The blow-drys, the bouncy hair, the wavy bobs and the curls. This is what we think of when we think of retro hairstyles. In the good old days of the early to mid 20th century, it was all about having perfect looking, good hair. In those eras, hair was much more valued than today and they succeeded. They raised the standards and now retro style hairstyles and haircuts are back in fashion!
If you love vintage and classic things, you will also love these beautiful and stunning retro looks.
10 easy retro hairstyles for women:
Retro hairstyles exude timeless glamour and include iconic styles from finger waves to updos. These vintage-inspired looks celebrate the creativity of history and still captivate with their nostalgic charm.
1. Retro look:
Want to try a vintage look? Let your inner glam doll out with this great hairstyle for short hair. It is very easy to achieve and does not require much styling effort. Simply brush your hair and use a curling iron to create soft waves at the ends. Apply some hair gel to set the curls and create a neat look. Add a decorative accessory like a pearl hairband or a barrette to enhance the overall look. This hairstyle is suitable for all face shapes, especially round and square ones to accentuate your facial features.
2. Side ponytail with teased crown:
This style was made famous in the 1960s by a French actress who was dubbed a sex symbol because of it. This teased retro hairstyle has inspired many to keep their hair open and give it a flowing, sexy look. It suits round, oval and normal face shapes as a side ponytail gives the hair a bouncy and long look and a fluffy crown adds volume to the hair. Over time, this style has disappeared but you can still find girls wearing this retro look casually for any occasion. Make a ponytail on both sides of the head by tying it with a chic elastic. This is perfect for beach parties.
- Suitable for medium and long hair and narrow, round and oval faces.
- Suitable for daytime parties.
- The age group 22-35 years is preferred.
- Summer is the best season to wear
- The matching dress goes with bikinis, skirts and other western clothing
Read: The best workout styles for short hair
3. Retro fringes:
Zooey Deschanel has revived this iconic retro style with her heavy bangs that almost cover her eyes. The volume and drama are synonymous with the retro era. This hairstyle gives a retro look for summer that is still stylish. If you make a bun with bangs, these styles will suit any dress and occasion. Wavy hair with slightly straight look suits this hairstyle for the oval and narrow face. This style suits any occasion and is easy to wear with western as well as Indian clothes, especially Anarkali suits that will give you a cute and trendy style.
- Suitable for medium length hair and long and narrow faces.
- It is suitable for casual outings and corporate meetings.
- The age group 16-25 years is preferred.
- Summer and spring are the best seasons to wear.
- Suitable clothing is a skirt and other western clothing
4. Retro waves:
A Veronica Lake inspired hairstyle that makes the most of the hair’s natural length and bounce. This is a beautiful hairstyle for those with straight to wavy hair. Simply roll out your large rollers and set the blow dryer to medium heat. The curves will move and fall naturally. Add some hair serum to maximize the shine factor.
- Suitable for medium length hair and a long and narrow face.
- The right occasion for company meetings and tourism.
- Preferred age group 22-35 years
- All seasons are the best season to wear
- The matching dress goes with a skirt and other western clothing
5. Double Dutch side braid:
This princess look hairstyle is popular for any occasion and dress, especially in summer. Most women wear this hairstyle during the day for casual outings and exercises like yoga and gym. Wear this hairstyle professionally and casually in the office and unique corporate parties. Use pearls or flowers to make this style more stylish and elegant. Brides can choose this hairstyle for a beach themed wedding without a veil.
- Suitable for medium and short hair with narrow and oval faces.
- The perfect occasion for dates and company meetings.
- The age group 22-35 years is preferred.
- Summer and spring are the best seasons to wear
- The matching dress goes with skirts, other Indian and western clothing
Read: Different types of perms
6. The headband toupee:
This is a classic 1960s-inspired style that has been worn everywhere. From movies to red carpet galas, this style is a timeless retro cliche. Often equated with Brigitte Bardot’s style, this is all about long hair and height. It’s a more curvaceous and not so messy option that can be worn with any outfit. Here’s a DIY guide to getting the teased look at home.
- Suitable for medium and long hair for normal, round and narrow faces.
- Suitable for parties, small trips and company meetings.
- The age group 22-35 years is preferred.
- Summer and spring are the best seasons to wear
- Matching dress goes with Indian, skirt and other western wear
7. Backcombed double knot:
This elegant updo features a teased crown and a unique twist. The key to this look is imperfection. The messier the better as this will add much-needed volume to your hair. Start by parting the hair in the middle between one ear and the other. Separate the two and tease the bottom section into a messy bun. Now, form a pouf at the top and place it on top of the bun after tying a ponytail. The trick is not to pull the hair through the last loop of the ponytail elastic as this will add volume to your bun and overall look.
- Suitable for medium length hair, long, round and narrow face
- Suitable for small trips, casual parties and company meetings.
- Ideal for the age group 16 to 22.
- Summer and spring are the best seasons to wear
- The matching dress goes with skirts, long garments and other western clothing
Read: Cool and easy Barbie hairstyles
8. Volume bun:
The voluminous bun is another classic retro style that is popular everywhere. It is a neat and graceful style that is perfect for evening appearances. It is a high ponytail over a puffed up bottom bun. The higher the ponytail and the more the hair is slicked back, the more volume this style has. This look is seen as the epitome of retro grace, as seen here by actress Marion Cotillard at a red carpet gala.
- Suitable for which hair type and which face: medium and long hairstyle for diamond-shaped and pointed face
- Suitable for all parties.
- Preferred for the age group 25+.
- Every season is the best season to wear.
- The matching dress matches a dress with a thick neck to reveal beautiful bones, and an Indian bride
9. Long wavy curls:
The long wavy hairstyle looks flawless with neck and top sections giving a vintage yet modern look. This look can be created by first blow drying straight or wavy hair leaving a sufficient amount of hair at the roots. Additional curls can be created using curlers and curling irons. Once the hair is set, gently comb it and leave it open for the bouncy finish. Pull a section of hair back and pin it in the middle with bobby pins.
- Suitable for long hair and narrow for diamond-shaped, square, oblong and oval faces
- Suitable for dates and company meetings.
- The age group 22-35 years is preferred.
- The best season to wear is all seasons.
- The matching dress goes with Indian and other western clothing
10. Side-swept curls:
This style has achieved legendary status thanks to the enigmatic Elizabeth Taylor. It’s a perfect retro style for those with natural curls. It frames the face and accentuates your eyes, just like Hollywood’s own Cleopatra. It’s an easy and effortless look – the curlier the better.
- Suitable for medium and short hair as well as for narrow and oval faces
- Suitable for dates and company meetings.
- The age group 22-35 years is preferred.
- Summer, spring and winter are the most beautiful seasons to wear.
- A matching dress goes well with the skirt and other western clothing
Read: Lady Gaga’s hairstyles
Easy-care tips for retro hairstyles:
With a retro hairstyle, the braid or ponytail must be intact so that it does not get frizzy or tangled during any activity. These hairstyles are easy to do, but if you follow these simple tips, you can maintain them. Here are easy and manageable tips on how to achieve these retro hairstyles at home.
1. Washing long hair:
Wash long hair every three days a week to prevent it from becoming greasy and tangled and to easily create any hairstyle you want.
2. Hair care:
The conditioner makes it easy to style double buns, crowns and bobby hairstyles. It gives the hair a smooth and shiny appearance.
3. Cleaning and cutting long hair:
A retro-style hairstyle is suitable for long hair and looks like the styles of the 80s and 90s. To maintain these styles, hair needs to be cut regularly and vitamins and minerals are needed for its health.
The modern retro hairstyle suits every occasion and you can wear it anytime in your daily life. It is considered retro but people still wear it in everyday life. The hairstyles mentioned above suit every woman, every face type and can be worn in any occasion. Either get help from the nearest hair salon or try to wear this hairstyle at home. It is within budget, easy to wear and requires less maintenance.
Frequently asked questions and answers:
Q1. How long should I wear this retro style?
Answer: As long as you want to wear it. Hairstyles change with the times and trends and come back again after a while. So changing hairstyles gives a confident and modern look.
Q2. Does a retro hairstyle look good with any dress?
Answer: The hairstyle can vary depending on the dress, season and occasion. For daytime parties, you can opt for a girly braided look or a bun. Choose the dress according to the occasion and then choose your hairstyle.
Q3. How can I change the retro bangs hairstyle?
Answer: Fringes look great on an oval and narrow face, but you can also make a bun or braid with this style by leaving the fringe in the front. This gives the look a retro look while still being cute on a sunny day. This dress with a short skirt goes best with long boots.
Q4. Can hot straighteners and curling irons damage hair?
Answer: Yes! Regular use can damage hair, so try using curlers and curling irons on wet hair to make the effect last longer.
Q5. How to make a bouncy braided hairstyle?
Answer: The bouncy braid hairstyle can be made from silky and straight hair without any oil in the hair, so leave some of the hair loose while braiding to achieve a bouncy look.