The “big hair” look that many women had in the past, especially in the mid-20th century, was achieved through a combination of hairstyling techniques, products, and tools that helped create volume and fullness. Depending on the era you’re referring to, the methods could vary. Here’s a breakdown of how women achieved big, voluminous hair in different times:
1. 1940s and 1950s:
– Rollers and Curls: In the 1940s and 1950s, women often used large rollers or curlers to create volume. They would wrap their hair around the rollers and leave them in for a period of time before removing them. This created bouncy, voluminous curls, which were then styled into different updos or softer waves.
– Setting Lotion and Hair Spray: Strong setting lotions, gels, and hairsprays were used to keep hair in place once it was styled. These products helped lock in the curls and volume, giving women that characteristic full, “big” hair.
– Teasing or Backcombing: Teasing, or backcombing, was another technique to achieve volume. By combing the hair backward near the roots, women created lift and fullness at the crown. This method often made hair look bigger at the roots, enhancing the overall voluminous effect.
– Pin Curls: Pin curls were used to form tight curls and give the hair a lot of texture and bounce. These curls could be brushed out for a fuller, softer look or left tight for more defined volume.
2. 1960s:
– The Beehive: The beehive was one of the most iconic hairstyles of the 1960s. To achieve this look, hair was heavily teased at the roots and shaped into a rounded mound. Often, the beehive would be set with hair spray to maintain its height and structure.
– Bouffant: Similar to the beehive, the bouffant involved a lot of teasing to add volume, with the hair styled to stand high off the head. Some women would wear their hair in a “half-bouffant” style, where only the top layer was teased.
– Use of Wigs and Hairpieces: Wigs, hairpieces, and extensions were sometimes used to further enhance the fullness of the hairstyle. These pieces could add length, volume, or both.
3. 1970s and 1980s:
– Perms: In the 1970s and 1980s, perms became very popular. A perm involved chemically curling the hair, which created long-lasting waves or curls that added volume to the hair. Many women in the ’80s opted for tighter curls for maximum volume.
– Crimping: The crimped hair look was another way women added volume. A crimping iron would create textured, zig-zag patterns in the hair, which not only gave texture but also made it appear fuller.
– Big Blowouts: The blowout became a popular technique for achieving big hair in the 1980s. This involved using a round brush and a blow dryer to lift the roots and create volume, often followed by hairspray to hold the shape.
Common Tools and Products:
– Hot Rollers: Heated rollers were used to create curls or waves that could be brushed out for volume.
– Velcro Rollers: These were smaller than the traditional curlers, and could be used to give the hair a more natural, voluminous lift.
– Hair Mousse and Volumizing Products: Mousse, volumizing shampoos, and conditioners helped boost hair texture and create volume, particularly for fine hair.
– Crimping Irons and Curling Irons: These tools allowed for various ways of adding texture and curl, contributing to a fuller appearance.
In general, the key to achieving “big” hair was creating volume and height at the roots while ensuring the overall style stayed in place with the help of styling products. Women would often spend a lot of time on their hair, whether curling, teasing, or using heated tools, to create the desired effect.
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