38 Retro 1960s Hairstyles to Recreate Now

Smooth and Voluminous

We don't know about you, but we can't wait to copy Swedish actor and singer Britt Ekland's 1969 hairstyle.

If you want to achieve this look, hairstylist, Elle Westby recommends giving hair "some added oomph by teasing the crown of the head, then brushing the hair at the crown back. Center-part your hair and keep the front smooth, spritzing the hair with a flexible hairspray. Keep ends soft by curling them with a large barrel curling iron then brushing through."

Headband Accents

Headbands might be huge now, but we owe it to Brigitte Bardot for cementing them as a style statement in the '60s. Her padded headband went on to inspire the very ones we can't stop swooning over more than 50 years later. Talk about iconic.

"To recreate this version, use a wide headband to complete your look," Westby says. "This is the perfect style to do on a day when you wake up and your hair is a bit messy… work with it! Give a bit of tease to the crown and the ends of the hair by doing a little backcombing and spritz in a texturizing spray to play that up. Pop the headband right above the ears, allowing any face-framing pieces to fall forward for a soft look."

Baby Bangs

Motown girl group The Shirelles had a good thing going with their wispy baby bangs on this album cover. Today, you could pair these with a shaggy, shoulder-length bob for the perfect touch of mod.

Vidal Sassoon Pixie Cut

Short hair became a go-to in the '60s, especially as women returned to work and needed a more practical hairstyle. One such style was the Vidal Sassoon pixie, which was created by the British hairstylist of the same name. It featured geometric edges that became a hit all over the world while super out there for the time. Once Mia Farrow rocked the style, everyone else followed suit. And thus, the demand for short, chic hairstyles began.

The Bombshell

The late Sharon Tate proved that heavily-styled hair wasn't a must. Instead, you could rock loose, free-flowing curls and make just as big of an impact. Of course, the trick is to use a strong-hold hairspray that will keep your loose curls from falling flat.

Vintage Updo

This rolling updo was popular for its smooth texture and versatile nature. It featured the height of a beehive and curls' allure, making it a more feminine take on the high-as-heaven 'do. The retro flair has been seen on Hollywood red carpets and in vintage-inspired pin-ups, proving it's a classic style you simply can't go wrong with.

The Hollywood Flipped Bob

Jane Fonda flaunted another short style that quickly caught on to the mainstream. Enter: the Hollywood flipped bob. It featured subtle waves from the part and distinct, upturned ends. Here, the actor is shown wearing the cut in 1962, though it remained popular throughout the decade.

Aretha Franklin Tribute

Aretha Franklin's flipped bob further inspired women everywhere to opt for a semi-short style—only she urged them to add an accessory to the mix. This is particularly great for present-day inspiration, considering, as we all know by now, headbands are back and bigger than ever.

The Loose Beehive

Raquel Welch was the epitome of jaw-dropping beauty in the '60s. Here, she's seen wearing a loose beehive with face-framing tendrils. The style's height is what made it so notable, and to keep the oomph alive, it required more than a little hairspray.

"Change it up a bit and create a modern Beehive for your next night out," Westby adds. "Use a teasing comb to prep the hair and create some volume throughout the crown. Spritz a texturizing spray on for extra grip. Leave a few pieces out around the hairline and twist the hair up and secure some bobby pins into it. You can tuck any ends into the side or let them fall over the beehive for a soft look."

Full and Cropped

Before her voluminous curls were her signature, Diana Ross's cropped bob accompanied her during her time with the Supremes. We bet more than a bit of back-combing happened for that gorgeous fullness.

Half-Up Brigitte Bardot

While it may have its roots in retro, this style is timeless. And Westby assures that it's easy to do, too. "Simply, use a teasing comb to give the crown a little volume and then gather half of your hair back, leaving some of the face-framing pieces around the hairline down. Not perfect? Don't worry, this bedhead-esque look wants to be undone and a little messy."

Curly Crop

Rita Moreno's curls make this short shag extra sexy. Keep them tight like this to show your face, or have them cut a little longer for more of a rock-n-roll vibe.

The First Lady Flipped Bob

Just like the Hollywood flipped bob, First Lady Jackie O's short flounce inspired swarms of women to head to the salon. Her flipped bob was just a tad longer than Jane Fonda's, though both embraced the same idea: Smooth strands coiffed with extra volume at the crown and surrounding the temples. The result: a demure, tailored style that still serves as inspiration for a polished look today.

Pageboy-Inspired Cut

The Pageboy hairstyle was all the rave in the 1960s. The popular 'do incorporates a straight, all-around cut at shoulder length. While most people wore it as is back then, it was also revamped in a slew of fun ways—as seen above, you could even keep the back of your hair long and tied into pigtails.

High Ponytail

"I love a good high ponytail moment, and one of the reasons why is because it instantly awakens your face by pulling taut your skin and accentuating the cheekbones. It is an effortless way to have your hair look done in an understated way," Westby says.

"To achieve this look, pull the hair back smooth using a boar bristle teasing brush to smooth any bumps in the hair and flyaways at the hairline," Westby adds. Pro tip: spray some hairspray on your fingertips, then use them to slick back your strands and tame any frizz or flyaways.

Half-Up Middle Part

This half-up bouffant was seen on every corner in the 1960s. It was simple, stylish, and looked totally put together. Best of all, it's a fairly easy style to bring to life– as long as you're not afraid of some teasing– which makes it accessible to anyone and everyone.

Bangs and Length

With so many curls and updos, you may have thought that straight strands didn't have a place in the '60s, but think again. Straight, seemingly air-dried strands were an effortless fashion statement, like how actor Akiko Wakabayashi wore it as Bond girl Aki in You Only Live Twice. Pair with heavy bangs for an even more iconic look.

Mop Top

The Beatles might have brought mop top to the forefront, but it soon became a must-have androgynous hairstyle. The messy bowl cut focuses volume on the head's top and crown, with slightly uneven ends for a less uniform result. It's a messy-chic look that continues to be requested at modern-day salons.

Afro Fabulous

In 1968, at the height of the civil rights movement, the afro made its first appearance. The style was (and still is) characterized by natural lengths coiffed upwards and outwards, often using gel, cream, or hairspray to help hold it in place. Soul singer Nina Simone often wore her hair this way—and it exploded in the '70s, becoming one of the most popular natural styles.

Bubble Bob

The '60s bubble bob was a practical choice, particularly for older women, but has since been revamped into a classic red carpet hairdo. To this day, the look is beloved for its rounded shape and soft, yet precise curls.

Classic Chignon

Chignons are the ultimate power move. This refined hairstyle remains a timeless go-to for many, especially on special occasions. It can be worn either at the nape of the neck or way up high as more of a ballerina bun. Either way, it's sure to give a sophisticated finish to any look.

Vintage Volume

The '60s were also a time when pulling your bangs back first became a thing. To keep the look balance, this vintage style pairs the poof with ultra-voluminous mids and ends as opposed to super-straight lengths. The result is nothing short of glamorous.

Pretty Pompadour

TV star Nichelle Nichols gave us a few stunning style moments in her run as Uhura on Star Trek, but our favorite is this sleek pompadour, which is the perfect combination of futuristic and chic. Long live the pomp.

Side-Swept Bombshell Bangs

Diahann Carroll showcased another hairstyle that boomed in the '60s: side-swept bombshell bangs. The major swoop is a great way to frame the face and add softness to any haircut.

'60s Flip

By now, it's clear that flipped-out and flipped-under styles were a staple of the '60s. Add hair clips, bows, and headbands to the mix, and you have yourself another style that was worn endlessly throughout the decade. Here, J.Lo sports a traditional '60s flip with a black bow headband.

'60s Glam Waves

Glam-inspired curls embodied true Hollywood essence in the '60s. This hairstyle often came with cascading delicate bends for timeless appeal. To achieve this look, wear your hair in loose barrel rollers. Once taken down, seal it with hairspray and you're good to go.

Sleek Center Part

Diana Ross shows us another great style from the '60s that could easily be translated for today: a sleek, straight bob with a center part. It's equal parts polished and voluminous for a classic look.

Pigtails and Curtain Bangs

Midway through the '60s, Brigitte Bardot introduced playful pigtails into the mix. She wrapped bows around each pony to add an even more feminine take on the carefree style. Paired with curtain bangs, this look is the epitome of youthful and fun.

The New Pixie

We have Twiggy to thank for a lot of '60s styles such as mod clothing and those inky black defined lashes. She is also responsible for being the poster child for the new pixie. The short, smooth crop was seen as rebellious against the big bombshell hair of the time, but that didn't stop everyone from taking inspiration from the latest style.

Hippie Hair

Free-flowing waves were at the opposite end of the more coiffed and styled spectrum, but musicians such as Janis Joplin and Joan Baez helped to popularize the carefree look.

The Bouffant

The classic bouffant featured shorter-length hair piled sky-high with the help of curls or volume.

To achieve this look, colorist, Lauren Paglionico says to blow out your hair using a large round brush and then apply a velcro roller to each section to set it (Setting it helps to create extra volume.) "Begin backcombing your hair from the crown of your head, making sure to leave out the face-framing pieces. This will add the extra height to the style," she says. "Finish by either pinning the sides up for a half-up, half-down style, or leaving the hair down."

Bouncy Blowout

Jane Fonda still gives us major hair envy, a talent she has had for decades. Here, a fresh, fluffy blowout proves that major body and volume can be achieved with good products and a blowdryer.

"Start by dividing the hair into two-inch sections, drying the hair with a small to medium-size round brush (depending on your length) from the roots to the ends. Make sure to aim the nozzle downward to create tension as you slide the brush to the ends," says Paglionico. "Clip these sections into loose rolls once dried. After the sections have cooled, undo the clips and run your fingers through your hair to smooth it out, then set with a firm hairspray."

Classic Beehive

Audrey Hepburn's beehive in Breakfast at Tiffany's is an iconic style that is still recreated today (and its less voluminous counterpart, the baby beehive). With a heavily coiffed crown and smooth front layers pulled around to the back that always looked perfectly tailored, this style became a mainstay in women's beauty routines worldwide.

To begin a beehive style, Paglionico suggests blow-drying your hair with a large round brush to create volume. Then, set sections of your hair with rollers. "After the hair has cooled, backcomb small sections of hair at the top of the head to create the base," she says. "Begin smoothing the hair at the top, and gathering hair into the shape of a beehive. If needed, you may use a donut or bump insert for extra height. Finish the look off with pins to secure the shape and add styled face-framing pieces, then set with hairspray." 

Flipped Ponytail

"I loved when Hailey Bieber re-created this look for the 2019 Met Gala," says Paglionico of the sophisticated style that Bieber paired with winged liner and a black velvet bow, to pay homage to the retro style all around.

Start by gathering your hair into a high ponytail. Then, take small sections, about 1-2 inches wide, and curl the ends with a straightener or curling iron outward. "Be sure to hold the curl for a few seconds in order to set the shape. You can also add velcro rollers to the ends for extra hold," says Paglionico.

Bardot Bangs

Brigitte Bardot popularized the ultra-fluffy curtain bang, which typically starts above the eyebrow and fans out just below the cheekbone. A decade later, Jane Birkin and her Birkin bangs would be the center of the '70s hairstyle circuit.

"Brigitte Bardot's bangs gave off a romantic, flirty feel and can be worn for any occasion. This is what creates a curtain effect," says Paglionico. "The easiest way to style is by using a 1-inch curling iron. Curl the bangs away from your face, starting from the top and curling down to the ends." Then, she recommends using a soft bristle brush and gently brush through the curls. Set with a light, flexible hairspray.

Effortless Shag

The shag haircut, once a rebellious symbol in the '60s, has returned as one of the most trendy looks today. It features messy, tousled layers that give it an effortless feel. These days, the style is sported in every and all lengths, and as seen here, on Jane Birkin, pairs perfectly with a bang.

Headpiece Galore

Whether a scarf or knitted cap, headpieces were a major trend in the late '60s and throughout the '70s. They were, and remain, an easy and effective way to dress up the hair with little to no effort.

Pouf Perfection

The pouf was everywhere throughout the '60s. It was bold and fun as it packed tons of volume at the top. Recreate this statement 'do by teasing the crown of your hair (or you can cheat this look by adding a clip-on bump underneath). Seal with hairspray and you're all set.