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

I love travelling and just recently got back from a trip to Colombia (Bogota & Cartagena) and it was an absolute amazing vacation (1 100% recomend it)!

When heading out on a new adventure, one of my favourite things to do is the planning. I’m not a “figure out when I get there” kind of gal, I’m a planner. I really enjoy browsing the web and see what people are saying about my country / city of choice and I always pickup my Lonely Planet travel book for more ideas. It adds to the excitement of the trip.

These days it’s super easy to get travel info right from the web, but before the internet one would visit a travel agency to get travel brochures on locations they wish to travel too. For today’s post, I’m going to show off some of the cool looking 1950s travel pamphlets that showcase travel destinations for destinations all over the world.

Let the fun begin!

Vintage 1939 travel brochure for Greyhound Bus featuring an illustration of a couple in late 1930s fashions heading on an adventure.

1939 Travel Brochure (I liked the imagery) Source: Etsy

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 a product link and it is no longer available, don’t fret! Etsy & eBay are updated daily with new vintage items so you are bound to find something else you will love just as much.

Vintage 1950s Travel Brochures & Pamphlets

1953 Happiness Tours brochure – Over 40 vacation suggestions.

Vintage 1950's Travel Brochure -Happiness Tours Vacation Guide - 1953 featuring an illustration of a man holiding luggage with travel brochures behind him.

Visit places like the Canadian Rockies, Yellowstone, Nassau and so much more!

Vintage 1950's Travel Brochure -Happiness Tours Vacation Guide - 1953. Visit places like the Canadian Rockies, Nassau and so much more! Brochure features 2 women and a man in 1950 swimsuits running in the water.

Source: Etsy

1950s travel brochure for visiting Central Ontario for your Canadian Vacation (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

I live in Ontario (Toronto) and so I always love seeing vintage content like this on my home province.

Vintage 1950s Central Ontario Travel Brochure

Fun map of Central Ontario (Toronto is in the bottom right) and my family is on Lake Huron to the left (but in Southwest Ontario).

Vintage 1950s Central Ontario Travel Brochure featuring a colourful map of Ontario.

Source: Etsy

Let’s Talk About Your Trip to Europe. – 1953 published by Pacific Motor Sales – Covers what a tourist should know about traveling there. How to plan an Itinerary, how much money to bring and what’s wrong with Europe.

See Spain by Motor Coach – early 1950s inclusive or package or tours. Published by Autotransporte Turistico Espanol S.A. Madrid. Several package tours by bus with hotel and meals included. First Class and Luxury level.

Traveling Economically in Great Britain – 1954 published for the British Tourist and Holiday’s abroad in London. Great color graphics along with what to do and not to do in England (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

Visit Europe! 1950s Travel Brochures for Spain, Great Britain and Europe. Vintage Travel Advertising.

1950s Travel Brochure for tips on visiting Europe.

1950s Travel Brochure-Traveling Economically in Great Britain - 1954 published for the British Tourist and Holiday's abroad in London.

1950s Spain Travel Brochure -See Spain by Motor Coach - early 1950s inclusive or package or tours.

Source: eBay

1950s Brochure: What to see and do in Fabulous Los Angeles! (avail as of May 2023 HERE)

1950s What to See and Do in Fabulous Los Angeles Brochure-features an illustration of a 1950s couple.

Source: eBay

Trip Through Italy, circa 1954.

This vintage tourist brochure promoting travel to Italy is written in English and was compiled and edited by Roberto De Gasperis of ENIT (Ente Nationale Industrie Turistiche (National Tourist Industry Department).

The content prepares the traveler with what they need to know both before and during the trip, including what clothes to pack, advice about hotel facilities, import information, tourists’ assistance, motorists’ and railroad itineraries, guarded camping sites, specialized repair shops, and more.

When completely unfolded the inside has two maps of Italy, one showing airlines and highways, the other showing railway lines and maritime routes.

Trip Through Italy 1950s Vintage Travel Guide / 1950s Travel Brochure featuring an illustration of a train and a car.

Trip Through Italy 1950s Vintage Travel Guide / 1950s Travel Brochure featuring hotels you can stay at and Esso gas to fill up your car.

Source: Etsy

1952 Hawaiian Islands Travel Brochures for Inter Island Air Cruises and United Airlines (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

1950s vintage travel brochure: 1952 Hawaiian Islands Travel Brochures Inter Island, United Airlines. The brochures feature beautiful illustrations of people visiting Hawaii, people playing on the beach and flying.

Visit the Hawaiian Islands -1950s vintage travel brochure featuring illustrations of the Islands, and people having fun in Hawaii.

Source: Etsy

Time to visit Champagne – Ardennes – France.

When I was in Paris a few years back, I wanted to visit the Champagne region so bad but we just did not have time. Another Time! (avail as of May 2023 HERE)

1950s vintage travel brochure for Champagne - Ardennes - France featuring an illustration of woman picking grapes.

Source: Etsy

1958 vintage travel brochure for a Pan American trip to Bermuda & Nassau (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

1958 vintage travel brochure for PAN AMERICAN - Nassau & Bermuda featuring an illustration of a woman in Bermuda shorts on a bike.

1958 vintage travel brochure for PAN AMERICAN - Nassau & Bermuda

Source: Etsy

Visit the French Alps! Travel brochure for The French Alps, with vintage maps and travel information (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

1950s travel brochure for the french alps

1950s travel brochure for the french alps featuring youth hostels you could stay at

Source: Etsy

1950s Key West, Florida vacation guide from the Chamber of Commerce .

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Key West, Florida

1950s Vintage Travel Brochure for Key West Florida

1950s Vintage Travel Brochure for Key West Florida featuring illustrations of things you can do when you visit.

Source: Etsy

I am going to end this post with a fun little brochure for Hotel Rates in Cuba from 1955 before America left the country. I love the font.

1950s Vintage Brochure for 1955 Summer Hotel Rates for Cuba - Island Wide

Source: eBay

I hope you enjoyed checking out these fun vintage travel brochures & pamphlets. Let me know in the comments section below which ones you enjoyed the most!

Further Reading: Collection of my Vintage Travel Posts

Thanks for dropping by!

Here are a couple of photos from our visit to Bogota, Colombia in April / May 2022.

View of the city Bogota Colombia — Mountain view of all of Bogota, Colombia

Walking thru the historic part of Bogota Colombia — Walking thru the historic part of Bogota

Liz