The 1960s stands as one of the most transformative decades in fashion and beauty history, and perhaps nowhere was this transformation more visible than in women’s hairstyles. From the gravity-defying beehives that towered inches above the scalp to the sharp, geometric cuts pioneered by legendary stylists like Vidal Sassoon, the decade celebrated boldness, experimentation, and self-expression through hair. What made this era truly revolutionary was how hairstyles became powerful symbols of social change—short pixie cuts challenged traditional femininity, natural afros became statements of racial pride and identity, and flowing waves represented the free-spirited hippie movement that emerged toward decade’s end.
Today, we’re witnessing a major resurgence of 1960s-inspired hairstyles on red carpets, in fashion magazines, and increasingly in everyday street style. These timeless looks have proven that great hair design truly never goes out of style. Whether you’re drawn to the glamorous volume of a classic bouffant, the modern-edge sophistication of a Vidal Sassoon cut, or the effortless romance of Brigitte Bardot’s signature half-up style, there’s a 1960s hairstyle perfectly suited to your personality and aesthetic. The beautiful thing about revisiting these iconic looks is that modern styling techniques and products make them more accessible and wearable today than they ever were during the original era.
Understanding the 1960s Hair Movement and Its Cultural Significance
The 1960s hair revolution didn’t happen in isolation—it was deeply intertwined with the decade’s massive social and cultural transformations. As women began challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations, hair became a canvas for expressing individuality, rebellion, and identity. The decade witnessed an unprecedented diversity of styles, ranging from the polished, structured looks favored by First Lady Jackie Kennedy and society’s elite to the deliberately undone, natural waves embraced by the counterculture movement that gained momentum as the ’60s progressed.
Several key factors shaped the hairstyles that dominated this era. The advancement of hair technology, including electric curling irons and the widely available Carmen Rollers, made creating voluminous styles more accessible to everyday women. Hair sprays became ubiquitous—and necessary—products for maintaining the architectural heights and shapes that defined the decade. Perhaps most importantly, influential figures from multiple spheres of culture shaped what women wore on their heads. Film stars like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot, music icons like Diana Ross and The Supremes, fashion designers like Mary Quant, groundbreaking models like Twiggy, and revolutionary movements inspired millions to experiment with their hair.
Why 1960s Hairstyles Remain Relevant and Inspiring
One of the most compelling reasons to revisit 1960s hairstyles is their incredible versatility and range. Whether you prefer dramatic volume or sleek minimalism, feminine curves or androgynous edges, there’s a ’60s style that matches your aesthetic. These hairstyles also translate beautifully into contemporary fashion, offering a sophisticated nod to vintage glamour without requiring full commitment to period dressing. Many modern celebrities have demonstrated this on red carpets and in magazine editorials—think of Anne Hathaway’s voluminous Bardot-inspired updo at the Met Gala or the countless celebrities sporting curtain bangs inspired by Brigitte Bardot.
Another reason these styles endure is their fundamental focus on elegance, confidence, and self-expression. The 1960s celebrated hair as a statement piece—a way to communicate identity, status, and personality. This philosophy aligns perfectly with contemporary beauty trends that emphasize authenticity and personal style. Additionally, recreating these looks with modern tools and products offers the best of both worlds: achieving the iconic aesthetic of the era without the hours of daily maintenance or the environmental impact of the hairspray quantities that were required back then.
1. The Iconic Beehive
The beehive stands as perhaps the most recognizable and symbolically significant hairstyle of the 1960s. Created by Chicago-based hairdresser Margaret Vinci Heldt in 1960 when she was asked to design a new style reflecting the coming decade, this towering updo received its name from its distinctive cone or hive-like shape. The beehive was characterized by hair dramatically teased and backcombed into an architectural structure that could reach inches above the head, then lacquered in place with copious amounts of hairspray to ensure it maintained its shape for days at a time. This wasn’t just a passing trend—the beehive became an absolute phenomenon, worn by everyone from Audrey Hepburn and Dusty Springfield to The Ronettes and ordinary women across America.
To recreate an authentic beehive today with modern sensibility, begin by starting with clean, dry hair or hair that has been previously blow-dried for volume. Using a fine-tooth teasing comb (also called a rat-tail comb), backcomb small sections of hair starting from the crown, working backward toward the scalp with quick, firm strokes. The goal is to create a cushioned base of matted hair that provides the structure and height needed for the style. Focus especially on the top two inches of your crown, as this section bears the weight of the finished style.
Once you’ve created sufficient volume through backcombing, begin smoothing the outer layer of hair over your teased base using a fine comb or paddle brush. Work gently so you don’t flatten all the volume you’ve created underneath. You can mist the outer layer lightly with flexible-hold hairspray as you smooth each section to help keep everything in place. Roll or twist the smoothed sections into place, pinning them with bobby pins that match your hair color. If you want extra height or don’t have naturally thick hair, consider using a hair donut or bump insert positioned at the crown—this was a common trick in the ’60s and remains one of the easiest ways to achieve beehive height without hours of backcombing.
For an updated modern version, consider creating a slightly softer, less rigid interpretation. Instead of the super-tight, helmet-like beehives of the original era, try a “loose beehive” with some wispy face-framing pieces curled around your face. This adds femininity and softness while maintaining the overall silhouette and height. Add decorative elements like vintage-inspired hair clips, small flowers, or jeweled bobby pins visible among the waves for a contemporary twist. Finish everything with a flexible-hold hairspray that offers good hold without the stiffness and crunchiness that characterized the original Aqua Net-soaked versions.
2. The Bouffant
The bouffant represents the most versatile and widely worn hairstyle of the 1960s, transcending age groups, social classes, and even fashion sensibilities. Unlike the more specifically shaped beehive, the term “bouffant” simply refers to any style that has been brushed into a puffy, rounded shape with significant volume. Bouffants varied dramatically in size—some women wore subtly rounded styles with just a bit of crown lift, while others created massive poofs of hair that rivaled the beehive in height. The bouffant appeared in endless variations: smooth and sleek on top with volume underneath, tousled with waves and curls, flip-ended, half-up styles, or incorporated into ponytails and updos.
The beauty of the bouffant is its fundamental simplicity and adaptability. To create a bouffant, hair is first set in large rollers to establish the foundational volume and lift. Once the rollers are removed and the hair has cooled completely, backcombing is applied to specific sections to enhance the structure and create additional volume. The outer layer of hair is then combed or brushed smoother and styled into the desired shape. For women with finer hair or those who prefer not to backcomb extensively, using a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray before blow-drying can help create natural-looking lift and body.
Modern bouffants look best when they’re tailored to your specific hair type and length. If you have shoulder-length or longer hair, try creating a bouffant by blow-drying your hair upside down for maximum root lift, then flipping right-side up and gently teasing just the crown area with a fine-tooth comb. Smooth the top layer while maintaining the volume underneath, then set with a flexible-hold hairspray. For added dimension, try creating the bouffant with subtle waves throughout rather than making it completely smooth. You can achieve this by blow-drying over a large barrel round brush, which adds body while you dry, then lightly teasing just the crown and smoothing the outer layer. Pair your modern bouffant with contemporary makeup and fashion for an effortlessly chic, slightly vintage-inspired look.
3. The Vidal Sassoon Pixie Cut
Vidal Sassoon revolutionized women’s hairstyling in the 1960s by pioneering sharp, geometric cuts that celebrated precision and architectural design. His most famous creation was the pixie cut—a very short, closely cropped style characterized by clean lines, carefully angled sections, and minimal maintenance. Unlike the voluminous styles that dominated the early ’60s, the Sassoon pixie was sleek, modern, and almost masculine in its severity. When model Mia Farrow cut her long hair into a Sassoon pixie for her role in “Rosemary’s Baby” in 1968, it created a sensation—suddenly, short hair became a fashion statement rather than a practical necessity for older women or those with hair that wouldn’t hold curls.
The appeal of the pixie cut lies in its versatility and the way it showcases facial features and bone structure. Sassoon himself described his geometric cuts as being inspired by Bauhaus architecture, and indeed, there’s a mathematical precision to how these cuts work with the natural shape of the head. The pixie became a symbol of modernity, liberation, and confidence—you had to have serious self-assurance to wear such a short, unfeminine-by-traditional-standards style. Yet women embraced it enthusiastically, and it remains one of the most popular short haircuts today.
To recreate the Vidal Sassoon pixie with modern sensibility, you’ll want to consult with an experienced stylist who understands geometric cutting techniques. Ask for a cut with clean, sharp lines that have some texture and movement built into the design—a completely blunt pixie can look very severe, while one with slight choppy layers and angle creates more contemporary appeal. The cut typically features longer pieces on top that can be styled for movement, with shorter, closely cropped sides and back. Styling is refreshingly simple: just apply a small amount of styling cream or wax to damp hair, tousle with your fingers, and blow-dry for a perfectly modern look. The beauty of the pixie is that it requires minimal daily styling while looking deliberately intentional and fashion-forward.
4. The Flipped Bob
The flipped bob, also known as the “flip,” became absolutely iconic during the 1960s and remains one of the most recognizable and reproducible styles from the era. Popularized by First Lady Jackie Kennedy and later embraced by icons like Diana Ross and television personalities, the flipped bob was a chin-length or slightly longer cut that featured hair smoothly styled on the sides with the ends curled or “flipped” outward. The flip could go all around the ends of the hair, creating a rounded, dimensional silhouette, or focus primarily on the back and sides while keeping the front smooth and face-framing. This style perfectly embodied the balance between sophistication and youthful playfulness that defined early-to-mid 1960s fashion.
The flipped bob was particularly popular because it achieved significant volume and movement without requiring the extensive backcombing and teasing necessary for bouffants and beehives. Instead, volume was created through the use of large rollers set before blow-drying, combined with the outward curl at the ends. For evening looks, hairpieces or extensions were sometimes attached to add length and create dramatic flipped ponytails. The style worked beautifully with various hair textures and was flattering on most face shapes, which partially explains its widespread popularity among women of all ages and social classes.
To recreate the flipped bob today, start with a blunt-edged bob that hits at your chin or just below. If you have naturally straight hair, ask your stylist to add slight face-framing layers that encourage the flip. To style, blow-dry your hair smooth using a round brush, paying attention to directing the hair down and smooth. Once your hair is mostly dry, take a 1-1.5 inch curling iron or wand and curl the ends of the hair away from your face, holding the curl for a few seconds before releasing. Brush through the curls gently with a soft-bristle brush to create soft waves rather than tight ringlets. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to maintain the style throughout the day. For a more relaxed, modern interpretation, you can let some of the flip fall naturally inward rather than keeping all ends flipped out—this creates a softer, less structured look that feels contemporary while honoring the original style.
5. The Bardot Updo
Brigitte Bardot’s signature hairstyle became one of the most copied and celebrated looks of the 1960s, and it remains deeply influential in contemporary fashion and beauty. Her style typically featured voluminous, tousled waves styled into a half-up, half-down configuration or a complete updo, often accompanied by face-framing pieces and wispy, romantically swept bangs. What made Bardot’s look so distinctive and enduringly appealing was its balance between glamorous volume and effortless, undone charm. Rather than the rigid, perfectly set styles favored by some ’60s fashion icons, Bardot’s hair always looked slightly tousled, as if she’d just been caught in the wind or had run her fingers through her locks moments before.
The Bardot updo represented a more accessible version of 1960s glamour compared to the architectural precision required for beehives or the heavy backcombing needed for bouffants. Instead of rigid structure, the Bardot look celebrated texture, movement, and a certain nonchalant sophistication. The voluminous waves were achieved through blow-drying and hot rollers, creating natural-looking curls rather than tightly set waves. The updo portion was often loose and slightly undone, with strands escaping to frame the face. This “just done, but not too done” aesthetic made the look feel achievable and wearable, which contributed significantly to its widespread adoption.
To recreate the Bardot updo with modern techniques and products, begin by blow-drying your hair with a large round brush to create volume and body. Alternatively, set your damp hair in hot rollers or velcro rollers for 20-30 minutes to create a foundation of waves and curl. Once your hair is cool and dry, use your fingers or a soft-bristle brush to gently separate and tousle the waves—you want them to look natural and slightly undone rather than tightly curled. Gather the top half of your hair into a half-up style, securing it loosely with a claw clip or silk hair tie. Allow some face-framing pieces to fall naturally around your face, and consider adding wispy bangs if you don’t already have them. For the full Bardot experience, add a delicate ribbon, silk scarf, or flower crown to your half-up section.
6. Half-Up, Half-Down Styles
The half-up, half-down hairstyle represents one of the most versatile and universally flattering looks to emerge from the 1960s. This style involves gathering approximately the top half of the hair back and securing it, while allowing the remaining hair to flow freely. What made this style perfect for the ’60s was its flexibility—it could be dressed up with elaborate volume and accessories for evening wear or kept simple and casual for daytime. The half-up configuration also solved a practical problem for women of the era: how to keep hair out of the face while still displaying length and enjoying the voluminous styles that were fashionable.
Half-up styles worked beautifully with various hair accessories that defined 1960s fashion. Simple velvet ribbons, silk scarves, decorative clips, flowers, and bows could all be incorporated into the secured-back section, making the hairstyle feel personalized and fashion-forward. The style also appeared in countless variations: some women teased the crown dramatically before gathering hair back, creating a soft pompadour effect at the front; others smoothed their crown before pulling hair back for a sleeker appearance. Some versions featured the hair twisted and pinned, while others showed an elegant gathered ponytail at the crown.
Modern interpretations of the half-up, half-down style remain just as popular and versatile as they were in the ’60s. To create this look, start with soft waves or curls throughout your hair by blow-drying with a large barrel brush or using hot rollers. Take a section of hair from each temple and draw it back toward the crown, securing with a pretty clip, decorative bobby pins, or a silk hair tie. For more volume, tease the crown section before gathering the hair back. You can add additional embellishments like silk flowers, delicate chains, or vintage-inspired hair sticks for a more intentional styled look. The beauty of this style is that it works with various hair lengths and textures, making it accessible to most people seeking a 1960s-inspired look.
7. The Mod Cut
The mod cut emerged from the British fashion scene and represented the cutting edge of 1960s style. Associated with the “Swinging London” movement and designers like Mary Quant, the mod cut was characterized by sharp, geometric lines, bold angles, and often asymmetrical elements. These weren’t just shorter haircuts—they were architectural statements that celebrated precision cutting and modern design principles. The mod cut was typically shorter in length, featuring clean lines, sometimes with one side longer than the other, and often paired with dramatic eye makeup and contemporary fashion.
Vidal Sassoon became synonymous with the mod cut movement, creating his famous “five-point cut” that represented pure geometric precision. However, many other talented stylists contributed to the mod aesthetic throughout the ’60s. What united all mod cuts was their emphasis on the cut itself rather than on styling or setting. Unlike bouffants and beehives that required hours of maintenance, mod cuts were designed to fall naturally into place with minimal styling—though that didn’t mean they required no maintenance. These cuts needed regular trims every 4-6 weeks to maintain their sharp lines and geometric precision.
To achieve a modern mod-inspired cut, consult with a skilled stylist experienced in geometric cutting techniques. Ask for clean, sharp lines that create movement and dimension. Many contemporary mod cuts feature longer top sections that can be textured and styled for movement, with shorter, closely cropped sides. You might request some asymmetry—perhaps slightly longer on one side or incorporating a side-swept element. Styling is refreshingly simple: apply a small amount of styling cream or pomade to damp or dry hair, tousle with your fingers to create intentional texture, and you’re finished. The mod cut celebrates the natural texture and movement of your hair while maintaining architectural precision, making it perfect for those who appreciate contemporary, fashion-forward aesthetics.
8. Curtain Bangs and Face-Framing Elements
Curtain bangs represent one of the most romantic and face-flattering elements of 1960s hairstyling, and they’ve experienced a major resurgence in popularity in recent years. These soft, parted bangs typically start above the eyebrows and sweep outward and downward, framing the face like curtains frame a window. Brigitte Bardot popularized this style, and the bangs became so associated with her that they’re sometimes called “Bardot bangs.” Unlike the blunt, straight-across bangs worn by some mod enthusiasts, curtain bangs feature gentle movement and romance, creating softness around the face while still maintaining that 1960s aesthetic.
The appeal of curtain bangs lies in their incredible versatility and their ability to complement various face shapes and features. They work beautifully with any hair length—from short pixie cuts to long, flowing styles. Curtain bangs also offer a practical advantage: as they grow out, they transition naturally into longer face-framing layers rather than creating an awkward in-between phase. This makes them an excellent choice for those experimenting with bangs for the first time or those hesitant about committing to a more structured fringe.
To achieve curtain bangs, ask your stylist to cut a center part in your bangs, then create longer pieces on each side that graduate outward and downward. The exact length and angle should be customized to your face shape and features. To style curtain bangs, apply styling cream or mousse to damp hair and blow-dry while brushing the bangs away from your center part toward each side of your face. You can use a round brush to create gentle curves if desired. Once dry, you can lightly curl the ends away from your face using a small curling iron for added dimension. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to maintain the shape throughout the day. One of the best things about curtain bangs is how effortlessly they create a 1960s-inspired look whether you’re wearing them with modern fashion or attempting a full-period recreation.
9. The Flip—Volume and Movement
The flip hairstyle specifically refers to hair that’s been styled to curl outward or upward at the ends, creating dramatic movement and dimension. This technique could be applied to various base hairstyles—bobs, longer hair, ponytails—making it one of the most versatile styling methods of the era. The flip created what stylists call “height” and “movement,” turning flat hair into something three-dimensional and visually interesting. Television personalities like Mary Tyler Moore became famous for their flip hairstyles, which perfectly complemented the era’s fashion and beauty sensibilities.
Creating the flip was relatively straightforward for women with access to modern styling tools. Large rollers would be set around the head, with special attention paid to flipping the ends of the rollers outward or upward depending on the desired effect. Once the rollers were removed and the hair had cooled, the result was hair that naturally curled in the flipped direction. For evening wear or special occasions, women would often add extra volume by teasing the crown before setting rollers, then smooth the outer layer once the curls were set. The flip perfectly demonstrated how 1960s women used styling techniques to maximize volume and create dimension.
To recreate the flip today, blow-dry your hair using a round brush, paying special attention to directing the ends of your hair away from your face or upward. Alternatively, set your damp hair in hot rollers, positioning them to create the outward or upward flip you desire. Once your hair has cooled completely, gently brush through or separate the curls to create soft waves with that characteristic flip at the ends. You can tease the crown slightly before setting rollers if you want extra height. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray. For a more modern take, you can create softer, more subtle flips by using a 1-1.5 inch curling iron on just the ends of your hair rather than setting full-head rollers. This creates that classic 1960s movement without requiring as much styling time or product.
10. Long Straight Hair with Center Part
As the 1960s progressed and the counterculture movement gained momentum, long, straight, naturally textured hair worn with a center part emerged as the antithesis to the heavily structured, teased styles of the early decade. This look represented rebellion against establishment fashion and celebrated a return to nature and authenticity. Musicians like Cher, Joan Baez, and Janis Joplin popularized this aesthetic, which became synonymous with the hippie movement, flower power, and the peaceful, anti-war sentiment of the late ’60s. Unlike the polished, perfectly set styles favored by earlier in the decade, long straight hair was deliberately left relatively unstyled, representing freedom and nonconformity.
The irony of this “natural” look is that achieving perfectly straight, glossy long hair actually required significant maintenance and effort during the 1960s. Women would use hot irons or flat irons (with brown paper bags placed over the hair to prevent singeing) to straighten their naturally wavy or curly hair. Some would blow-dry their hair straight using large, smooth brushes. The goal was hair that looked effortlessly natural and unstyled while actually requiring careful attention and technique to achieve and maintain.
To recreate this timeless late-’60s look today, grow your hair to at least shoulder length or longer, then create a deep center part that divides your hair evenly. Use a flat iron or blow-dry with a large, smooth brush to create sleek, straight hair without frizz or texture. For a polished finish, use a hair serum or smoothing product to enhance shine and control any flyaways. If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, you can still achieve this look by straightening your hair or embracing a slight texture that reads as “effortlessly undone” rather than deliberately curled. Add minimal makeup—perhaps just eyeliner and mascara—to complete the ’60s hippie aesthetic. You can accessorize with a headband, flowers, or beaded chains woven through your center-parted hair for full period authenticity.
11. The Pageboy Cut
The pageboy represents a sophisticated middle ground between a bob and a bouffant, featuring chin-length or slightly longer hair that’s smoothly styled on top with a subtle under-curl at the ends. The curl at the bottom of the pageboy was achieved by setting the ends in rollers and rolling them under rather than out, creating what stylists call a “pageboy curl” or “pageboy flip.” Television personality Mary Tyler Moore became famous for her pageboy style, which perfectly complemented her sophisticated, elegant aesthetic. The pageboy worked beautifully with various hair textures and face shapes, making it one of the most universally flattering styles of the era.
The pageboy offered several practical advantages that contributed to its popularity. Unlike beehives and bouffants that required extensive backcombing and could be difficult to sleep in or style daily, the pageboy was relatively straightforward to maintain. It also provided a polished, put-together appearance suitable for professional women, making it popular among businesswomen, television personalities, and those in the public eye. The style could be dressed down for daytime or dressed up for evening by adding accessories or slightly adjusting the volume.
To create a modern pageboy, ask your stylist for a chin-length or slightly longer cut with layers that frame the face gently. The key to the pageboy is that under-curl at the ends—you want the ends to curve inward rather than flipping outward. To style, blow-dry your hair smooth using a round brush, directing the ends downward and slightly inward. Once mostly dry, set the ends of your hair in hot rollers positioned to curl under, and leave them in until completely cool. Remove the rollers and gently brush through the curls to create soft waves with that characteristic pageboy curl. Alternatively, use a 1.25-1.5 inch curling iron on just the ends of your hair, curling the hair under away from your face. This creates that elegant, polished look that defined the pageboy’s timeless appeal.
12. The Bubble Cut
The bubble cut represents one of the most distinctive and visually striking styles of the 1960s. True to its name, the bubble cut created a rounded, bubble-like silhouette around the entire head, with particular emphasis on volume at the crown and sides. This style was achieved by blow-drying hair with a large round brush or by setting it in large hot rollers positioned to create that rounded shape. Once the hair had cooled and been removed from the rollers, it retained its bubble-like form. The bubble cut was popular with fashion-forward women and appeared frequently in magazines and on celebrities of the era.
Creating the bubble cut required significant volume and the right hair texture or styling products to maintain the rounded shape throughout the day. Women would typically use generous amounts of hairspray to lock the style in place. The bubble cut worked best on hair of shoulder length or longer, as shorter hair couldn’t create the same three-dimensional rounded effect. The style was slightly less maintenance-intensive than beehives or heavily backcombed bouffants, but it still required regular salon visits or home setting with rollers to maintain its shape.
To recreate the bubble cut with modern styling techniques, start with shoulder-length or longer hair and blow-dry using a large barrel round brush (2 inches or larger), directing the hair away from your face and creating volume throughout. Alternatively, set damp hair in large hot rollers or velcro rollers positioned to create that rounded silhouette. Once completely cool, remove the rollers and use a soft-bristle brush or your fingers to separate the curls gently, creating waves rather than tight ringlets. The goal is a rounded, dimensional shape that creates visual interest from all angles. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to maintain the bubble effect. For a modern update, you can create a more subtle version by using these techniques on just the crown and sides while keeping the front and face-framing pieces smoother.
13. Bombshell Waves
Bombshell waves represent the epitome of glamorous, sexy 1960s hair. This style featured voluminous, tousled waves that created a luxurious, almost liquid-looking cascade of curls. Actresses and style icons like Raquel Welch and Brigitte Bardot became famous for their bombshell waves, which were often paired with dramatic makeup and clothing. The bombshell wave look was deliberately glamorous and sensual, celebrating femininity and confidence. Unlike the structured, precisely set curls of some other ’60s styles, bombshell waves had movement, texture, and an almost undone quality despite requiring significant styling effort to achieve.
Creating authentic bombshell waves involved blow-drying with a large round brush to create initial volume, then setting the hair in large hot rollers positioned to create waves rather than ringlets. Once the rollers were removed and the hair had cooled, women would brush through the curls, separating them to create soft, flowing waves rather than individual curls. The key was achieving that “just styled but effortlessly beautiful” quality that made bombshell waves so appealing. Heavy-hold hairspray was essential for maintaining the waves throughout the day, especially during evening events.
To recreate bombshell waves today, blow-dry your hair using a large barrel round brush, paying attention to creating volume and directing the hair to enhance your face shape. Alternatively, set damp hair in large hot rollers positioned vertically for maximum volume. Once your hair is completely cool, gently brush through or separate the curls using a soft-bristle brush and your fingers. Work section by section, creating soft waves rather than tight curls. Tousle your hair gently to add movement and dimension. Finish with a flexible or medium-hold hairspray that provides hold without making your hair feel stiff or crunchy. For a modern take, you can create these waves using a 1.5-2 inch curling wand, curling sections of hair away from your face and brushing through once cooled for that romantic, flowing wave texture.
14. The Afro—Natural Hair as Political Statement
The afro represents one of the most significant and culturally important hairstyles to emerge during the 1960s. More than just a hairstyle, the afro was a powerful political and cultural statement celebrating Black identity, natural beauty, and racial pride. For decades, Black women had straightened their hair, internalizing the message that European features and hair textures represented beauty and acceptability. The civil rights movement and growing Black pride movement of the 1960s catalyzed a dramatic shift in consciousness. Women like Nina Simone, Angela Davis, and later Diana Ross began wearing their natural hair in beautifully rounded afros, creating a visual representation of their rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards and their celebration of authentic Black beauty.
The afro was created by allowing natural curls to grow out and then shaping them into a rounded form using an afro pick—a wide-tooth comb specifically designed for this purpose. The pick would gently lift and separate the curls, creating the characteristic rounded silhouette. The afro’s popularity peaked in the late 1960s and continued through the 1970s, becoming not just a political statement but a mainstream fashion phenomenon. The impact of the afro extended far beyond the Black community—its widespread adoption and celebration fundamentally changed how mainstream beauty standards defined and valued different hair textures.
To wear a modern afro or afro-textured style, begin by allowing your natural curls to grow out to a length where they can be shaped into a rounded form. Use an afro pick or wide-tooth comb to gently lift and separate your curls, creating the rounded silhouette. You can apply a light oil or curl cream to enhance your natural texture and add shine without weighing down your curls. For maintenance, protective styling is essential to maintain the health and integrity of your hair. The afro today remains a powerful statement of natural beauty and cultural pride, while also representing incredible versatility—you can style an afro in countless ways while still celebrating your natural texture.
15. The Shag—Rebellious and Free-Spirited
The shag hairstyle emerged in the late 1960s as an expression of the era’s rebellious spirit and represented a complete departure from the polished, structured styles that dominated the early decade. Characterized by layered, choppy, deliberately messy-looking hair with significant texture and movement, the shag became synonymous with rock music, counterculture, and a “I don’t care about conventional beauty standards” attitude. Musicians and style icons like Jane Birkin and later icons of the ’70s popularized the shag, making it one of the most iconic hairstyles of the late ’60s and early ’70s.
The shag was created through strategic layering that created texture and movement throughout the entire head. Unlike the bouffants and beehives that piled volume on top, the shag distributed volume throughout, with longer pieces on top graduating to shorter layers underneath. The result was a tousled, slightly undone appearance that actually required careful cutting and styling technique to achieve and maintain. The shag celebrated individual texture and movement rather than imposing a uniform, structured shape on the hair. For those with naturally wavy or curly hair, the shag was particularly flattering, as it enhanced natural texture rather than fighting against it.
To create a modern shag-inspired cut, consult with a stylist experienced in layered cutting techniques. Ask for choppy, textured layers throughout your hair with longer pieces on top creating movement. The exact length and amount of texture should be customized to your hair type and face shape. To style a shag, apply a texturizing spray or mousse to damp hair and blow-dry while tousling with your fingers and a diffuser attachment to enhance your natural wave or texture. You can use a curling wand on individual sections for added dimension. The beauty of the shag is that it celebrates your hair’s natural texture rather than requiring you to fight against it, making it a practical and fashion-forward choice for those seeking an effortlessly cool 1960s-inspired look.
How to Style 1960s Hairstyles with Modern Tools and Products
One of the most liberating aspects of recreating 1960s hairstyles today is access to modern styling tools and products that make achieving the looks faster, easier, and more sustainable than they were in the original era. In the 1960s, creating volume and maintaining styles required extensive backcombing, significant quantities of hairspray, and often hours of work with hot rollers. Today, you can achieve similar results using technology and products that provide excellent hold with better flexibility and easier washout.
Modern hair dryers with ionic technology eliminate frizz while creating volume and shine, making blow-drying smoother and faster than ever before. Ionic dryers are particularly useful for creating the smooth, voluminous base needed for many 1960s styles. Ceramic or tourmaline-coated hot tools including curling irons, wands, and straighteners provide even heat distribution and reduce damage compared to older technologies. Flexible-hold hairsprays offer excellent hold without the crunchiness or heavy buildup of vintage formulations, allowing you to style your hair while maintaining movement and touchability.
Texturizing sprays and volumizing mousses create texture and grip on hair, making backcombing easier and less necessary for achieving volume. These products work with your hair’s natural texture rather than fighting against it. Velcro rollers are easier to use than vintage pin curls and can be combined with a blow dryer for faster styling. Hair serums and shine sprays create the glossy, polished finish associated with 1960s glamour without the heavy buildup of vintage products. When recreating 1960s hairstyles, embracing modern products and tools allows you to achieve the aesthetic while maintaining healthy, manageable hair that feels contemporary rather than dated.
Accessorizing Your Vintage-Inspired Hair
Hair accessories played an absolutely crucial role in 1960s fashion and remain essential for completing a vintage-inspired look. During the 1960s, women wore headbands, bows, ribbons, scarves, decorative combs, flowers, and jeweled clips to embellish and personalize their hairstyles. These accessories weren’t afterthoughts—they were integral design elements that transformed basic hairstyles into fashion statements. Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hats paired with her bouffants, Brigitte Bardot’s silk scarves and ribbons, and the flower crowns worn by hippies all demonstrate how accessories elevated and individualized 1960s hair.
Contemporary styling benefits immensely from incorporating vintage-inspired accessories. A simple half-up hairstyle becomes instantly more interesting with a silk ribbon or decorative clip. A basic ponytail transforms with the addition of a delicate chain or jeweled hair stick. Headbands in various widths and styles work beautifully with almost any 1960s-inspired hairstyle. Silk scarves can be woven through hair or tied as headbands. Flowers—whether real or faux—add romance and instant period authenticity. When selecting accessories, look for quality materials like silk, velvet, and genuine metals that complement your hair color and personal style.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Timeless 1960s Hair
The incredible enduring appeal of 1960s hairstyles demonstrates that great design—whether in the realm of hair, fashion, or architecture—transcends specific time periods. These styles captured something essential about human desire for self-expression, confidence, and beauty. From the gravity-defying beehive to the effortlessly cool shag, from Jackie Kennedy’s polished bouffant to Twiggy’s modern pixie, the 1960s offered something for everyone—styles that celebrated femininity, androgyny, rebellion, tradition, structure, and freedom all within the same transformative decade.
Today’s resurgence of 1960s hairstyle inspiration demonstrates that these looks weren’t mere passing trends but rather timeless expressions of style and identity that continue resonating with contemporary audiences. Whether you’re drawn to the glamorous volume of a bombshell wave, the modern precision of a Vidal Sassoon cut, or the powerful statement of a natural afro, there’s a 1960s hairstyle perfectly suited to your aesthetic and personality. The best part? With modern styling tools, products, and techniques, achieving these looks is more accessible than ever. You can honor the legacy and spirit of 1960s hair while adapting these styles to contemporary life in ways that feel fresh, modern, and authentically you. Whether you’re recreating these styles for a special event, everyday wear, or simply exploring your relationship with your hair and identity, the 1960s offers an inspiring playbook of possibilities that remains endlessly relevant and beautiful.
