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.
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.
Center Part - 1955
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.
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.
Platinum Blonde – 1958
The platinum blonde sex-pot look was popularized by Marilyn Monroe, but Jayne Mansfield played the Hollywood role with panache.
Twentieth Century Fox debuted her on film with The Girl Can’t Help It, just when Monroe’s future with the studio was becoming uncertain.