accessed 29/11/20]

Figure 11

(Film Daily, 2020) Death in Hollywood : was Marilyn Monroe murdered? [image : internet] https://filmdaily.co/news/marilyn-monroe-conspiracy/ [accessed 29/11/20]

Figure 12

(Reel rundown, ND) Grace Kelly American royalty [Image : internet] https://reelrundown.com/celebrities/Grace-Kelly-American-Royalty [accessed 23/12/20]

Figure 13

(The telegraph, 2008) Bettie page [image : internet] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/3741790/Bettie-Page-Look-how-far-we-havent-come....html [accessed 14/1/21]

Figure 14

(Verdenews, ND) Bettie page [image : internet] https://www.verdenews.com/news/2014/jan/06/film-festival-presents-bettie-page-reveals-all-an/ [accessed 14/1/21]

Figure 15

Book : Timeless beauty icons 1200-2010, Pissimiglia R (ND) 1950 [Image] Edizioni Esav, Italy

Figure 16

Book : Timeless beauty icons 1200-2010, Pissimiglia R (ND) 1959 [Image] Edizioni Esav, Italy

Figure 17

Book : Timeless beauty icons 1200-2010, Pissimiglia R (ND) 1959 [Image] Edizioni Esav, Italy

Figure 18

(Vintage Retro, 2020) Vintage 1950s back to school hairstyles [image internet] https://www.vintage-retro.com/1950s-hairstyles-for-long-hair/ [accessed 29/11/20]

Figure 19

(Pinterest, ND) 1950s hairstyles [image : internet] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/64598575892248313/ [accessed 29/11/20]

Figure 20

(Private label, 2018) Hair evolution : 100 years of Black women and hair [Image : internet] https://www.privatelabelextensions.com/blogs/hair-blog/hair-evolution-black-hair [accessed 29/11/20]

Figure 21

(Pinterest, ND) 1950s Poodle hairstyle [image : internet] https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/89509111321687058/ [accessed 6/12/20]

Figure 22

(prisma watch, ND) Inspiration for 1950s womens style [image : internet] https://prisma.watch/1950s-women-style/ [accessed 23/12/20]

Figure 23

(Vintage hairstyling, 2009) pompadour tutorial [image : internet] https://www.vintagehairstyling.com/bobbypinblog/2009/01/tha-happy-pompadour-bumper-bang-tutorial.html [accessed 14/1/21]

Figure 24

(Menshairstyles.net, ND) John travolta in grease [Image : Internet] https://www.menshairstyles.net/v/celebrity-hair-style/John+Travolta+Grease+movie+with+singer+Olivia.jpg.html [Accessed 02/12/20]