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Category: Vintage Hairstyle

American Hairdresser Magazine-1947 and 1948

This weekend a dear friend of mine was out doing some vintage/antique shopping and stumbled upon a bunch of Hairdressing magazines from the 1940’s that he knew I would just adore and want to scoop up. The magazine was “American Hairdresser” and the 3 copies he got for me were from 1947 & 1948 (seen below).

1940's hairdressing magazine - American Hairdresser featuring a 1948 hairstyle
1940's hairdressing magazine - American Hairdresser featuring a 1948 hairstyles for kids
1940's hairdressing magazine - American Hairdresser featuring a 1947 hairstyle for women

Now I’m no expert in the vintage hairstyle world, I have mastered like 2 styles and that is pretty much where I’m at right now. I can honestly only ever dream of being able to have hairstyles like my fav vintage ladies online. I do adore though, looking at beautiful vintage hairstyles and giving props to the ladies (and their stylists) who took the time to make those styles look so fantastic. So this magazine is really great for doing just that…looking at cool and super technical vintage hairstyles. The magazines even show you how to do some of the sets to achieve the looks shown but it’s seriously way to complicated for my “2 styles only” skills lol!

For my hairdressing friends the magazines also have great ads on tools you could have purchased for your business, tips on working in salons etc. So if you ever see them, I would totally advise to grab some for your collection.

For today’s blog I really wanted to share some of the fantastic images that were in the magazines, the hairstyles and some of the fun ads.

(note: due to the magazines being somewhat fragile I had to take pictures of the images instead of scanning to protect it from bending and such. I apologize if some of the images are not super super clear).

So here we go….

American Hairdresser Magazine-1947 and 1948

The Vintage Advertising

Get that perfect perm with…”Supertest for Supercurl with RAYette deb-u-curl supertest, the speed waves that features the JUMBO ROD”.

A 1940's Hairdressing Magazine Ad for deb-u-curl perm curlers featuring an image of women with curly hair and perm roller.

I know the below seats from ‘Dixie Chrome Products’ are for your hair salon but I would not mind a couple just for my apartment, they are so cool.

A 1940s vintage advertisement for Dixie Chrome Products featuring chairs for the hair salon as seen in a 1940s vintage hairstyling magazine.

“For short hair! The new original Grip-Tuth “Shorty””

Grip-Tuth is still around today and in fact I use my combs on a regular basis.

1940s Grip-Tuth ad- 1940s Vintage Hairstyle tool for 1940s Hairstyles as seen in a 1940s vintage hairstyling magazine.

Create the perfect waves, with a “Fleetwave”. This ad made me giggle on how “HAPPY” she is to own this item..almost stunned I would say.

1940s vintage hairdressing ad for Fleetwave by Nestle. Create the perfect 1940s waves for your 1940s hairstyle as seen in a 1940s vintage hairstyling magazine.

Ahhh what we do for beauty. 1940s Heating Cap to get those curl dried quick!

1940s vintage ad for a heating cap that will get your curls dried quick as seen ina  1940s vintage hairstyling magazine.

The Late 1940s Women’s Hairstyles

First lets just take in the beauty that is “Jacqueline White” who was on the cover of the first 1948 magazine shown above and is modelling here. Stunning is probably the only word I can use right now, her hair is unbelievable gorgeous. I also am madly in love with her dresses in these images and I will take 2 or 3 of each in multiple colours.

The 1940s hair with all those shiny curls are just wonderful!

1940's vintage hairstyle from 1948 for women featuring actress Jacqueline White modeling the stylish hairstyle and wearing a pretty 1940s dress.
1940's vdress as seen in a 1948 American Hairdresser magazine. 1940's vintage hairstyle from 1948 for women featuring actress Jacqueline White modeling the stylish hairstyle.

This updo hairstyle is incredible and way out of my league but there is the set if someone is willing to give it a go.

1940's vintage hairstyle for women as seen in a 1948 vintage hairstyle magazine called "American hairdresser".

“Parisienne Mood”. The side swiped hair with the headband reminds me more of a Grecian look then Paris but either way another outstanding hairstyle.

1940s vintage hairstyle from a 1948 vintage hairdressing magazine, "American Hairdresser" -The side swiped hair with the headband reminds me more of a Grecian look then Paris but either way another outstanding hairstyle.

“Careerist”. For the Career Girl you can go with this style. Setting patterns are so helpful!

1940's vintage hairstyle called the Careerist as seen in a 1948 Hairdressing magazine called "American hairdresser". Cute short haired curls.

Looking for a style to wear with that Easter Parade hat? Here you go, fun stylish up do’s.

1940's vintage hairstyles for when your wearing a hat. Seen in a 1948 American hairdresser magazine.

“Colanite Curl Clips”. This is actually an information piece on how to set the curl clips professionally and correctly. I adore how her hair looks at the end.

1940's vintage hairstyle inspiration as seen in a vintage ad from a 1948 American Hairdresser magazine for "Colanite Curl Clips".

Beautiful! There was no description on how to achieve this look but I’m sure you needed at least 10 hands.

1940's vintage hairstyle inspiration for women as seen in a 1948 American Hairdresser magazine

There is a little peak into my hairdressing magazines, I hope you enjoyed browsing and maybe you will run off to try one of the sets. If you do, please please share you pictures!

On a funny side note, I opened up one of the magazines and in the middle, flat as a pancake were two dead flies..from the 1940s! Not what I was expecting to see that is for sure.

FURTHER READING:

Liz πŸ™‚

Hair Flowers-A Girls Best Friend For An Easy 1940’s Vintage Look

For those who know me you can say that I have slight obsession with “Hair Flowers” as seen in my collection below (and this is partial, I left out the Snoods, ribbons and hair scarfs I also own). I feel that they can brighten up a drab outfit or even a day in a second! They can also help the lazy ladies like myself who during the week for work cannot be bothered to do vintage hairstyles, keep that “vintage feel” in their look.

Hair flower collection

Now if you are looking to top off your 1940’s outfit and hair with something “extra”, let me suggest a hair flower or even a pretty bow (for this post I will be focusing on these adornments only) to complete the look.

Below are some inspiration pictures of vintage ladies wearing the flowers so you can get an idea of placement for your own lovely hairstyles for a night on the town (or day at the office).

Then if you scroll to the end I have shared hair flowers you could buy at time of this post (they are also super hair inspiration).


MARCH 2023: I did a detailed blog post on β€œ1940s Women’s Hair Accessories” that includes links to hair flower suppliers (plus so much more).


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.

Examples of how to get a 1940’s Vintage Hairstyle Look with Hair Flowers

The below image is my favorite because it’s an awesome example of how you can use not just one flower in your hair, but multiple flowers to fancy up your vintage do.

1940s vintage photo from a 1940s catalog showcasing hair flowers you can buy for your 1940s hairstyles and all the ways you can wear the hair flowers in your hair. Super 1940s hair inspiration.

Another idea for hair flower placement..tuck it just slightly off to the side to finish off a style at the top of your hair (bangs, curls etc.).

1940's vintage photo of a 1940s hairstyle with a flower in her hair.  Super 1940s vintage hairstyle inspiration.
1940's vintage photo of a 1940s hairstyle with a flower in her hair.  Super 1940s vintage hairstyle inspiration.

Here is an example of a “bow” and how the placement of the bow means more than you think:

  • Bow at the top of the head: Means that your out to get yourself a man
  • Bow a the back of the head: Means that you are not interested in men
  • Bow on the right side of the head: Means that you are deeply in love
  • Bow on the Left: Means that you are going steady
1940s vintage photo of how to wear a hair bow in your hair and what it means. 1940s vintage hairstyle inspiration.

Real life hair inspiration:

Here are some pictures of myself with some of my “hair adornments.”

Note: A couple of these looks venture into the 1950s category, but that is okay you do whatever you like!

Double up your flowers! Triple up your flowers! More the merrier!

1940s Victory Rolls with hair flower for a Rockabilly / Pinup / Vintage Style Hairstyle
How to wear a hair flower for a vintage look, tiki look etc. as seen on Liz from the Vintage Inn Blog.
vintage hair 1950s style with hair flower

Christmas Gift Decorations make for the perfect hair accessory.

vintage hairstyle inspiration with hair flower or christmas decor

LOVE this flower…I wear it all the time.

Rockabilly 1950s hairstyle with flower

Not a hair flower but cute “hair cherries”. This is one of my early days vintage hairstyle trials (2012). The first image in this group is my more recent style. I have been practicing quite a bit.

Note: This is me at the beginning of my vintage hairstyle journey circa 2011/2012. I have come a long way since then.

Hair flower

Work Look Suggestion:

At work I tend to wear a small flower on the side of my head or sometimes at the back if I’m wearing a bun or a roll. Too big or even too flashy and it will not be professional so keep that in mind when adding this accessory to your work wardrobe.

Last Hair Flower Tip:

Lastly, hair adornments not only jazz up an outfit but are also excellent accessory for when you go out dancing as hats tend to get in the way if your on the dance floor all night.

Where to buy Hair flowers, Bows, Ribbons:

A Vintage Guide to 1940s Hair Accessories (and where to buy, including hair flowers) &

Vintage Hair Tools: Hairstyle Books 1940s & 1950s

Lucky for us today buying hair flowers is super easy (online and at brick and mortar stores), but I thought I would share where I have gotten some of mine in case you saw a flower that you liked.

Etsy: Just type in Flower Hair clip” or “Rockabilly/ Pinup hair flower and see what happens. Lots and lots of beautiful hair flowers/adornments appear made by many different talented artists. So many beautiful choices, like the ones below.

Examples of Online Purchases that were available at time post (super vintage hairstyle inspiration):

Large peony hair flower with a strong alligator clip to attach to your locks from LadyLucksBoutiqueUK (avail as of August 2022 HERE).

Vintage Hairstyle: Large Peony Pinup Hair Flower in Baby Pink. Fun Pinup hair flower / Rockabilly hair flower

Source: Etsy

Sunflowers, glitter and Autumn…oh my! This gorgeous white sunflower, autumn flowers and bronze glitter sprays (avail as of Oct 20th, 2020 HERE).

Sunflowers, glitter and Autumn...oh my! This gorgeous white sunflower, autumn flowers and bronze glitter sprays.

Source: Etsy

Double White Hibiscus Pin Up Hair Flower (avail as of Oct 20th, 2020 HERE).

Double White Hibiscus Pin Up Hair Flower

Source: Etsy

White Delphinium Clip Hair Flower. Buy two and wear them like our 1940s lady below (available as of Oct 20th, 2020 HERE).

WHITE DELPHINIUM BLOOMS ON A SMALL ALLIGATOR CLIP

Source: Etsy

So there you have it my vintage loving friends, an easy and inexpensive way to get a 1940’s vintage look.

FURTHER READING:

  • Take a look at my β€˜Women’s Vintage Hairstyleβ€˜ archive HERE

P.S. Follow me on Instagram too see more ideas of how I wear my flowers.

Liz πŸ™‚