40s Bun Hairstyle

1940s updos featured curls.

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Women's hairstyles of the 1940s featured structured curls or waves and pinned updos. To create an authentic 1940s style, stay away from a tight ballerina bun, instead gathering your hair into a loose bun called a chignon. In the front, pin curls or marcel waves will give your hairdo 1940s panache. A cascade of pin curls over the forehead is a good choice for short or layered hair, while tidy marcel waves work well in long hair.

Related Searches:Difficulty:ModerateInstructions Things You'll NeedHairbrushWide-toothed combHairsprayFirm-set gel or mousseSetting or styling lotionSpray bottle filled with waterBobby pinsHair clipsHair elastic or ponytail holderHand mirrorSuggest EditsPin Curls1

Create pin curls in the front if you have short or layered hair. Comb damp hair until it's smooth and spray it with setting lotion.

2

Take a small section of hair and coil it completely around your finger. Lay the curl flat against your head and pin it into place with a bobby pin. For tight curls, make small coils of hair. Larger coils of hair will create looser curls.

3

Repeat with all the hair on the front top of your head. Blow-dry the curls on high heat and low air until completely dry, or cover your hair with a scarf and leave the pin curls in place overnight.

4

Remove the bobby pins. For tight, distinct curls, do not comb out your hair. For looser curls, comb very gently, taking care not to comb the curls out. Spritz with hairspray.

Marcel Waves1

Make marcel waves if you have long hair. Spray the front of your hair with water until slightly damp, and apply gel, mousse or setting lotion. Gently comb hair and create a side part

2

Form hair into a C-shaped wave on one side of the head. Secure the wave into place with a hair clip. Place the hair clip at the inner edge of the wave.

3

Make another wave, this time facing in the opposite direction, just below the first to create an S shape. Secure the wave with a hair clip. Make a third wave below the second, if you have room.

4

Repeat on the other side of the part, creating two or three waves. Leave the hair clips in place until the hair is completely dry and the waves are set. Remove the clips and mist the waves with hairspray for extra staying power.

Chignon1

Pull your hair to the center back of your head into a ponytail. Work carefully to avoid disturbing your marcel waves or pin curls in the front. Secure the ponytail with a hair elastic.

2

Divide the ponytail into two sections of hair, an upper and a lower.

3

Loop the top section of hair up and over, until the ends of your hair are touching the base of the ponytail. Secure the roll of hair with two or more bobby pins. If your hair is very long, roll the hair over on itself to create a manageable loop of hair.

4

Loop the bottom section of hair down and under, securing the loop to the bottom base of the ponytail with bobby pins.

5

Pull and adjust the top loop of hair until it extends across the back of your head, using a hand mirror to guide your work. The loop will touch your head on each side of the ponytail. Using bobby pins, pin the edges of the hair to the sides of your head until it stays in place. Repeat with the bottom loop of hair. Adjust the chignon until it looks right, adding bobby pins to shape it as necessary. Mist the chignon with hairspray.

Tips & Warnings

Adorn your bun with vintage hairpins, flowers or small bows for extra 1940s flair.

Protect your hairdo from the elements with a vintage silk hair scarf tied under the chin or at the nape of the neck.

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ReferencesThe Professional's Illustrated Guide to Haircare & Hairstyles; Nicky Pope1940s Hairstyles; Daniela TurudichHot 1940s Hairstyles: Hairstyles From the 1940s – Updos & BangsPhoto Credit George Marks/Retrofile/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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