The Best '60s Hairstyles for a Retro Look

If you often spend time looking through old pictures of your parents and admiring their hairstyles and fashion choices, you may want to take a few pointers from them. That’s right, retro hairstyles are seriously on-trend, with ‘60s hair leading the pack. From side-swept hairstyles to bang styles, these throwback looks have started popping up on social media and in IRL. So, if you’re game for taking a walk on the vintage side, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for 12 seriously chic '60s hairstyles that you may want to add to your beauty look arsenal.

1. THE BEEHIVE

You can’t think of ‘60s hair without conjuring images of the beehive. A popular style for celebrities during the decade, this look is all about adding volume to your hair to achieve major height. Often worn in a cone-shape or with bangs and long tresses, this look is a great way to switch up your style.

STEP #1: START WITH FRESHLY WASHED HAIR

When it comes to achieving beautiful volume, you want to start with a clean mane. Saturate your strands with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Rinse thoroughly and towel-dry your strands.

STEP #2: REACH FOR HEAT PROTECTANT

Before you reach for a blow-dryer, you’ll want to apply a heat protectant to your hair. We love the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Sleek It Iron Straight Heatspray. Mist the protective spray evenly over your mane and dry your strands.

STEP #3: PUMP UP THE VOLUME

Grab a rattail comb and create a medium-sized, horizontal part at the top of your head. Clip the bottom section of your hair away. Using the comb, tease the underneath of the top section of your hair and smooth that section over the rest of your strands to create your beehive. Use a few bobby pins to secure your hair, then release the bottom layer.

STEP #4: USE A STRONG-HOLD SPRAY

To ensure that your teased beehive stays in place, pick up a strong hold hairspray, like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold. Shake the hairspray and mist evenly over your mane. Voila!

2. BLOWOUT WITH BANGS

Who would have thought that blowouts were a huge trend in the ‘60s? That’s right, your tried-and-true blowout was a must-have style for women even way back when. Offering the best of both worlds, this look features the volume you love and eye-grazing bangs for a true crowd-pleaser. Since this style requires a specific length for your bangs, we recommend booking an appointment with your stylist to get the look.

3. SOFT CURLS WITH SIDE-SWEPT BANGS

By now, you’ve probably noticed that many ‘60s hairstyles were all about volume. And the soft curls with side-wept bangs style was no exception. Blurring the lines between a playful and flirty vibe, this look can easily complement your look from day to night. To give this style a try, simply saturate your freshly washed strands with the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It Volume Inject Mousse and let them air dry. Once your hair is dry, apply a touch of hairspray and comb through to complete the look.

4. LONG HAIR AND WISPY BANGS

If you can’t resist a no-fuss style, it’s time to get acquainted with wispy bangs. This look was all the rage during the decade and continues to be in high demand. A great way to embrace the cool-girl aesthetic, this style will surely turn heads. Perfect for anyone working with thin hair, long strands and wispy bangs will soften and balance your features. We recommend visiting your stylist to bring this masterpiece to life.

5. SIDE-PARTED PIXIE

Short hair on the brain? Then you may want to turn your attention to the side-parted pixie. Clean-cut and stylish, this look could be seen on runways and beyond during the ‘60s. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to style and keeps your strands off of your face. Start with freshly washed and conditioned hair and apply a hair cream like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Sleek It Frizz Vanisher Cream before blow-drying your locks. Once your hair is dry, create a deep side part, add a bit of hair gel at the roots, and brush through for a sleek pixie.

6. CHOPPY PIXIE

Another short ‘60s hair look that should be on your radar is none other than the choppy pixie. A nice change from typical pixie styles, this look involves a choppy cut and bangs, both of which provide an edgy touch to your look. A great style for those with super-thin strands, this hairstyle will definitely add some weight to your mane.

7. BUN WITH BABY HAIRS

Calling all updo lovers! This style is screaming your name. The super pretty hairdo features a high bun with super short baby hairs that will instantly take your style meter up a few notches. An excellent style for bad hair days or anytime you’re in the mood to keep your tresses off of your face, you can’t go wrong with this one. Here’s how to get the look.

STEP #1: BRUSH YOUR STRANDS

Unlike messy bun styles, for this look, you want to sport a neat appearance. Be sure to brush your hair until smooth and tangle-free.

STEP #2: CREATE YOUR BUN

Gather your hair toward the top of your head and secure with a hair elastic. Roll the length of your hair around the base of your ponytail to form a bun. Keep your bun in place with a hair elastic or bobby pins.

STEP #3: COMB YOUR BABY HAIRS

Using a rattail comb, gently comb the front of your hairline to reveal your baby hairs. Feel free to let your baby hairs fall over your forehead for a sweet touch.

STEP #4: FINISH WITH HAIRSPRAY

Spritz hairspray evenly over your mane and ta-da!

8. LONG WAVY BOB

Timeless and trendy, bobs will never go out of style. And if you’re game for spicing up your strands, adding a few curls into the mix is a great place to start. This look offers a touch of old-Hollywood glam that will surely transform your mane. The best part? All you need is one product to recreate this look. Apply a dime-sized amount of hair mousse, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Curve It Elastic Mousse, to your damp strands and let them air dry. Once dry, gently fluff your strands, and you’re ready to take on your day.

9. TOUSLED WAVES WITH MIDDLE PART

Speaking of wavy strands, tousled hair is where style and sass meet. This look was a popular choice during the ‘60s and for good reason. Super-flattering and romantic, the style flaunts loose textured waves that you can easily customize. Kick things off by parting your hair into four sections. Then use a hair pomade, like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Putty, and work a dime-sized amount evenly through each section to build texture. Once complete, create a middle part, and mist your hair evenly with hairspray.

10. THE FLIPPED BOB

Another major short hair hit in the ‘60s, the flipped bob is a great way to steer away from traditional bobs while adding a retro touch to your tresses. Best of all, all you need is a curling iron and a bit of hairspray to bring this look to life. Simply curl the ends of your hair inward, holding each piece of hair on the barrel for a few seconds. Once all of your ends are curled, mist hairspray over your mane, and you’re all set.

11. AFROS

For those who love flaunting their naturally curly or coily hair, an afro hairstyle is just what you need. This hairstyle serves up the right amount of edginess and makes a bold statement. To style your afro, use a shampoo and conditioner for curly hair. Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to give your mane an extra boost in moisture. Let your hair air dry, and you’re good to go!

12. PIN-UP CURLS

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous set of curls? The true epitome of sophistication, pin-up curls offer a sultry vibe that’s simply unmatched. A great style for any formal events on your agenda, this look will become a favorite in no time. Starting on damp hair, part your hair into one-inch sections. With each section, tuck your hair around your fingers and roll up until you reach the roots, then pin those curls. Once complete, wrap your hair in a silk scarf and let your mane dry overnight. When your hair is dry, pull out some of your pins, leaving a few on the side intact. Fluff up your strands and finish with a touch of hairspray.

Want to learn about more throwback hairstyle ideas? Head on over to our article, 20 ‘90s Hairstyles That Will Take You Back In Time, for some inspo.