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).

1940s Womens Vintage Hairstyle 1940s Hair 1940s vintage hair

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)

A vintage hairstyling book from 1948. Inside includes guidance on hairstyles, haircuts, curling, etc. Great guide for doing 1940s hairstyles.

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)

1950s Hairstyle Book: 1954 "How to Wear Your Hair -101 Better Hair Styles to increase your glamour & charm."

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)

1960s Vintage Hairstyle: 1965 Styles and Sets for Black Hair. Inside it has instructions on how to do 30 hairstyles that were in style in the 1960s

Diahann Carroll’s favourite do is the casual bobcap.

1960s Vintage Hairstyle: 1965 Styles and Sets for Black Hair featuring Diahann Carroll's favourite hairstyle.

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!

Annabelle's Wig: The BECCA a dark brown pinup style wig, finger waved with short fringe in a 1950s style

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….

1950s Vintage Style Wig by Annabelle's Wigs worn by the Vintage Inn Blog.

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

Annabelle's Wigs 1950s Pinup style hair before and after.

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:

Liz

For everyones reference, my dream home would be either a Craftsman (original, not new) or a Mid Century Modern. Both of which are impossible to find in my tiny budget in Toronto (outside of Toronto, Craftsman homes are easy (MCM homes are harder). The hubby and I do own a 1925 Craftsman in Windsor, Ontario but it’s rented out till we are ready to leave the big city (so like 30 years from now).

ANYWAYS….the chatter above is to lead into this fun 1958 house planning catalog, complete with interior design ideas you can do with wood (thanks Thorsen Lumber Company). The designs are lovely and really worth a browse especially if you are a fan of 1950s homes (or vintage architecture).

Note: This catalog was found at archive.org. Click the link to see ALL the homes you could of had built (today’ post is just a sample).

Mid Century Modern Home Catalog MCM Home layouts from 1958 catalog

1950s Home Interior Design Illustration living room with fireplace and mid century modern furniture

1950s Modern home Catalog featuring details on 1950s Interior Design and floor plans for your future 1950s house.

Choose your House from a 1958 Modern Living Homes Catalog

Modern Living Plan W-445

“An unusually efficient plan arrangement for a one-floor, three bedroom home.”

1950s Home Construction Floor Plan for 1950s house and 1950s Interior design ideas from a 1958 Catalog

Interior Design Ideas for your Living Rooms:

Room dividers, decorative fir plywood canopy over the fireplace & curved plywood screen to add charm to the fireplace.

1950s Home Decor Idea-Use a Room Divider to break up a large space.

1950s home decor idea have a decorative canopy over the fireplace and built-in bookcase.

1950s Home Decor 1950s Interior Design Idea for your fireplace

Modern Living Plan W-443

“An attractive exterior of horizontal siding and masonry complements the compact and effcient interior of this modern living home.”

More interior design ideas…

Floating storage units for the dining area (I like these!) or cantilevered seats (not a fan).

1950s interior design idea floating storage units for the dining area

1950s interior design idea cantilevered seats.

Here is a 1950s version of the now very popular barn doors you see in today’s interior designs. Plywood curtains or screens to close off glass areas.

Modern Living Plan W-447

“What the women want in a home was carefully considered in the planning of this design. For example, the large famly room with fireplace and adjacent terrace with barbecue pit provide the leisure living desired by today’s homemakers. Also, notice how the garden view living room between family room and bedrooms acts as a buffer for the active and quiet areas. Lavatory near side entrance eliminates traffic through the house-another feature the women appreciate and want in a home.”

1950s home featuring a floor plan for a 1950s modern home.

Modern Living Plan W-452

“A charming exterior that will make the modern living home oustanding in any neighbourhood.”

How to create a warm atmosphere in a living room? “Wood paneling, book shelves, shutters on the window and on a modern high-hearth fireplace of masonry.”

1950s Vintage Home Floor Plan illustration featuring a 1950s living room with wood paneling and fireplace.

According to the Women’s Congress on Housing, “three bedrooms located in front of this L-shaped design is an ideal and desirable quiet area.”

1950s Vintage Home Floor Plan illustration from a 1950s vintage catalog.

Interior layout tips to make living in your 1958 home even easier

1958 interior design tips from a 1950s catalog

Modern Living Plan W-457

A split-level home that’s perfect for a sloping site (love that Mid Century slopping roof line!).

1950s home plan illustration for a split-level home

Modern Living Plan W-463

This split-level design incorporates many of the American Women’s ideas of what a home should be. They are:

A separate dining room adjacent to the kitchen
Three bedrooms in the quiet area of the the upper level
Plenty of closet and storage space
A main level lavatory convenient to service entrance with another one serving family room and laundry in lower level.

Modern Living Plan W-466

“Simplicity & Beauty is a striking feature for this two-story home. The plan too, is simplicity itself and stresses Women’s Congress Homes features which make housekeeping and maintenance an easier task”.

1950s home plan illustration for a two-story home.

Modern Living Plan W-469

“A true Colonial design of modern flavor, this two-story home offers many desirable living advantages. Study and lavatory are appealing Women’s Congress Homes features of the first floor plan, a spacious living room with attractive bay window arrangement.”

1950s home plan illustration for a Colonial Design

Modern Livng Plan W-465

“This story and a half home has impressive exterior that will appeal to many people. The flat room garage (WHICH I LOVE!), the large front porch overhang and picture window combine to give a modern warmth to the appearance of the house.”

1950s home plan illustration 1950s home.

Wood Paneling

After my grandparents immigrated from Germany in the 1950s, and settled in their forever town (Sarnia,Ontario) they built their home. This house would of been finished late 50s, early 1960s I believe. It had a lot of wood paneling on the walls. So seeing this bedroom design with that paneling brings back many a memory of their home design choices.

Do you like this look?

1950s wood panel walls bedroom 1950s interior design

1950s Modern Homes home plan catalog illustration

Question time: What home design / floor plan would you chose from the above?

Thanks for stopping by!

FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor’ Posts HERE.

Liz

Category: 1950’s