When I talk to readers, social media followers and even friends, I hear the same comment…I love your hair but I could NEVER do a vintage hairstyle. Well friends, I’m here to tell you..yes you can! Practice is the trick and helpful tools is another! I am not even close to being an expert on this topic, but I do know that thru my vintage hairstyling journey that watching videos, reading vintage books and looking at vintage & modern images have 1000% helped me get better at doing my hair. So for today’s post I want to share some vintage & modern hairstyle books you can pickup either digitally or hard copy to help get you started (or inspire your next style).

Special note: Sorry to any of my readers who are looking for MEN’s haircuts. There was not really any good content to share that fit the theme of this blog post. Did not leave you out on purpose.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.

Vintage Hair Tools

Hairstyle Books 1940’s & 1950’s

“1948 Hairstyles for You by Ivan of Hollywood!” Learn what styles are good for you, how to start with a good haircut (very important), how to finger wave, what styles to do for various age groups (only a guide, I never follow that rule) and so much more!

(Digital copy avail HERE)

Source: Etsy

“Hair Beauty on a Budget” – a vintage booklet from 1950. Inside includes guidance on hair washing, home perming, hair styling, etc.

(Digital copy avail HERE)

Source: Etsy

1954 “How to Wear Your Hair -101 Better Hair Styles to increase your glamour & charm.”

I might purchase the digital copy myself because they have a section on how to wear your hair if you wear glasses (that’s me!).

(Digital copy available HERE)

Source: Etsy

“The Mystery of Hairstyling” originally published in 1955 (Digital PDF version avail HERE).

Learn how to create a “cleaver soft wave effect” and so much more.

Source: Etsy

This post was a focus on 1940s & 1950s hairstyle books, but I could not find one for Black Hairstyles from those decades, so I’m going to share this 1960s Guide….“1965 Styles and Sets for Black Hair” (Digital copy avail HERE)

Diahann Carroll’s favourite do is the casual bobcap.

Source: Etsy

The following are modern books that you can purchase to also help with your vintage hair journey….

“Vintage Hairstyles Simple Steps for Retro hair with a modern twist” (New..avail as of August 8th, 2022 HERE). You can also find it HERE.

“Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Style with Step-by-Step Techniques 3rd Edition” (avail HERE).

Source: Vintage Hairstyling

Now..does all the above just seem to hard? I hear you and I’m in the thick of it. So I have an option for you that is fun, affordable and stylish…..Annabelle’s Wigs!

Annabelle’s Wigs is an online designer and retailer of vintage / pinup style vegan synthetic wigs, lace fronts, hair pieces & hair extensions. They are based in the UK, but ship all over the world.

Why Wigs? Wigs are great way to change your vintage style in a few minutes with no losing sleep with uncomfortable rollers, no brushouts that take forever, no being upset over curls that did not take. You have instant style! A great option for those who are just not wanting to deal with the fuss.

READERS: I was given a free wig in exchange for a review, BUT I am giving my honest opinion about the product as I don’t believe in leading my followers astray.

MY REVIEW:

I was very excited to have been approached by this company as I have been a follower of them on their Instagram for some time, but have not made a purchase yet. Why? Well I was just not sure if purchasing a vintage style wig was for me. I was also not sure of cost vrs quality and if the style I chose would even look good on me. Well readers all my fears were put aside once my wig arrived in the mail.

My Wig:

I chose the BECCA a dark brown pinup style wig, finger waved with short fringe in a 1950s style (seen below). She was priced at $28.00 GBP which is around $45 Canadian (Great price). And yes I chose brown!

Why did I chose brown? Well for one, if I’m going to wear a wig why not go the opposite of what I look like (including adding bangs). Secondly, dark brown is ACTUALLY my real hair colour but I have been a blonde for over 20 years so not many people remember those days (besides my parents).

Okay out of the package we go……

It was glorious! Shiny, styled exactly like the photo and packaged very well so that it was in mint condition on it’s arrival across the ocean.

Now it’s time to put it on, but how?

Their website has helpful tips on how to put on how to get your hair ready (if needed) for how to put it on & wear your wig and I was supplied with detailed care instructions in my package. Very helpful indeed!

NOW the Result….

Here is a side by side as a reminder of what I look like before the wig….

To say that I’m happy is an understatement. I LOVE how it looks and it’s so fun to go back to my natural hair colour after 20 some on years of being a blonde. I can’t wait to style it with hair flowers, hairscarfs and wear it out to a Rockabilly party or swing dance (or just to the grocery store).

Their customer service was also steller and they will help you chose the right wig for you (including colour, hair advice etc.). Whatever you need. They were also very helpful explaining the difference to me about a full wig vrs a half and guided me to what I was looking for.

I will be ordering another wig from them in the near future (I’m thinking clip in’s) and I encourage you to do the same. Have fun with your vintage hair journey!

Other places to find hair tips:

• Youtube / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook & BLOGS!

Thanks for dropping by friends! I hope you enjoyed finding options on how to make your vintage hair journey a bit easier. Drop me a line if you have any questions anytime about what I shared above at: vintageinnblog@gmail.com

Further Reading:

• A Vintage Guide to 1940s Hair Accessories
• Vintage Hairstyle Inspiration from Yearbooks 1920s-1950s
• 1940s Real Life Women’s Hairstyles
• A Look Inside “La Coiffure De Paris: 1948-1952” Professional Hair Dressing Magazines
• 1940s & 1950s Vintage Hairstyles-Blog Post Of Ideas
• American Hairdresser Magazine-1947 and 1948
• Hair Flowers-A girls best friend for an easy 1940’s vintage look

Liz