Vivien Leigh framed her face equally, down the middle, in tight sculpted curls.
The actress’ hairdo was created in stark contrast to the popular deep side part, which characterized the glamorous looks of Monroe, Taylor, and Hepburn.
The Cap Cut – 1953
Elizabeth Taylor made this modified pixie cut popular with young American women in the early 50s.
Also known as the Italian cut, Italian screen actresses Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren did their part to glamorize the short wavy curls.
The Sabrina – 1954
Here is Audrey Hepburn’s iconic pixie cut featuring her natural cowlick, noticeable in the little curl at the side of the part. The rest of her hair is swept to the opposite side of the part delicately framing her features.
Hepburn went short during the filming of Roman Holiday a year earlier. Her character chopped it all off in an act of youthful independence.
Classic Wave – 1956
Grace Kelly epitomized the elegance of the classic wave. Her sleek curls turned under, soft and smooth as silk at the shoulder, is a very popular 1950s style.
The pageboy-length look can be achieved by using a 1-1.5-inch barrel curling iron and hair clips.
Soft Curls – 1957
Rita Hayworth wore her soft curls with a deep side part, effectuating a cascading pile of wavy curls flowing off her shoulder.
The actress, who the press liked to call “The Love Goddess” was not the only Golden Age Hollywood starlet to bring soft curls into vogue. Elizabeth Taylor also plastered the silver screen with her head of dark, soft textured curls.