ICONIC...

Hairstyles are continuously changing. The 1920's up until the 21st century has seen creativity at it's peak and also at it's lowest. It's the experimentation of style that women thrive on to change their look or to simply try something different. 

1920's

The 1920's was a time of great social change and JAZZ. Music and dance influenced women to make the drastic change to short hairstyles from their previous long feminine styles. The introduction of "the bob" became an immediate trend, inspired also by Coco Chanel, the most elegant fashionista in history.  Short flapper curls became a phenomenon and scandalous because these women also use to smoke in public. This style was therefore deemed irresponsible and loose. 

1930's

The great depression of the 1930's gave women the independence to be able to create their own hairstyles. Women would wrap strands of hair around their fingers and then pin it, once dry women had the ability to create their own original style or follow that of their favourite movies stars like, Greta Garbo. Garbo was a very influential beauty of her day, known for the "Garbo Look". Women were immaculately groomed with finger waves, then deeper waves followed, allowing women to accentuate their femininity. 

1940's

Lena Horne and Veronica Lake were the inspirations of the 40's, they were the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Women began to grow long locks to create the iconic hairstyles of the time, including the Chignon and the Omelet Fold. Bette Davis, though known for her eyes, was another glamed to perfection beauty with gorgeous curled locks. However, Davis was not just a pretty face she was the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Davis won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, was the first person to accrue 10 Academy Award nominations for acting, and was the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. 

1950's

Ultimate glamour hit its climax in the 50's  with most women aspiring to look like domestic goddesses. After the war ended women were able to spend more time on their hair and makeup, turning to romantic waves and feminine curls to achieve famous looks. The classic beauty, Audrey Hepburn and sex kitten Marilyn Monroe were the looks of the decade, along with the vivacious Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot. Bardot was the new young 'it' girl of the moment, her look has been re-done over and over again throughout history. Elizabeth Taylor must also be acknowledged for her glamour!

By the end 1950's, the hairdressing industry was booming and their were about 30,000 new hair salons in Britain. Hair care took on a whole new meaning in the 1950s.

1960's

The hippie chick arrived in the late 60s, inspired by famous singers like Janis Joplin, with her individual slant on style.  Backcombing became known as 'teasing', which was much needed, along with hair spray to create the Beehive.

Queue Sonny & Cher! The American pop duo achieved a lot of fame during the 60's as big media personalities. Cher became a female icon with her ultra long thick black hair and long bangs.

If we turn to Britain during this period, Twiggy was the iconic face, rocking the ultra short crop. Many were also inspired by the successful music group, The Beatles, their shaggy hair became a trend amongst most.

1970's

Out with the high maintenance and in with the natural! The 70's saw the introduction of messy medium length styles and headbands to complete the soft feminine look. Curl and wavy hair has always been in trend, but the 70's were a big decade for beginnings in hair straightening. Though there weren't hair straighteners as of yet, women turned to more domestic tools to create their looks, including the household iron!

Farrah Fawcett's flicks was the pinnacle hair style of the 70's, every girl wanted her hair and every girl wanted to be her!

1980's

BANGS, FRIZZ and HAIRSPRAY are the only words needed to describe the 80's. The style at the time was the bigger the better, Bonnie Tyler showed us this. Although we look back now and laugh at the trend, it was the style at the time. Madonna and Cyndi Lauper did it best from teased hair to bright colours. The 80's was a rebellious era of experimentation.

1990's

When the 90's spring to mind, there's nothing that really stands out, apart from Jennifer Aniston's famous 'do on the hit comedy series Friends. Women sort after it so much they called it the "Rachel Cut". But, it was the 1990's that saw women pay less and less attention to their style, whether fashion or beauty oriented. This was because women were out there trying to make a name for themselves in business, politics and academics, while still maintaining the domestic role at home.  Therefore, hairstyles that were "fussy" were left in the 80's, women rather opted for natural highlights and simple styles.

21st Century hair

Individuality and personality has driven the 21st century, the catwalks are increasingly delivering new and exciting hair trends to play around with. More than anything celebrities are turning to inspiration from before their time. Drew Barrymore, Kim Kardashian and Sienna Miller have all been inspired by the greats before them, like Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe. By simply putting a modern twist on the old school style you can update the look for your next night out on the town!

 It just goes to show that styles never completely go off trend, wait a couple of decades and it's back in!