1960s Hairstyles: Recreating the Decade’s Most Iconic Looks

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The 1960s was a vibrant decade marked by bold fashion and daring hairstyles that still inspire us today. 

From the voluminous bouffants and sleek bobs to the carefree waves and iconic beehives, the 1960s hairstyles were all about making a statement. Women embraced their individuality, experimenting with new textures, lengths, and accessories to create unforgettable looks. 

Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of a French twist or the playful charm of a pixie cut, 1960s hairstyles offer a delightful blend of glamour and rebellion. 

In this article, we’ll dive into this era of style and discover the timeless trends that continue to captivate and charm.

27 Signature Hairstyles of the 60s

The 1960s were marked by distinct and bold hairstyles that captured the spirit of the decade. Below are some of the iconic looks that defined this era.

1. Beehive Updo for Straight Hair

The beehive updo, made famous by celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, is a voluminous hairstyle that stacks hair high on the head to create a beehive shape. This look is ideal for straight hair and is perfect for formal events or glamorous nights out. 

To achieve this style, tease the hair at the crown, add smooth top layers, and pin it into place, ensuring maximum height and hold.

2. Bouffant With Side-Swept Bangs for Wavy Hair

The bouffant with side-swept bangs is a teased and voluminous style, perfect for wavy hair textures. Popularized by First Lady Jackie Kennedy, this sophisticated look is great for both day and evening wear. 

To style, tease the roots for volume, smooth the top layer, and sweep the bangs to one side for a polished finish.

3. Pixie Cut for Straight Hair

The pixie cut, made iconic by model Twiggy, is a short, cropped hairstyle that is ideal for straight hair. This chic and low-maintenance look is perfect for highlighting facial features and is great for everyday wear. 

To style, simply apply a bit of hair wax or gel to add texture and definition.

4. Afro for Kinky Hair

The Afro is a natural, rounded, and voluminous hairstyle that celebrates the texture of kinky hair. This style became a symbol of pride and identity in the African American community during the 1960s. 

To maintain this look, keep hair moisturized and use a pick to shape and define the Afro for maximum volume.

5. Flip Hairstyle for Medium-Length Hair

The flip hairstyle, popular in the 1960s thanks to icons like Mary Tyler Moore, features hair that is styled to flip outward at the ends. This playful and dynamic look is perfect for medium-length hair and adds a fun twist to everyday styling. 

To achieve the flip, use a round brush while blow-drying and set with hairspray for hold.

6. Shaggy Pixie for Wavy Hair

The shaggy pixie looked tousled and had volume and texture in this decade, making it perfect for wavy hair. Think Goldie Hawn’s youthful spirit, reflecting the era’s embrace of freedom and individuality in fashion.

To style, apply a texturizing spray to enhance the natural wave and create a carefree, tousled effect.

7. Sleek Bob for Straight Hair

The sleek bob is a sharp, chin-length cut with a smooth and straight finish, ideal for straight hair. This hairstyle gained popularity through fashion-forward celebrities like Vidal Sassoon’s clients. 

For a polished look, use a flat iron to straighten the hair and apply a shine serum to keep it glossy and frizz-free.

8. Feathered Layers for Long Hair

Feathered layers are soft, cascading layers that frame the face, perfect for long hair. This style was made famous by actresses and models of the 1960s who embraced a more natural, flowing look. 

To style, blow-dry the hair with a round brush to add volume and use a light hairspray to keep the layers defined and in place.

9. Bubble Cut for Short Hair

The bubble cut is a rounded, voluminous style that creates a bubble-like shape around the head. It is perfect for short hair and was a favorite among fashion-forward women in the 1960s. 

To achieve this style, tease the hair at the crown for volume and use a round brush while blow-drying to shape the hair into a rounded form, finishing with a strong-hold hairspray.

10. Mod Cut for Short Hair

The mod cut is a geometric, angular hairstyle inspired by the mod fashion movement of the 1960s, characterized by its sharp lines and bold shapes. This edgy look was popularized by British models like Mary Quant and is ideal for short hair. 

To style, use a straightener to achieve precise, clean lines and apply a smoothing serum to maintain a sleek finish.

11. Long, Straight Hair With Middle Part

Long, straight hair parted in the middle became a symbol of natural beauty and freedom, popularized by the budding hippie culture of the 1960s. Icons like Cher and Ali MacGraw made this look famous.

To achieve this look, use a flat iron to ensure the hair is sleek and straight, and part it evenly down the middle.

12. Curly Bob for Curly Hair

The curly bob is a short hairstyle that embraces natural curls, often styled with added volume. This look became popular in the 1960s as women began to celebrate their natural hair textures. 

Ideal for curly hair, this style is perfect for both casual and formal occasions. To style, use a curl-enhancing mousse and a diffuser to define the curls and add volume.

13. Half-Up, Half-Down for Wavy Hair

The half-up, half-down hairstyle involves teasing and pulling back the top half of the hair and securing it, while the rest flows freely. This versatile look was popular with a beehive among young women in the 1960s for its effortless charm.

To style, gather the top section of the hair, tease it, and secure it with a clip or band, then smooth the top layer of the hair. Allow the rest of your hair to cascade down in waves.

14. Chignon for Straight Hair

The chignon is a low, elegant bun typically worn at the nape of the neck, a classic style that gained popularity in the 1960s for formal events. Ideal for straight hair, this sophisticated look was often seen on actresses like Audrey Hepburn. 

To create a chignon, gather the hair into a low ponytail, twist or tuck it into a bun, and secure it with pins, finishing with hairspray for hold.

15. Tousled Beehive Updo With Wispy Bangs

Step into the chic world of the 1960s with Brigitte Bardot’s iconic tousled beehive updo and curtain bangs. 

This hairstyle boasts voluminous waves elegantly styled into a lofty crown, complemented by soft, wispy bangs that frame the face. Slightly curl the framing pieces for a more glamorous look.

16. Teased Crown With Loose Waves

This hairstyle features a teased crown for added volume, with the rest of the hair left in loose waves. Popular in the 1960s for its glamorous appeal, it is ideal for wavy hair and perfect for evening events. 

To achieve this look, tease the hair at the crown until you get a round shape around the head, smooth the top layer, and use a curling iron to create loose waves at the loose ends, finishing with a light hairspray for hold.

17. Bouffant Ponytail for Long Hair

The bouffant ponytail features a high ponytail with a teased crown to add volume, making it a standout look for long hair. This style was popularized by 1960s icons like Brigitte Bardot and is perfect for both casual and formal occasions. 

To achieve this look, tease the hair at the crown, smooth the top layer, and gather the hair into a ponytail, securing it with a band and finishing with hairspray for hold. You may style with curtain bangs for the Bardot look.

18. Sleek and Straight With a Headband

Sleek and straight hair with a beehive held back with a simple headband creates a clean and polished look, ideal for straight hair. This style became popular in the 1960s thanks to fashion icons like Jean Shrimpton. 

To style, tease the hair at the back to achieve a beehive, smooth the top layer for a straight finish, and place a headband at the hairline. For a more ’60s look, add wispy or curtain bangs.

19. Wavy Bob

The 1960s wavy bob is a chin-length cut that enhances waves, adding texture and movement to the hair. This look was embraced by many women in the 1960s for its effortless elegance.

To achieve this look, tease the crown and smooth the top layer to create a beehive, then use a sea salt spray to define your waves and a diffuser to dry the hair, creating a tousled, textured finish.

20. Thick High Ponytail With a Ribbon

The high ponytail with a ribbon is a playful and youthful hairstyle popularized by 1960s pop culture icons like Brigitte Bardot. 

To style, gather the hair into a high ponytail, secure it with a thick elastic, pull the hair near the elastic apart until the hair frames your face, and tie a ribbon around the base for a charming finish. Use a hair iron to flick the ends of the hair outward for that iconic ‘60s silhouette.

Quick Tip

If you have thin hair, you may add extensions at the back that match the length of the ponytail for added volume and flick them together with your hair iron so the extensions camouflage with the ponytail.

21. Short Shag

The short shag is a layered cut that enhances natural waves and curls, creating a textured and voluminous look. This style became popular in the 1960s for its carefree and rebellious vibe. It’s perfect for everyday wear and adds a touch of effortless style. 

To achieve this look, have your hair cut in short layers and with bangs, use a lightweight mousse to define waves and curls and a diffuser to dry the hair, enhancing texture and volume.

22. Flipped Bob With a Pouf and Headband

Embrace the chic elegance of the flipped bob with a headband for a timeless and sophisticated look. 

Picture a sleek bob with a beehive on top and ends that gracefully flip outward, framing your face with effortless charm. Paired with a stylish headband, this hairstyle complements any outfit, making it perfect for casual outings and special occasions.

23. Voluminous Waves for Medium-Length Hair

Vintage waves are classic, defined waves that give a medium-length hairstyle a touch of Hollywood glam from the 1960s. This look was popular among movie stars and is ideal for medium-length hair. 

To achieve this look, tease roots for volume, smooth the top layer of your hair, then gently use a curling iron to create defined waves. Brush them out gently for a smooth finish, and set with a strong-hold hairspray to maintain the shape.

24. Side Part With Volume

This side part style with voluminous waves features hair parted to the side with added lift at the roots, creating a sophisticated and chic look. Layers are curled outward, and roots are teased for volume. This style was popularized by 1960s fashion icons like Jackie Kennedy. 

To achieve this look, part the hair deeply to one side, tease the roots for volume, smooth the top layer with a comb, and curl the ends of the layers outward, finishing with a light hairspray to hold the style in place.

25. Bouffant With Curls

The bouffant with curls is a voluminous hairstyle that incorporates natural curls, adding height and drama to the look. This style was popular in the 1960s among women who wanted to make a bold statement. 

To achieve this look, tease the hair at the crown for volume, define the curls with a curl-enhancing mousse, and secure with hairspray for hold.

26. Half-Up Bouffant for Medium-Length Hair

The half-up bouffant is a hairstyle where the top half of the hair is teased for volume and secured, while the bottom half is left down in cascading waves, creating a voluminous look. 

To achieve this look, tease the hair at the crown for volume, smooth the top layer, and secure the top section with pins or a clip, leaving the rest of the hair to fall naturally. You can also slightly curl the rest of the hair to add waves.

Let Your Next Haircut Be Inspired by 1960s Hairstyles!

Exploring iconic 1960s hairstyles is like taking a delightful journey through a decade of bold fashion and unforgettable beauty trends. 

From the voluminous beehives and bouffants and playful pixie cuts to the elegant carefree waves, each style tells a story of individuality and flair. 

These timeless looks continue to inspire modern fashion, proving that great style never goes out of date. 

Whether you’re looking to channel your inner Brigitte Bardot or embrace the natural beauty of a classic Afro, the 1960s offers a treasure trove of chic, versatile hairstyles that are perfect for any occasion.