This retro updo is gorgeous with girly clothes like lace dresses, silk blouses, and full skirts, says Philip B. "It has a European look that's a little '40s Hollywood, too. And it's a nice variation on an updo."
Keep it modern: "Keep the part a little haphazard and not so precise," says Philip B. "The highlights here are really bright, which is what keeps the style modern. And the rolls are pinned in place but not in a severe way, so the texture looks touchable and sexy -- a departure from the '40s look."
How to: Lightly spritz on a texturizing spray to give your hair lift and grip. Blow it dry for volume and part your hair in the middle. Twist one side back and pin it in place at the nape of your neck; repeat on the opposite side. Then connect the ends and twist them up in the back into a soft bun. Finish with a light spray of touchable hairspray.
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Finger waves
Finger waves make us think of Marilyn Monroe with her white dress flipping up over the air vent. Philip B. says this retro hairstyle is flattering and flirty, "sort of like a cross between Ava Gardner's look in the '50s and '20s flapper style."
Keep it modern: "What makes this hairstyle look up to date is its free-flowing quality. It looks really touchable, and the waves aren't so sculpted as before — they're more deconstructed," says Philip B.
How to: Start with dry hair. Work in 1- to 2-inch sections: lightly mist each section with a texturizing spray like Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist, $16.99, and wind it into a hot roller. When rollers cool, sculpt the curls with your fingertips and finish with a misting of hairspray for hold and shine.
Let's play a little game: What comes to mind when you think of the 1920s, 1940s, and 1960s? If you think sleek bobs, pin curls, and bouncy blowouts, then you're just like us: hair-obsessed.
Sure we did great things in those decades, like winning World War II and landing on the moon. But it's the fabulous retro hairstyles that really stick in our heads. The bold geometric haircuts, scarf-tied updos, and finger-waves are timeless -- and to prove it, they're currently making a huge comeback.
Just as the '60s color-blocking trend and bug-eyed sunglasses are circling back into our fashion, the Bardot-esque curls and finger-wave updos are getting another go in the limelight -- with some gorgeous updates. Gone are the stiff, helmet-like ringlets and gravity-defying beehives. Instead we have touchable waves, romantic texture, and piecey bangs.
So, try these styles before the trend becomes history (again). We grabbed the most stunning retro hairstyles from Pinterest and asked experts to weigh in on how to wear them without looking like we got caught in a bad time warp. See how to update the prettiest retro styles to look chic and trendy now.
