How to Do 1920s Hairstyles - Easy Tutorials for Short and Long Hair

Of course, the bob cut is the most iconic hairstyle of the Roaring Twenties. A bob is a blunt cut at ear level, although some people wore it shorter or longer, at the chin. Although some socialites and artists had worn their hair short before the 1920s, it was the dancer Irene Castle who made it truly fashionable during World War I. By the 1920s, the bob cut had arrived to stay.

How to style a 1920s bob cut:

The first thing you need to know is that you can wear a 1920s bob cut with or without bangs; in case you do have them, they should be cut straight or heart-shaped. Make a deep side part with a fine comb; it should look sharp.

• Classic slicked bob: A true 1920s bob straight bob should not show any frizz or flyaway hairs. It's a good idea to brush it forward.

• Wavy bob: Simply curl and then brush out your hair. Get extra texture by using sprays or pins.

• Curly bob: Make it as big and messy as you want, and add a headband or headscarf.

• Shingle bob: The neck is shaved in a V-shape. It should look really slick.

• Eton bob: The shortest of all bobs. Make it shiny and smooth with gel or brillantine.

No matter what short 1920s hairstyle you decide to do, spit or kiss curls framing your face - on the forehead or framing the ears - will look amazing. You can simply do them by shaping short hairs with gel.

How to make 1920s finger waves:

The difference between finger waves and Marcel waves is not that big; the name just refers to the method. Like spit curls, finger waves were worn in the 1920s to soften the sharpness of the haircuts and frame the face. They should look defined and geometrical.

1. Wet the areas of the hair you're going to wave thoroughly - don't try to make finger waves on dry hair.
2. Brush the lock backward with a fine comb and your fingers and pin in place.
3. Brush the same lock forward and pin in place.
4. Repeat the process backwards and forwards until you get as many waves as you want.
5. Spray so that the waves stay defined.
6. Remove the clips.

For more detailed instructions with pictures, take a look at our tutorial on how to do 1920s finger waves.

Here are more ideas on how to style a bob cut.

If you have medium-length hair, you might think that your hair is too long for a bob or too short for a roll. Don't worry - it's the perfect length for a faux or "nervous" bob or for glamorous, vintage pin curls.

How to make a 1920s faux bob:

1. Divide your hair into different areas.
2. Curl or wave the front and sides and make sure you get quite a lot of volume.
3. Braid and coil the hair on your nape into a tight bun or flat braids against your head.
4. Pin that back section very tightly and cover it with the rest of the hair.

You can also wear a straight faux bob by simply folding your hair in and pinning it.

How to wear your hair in pin curls:

1. Divide your hair into sections and pin all of them up except for the one at the bottom.
2. Dampen your hair.
3. Roll up each individual lock and pin in place.
4. When you're done with the bottom section, let loose one above and repeat the process.
5. Once your hair is all up in pin curls, fix it with spray, mousse or gel.

An interesting 1920s hairstyle, which looks a bit strange for our standards, is the earphones one. Similar to Princess Leia's cinnamon buns, the hair was parted in the middle, worn in two braids and rolled over each ear.

While the bobbed flappers are the image most of us have when we think of the Roaring Twenties, not all women wore their hair short. In fact, long hair could be fashionably worn in curls, rolls and chignons.

If you have long hair you can still wear it in a faux bob, although it might be more difficult because of the weight and volume. Instead, why not style your hair in a Gibson tuck or roll? It's an older hairstyle, but it was still worn in the 1920s. Plus, it's a perfect hairstyle for a rainy day.

How to make a Gibson tuck:

1. Make a deep side part.
2. Take one side and twist it backward from the temple to your nape.
3. Do the same with the other side.
4. Put your two twisted strands into a low ponytail.
5. Roll the ponytail upwards and tuck it into the tie.

You can also wear a flat, low chignon.

How to make rag curls:

This technique is way older, and was already used in the 19th Century. The famous actress Mary Pickford did not bob her hair until 1928; until then, she was famous for her long curls.

1. Wet your hair thoroughly.
2. Roll each lock with rags.
3. Tie them up.
4. Go to sleep, or leave the rags up for some hours.
5. The following morning, or when your hair is completely dry, untie the rags.

This is how to make 1920s hairstyles for short, medium and long hair. Of course, these are just our favorites. If you have any tips or favorite hairstyles, please tell us in the comments section!

And if you want to get the complete look, here is how to dress up 20's style. You can also get the hair from decades past with how to do 1940s pin-up hairstyles (for short hair) and how to do 1990s hairstyles.

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