| A wonderful style for evening is this up-do, ideal for medium to long hair. Pin a tropical flower or two in the hair for an authentic 1940s night club look.
Probably the most distinct characteristic of the 1940s up-do is the way that the hair goes straight up in the back and at the sides. Starting in the back, brush the hair straight up and pin it just below the crown. Criss-cross the bobby pins to lock them in place. Work your way around the back until you run out hair. The hair above the pins will be loose. Do the same with the sides, combing them straight up and pinning them. When this step is finished, the hair in the sides and the back should look like one continuous section. Keep all the pins aligned with one another for evenness. Spray with hair spray to hold in place and keep smooth. Depending on whether your hair is all one length or layered will determine how you'll finish off the top.
For hair that's all one length, you can create several rolls and stack them (like the main picture shown here), making sure to cover the pins all around the head. For layered hair, use a small curling iron and curl all the remaining hair in very small uniform curls (including any bangs), just as if it had been pin-curled. Do not use a brush to comb these curls out. Place the curls with your fingers or with the pick end of a styling comb. A little frizz is fine; remember that back in the '40s, they used curling irons that had no temperature control, so hair often got frizzy. Be sure to cover all the pins by placing the curls over them. Check all the way around for balance. Even though this is an up style, it should not stand very tall. Spray with hair spray. Tip: Accessorize with flowers or with jeweled barrettes. Single earrings or sparkly clips also work well. Accessories can help cover up the hairpins, too. | |
