How to Create a Dramatic 1920s Look

Vintage hair styling requires several things; patience, nimble fingers and a few select styling products. In my line of work as a freelance vintage hair stylist, make-up artist and owner of Sarah's Doo-Wop Dos, I regularly create many different looks from different eras for my customers, so the tips I'm sharing in this article are thoroughly tried and tested!









Step 1:
During the 1920s the setting part of this style would have been done as a wet set using setting lotion. However, thanks to modern styling equipment we can now use a much quicker method. Here I've run a little curl-holding product through the hair and then, using a small barrel curling tong, created tight curls. Once all your hair is curled, pin the hair flat to your head in rows. The first row should face backwards, the second row should face forwards and so on...


Step 2:
The curls then need to be left to fully cool down which normally takes about 15 minutes, so you have time to make a cuppa or finish your make-up. Make-up was still quite a new thing in the 1920s and the Flappers set out to shock with their brightly painted faces.

Step 3:
Once the curls are completely cold you can start to brush them out and style them. If you have long hair you can re-create the look of the short styles of the 1920s by creating a faux bob (the next tutorial on the 1930s will cover this technique). Short hair was popular in this era and reflected a new rebellious attitude amongst women, although if you favoured this new style you would probably have had to go to men's barbershops for a short cut!


Step 4:
Once the curls are brushed you should start to see an S shape appearing in the hair. Mould the shape, then use long Duck Bill clips to hold the wave in place. The finger wave was hugely popular during this era and was used to soften the hard edges of the new styles.

Step 5:
You will need to leave the hair to set in place again. During the era, women looked to style icons such as Louise Brooks, Josephine Baker, Greta Garbo and Clara Bow for inspiration. All of these women had a distinctive look that shaped the fashion of the time.


Step 6:
Use a little pomade when finishing this style, or some hairspray as the waves will need setting in place. Hair was worn close to the head during this era so keep the style neat with a sharp/clean shape.

Step 7 and 8:
During the 20s short hair was feminised with elaborate headpieces made of jewels and feathers. Here I have used a beaded necklace as a headband and a scarf to add a bit a bit of extra drama to the style.


The final look...