1940s Hairstyles - Memorable Pompadours

1940’s hairstyles – Memorable Women’s Pompadours

The Pompadour hairstyle was named after the secretary and mistress of the French king Louis XV in the mid 18th century, a certain Jeanne Antoinette Poisson. Otherwise known as Madame De Pompadour. The hairstyle was a great favorite of the upper classes, and were worn by both men and women. The style fell from favor, along with a few heads, thanks to the French revolution.

Memorable Women’s Pompadours of the 1940’s

Early 1940’s hairstyles began to go retro. Women’s pompadours quickly becoming hugely popular. Many Hollywood actresses adopted the Gibson Girl look. We’ve highlighted some of our favorites. By the end of the war, it was all Victory Rolls !

Memorable Pompadour hairstyles of the 1940's---Ava-Gardner — Memorable women’s pompadour hairstyles of the 1940’s—Ava-Gardner

1940s-Hairstyles---Memorable-Pompadours---Ginger-Rogers — Memorable women’s pompadour hairstyles of the 1940’s—Ginger Rogers

The pompadour hairstyle fell out of vogue in the early 1910’s, only to disappear again until the early war years of the 1940’s. Hollywood’s obsession with period costume dramas played a role in bringing the volume to women’s hair.

More 1940’s Women’s Pompadours

1940s-Hairstyles---Memorable-Pompadours---Carmen-Miranda — 1940s-Hairstyles—Women’s pompadours—Carmen Miranda wears bangs

In the USA, when actress Veronica Lake tied up her hair in a demonstration film for female factory workers, she soon had the whole nation eagerly reaching for the pins to affect up swept hairdos.

1940s-Hairstyles---Memorable-Pompadours---Katherine-Hepburn — 1940’s Hairstyles – Women’s pompadours – Katherine-Hepburn

1940's Hairstyles - Pompadour Women - Linda-Darnell — Linda Darnell – 1940’s Hairstyles – Bangs and pompadours

Pin curls with loose waves were the basis for oodles of rolled hairstyles.Women began saving the hair that collected in their hair brush, stuffing it into a stocking to create the Gibson Girl style hair rat.

1940s-Hairstyle.Pompadour---Tia-Semer — 1940s Hairstyle – Women’s Pompadour – Tia Semer

The basic pompadour was created by gathering the front section of the hair, back combing a little for volume. Twist it backwards to touch the crown of the head and push it forward to get that classic pompadour bang or swirl.

This was fixed over the rat with bobby pins. A great example of a basic pomp is created here by Glamourdaze’s Tia Semer. The full tutorial will feature in an up and coming make-up and hairstyle tutorial book called Vintage Beauty.

Now available to download direct to your device – Vintage 1940s Hairstyle Tutorials plus a bonus make-up guide book !!

Victory Rolls – How to Create them and who invented them

Lauren-Rennells---victory-rolls-vintage-hairstyle — Lauren Rennells – Victory Rolls in a 1940’s hairstyle video tutorial – click link

See the lavishly illustrated concise history of 1940’s fashion dress and style now.

1940s Fashion - 1940 to 1949 — 1940’s fashion – 1940 to 1949 concise history

Read our post 1940s hairstyle – copy the top hairdos of 1941