Hello there! I’m absolutely thrilled to share these iconic 1950s short hairstyles with you. As someone who’s passionate about vintage beauty, I can tell you these styles aren’t just timeless—they’re experiencing a remarkable revival in today’s fashion scene. Let me guide you through these elegant looks with all the details you’ll need to achieve vintage perfection.
1. The Classic Pixie Cut
The pixie cut gained tremendous popularity thanks to Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday.” This ultra-short style features closely cropped sides and back with slightly longer layers on top.
Styling Tips: Apply a small amount of pomade to damp hair and use your fingertips to create soft texture. For special occasions, add tiny pins with rhinestones for extra glamour.
Maintenance: Requires a trim every 3-4 weeks to maintain its precise shape. Perfect wash-and-go style for busy mornings.
Best For: Heart-shaped and oval faces. Ideal for those with fine to medium hair texture who want a low-maintenance yet sophisticated look.
2. The Poodle Cut
This voluminous, tightly curled style was adored by stars like Lucille Ball. It features short, uniform curls all over the head, creating a rounded silhouette.
Styling Tips: Set freshly washed hair on small perm rods or use a small-barrel curling iron. Finish with a strong-hold hairspray to maintain the tight curls.
Maintenance: Weekly salon visits were common in the 50s! Today, you can maintain with curl-enhancing products and nightly pin curls.
Best For: Square and diamond-shaped faces. Works beautifully with naturally curly or thick hair.
3. The Italian Boy Cut
A daring, very short cut that was considered quite bold for the 1950s woman. It features a closely cropped back and sides with slightly more length on top that can be styled with a side part.
Styling Tips: Use a lightweight pomade to create subtle texture on top. Brush the longer top section to one side for that characteristic swept look.
Maintenance: Requires trimming every 2-3 weeks to maintain its precise shape and length.
Best For: Those with delicate facial features and strong cheekbones. Particularly flattering for petite women.
4. The Short Pageboy
A versatile cut that features a chin-length bob with curved ends that turn under. Often worn with soft bangs across the forehead.
Styling Tips: Set with medium-sized rollers at the ends, rolling under. Use a round brush when blow-drying to recreate the curved ends.
Maintenance: Trim every 6-8 weeks to maintain the precise length and shape of the ends.
Best For: Round and square faces. Works well with straight to slightly wavy hair of medium thickness.
5. The Bouffant Bubble Cut
Made famous by First Lady Jackie Kennedy, this style features shorter hair shaped into a rounded “bubble” with significant volume on top and sides.
Styling Tips: Tease the crown area for height, smooth the outer layer with a brush, and use plenty of hairspray to hold the shape.
Maintenance: Regular salon visits for proper shaping. At home, practice teasing techniques and invest in good-quality hairspray.
Best For: Long faces that benefit from the added width this style creates. Works with medium to thick hair.
6. The Short Shingle Cut
An elegant, layered cut with graduated lengths that are shorter at the nape and longer toward the face, creating a sleek silhouette.
Styling Tips: Apply setting lotion to damp hair, use small rollers at the nape, and larger ones toward the face. Brush through when dry for a smooth finish.
Maintenance: Requires precision cutting every 4-6 weeks to maintain its graduated shape.
Best For: Oval and heart-shaped faces. Particularly flattering for those with fine hair as it creates the illusion of volume and movement.
7. The Bubble Flip
A playful variation featuring short-to-medium length hair with the ends curled outward in a “flip” style, often with soft bangs.
Styling Tips: Use medium rollers placed horizontally and rolled upward at the ends. Brush out curls and flip ends outward with a round brush when styling.
Maintenance: Trim every 6 weeks to keep the ends neat and flippy. Daily styling required to maintain the characteristic flip.
Best For: Most face shapes, particularly oval and round. Great for those with naturally straight hair of medium thickness.
8. The Short Pompadour
A feminine take on the male pompadour, featuring height at the front with shorter sides and back. Often incorporated a soft wave or curl at the front.
Styling Tips: Tease the front section at the roots, smooth over the top, and secure with hairspray. Use a small barrel curling iron to create a soft wave at the front if desired.
Maintenance: Regular trimming to maintain shape, plus daily styling to achieve the characteristic height at the front.
Best For: Square and round faces that benefit from the lengthening effect of the height on top. Works with most hair textures.
9. The Textured Crop
A more casual short style featuring textured layers all over, often with wispy bangs. A predecessor to the more tousled looks of the 1960s.
Styling Tips: Apply styling cream to damp hair and use fingers to create piece-y texture. A light hairspray will hold the style without making it stiff.
Maintenance: Trim every 6-8 weeks to maintain the layered texture. Easy daily styling makes this a practical option.
Best For: Most face shapes, particularly good for those with fine hair as the layers create volume and movement.
10. The Short Wave
A sophisticated style featuring finger waves or sculptured waves close to the head, creating an elegant, sleek silhouette.
Styling Tips: Apply setting lotion to damp hair, create waves with fingers and clips, and let dry completely before removing clips and lightly brushing.
Maintenance: Requires skill to style daily, but trims are needed only every 6-8 weeks.
Best For: Oval and long faces. Works beautifully with straight hair of any thickness.
I hope these descriptions help you find the perfect 1950s short hairstyle to suit your personality and features! Remember that authentic vintage styling often requires practice and patience, but the results are absolutely worth it.