Style Advice

How To Create The Perfect Pin-Up Hair

How To Create The Perfect Pin-Up Hair

Pin-up hair is an iconic style that never goes out of fashion. But it can be hard to create the perfect look. In this article, we'll show you how to master the perfect pin-up hair with some easy tips and tricks. Read on to learn how to create a classic look that will turn heads!

In the 40's and 50's, pin-up girls were the ultimate in sexy. Men in WWII would pin their pictures up in their tents and dream of what could never be. Nowadays, the pin-up style is popular with alternative ladies (and men) often associated with the rockabilly subculture.

Pin-up and rockabilly hairstyles are an artistic arrangement of curls, bouffant and rolls. Pin-up clothing such as pins, brooches and clips can added to complete the look. Pin-up fashion like the hairstyles, exude a feminine charm and mystique that’s hard to match. With smooth upswept rolls, baby bangs, waves and perfectly coiled locks they are the epitome of vintage hair. While these styles may seem complicated, with a little practice, they are actually quite easy to master and look immaculately gorgeous in a rockabilly, retro or pinup dress.  Make sure to have a clean finish for your pin-up hairstyle. 

Most pin-up styles work best on hair that's shoulder length or longer. If your hair isn't quite long enough, you could buy hair extensions or wigs to create a similar look. We have compiled the list of the top 5 pin-up hair do's. 

 

 

1. 40s Wave

The ubiquitous pinup hairstyle is the 40s wave. Sassy, classy and undeniably sexy, this hairstyle will turn heads wherever you go

How to Style:

1. Wash your hair and allow it to dry thoroughly. 

2. Classically, pinup girls used rollers. For a truly authentic experience, you can use these too, or cheat like us and use a curling iron. 

3. Pin hair up so you are left with one section at the nape of the neck.

4. Give this section a spray with some hairspray, (we recommend Sebastian Hair Shaper or L'Oreal Elnett), and grab a section of hair (a couple of inches in your hand). Twist the hair as you wrap it around the iron, going underneath the barrel instead of over. This creates the wave.

5. Hold the curling iron in place until it feels too hot near your skin. Unwrap the curl. Stylists recommend holding the curl in your hand until it cools down – this is essential for getting the style to hold.

6. Repeat steps 3-5 with the rest of your hair, working your way up your head to the scalp. 

7. Run a bristle brush gently though your hair – this gives it body.

8. Put a small dollop of glossing putty (such as Davines Glossing Modeling Putty) and run it through your hair. Now you're ready for a night on the town.

 

 

2. Fringe curl

This look is great to accessorize with scarves and keep your style classic. 

How to Style;

  1. Prep clean, dry hair with a light hold working hairspray.

  2. Begin with the fringe area. Create a horizontal parting from the crown area down to the ears. Gather hair from the fringe and sides to create a ponytail at the crown. Backcomb the underside interior of the hair. Gather ends and roll under to create your fringe roll. Use a hair donut, padding or gentle backcombing for extra support. Pin under as needed with bobby pins. Smooth the exterior of the fringe with a fine tooth comb and light hairspray.

  3. Next, when the hair is in place, take a headscarf or bandana and tie around your head as shown above. 

3. Curly goddess

These are perfect curls for a formal ocassion or a simple trip to the movies on a Saturday night. Really cute and super sweet, this look will have you looking like a goddess. 

How To Style:

  1. Prep clean, dry hair with a light hold working hairspray.

  2. Create a clean side parting then divide hair into three sections: right, left and back.

  3. Begin on the right side by taking 1-inch vertical sections and curl hair using a large barrel curling iron to create large spiral curls.

  4. Repeat the steps noted above on the left side, incorporating the fringe as well. Backcomb the fringe lightly and brush up and away from face then spiral curl hair in a vertical fashion.

  5. Next, brush hair smooth in the back area. Create soft spiral curls with a large barrel iron. Curl hair from the ends up through the mid-length of the hair in a vertical fashion. Release curls and allow to fall softly. Hold hair back up with bobby pins to your liking. 

4. Twist and turn 

Victory rolls are a quintessential aspect of vintage hairstyles. The twist and turn style is perfection for you to amaze and keep heads turning. 

How To Style:

  1. Prep clean, dry hair with a light hold working hairspray.

  2. Create a clean side parting then divide hair into three sections: right, left and back areas.

  3. Begin on the right side and brush the area smooth. Use a flexible hairspray for control and to tame any flyaways. Take the ends and begin rolling upward toward the head in a smooth and controlled motion. Use a hair donut, padding or gentle backcombing for extra support. Pin as needed with bobby pins. Keep the finish soft and romantic.

  4. Repeat the steps noted above on the left side, incorporating the fringe as well. Be sure your rolls are neat and soft. Smooth the exterior of both rolls with your fingers and light hairspray.

  5. Next, brush hair smooth in the back area. Create soft spiral curls with a large barrel iron. Curl hair from the ends up through the mid-length of the hair in a vertical fashion. Release curls and allow to fall softly.

  6. Pull a few soft tendrils to frame the face. Curl as needed.

 

 

5. Vintage curls

Give your hair a high gloss kick for that extra vintage vibe. This Vintage inspired style will give you an amazing silhouette.

How To Style:

  1. Prep damp hair with a light hold volumizing mousse.

  2. Blow-dry with a paddle brush or a round brush for extra volume.

  3. Create a soft side parting. Take large one to two-inch sections and curl hair horizontally using a large barrel curling iron. Secure curls with a pin curl clip and allow to cool.

  4. Continue until all hair is curled. Allow hair to cool for 10 minutes. Release pin curl clips and allow curls to fall. Brush hair smooth using a paddle brush to create soft, glamorous Hollywood waves.

Complete all these various looks with a light hold spray. Then finish your look with some pinup girl makeup (red lipstick a must). Pull on your favorite frock, and be prepared for a night of fun and frivolity!

Were these Pin-up inspired hairstyles helpful to you? If so, comment below. 

Courtesy of latest-hairstyles.com, hair-styles-magazine.com, glambistro.com, pinuppassion.com, thefashionbugs.com, haircuts-for-long-faces.blogspot.com

SG

About the Author

Steff Green

I’m Steff Metal, the writer behind Gothic Wedding Planner. I’ve been crazy about gothic and alternative weddings ever since I planned my own in 2008, and I love finding dark and delicious wedding inspiration to share with you. I’m a vision-impaired writer living in New Zealand with my cantankerous drummer husband and our medieval sword collection.By day, I ghost blog and create marketing copy for alternative business and write articles about art, fashion and music, and at night, I tear up the mosh pit at my local metal bar. My life is dominated by travel, writing, music and the eternal quest for the perfect sausage roll.