Complete instructions to create a female rockabilly 1940's hairstyle - Printable

• The first step is to wash your hair and apply a good quality setting lotion. A good setting lotion will keep the curl in the hair without adding stiffness. Setting lotions can be found at beauty stores that cater to women of color.

  NOTE: Make sure that the hair is mostly dry before you start pin curling or it will take forever.  Most women usually try to set their hair by 11am if I'm going out around 6 or 7 o'clock.

• Comb a shadow wave into the front hair. Make sure when combing the wave in, that you follow the natural curve tendencies of the hair. This makes for a more natural looking wave.

  NOTE: You might want to consider using a little more setting lotion on the wave to keep the ridges well defined.

• After the wave is made in the front hair, pin curl the ends. Also make sure to pin curl the ends of your side and back hair.

  NOTE: You do not want the pin curls to be too small or when they're brushed out they will frizz. You also don't want them to be too large because then the curl won't hold.

• When the pin curls have dried, brush them out vigorously for smoother curls. If you want a more curly look, brush the curls out only a few times. Also make sure to comb the wave smooth when dry so it doesn't look stiff and plastered down.

  NOTE: Push the wave back into the hair, once you've combed it out, for well defined ridges.

• Once all the hair is combed out, bring the front, side and back hair up and to the left side of the head. Then tie or cinch the hair with a rubber band to keep the hair in place.

  NOTE: Do not pull the front hair back tautly or you will lose the wave.

• Once cinched, divide the hair into two separate pieces and roll into twin swirls. You can do this by combing each piece around a couple of fingers.
  
  
• After the swirls are completed, pin a rhinestone brooch at the base of the swirls. For fun alternatives try pinning a poinsettia or some mistletoe to the base of the swirls.
  
  
• LIGHTLY hairspray the entire style. Hairspray the base of each swirl or pin the swirl ends in place if extra support is needed.

  NOTE: DO NOT plaster the hair down with hairspray. Hair should move, not look plastic.