50’s Hairstyles for Women During the hard times of the 1940s, women could not afford hair products, in general. Those who worked on farms and in factories firmly tied back their hair and covered it with a scarf. The minority upper class, however, wore their hair long and soft with wavy curls down to their shoulders.

In the early 1950s, the utilitarian look persisted, to some degree, with a straight ponytail being the most popular look. For evening attire, a chignon or French pleat was the principal choice.

In the mid-1950s, as families became more comfortable with increased prosperity, most women had the time and motivation to spend hours doing their hair. Starting the night before, many young women and middle-aged hair wives would carefully part small sections of washed hair, wrap each section in curlers, and pin them tightly in place.

Sleeping on the curlers all night long must have been an uncomfortable affair, but undaunted, the women carried on. The ponytail was completely out of vogue, as the glamorous domestic diva took over. Women were expected to look like they just stepped out of a salon, even though they’d been washing, cleaning, ironing, and cooking all day.

Famous actresses of the day were often mimicked for their flawless hairstyles. Some of the most popular looks were those of Doris Day, Liz Taylor, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Leslie Caron, and even Queen Elizabeth II. Lucille Ball spread the popularity of the poodle cut, which framed the face in round curls. The 1950s was a time of glamor and femininity in hairstyles.