Back in the fifties, hairstyles took a lot of work just to be presentable. There were setting creams to make pin curls, tape and bobby pins for the curls, regular curlers, and more.
And to help all that hard work stick around, millions of women used these popular 1950s hairspray brands. Here’s a look back!
Smart girls never go outdoors without Spray Net hair spray (1956)
Going places? Keep your hair in place the Spray Net way… it’s such a joy!
Smart girls never go outdoors without it … For Helene Curtis has found a way to put “holding quality” into a hair spray without making you hate the feel of your hair. It’s the wonderful, wonderful spray that leaves no stickiness whatsoever.
A pretty hairdo will always pick you out of the crowd. Smart girls never go outdoors without Helene Curtis Spray Net — it’s America’s favorite hair spray because it really is the best… in every way.
1950s hairspray: Revlon Satin Set pin-curl spray set
Now… no more nightly pin-ups! In 5 extra seconds set pin-curls that last twice as long!
Just pin and spray for curls that stay! No dabbing, no spilly chemicals, no lacquer!
Who wants to pin up curls every night? Not you! But you do want soft, cared-for curls — all the time!
And now you can have them without nightly pin-ups, without fuss or muss . . . thanks to new Revlon ‘Satin-Set’! It takes just five extra seconds . . . gives you soft, shining pin-curls that last for days!
New ‘Satin-Set’ keeps hair in place, too, without lacquer. Lets you renew waves with a damp comb! It’s good to hair (even little girls’ curls) because it contains Lano-lite! Do buy ‘Satin-Set’ today!
Vintage Max Factor Curl Control hairspray (1957)
New MAX FACTOR CURL CONTROL makes straight hair stay curly… without permanents… without sticky sprays
Now we announce a whole new idea in making the curls you love. An idea that makes every hair spray you’ve ever seen just plain old-fashioned.
Spray it on …Comb it through …Set your curls to stay! Only Max Factor Sof-Set Curl Control, with fabulous Protein Polymist, can be sprayed on first, to go deep down all through the hair, giving it new body, new flexibility, new natural wave tendencies you never knew you had!
And here’s a big plus—Protein Polymist not only holds beautiful curls …it also gives you lovelier, more lustrous hair.
Makes All Other Hair Sprays Old Fashioned! Now for the first time, each and every hair holds in place naturally where you want it — just like you’d been born with curls.
Change Your Hair To Suit Your Mood:CURL CONTROL makes most hair so easy to manage it can be combed into a new style as easily as you change your hat.
Curls Even Stubborn Hair: Even women who have extremely difficult hair now find that Sof-Set Curl Control lets them re-style their hair often … in new different ways … and they need pin-up far less often when they make Curl Control spray-first pin-ups.
For extremely resistant hair, Curl Control creates pin-curls that last longer than ever before … hold even in damp or humid weather.
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That’s because Curl Control is sprayed on first! It gets all through the hair before setting and you get that exclusive deep down curls-from-within action that no old-fashioned hair spray could ever get.
Custom Formulated in Two Types —”Fine” or”Medium”: We all know that “fine” hair is much more difficult to control… but until spray-first Curl Control was created nothing could be done to help “fine” hair problems.
Now Max Factor creates Curl Control in two formulas … one for the special needs of hard-to-manage “fine” hair. It’s in the smart pink foil container marked “FINE.”
For all other types of hair, from medium to coarse, Max Factor makes Sof-Set Curl Control in the “MEDIUM” formula, in the plum-colored foil container. Obviously, different hair types need different formulas … the wrong spray can cause stiffness or stickiness or be too weak to control properly.
Get the Max Factor Curl Control made to suit YOUR own hair… at all cosmetic counters. Only $1.50 for the large six-ounce size …super economy size not,- only $1.89.
Breck Hair Set Mist (1957)
A NEW, SLENDER CONTAINER FOR THE FRAGRANT SPRAY THAT HOLDS HAIR SOFTLY, BEAUTIFULLY IN PLACE
Breck Hair Set Mist, a fragrant spray, is now available in an attractive new, slender container. This graceful new package is easy to use and economical to purchase.
Breck Hair Set Mist is gentle as nature’s mist, yet its delicate touch holds your hair softly in place for hours.
After combing, a few brief sprays keep the hair beautifully in place. When it’s time for freshening, a damp comb renews your waves without respraying.
Breck Hair Set Mist provides a quick and easy way to make lasting pin curls, too. Fragrant as a bouquet, Breck Hair Set Mist contains lanolin, which leaves the hair soft to the touch and brings out the natural lustre and beauty of your hair.
MORE: Here’s a retro shampoo commercial so gosh darn wholesome, it’s like a ’50s cliche in a bottle
Vintage 1950sLiquinet spray hair net
“Our stars choose Liquinet,” says famous Universal Studio stylist Joan St. Oegger, the invisible mist that keeps hair caressably soft, lustrous, manageable.
And you can easily keep your hair as perfect as the stars, with Liquinet. Just press… pouf … Liquinet spray captures the “just-combed” beauty of your hair .. . holds each curl and wave naturally in place for hours . . . even in wet, windy weather!
Set It — Liquinet It! When you roll up your pin curls, use Liquinet for longer-lasting curls… for a fast set. Dries almost instantly!
Comb out your curls … another quick Liquinet spray … and your hair becomes gloriously obedient, gleaming with sparkling highlights.
Pride In It! Day and night, ’round the clock, for breath-taking hair beauty, insist on the original and genuine spray hair net … Liquinet! At all leading drug and cosmetic counters.
Shown: Actress Lori Nelson, co-starred in “All I Desire,” a Universal-International Picture
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Helene Curtis Go Gay hairspray from the ’50s
New Go Gay: The first holding hairspray with shine right in it!
Some products make your hair shine but don’t hold it in place — New GoGay gives your hair both shine and hold
ALSO SEE: 21 bad vintage product names you wouldn’t see today
1950s hair care brands: Lustre Net Hair Spray
New Spray-Set by the makers of Lustre-Creme… SETS HAIR TO STAY THE SOFTEST WAY!
Loved by Hollywood Stars because it’s non-drying… contains no lacquer… mists hair with Lanolin!
Hollywood found it first… now it can be yours! There are 2 types of Lustre-Net. Super-soft for loose, casual hair-dos. Regular for hard-to-manage hair.
Shown: IDA LUPINO, lovely star of television program, “MR. ADAMS AND EVE.”
Rayette Aqua Net hair spray (1956)
RAYETTE AQUA NET HAIR SPRAY… favorite in our Beauty Studio! This professional hair finish now contains PVP, a new ingredient that holds your hair softly in place without gumminess or “build-up.”
Ideal Protection for coiffures during damp weather! Rayette Aqua Net in pressurized container, with spray nozzle $2.00.
MORE: Short cuts: How to create 3 vintage hairstyles from 1950
Richard Hudnut Beauty Curl (1957)
Don’t burn the beauty out of your hair with drying alcohol sprays
New! The only splay- set with no alcohol — builds beauty as it curls
Such silky, soft curls! Never dry-looking. Such shiny, springy curls! Never stiff, sticky or flaky.
Real dream stuff. this fabulous new Beauty Curl. Sets beauty . . . holds beauty… builds beauty! And without a drop of drying. burning alcohol that can rob your hair of the natural oils that protect its precious lustre.
No sticky lacquer or gummy fixative, either. Yet you can use it to set and to hold! And every time you spray it on, you can see an added glow.
That’s because Beauty Curl builds beauty from within. No wonder your soft, shiny curls keep their joyous bounce even on the dampest day. Get new Beauty Curl today!
Helene Curtis Spray Net – vintage 50s hair spray (1957)
“love walks the pleasant mazes of her hair”
Your hair remembers its loveliest lines…when it’s trained with Helene Curtis Spray Net
If your hair inspires no poetry, is the fault perhaps your own? Are you using a mere pincurl spray? Or are you training your hair with Helene Curtis SPRAY NET and its exclusive “control” ingredient?
ALSO SEE: 50+ sexist vintage ads so bad, you almost won’t believe they were real
Use SPRAY NET to set silky but long-lasting pincurls. Use it as always to hold your hair in place. Gradually, excitingly your curls get the habit of curling.
These lovely waves remember their place from shampoo to shampoo. Use SPRAY NET faithfully and soon your hair will be trained to softest perfection — poetic perfection!
BOTH FORMULAS NOW IN GLAMOROUS NEW GOLDEN CONTAINERS: SUPER SOFT trains most hair and hair styles beautifully. REGULAR for hair harder to manage.
NOW SEE THIS: Hairspray: The key to that ’80s big hair look
FAQs
What hairspray was popular in the 50s? ›
| An Aqua Net spray can | |
|---|---|
| Product type | Hair spray |
| Owner | Lornamead, Inc. (Meiyume) |
| Introduced | 1950s |
| Ambassador(s) | The Three Stooges, Donna Mills |
In the US, the first to package it was Chase products (an aerosol manufacturer) in 1948, as the beauty industry saw that the aerosol cans used in World War II for insecticides could be used as a dispenser for hairspray.
What was the most popular hairspray in the 80s? ›Aqua Net Hairspray
That fluffed-up, 1980s glam rock hair wouldn't have been possible without Aqua Net, the decades' choice of hairspray. This super-stay spray kept those teased-up tresses looking larger than life and our '80s babes looking like MTV video vixens all day long.
Long before the twentieth century invention of aerosol hairspray, Victorian women were using sticky hair products to fix their wayward locks stiffly into place. Of these, the most popular was a clear gum solution known as bandoline. Liquid bandoline could be purchased at most Victorian perfumers.
What type of hair was popular in the 1950s? ›The Bouffant
Perhaps one of the most prevalent styles of the 1950s, the bouffant, which would later give way to the amped-up, towering "beehive" style, involved dramatic volume, backcombing and ample use of hairspray.
Mature men's hairstyles were always short and neat, and they were generally maintained with hair-oil.
What was used to style hair in the 1940s? ›Rolls were the hallmark hairdo of the 1940s, a favorite way for women to spruce up their curls in an as glamorous a way as possible. Using a head of set pin curls to start, they would position rolls on the crown of their head or at the sides.
What is Steve's hairspray called? ›In the show, Steve tells Dustin that the secret behind his swoon-inducing coif is Fabergé Organics shampoo and conditioner and four puffs of Farrah Fawcett hairspray, but the *actual* product used on set was quite different, and finding it took some trial and error.
What are the two different types of hairspray? ›Non-Aerosol Hairsprays. There is a wide range of formulas you can choose from when it comes to hair sprays. These include the terms you're probably most familiar with, such as extra hold, regular hold, weather control, but also two other important distinctions: aerosol and non-aerosol.
What happens if you use hairspray everyday? ›Is it bad to use hairspray every day? Yes, hairspray has chemicals that can make your hair dry, dull and cause itchiness and flakiness in the scalp. It is advisable to not use hairspray everyday and if you do, make sure to follow a proper hair care regime.
Can you just use hairspray to style hair? ›
You can use hairspray as part of your daily routine, or if you're looking to jazz things up a bit. It's really down to you and your hair needs. Hairspray's not reserved for those flashy nights out or those styles that require a force of bobby pins to hold. Just try it out!
What were popular trends in the 1950s? ›1950's Trends
1950's fashion was casual yet formal and elegant. Shoulder lines became more softened, corset waists became smaller, and rounded hips with long skirts became popular. The iconic gray felt poodle skirts emerged with white bobby socks and saddle shoes.
The 1950s were all about creating a softer, more feminine look. Back in those days, women wore softly curled hair, gorgeous lipstick, defined eyebrows, and rosy cheeks.
What did they wear in their hair in the 50s? ›In the 1950s there were many different types of hairstyles, but the most popular ones were ponytails with a short fringe and a scarf bouffant. Scarf Bouffant: To recreate this hairstyle, you will need hairspray (and a lot of it), bobby pins and a head scarf; preferably nylon or a silk-like material.
How did people in the 50s curl their hair? ›There were two main ways to create curls and waves in hair – a wet set or perm. The more traditional wet set techniques include using pin curls or rollers. First of all, a setting lotion would be applied to the wet hair, then the hair and set in pin curls or rollers. A drying hood baked the set into place.
What was the most popular hairstyle in 1965? ›1963 - 1965: French film star Brigitte Bardot popularized heavy bangs and voluminous hair. Adding volume to the top of the hair, whether pulled all the way up or cascading down, was a popular takeaway from the beehive trend developed in 1960.
What kind of cut did Marilyn Monroe have? ›For the most part, Marilyn's hair was always cut in a short- to medium-length bob.
What is the most timeless hairstyle? ›- Tousled layers.
- Blunt bangs.
- The choppy bob.
- Face-framing waves.
- Corkscrew curls.
- The messy pixie.
- Sleek and straight.
- Middle-parted waves.
I'll give you a hint: it's the product that Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez's hair stylist, Chris Appleton, swears by to get shiny, sleek, glass-like hair. It's the *drum roll, please*.... Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Spray by Color Wow.
What hair spray does Jennifer Aniston use? ›In an interview with Vogue last year, Aniston's stylist, Chris McMillan, spilled that he uses the Sisley-Paris Hair Rituel Volumizing Spray, to achieve Aniston's envious height and volume.
What Hairspray does Kate Middleton use? ›
The hairstylist posted an image on her Instagram of the supplies she had brought with her on a trip with Kate, which showed that she used the L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray.
What hairspray did Farrah Fawcett use? ›Sounds '80s AF, and like most people, we couldn't help but wonder: Did it really exist? It did. Fabergé Organics put out Farrah Fawcett's line of beauty products in the '70s and '80s, which included shampoo, conditioner, and, yes, hairspray. It's possible that all of Steve's hair products had Fawcett on the label.
What hairspray do actresses use? ›"I love L'Oréal Elnette Satin Strong Hold Hairspray," celebrity stylist Cervando Maldonado tells me. "I've used it for years on set and in the salon. It gives the best hold and shine, it doesn't get sticky, and you can still brush through the hair easily to create plenty of styles.
What is Gatsby hair spray? ›Gatsby Set & Keep Ultra Hard Spray is the ultimate setting power for a solid style. The fine mist evenly coats hair for a stylish and long styling hairstyle without any visible residue and a non-sticky shine effect. Furthermore, it offers optimal protection from UV rays.
What is the 60s hairstyle called? ›The Bouffant
The 1960s bouffant carried on from the similar styles of the late 1950s. It varied in size from happily rounded to pretty big. It could be smooth and sleek or tousled with curls and waves. In a word, it was not just one particular look, but one that simply involved big and high pouffed-up hair.
The first version of liquid shampoo (still “soap”) was invented in 1927 by Hans Schwarzkopf. Since 1927, liquid has been the most common form factor for hair cleansing. It was not until 1933 that Hans Schwarzkopf created a soap-free liquid.
What hair products were popular in the 80s? ›- Finesse. Sometimes you needed a little, sometimes you needed a lot. ...
- Salon Selectives. It doesn't get more '80s than Salon Selectives, which brought the salon experience into your own home. ...
- Perma Soft. ...
- Prell. ...
- Jhirmack. ...
- Faberge Organics. ...
- Dimension. ...
- Wella Balsam.
It was pulled from the market in 2009, after Prestige Brands sold Prell, along with anti-dandruff shampoo Denorex, to Ultimark.
How do 70s get bouncy hair? ›Make a middle part, then set your hair in hot rollers facing the back all over your head. After the rollers have cooled, remove them and brush the hair back and shake the curls loose. Use a sea salt spray and hairspray to help the waves keep their body and shape.
Why did everyone have long hair in the 70s? ›Long Hair. The hippie culture of the 60s carried over to the 70s; as the decade fine-tuned what would become known as one of its signature hair styles. Natural, long hair was both a political symbol of rebellion, but it was also just plain popular.
Which hairspray is least damaging to hair? ›
- Josh Rosebrook Hair Spray. The best natural hairspray I've found! ...
- Intelligent Nutrients Hair Spray. ...
- Evolvh Ultraflex Hair Spray. ...
- John Masters Hair Spray. ...
- Giovanni Hair Spray. ...
- Innersense I Create Finish. ...
- Andalou Naturals Sunflower & Citrus Hair Spray.
Pricier Hairsprays Are Worth the Money
Professional sprays don't leave behind any residue, are infused with ingredients that are good for your hair, and are more likely to hold the way you want them to.
Using hairspray alone will not cause damage to your hair. However, with repeated use of sprays, your hair can lose some of its best qualities. It's important to use other products to retain shine and moisture and reduce product build-up. And always be careful with your hair.
What is the difference between styling spray and hair spray? ›There are a few technical differences between texture spray and hair spray—but the main difference is in their purpose. Texture spray is a styling product used to provide volume and texture to your hairstyle, while hair spray is a finishing product used to lock your hairstyle in place.
What hairspray doesn t leave white flakes? ›Kenra Quick Dry Flake-Free Hairspray.
What is a styling hairspray? ›A styling hairspray is a must-have for anyone who wants to create smooth, frizz-free hair. It helps you achieve the look you want without all the hassle and fuss. A good styling spray will give you a smooth finish and keep your hair looking great all day long.
What happens if you leave hairspray in your hair overnight? ›Just like makeup, it is important to remove hairspray from your hair at the end of the day to prevent residue buildup. If you use a lot of hairspray, leaving it in your hair overnight may clog the hair follicles and lead to dull, greasy hair.
What happens if you leave hairspray in your hair? ›“If you have a lot of hairspray in your hair, it can be really drying,” says Heath. She doesn't recommend showering before bed to wash it out, because wet hair is damaging too.
How often should you wash your hair? ›Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
What do hairdressers spray on your hair before cutting? ›Professional hairstylists have long kept a spray bottle filled with nutrient-spiked water in their kits. Some mix their own cocktail of water and oils, while others have used Evian Brumisateur or Caudalie's Grape Water because there wasn't option on the market.
Does putting hairspray on straight hair keep it straight? ›
Use hairspray before you straighten.
Hairspray is not just a post-styling product. Spraying a little hairspray on dry hair before you start to straighten keeps it straight for longer, but professionals suggest to keep it light.
This wonder product has spanned the decades yet it still remains one of the most popular styling products around. Hairspray was born in the 1940's and developed by a manufacturer originally manufacturing aerosol cans in the WW11 for insecticides.
Was hairspray popular in the 60s? ›Hairspray was extremely popular because of the big hairstyles in the 1960s. Curling, heating irons, hair pieces, and teasing was also popular. Women always wanted to make their hair look bigger.
How did 1950s housewives do their hair? ›The most popular way to style your hair was cut short or just above the shoulders, worn lose and glamorously waved, or curled (think bob, bubble cut, poodle cut, bouffant, pageboy or pixie cut). Most women would set their hair in curlers and sleep with them in overnight, either using foam, pin, or rag rollers.
When did the first hairspray come out? ›Right now it's Grease, Chicago, Hairspray. In some ways, Hairspray is almost a sequel to Grease, because Grease took place in 1959, Hairspray in 1962.
What haircut suits a 50 year old? ›- Soft layers.
- Highlights with loose waves.
- Chic, sleek and silver.
- The perfect blond lob, or long bob.
- Striking long locks.
- The perfect pixie cut.
The classic 1950s makeup look consisted of red lipstick, with obviously made-up yet elegant eyes. It was essential to emphasise eyes while retaining a natural glamour. Eyeliner and mascara created the definition of the eyes. Eyeshadow was simple, with only one colour worn.