10 Hairstyles Straight From The '60s That Are Making A Comeback

The 1960s were truly a time of iconic looks. Not only were bold eyeshadow and miniskirts rising in popularity after the relatively conservative first half of the century, but it was also a decade when tons of unbelievably eye-catching hairstyles first made an appearance. From super-voluminous beehives to subtle, flipped-out ends, lots of these looks were not only feminine but bold. Beyond that, they offered tons of playful charm and versatility.

This charm and versatility may be a big part of why many of these looks are becoming popular once again, albeit with a modern twist. Now, many of these hairstyles are being recreated, but in a more subtle, toned-down way that allows them to look fresh and modern.

Another benefit of these retro trends: There's something for everybody, no matter what your face shape or hair length may be. From close-cropped pixie cuts to long hair with flipped-out ends, there are plenty of ways to introduce some of these '60s-inspired looks into your repertoire. To find out exactly how to pull off this vintage throwback, Glam spoke exclusively to hair and makeup artist Luna Viola, and celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon Jennifer Korab.

Beehive hairdos are making appearances on red carpets and in fashion shows, proving that this iconic '60s look is back in a big way, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, many are putting a more modern spin on the classic style. For example, Nicola Coughlan rocked a modern version of the beehive for a recent Fendi campaign.

According to Jennifer Korab, modernized beehive updos are here to stay. "The iconic upstyle is also making a comeback, but in a softer, more textured way," she shares exclusively with Glam. "While we are seeing it less structured than in the '60s, the volume and height still give it that signature retro feel."

To try this out for yourself, you can start by sectioning your hair from the crown of your head to your ear, creating a front and back section. The big key to this look is lots and lots of teasing. Working with the back portion of the back section, tease the hair until you've created the desired amount of volume. After that, you can pull the front portion of your back section over the teased portion and pin it in place. For a strictly retro look, a smooth final product is what to aim for. For a more modern edge, allow it to look a little more loose or mussed. With the front portion of your hair, you can part it in the middle and style it however you want, either pinning it back for a smooth look or leaving loose wisps.

If you're looking for a retro-inspired way to have the best of both worlds, a half-up half-down look could be a great option for you. Not only can it work well for formal events, but it can also be a polished everyday look. This hairstyle can be as complex or as simple as you want to make it. It could be as easy as fastening the top half of your hair back with a cute claw clip or ponytail, or you could spend some time adding a small beehive and curling your hair for a more put-together look.

According to hair and makeup artist Luna Viola, this hairstyle is back in a big way, especially for brides. "Very popular this year as the bridal trend, this sophisticated versatile look combines '60s waves and a half-up soft 'do," she reveals in an exclusive chat with Glam. "Tease the hair for extra volume at the top and blow dry your bangs with a round brush for a romantic finish."

Just like the beehive, the half-up half-down look can easily be combined with other looks. Curtain bangs and '60s-inspired hair accessories like thick headbands and hair scarves can all look great with a half-up hair look.

If you feel like your bangs style is getting stale, curtain bangs can bring a lot of retro flare to your hair and can look ultra-trendy, too. According to Jennifer Korab, curtain bangs are definitely having a moment. "These soft, face-framing bangs, originally made famous by Brigitte Bardot, are making a comeback," she tells Glam exclusively. "Perfect for pairing with longer layers or shag cuts, they bring a retro, effortless vibe."

Besides the fact that curtain bangs are on trend, there are tons of other reasons to try them out. Not only do they have a lot of versatility when it comes to styling, but they can also be great for balancing out your face shape. Those with an oval face can pull off just about any type of curtain bang. However, if you have a circle face shape, opting for wispier, more textured curtain bangs could bring more definition to your face. For those with square faces, short, wispy curtain bangs are also great, as they can help balance out a strong jaw. Heart-shaped faces can opt for bangs that fall near the brow line to create balance, and those with rectangle face shapes will get the most out of longer curtain bangs with minimal texture.

Beyond the fact that curtain bangs can be flattering for anyone, they're also great for those who don't necessarily want to do a lot of work to create cute looks. A good curtain bang can look amazing without being styled, but can also be easy to work with if you do feel like styling them. It's also a great option for DIY-ers, as there are easy ways to cut and style your own curtain bangs at home.

If you're looking for an effortless way to radiate elegance, a French twist should be your go-to style. This is another retro-inspired look with a lot of versatility. It's simple to do and appropriate for more formal events, but it's also easy enough to pull together for an everyday look. According to Luna Viola, this style is hot once again, but not necessarily in the exact same way as it was in the '60s. She shares exclusively with Glam, "This timeless voluminous hairstyle is perfect for parties and catwalks. The hair is pulled up in a classic French twist at the back, then styled more freely with soft waves at the top for a retro yet modern twist."

Another plus of a French twist: There are truly many ways to make it your own. You can secure it with bobby pins and make sure to tuck in your hair at the top for a smooth, structured look. Or, you could use a U-shaped pin to secure it. You could also leave the top of your hair untucked, and use a large claw clip to secure your hair if you're looking for a retro look that's more '90s than '60s.

While there are variations of this style for nearly every hair length, if your hair is too short to pull into a ponytail, you may not be able to do this style. Those with medium-length hair often get the best results. Those with long or super-long hair can definitely still do a French twist. However, they may need extra pins or even a large clamp to really keep their hair in place.

Pixie cuts have always had a lot of classic charm, and while they've never truly been out, they're trendier now more than ever. Whether you're interested in a polished Audrey Hepburn-type of pixie cut or something more modern and playful, there are lots of ways to play around with this look. According to Jennifer Korab, finding ways to make the pixie fresh is key for getting in on the trend. "The timeless pixie cut, inspired by Mia Farrow, is making a comeback again," she says in our exclusive chat. "We are now seeing this trend styled with more texture or edgy colors, adding a modern twist to this classic look."

Even though you may not have lots of length to work with when you're rocking a pixie cut, that doesn't mean there's a shortage of options for having fun with how you style it, and there are ways to style a pixie for every occasion. Parting it in the center can help give it a stronger retro feel, as can trying out a mini beehive, or tying in your favorite silky scarf.

Also, as with any hairstyle, it's important to take your face shape into account when selecting the right pixie cut for you. For example, if you have a circle face-shape, styling your pixie in a way that adds height can help elongate rounded features. If you have a heart-shaped face, a mullet-style pixie with a little length in the back and some textured bangs can provide balance. For square-shaped faces, pixies with longer layers will introduce some softness. Those with oval faces tend to have balanced proportions, so they have more wiggle room to try out different looks and trends.

Some might associate buns with the balletcore trend. While a sleek ballerina bun is absolutely a balletcore thing, a polished bun can also be a great throwback retro look. That said, the modern twist on the bun isn't as focused on keeping everything neat and tidy. "The definition of a vintage-inspired modern look, the '60s-style, chic, [slicked-back] bun is contrasted with unkempt framing hair pieces for a modern, more boho style," Luna Viola explains.

There are lots of different directions you can go with a bun, it all depends on your taste, and of course, what looks the most flattering on you. The occasion can also make a difference. For example, a high bun can seem more playful and can be great for more casual settings. Low buns, on the other hand, can look more demure and sophisticated. To really create a '60s feel, combining a bun with other styles is a great way to go.

Not only can you easily add hair accessories to a bun hairstyle, but you can also do a half-up half-down hairstyle with a small bun, or even a small beehive. As Luna Viola tells us exclusively, if you really want your look to be strictly retro, going for a smooth look where all of your hair is pulled back tightly into a bun is a great option. Pulling out some pieces to frame your face or allowing your bun to have a loose wispy look is a simple way to modernize it.

Hair accessories have never truly gone out of style. The stretchy, sporty headbands that were popular in the 2000s and the flower-crown trends of the 2010s are probably still very alive in the memories of many. That said, some very specific, '60s-inspired hair accessories are showing up more and more. As Jennifer Korab says in our exclusive interview, "Retro hair accessories like wide headbands and vibrant scarves are trending again. They're an easy way to infuse some '60s charm into any modern hairstyle."

Even though retro headbands may be trending, that doesn't mean that they can't be intimidating to style, especially for those who feel like headbands don't look great on them or who feel like they struggle to style them properly. The upside is that even if you think you look weird in headbands, trying a TikTok viral hack can be a big help. By pulling some hair forward and tying it under your chin before you put on the headband, you can make sure that you're getting your headband placement right. This is a great hack for anyone who has trouble getting their headband in the exact right spot, but it can be especially helpful for those who have a thinner hairline or sparse hair.

Along with thick, bold headbands, a scarf is another ultra-chic '60s-inspired accessory that could be intimidating if you aren't sure how to style it properly. There are so many options when it comes to hair scarves, which is part of what makes it fun but also potentially difficult. Generally, it's best to opt for one that you can wrap around your head at least twice so you have more styling options.

With the advent of the "Barbie" movie, it should be no surprise that high, '60s-style ponytails are on trend. Reminiscent of old-school Barbie's go-to look, a high ponytail is a flirty and feminine way to style your hair, and it can be adapted to both formal and casual events. As Luna Viola says of '60s ponytails in our exclusive chat, "This cutesy high ponytail is currently a very popular hairdo for a casual and fun look. Backcomb the tail at the roots and add a soft wave or curl the ends up to add some charm to this youthful, fun style."

While a ponytail can be flattering for anyone, it can help to find the right ponytail for your face shape. For those with an oval face, just about any type of ponytail can work since your face shape has more balanced proportions. For those with a square face, adding some bangs or loose pieces of hair to frame your face can soften the look. If you have a round face, including some volume at the crown (like a small beehive) creates an elongated and balanced look. If you have a heart-shaped face, some bangs (like curtain bangs!) can be super flattering.

Ponytails can be a simple hairstyle, but some might find them difficult to do well, especially if you struggle with keeping them in place. If you're looking for a straightforward way to keep your ponytail secure and sleek without having to put in a ton of effort, sectioning your hair horizontally and pulling the top half of your hair into a ponytail can be a good approach. After you've done that, you can brush up the bottom half and join it with the top, using a second ponytail holder to secure it all together.

Another simple but very charming hairstyle that's trending is flipped-out ends. As Jennifer Korab shares exclusively with Glam, "The sleek, outward flip of hair, reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy's style, is a playful detail that's also making a comeback. We are seeing this trend on both shorter and lob-length haircuts, giving a '60s chic vibe."

Of course, this look isn't just from the '60s; it also had a resurgence in the '90s and '00s. Now we're seeing the look rise back in popularity in 2024, with A-listers like Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Florence Pugh wearing variations of the flipped-ends aesthetic. However, the later interpretations wouldn't be possible without the original 1960s flip. As long as your hair falls between your jaw and your shoulders, you can try this out. If you're not sure how to approach a flipped-out end, the good news is that you don't need tons of time or complicated tools to do it. It's just a matter of using mousse when the hair is wet and then flicking up the ends with a round brush and blowdryer, angling the brush away from your face. You could also achieve the look with a flat iron, similarly angling the tool away from your face when you reach the ends. 

Along with all of the polished styles from the '60s that are making big comebacks, there are other styles making a resurgence, as well. Things like body positivity and embracing your natural style aren't just current cultural movements. Self-acceptance and celebration were big cultural themes in the '60s, too. In particular, long, flowing, un-styled hair, and natural afros were big statements, both politically, and stylistically. In fact, not doing your hair could be the biggest '60s trend of all. Some of the most popular natural styles in 2024 include the afro, braided updos, and crochet braids. 

Of course, just because you're letting your hair shine in all its natural glory doesn't mean you don't need to take steps to care for your hair properly. It's important to understand what kind of curl you have, in addition to the density and porosity of your hair type, so you can tailor your routine accordingly. It's also beneficial to remember that Black hair is extra delicate, so sometimes extra care needs to be taken to prevent breakage and dullness. Trying things like pre-pooing (a treatment that you apply to your hair before shampooing) can protect hair from damage and help keep it healthy. It's also helpful to make sure your hair is fully dry before bed and sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase.