1940’s Women’s Pompadour Hairstyle Tutorial

1940’s Hairstyles – Women’s Pompadours

1940s Pompadour Hairstyle Tutorial
1940’s Hairstyles – Women’s pompadours – Katherine Hepburn

There are three basic 1940’s women’s pompadours, and the setting instructions are almost exactly the same as top reverse rolls – the only difference being that the top hair used for pompadours is longer and of course they stand up much higher.

1940’s Hairstyles – 3 Women’s Pompadour Hairdos

The three pomp’s are Straight Back Pompadours, Half-Wave Pompadours and Full-Wave Pompadours. Before you start, have a look at hairstyles for face shapes. You can judge if a pompadour hairstyle is right for your type.

Straight Back Pomp

1940s-Hairstyles-Handbook - straight back pomp
1940’s hairstyles – straight back pomp

To achieve the straight back full pompadour – which is very severe and not flattering to every woman, tease the hair back over a hair rat to give extra fullness and height.

1940s-Hairstyles-Handbook---top-reverse-roll
1940’s hairstyles – top reverse rolls

Setting Instructions: Create a Top Reverse Roll beginning with a rectangular part.The larger the rectangular part, the larger the roll ! Next, subdivide the rectangular part into blocks about an inch square, and you’re ready to mold the curls.

Comb the hair in each block straight back and mold the curls in the order numbered.
Once dry, all the curls in the section are combed out together in a back direction over the palm of the hand. The ends are turned under.

Half-Wave Pomp

1940s-Hairstyles-Handbook--half-wave-pomp
1940’s hairstyles – Half-Wave Pomp

The half-wave pomp is much softer looking than the straight back pomp and is therefore becoming to most face shapes.

1940s-Hairstyles-Handbook---top-half-wave-reverse-roll
1940’s hairstyles – top half wave reverse roll

Setting Instructions: These are the same as for a top half-wave reverse roll. Make the half-wave and mold the curls starting with curl numbered 1.

Where curls follow the ridge of a half-wave, the first row of curls is made from blocks one-fourth of an inch back of the ridge.
When hair is thick or long ( when you’re going for a half-wave pomp ) the first row of curls following the ridge will overlap as they do in the illustration above left.
Two rows of curls are usually sufficient to make a top half-wave reverse roll, but three rolls are required for a pomp style.

After drying, the half-wave and all the curls are combed out together in a back direction over the palm of the hand and the ends are turned under.

Full Wave Pomp

1940s-Hairstyles-Handbook---full-wave-pomp
1940’s hairstyles – full wave pomp

Many older women prefer the full wave pomp. The illustration presented above right, shows how the full wave pomp blends with the side hair. To set the right and left side hair, make a vertical up half-wave followed by two rows of large, down curls. After drying, comb the top hair, right side hair, and left side hair, together and turn the ends under.

1940s-Hairstyles-Handbook---top-full-wave-reverse-roll
1940’s hairstyles – top full wave reverse rolls

Setting Instructions:

Setting technique is the same as for a top full wave reverse roll. Follow the half wave with one row of overlapping curls. Now make the second ridge of the wave. Then by one or two rows of curls.

Two rows make a larger roll. Be sure to make the curls in the order numbered above left. Once dry,  the wave and curls are thoroughly brushed and combed out together.

Turn the ends under. Much brushing and combing will cause the first row of curls to blend in with the second ridge, making it appear deep and natural looking.

The pompadour, so popular in early 1940’s hairstyles, is named after Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of France’s King Louise XV. The pomp has many varieties, notably the beehive hairstyle of the 1960’s.

Have fun with your pompadour hair ! Check out hairstyles for face shapes in the 1940’s. See if you can match yours to one of six Hollywood stars.

1940s hairstyle tutorials
1940’s hairstyle tutorials

To read so much more – you can buy the full 1947 Creative Hair styling book along with Hairstyles You Can Do 1946 and a bonus 1940s makeup guide.

Victory Rolls – Vintage Hairstyles of the 1940’s.

victory rolls 1944
Mary Jane 1944 – Victory Rolls – Charles Cushman – © University Archives – Indiana University – Bloomington

That’s all!
© Glamourdaze

Further Reading:
1940’s Clothing – What Women Wore.

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