REAL Exclusive Magazine

Vintage Hair

(Part 2)

By Sheila Venancia

1950’s

The 1950’s were a time defined by tremendous social and political change as women challenged nonsensical ideas about their role in society and African-Americans spoke out against inequality. Factor in the introduction of more television sets into households and the widespread emergence of rock ‘n roll, and it’s no wonder we refer to this decade as the “Booming 50’s”.

In the 50’s, it was mostly the teenage girls that were exploring new trends. One trend was to bleach their own hair with Ivory Snow Flakes and peroxide. That’s right, they mixed up the laundry detergent with peroxide and lightened their hair that way. Another trend that began was for young girls to wear their hair in ponytails; the hair was combed back and fastened by a rubber band. There wasn’t any of the protected bands that we have today. Everyone’s hair was breaking off all of the time because of those rubber bands and no one thought anything about it.

For the slightly older set, the poodle haircut became stylish as ladies would have all their hair cut off to about one to two inches all over their head and get a permanent. Straight hair was given permanents as straight hair was considered taboo at the time, unless of course you were a teeny bopper and had a ponytail.

The older women used rinses instead of tinting their gray hair and would go to the “beauty shop” on a weekly basis to have their hair rolled. Hairdressers were called “Beauticians” and they wore white uniforms with a girdle, stockings and nurses shoes. What we call clients today were called patrons back then. The permanents were harsh with ammonia, unlike the alkaline and acid waves we know of today.

1960’s

Everything was extreme in the sixties.

One of the more popular new extreme hairstyles, especially popular with young women, was to grow their hair extremely long and keep it “natural”, whether straight or curly. They would brush their hair back and place a headband on it, both for decoration and to keep their hair in place. The more daring bleached their hair with colors that were either platinum, beige, high fashion light pink or lavender!

Another hairstyle that was so prominent in the sixties was the “bee hive” and the “bubble do”, otherwise known as the bouffant hairstyle. For this hair style, the hair was clipped shorter on the bottom and became longer as you worked your way up. The longest section was in the crown and top area for height. Everyone wanted height in the 1960’s, thinking that the more height they would have on the top of their head, the slimmer their body would look. There was, however, only one way to accomplish this; and it was to backcomb the hair until all of the hair was like a birds nest close to the scalp. The term backcomb developed a slang name known as “teasing”, Those who were in the profession would never say such a forbidden and unprofessional word.

So, how many of these hair styles have you tried? None? Don’t worry, they may yet come back again……. with a modern twist of course!

Sheila Venancia has over a decade of distinguished international experience. Originally from Brazil, she trained with leading international hair professionals in London, Spain, Brazil and the USA. In Brazil, Sheila rose among the top-ranking hair and makeup artists, catapulting her into the celebrity arena. Sheila’s work has been featured on Brazilian television shows, newspapers and magazines. Her specialties are non-toxic Japanese hair straightening, laser hair extensions, and high-end modern styling. Sheila may be reached at (941) 822.2152 or sheilasvs@hotmail.com.

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