How to Create Iconic Vintage Hairstyles from Across the Decades

Whether your preferred style is pin-up curls or hippie chic, retro is the way to go this summer. We teamed up with the hair and beauty team at Hairtrade.com and created this below guide to jazzing up your hair and beauty looks this season by taking inspiration from some of the most fabulous vintage eras. Favourite dos to copy include the iconic rockabilly curls from the 50s, the plaits and braids throughout the era of hippie chic and even looking to Jennifer Aniston for inspiration with ‘The Rachel’, as sported in TV show Friends during the 90s.

50s – Rock and Roll Curls

Tigi Bed Head Foxy Curls Contour Cream, £8.10 for 200ml

The era of rock and roll first originated in the early 1940s and late 1950s, and fashionistas sported rockabilly pin-up curls and bumper bangs. To get sleek round curls without the frizz, this contour cream supports the shape of your curls as well as creating a shiny and smooth look. Smooth through damp hair before blow drying.

60s – The Bardot Beehive

Fudge Push It Up Blow Dry Spray, £8.20 for 200ml

The 60s was all about the beehive as inspired by fashion icon Brigitte Bardot. Apply this lightweight spray to towel dried hair at either the roots or all over to get maximum volume, before pinning hair into the ultimate big bun.

70s – Boho Braids

Fudge Salt Spray, £7.60 for 150ml

The hippie boho look repeatedly comes back into trend every summer and this year is no different. The best way to tap into the era with your hair is by sporting loose waves and adding a small braid or two. To gain that texturised look, this salt-enhanced spray gives extra body to dull hair and adds body. Spray onto dry hair at the roots for it to work its magic.

80s – Big and Backcombed

Redken Pure Force 20 Non-Aerosol Fixing Spray, £10.70 for 250ml

The 80s was all about Madonna and her wild style – think big and backcombed and you’re there. This fixing spray will keep tresses looking volumised throughout the day.

90s – Flicks On Fleek

Paul Mitchell Straight Works, £15.75 for 200ml

One of the biggest hair trends of the 90s was the ‘Rachel’ – brought into fashion with a bang by Jennifer Aniston in the US television series Friends. The straight and flicky style immediately became popular and is still an iconic look now. The Paul Mitchell smoothing cream controls hair to get a silky and shiny finish. Finish the look off by blow drying flicks under the chin and around the hair with a large round brush.

Danielle Mead