How to Do 60s Hairdos

Co-authored by Kana Ishii

Last Updated: March 21, 2023 References

The 1960s was known for fun and glamorous hairstyles that were characterized by a lot of lift and volume. At the beginning of the decade, short, volumized bobs were popular. Tall beehive updos and other voluminous styles came into fashion in the mid sixties, often popularized by music icons of the time. In the late sixties, long hair as well as natural hair and afros started to rise in fashion because of the hippie movement, and hairstyles that took less preparation and maintenance came into style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating Voluminous Hairstyles

1
Make a tall beehive. Begin by making a horizontal part in your hair, starting above one of your ears and going around your head to the other ear to divide the top of your hair from the bottom. Clip the top section of hair out of the way. Roll the bottom section against your head in a spiral and pin it to your head a few inches above the nape of your neck.^{[1]
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- Unclip the top section of your hair and divide it into a top section and two side sections. Hold the top section straight up and tease with a comb, combing from the midsection down to your scalp. Do this until your hair is very textured and teased. Tease the other section of your hair slightly too, then take a comb and start combing all the hair back.
- The teasing should have encouraged your hair into a tall beehive shape. Keep combing to mold this beehive, then clip the ends of your hair so that your hair stays put. Spray your hair liberally with hairspray and enjoy this classic look!
2
Make a bumped ponytail. Get volumized hair by adding mousse or styling product into towel dried hair and blow drying your hair. Take the front section of hair right above your forehead and hold it straight up. Tease it with a comb by combing downward from the midsection to the crown of your head. Then gather your hair into a low ponytail, making sure not pulling your hair back too tightly so that there is still some volume.^{[2]
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- Loosen the top section by taking a finger, inserting it sideways into the hair at the top of your head and pulling up gently to create a 60s esque bump at the top of your head. Then use a comb to smooth the hair on the top of your head.
- To hide your hair tie, wind a piece of hair around the hair tie to obscure it and clip it under the ponytail with a bobby pin.
- Dry shampoo or texture hair sprays help to increase hair volume.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kana Ishii
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  Expert Interview. 22 December 2021.}
- They do not make hair crunchy and stiff.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kana Ishii
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  Expert Interview. 22 December 2021.}
- You can spray them on the roots then tease the hair with fine teeth comb.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kana Ishii
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  Expert Interview. 22 December 2021.}
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3
Do a flipped medium-length hairstyle. Comb your hair until it is smooth and tangle-free. Then divide your hair into about four sections. Take one section and give it a healthy spritz of hairspray at the end to give your hair more texture and hold. Clamp the tip of the hair into a 1 inch curling iron and roll the bottom of your hair in the curling iron until about chin level. Hold the hair there for a few seconds, then take the hair down and repeat the process of curling the ends of the other sections of hair.
- After you curl the ends, pull the front half of your hair in front of your face. Hold the end of your hair in one hand and tease your hair with the other, combing upward from the midsection up toward the top of your head. Then tease the rest of your hair in the same way.
- After teasing, flip your hair back so that the teased sections are hidden and you hair looks smooth and voluminous. Spray your hair liberally with hairspray and add a headband if you wish.
- This hairstyle works for longer hair too but it was done most iconically on short hair in the 60s.
4
Do a half-up volumized hairdo. Begin by creating two parts starting above each side of your forehead, then take the top section of your hair that you just separated and keep it in a bun at the top of your head so that it is out of the way. Give the rest of your hair a slight wave by wrapping sections of your hair around a 1.5 inch curling iron. Then take the hair down that you tied up, hold it straight up. and comb your hair from the midsection to the scalp to tease it.^{[6]
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- Flip the hair so that it goes away from your forehead and has a slight bump. Then comb the very top so that it is smooth. Take the bumped section of hair and pin it at the midpoint of your head to create a half up half down look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing Hippie and Natural Hair Looks

1
Do a natural hair updo. Comb forward your bangs or the hair at the top of your forehead. Use a straightening iron if you have one to get the section completely straight. Pull the section over to the right side of your forehead, then hold it against the side of your head and pin it into a spiral-shaped curl at the hairline. Take the rest of your hair and put it in a high ponytail. Pull at the top of your hair a little to give it some extra volume, then take the ends of your ponytail, twist them around the hair tie and pin them to make a high, elegant bun.^{[7]
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- This is a great look to use on long or medium length natural hair.
2
Create a braided hippie hairstyle. To do a simple hippie hairstyle, wear your hair natural without any product. Create two thin braids, one at each temple, then bring back the braids and secure them with a hair elastic at the back of your head.This is a simple and classic style, no matter if you have straight or curly hair.^{[8]
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3
Wear a rounded afro. Embrace the hippie side of the 1960s by wearing your natural hair long in a round shape afro. Comb small sections of hair away from the scalp with a wide toothed comb. This should cause your hair to form a full, voluminous afro. Use styling products if necessary to help shape your hair.^{[9]
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- You may need to get your hair specially cut so that it is the right length on all sides and can make a completely rounded look.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doing Short Length Hairstyles

1
Do an angled bob hairstyle. To style your angled bob in a high fashion 1960s look, wash and air dry your hair to give it a natural texture. Then take the very back section of your hair and hold it straight up. Backcomb it from the midsection to your scalp to give it extra volume. Lay your hair back down on your head and comb the top of your hair to smooth it. Then comb your bangs or the hair framing one side of your face across your forehead and over to another and pin the hair there so that it stays.^{[10]
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- This style is extra mod and high fashion if you have a dramatically angled bob that is longer in the front and shorter in the back.
2
Style your pixie cut. If you already have a pixie cut, make it extra 60s-esque by brushing it to make it straight and sleek. Add shine pomade to give it an extra sleek, mod look and brush your bangs to the side to give it a 60s flair.^{[11]
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- The pixie cut look was popularized by the model Twiggy.
3
Do a mop top. If you already have a mop top style haircut with long bangs and hair that falls to the ears and just touches your shoulders in the back, maintain it by adding product and straightening it. If you have curly or wavy hair, use a straightening iron to straighten it, then add mousse or styling product and work it through your hair for a little extra volume. Instead of wearing your bangs to the side, comb them straight down so that they cover your eyebrows.
- This is a boyish look that was popularized by The Beatles in the early stages of their career.
4
Do a pompadour hairstyle. To do this late 50s, early 60s hairstyle, make sure you are working on damp hair. Apply a hair cream or gel to give your hair extra texture, pushing the hair backward and working the product through your hair. Spray your hair with heat protectant, then blow dry hair, aiming the dryer so that it blows your hair away from your face. Brush your hair backward with your fingers, then apply a styling aid such as a wax paste to keep your hair in place.
5
Do a sleek side part look. To do this style, your hair should be about one inch (2.54 cm) on the sides and 4 inches (10.16 cm) on top. Blow dry your wet hair, aiming the dryer so that it blows your hair back. Add pomade with your fingers when your hair is almost dry, and comb the sides of your hair diagonally toward the nape of your neck. Use the comb to make a straight side part on one side of your head and brush your hair to either side.^{[12]
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- Put your hand on the very top of your head and gently push it a little toward your forehead to make a slight bump. Then spray with hairspray to make the style last extra long.