Here’s a look at women’s 1950s hairstyles. Following on from the hardship of World War II and rationing, the fifties was a time of relative prosperity. Disposable income combined with an increase in mass media encouraged the consumption of fashion. New hair care products were designed to allow women to do their hair easily at home – and ladies did everything possible to change their hair.
Influences on Women’s 1950s Hairstyles
Film Stars
Leading ladies like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Dorothy Dandridge, Debbie Reynolds, and Doris Day influenced the latest hairstyles. Others like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield had their trademark looks.
Television
While movies and the people in them were still very influential, television was the next big thing. More and more people were now devoting their free time to staying in and watching the box. Subsequently, this influenced how people saw themselves and the world around them.
Lucille Ball is arguably the biggest star of television during the 1950s. Her sitcom I Love Lucy (1951-7) was one of the most-watched programmes in America.
Advertisements
Mass media influenced beauty ideals and fashion. Hair and makeup adverts featured in all forms of media, including TV, cinema and magazines. The biggest stars of the day adorned the covers, such as Lucille Ball, who appeared on more TV Guide covers than any other person to date.
Italian Passion
There was a love for Italian fashions, attitude and lifestyle during the 1950s, particularly in the USA. Italian films like La Strada (1954) sparked the ‘storia d’amore’.
Hollywood films with an Italian connection also sparked the love – for example, Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), The Rose Tattoo (1955), and Summertime (1955).
Hairdressers
Hairdressers were making their mark, creating styles for their wealthy clients and helping to popularise fashion styles.
Raymond Bessone (also known as Mr Teasie-Weasie) was the British hairdresser during the 1950s. He often appeared on television and could be considered the first celebrity hairdresser with clients such as Diana Dors. He loved to use bold colour in his clients’ hair, and his chain of hair salons was very successful.
Louis Alexandre Raimon (known as Alexandre de Paris) was a famous French hairdresser who styled various stars of the screen, including Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Liz Taylor, and Lauren Bacall.