The Trendiest Hairstyle the Year You Were Born

Some we love, and some we wish we could forget...

Farah Fawcett
(Image credit: Getty Images)

They've changed so much over time (there was the iconic '20s bob—and who could forget the Farrah waves of the 1970s?). But more importantly, what was the most memorable look during your birth year?

1925: Brushed Out Waves

1925 Hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

As soft and ethereal as the early films this style was worn for, brushed out waves gave actresses like Mary Pickford a feminine silhouette.

1926: Browband

1926 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

A thin, sometimes jeweled piece of fabric worn around the forehead, this style was dubbed the "headache band" — not exactly an appealing accessory nickname, but it looks so chic!

1927: Blunt Bangs

1927 hairstyle

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The total opposite of the era's fluffier looks, blunt bangs framed the face (and thin '20s brows) in the most literal way possible.

1928: Bright Red Hair

1928 hairstyle

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Sure, films were in black and white, but when the public heard that movie star Clara Bow dyed her hair red, henna sales went through the roof.

1929: Eton Crop

1929 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

One of the most famous wearers of the Eton crop, Josephine Baker rocked her stunning slicked-down style with a "kiss curl," a thin swirl of hair on her forehead intended to add a touch of femininity.

1930: Finger Waves

1930: Finger Waves hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

A style that is still as stunning nowadays as it was then, finger waves was a heavily-styled look (shown here on actress Alice Day) that gave softness to sharp, crisp bob haircuts.

1931: Shingle Cut

1931 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Here, Louise Brooks shows off her thin eyebrows, bee-stung lips, and chic angular bob cut with swooping ends that was so popular during the '20s and '30s.

1932: Waves Pulled Low

1932 hairstyle

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Unlike the looser styles of the decade, many women, including Greta Garbo, preferred to pull their hair tight and low into a dramatic 'do.

1933: Deep Side Part

1933 hairstyle

(Image credit: Maire Claire)

A trend that has yet to go out of style, the deep side part was beloved by stars including Carole Lombard as well as millions of women alike. Check out our simple tutorial on how to get it yourself.

1934: Soft Sculpted Waves

1934 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Delicately shaped waves a la Marlene Dietrich took hold of trend lovers during the mid-1930s.

1935: Marcel Wave

1935 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Similar to finger waves, the Marcel wave was a highly styled wave worn by the likes of Jean Harlow, among many other actresses. Hairdresser Marcel Grateau is often credited for inventing the technique, which involved using hot curling tongs to give hair deep, defined waves.

1936: Pin Curls

1936 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Pin curls may have taken wearers a long time to properly accomplish (each piece is literally twirled into a circle to set the curl), but wow, were they worth it.

1937: Rolled and Tucked

1937 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Dorothy Lamour, among other actresses, touted a less curly style that had hair rolled into a neat silhouette.

1938: Updo with Flowers

1938 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Though she was known primarily for her iconic voice, Billie Holiday's stardom also popularized elegantly accenting hairstyles with flowers — specifically white gardenias.

1939: Curled Pigtails

1939 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Starring in her most famous role as Dorothy in 1938's wildly popular Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland helped popularize the curly pigtail look.

1940: Half-Updo

1940 hairstyle

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Vivien Leigh's famous portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind featured a throwback Southern belle look with rolled-back hair.

1941: Snoods

1941 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Worn during World War II by women employed in factories, this headpiece, made of cloth or yarn, held women's hair away from their neck.

1942: Glam Pin Curls

1942 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Not content to keep things basic, stars like Betty Grable brought pin curls and finger waves to the next level with bold blonde hair, red lipstick, and fun fashion.

1943: Peekaboo Bangs

1943 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

With the femme fatale at the forefront of both fashion and cinema, stars like Veronica Lake ushered in sexy hairstyles that hid just one eye for an air of mystery.

1944: Soft Waves

1944 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Delicate curls and waves brought softness to thick bangs and long bobs like Barbara Stanwyck's.

1945: Victory Rolls

1945 hairstyle

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After the war, many women signaled their celebratory feelings with a voluminous style dubbed "victory curls" — a 'do that would become one of the era's most famous.

1946: Loose Curls

1946 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

A softer curled style stayed popular throughout the era, with stars like Rita Hayworth maintaining a deep side part and full waves.

1947: Crown Braid

1947 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

During the '40s, braided hairstyles rose to prominence, with stars like Billie Holiday donning crown braids and braided buns, occasionally weaving in pieces of fabric or hair in contrasting colors.

1948: Elegant Updos

1948 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

As the result of an emphasis on mimicking actresses like Joan Fontaine and Lana Turner, stylish women opted for glamorous hairstyles like thick, polished chignons, sometimes accessorizing them with clips or pins.

1949: Brushed Out Waves

1949 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Linda Darnell and other famous starlets popularized soft waves without and harsh edges or heavy products.

1950: Chignon

1950 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

The ever-styThe ever-stylish Grace Kelly donned elegant hairdos that influenced American women in the early '50s, prior to her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco and subsequent retirement from acting.lish Grace Kelly donned elegant hairdos that influenced American women in the early '50s, prior to her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco and subsequent retirement from acting.

1951: Pinup Bangs

1951 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

With her sex appeal, outrageous personality, and iconic style, Bettie Page and her famous bangs influenced those who desired an edgier take on traditional looks.

1952: Italian Cut

1952 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Inspired by Italian actresses, starlets like Dorothy Dandridge rocked this chic, short cut (similar to a poodle pixie, a curly short cut) featuring sculpted locks and a rounded silhouette.

1953: Short Crop

1953 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Making the short cut more accessible to the masses was Audrey Hepburn, aka America's eternal sweetheart. After chopping her hair in 1953's Roman Holiday, women fell in love with the modern, easygoing style.

1954: Blonde Bombshell Hair

1954 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

ThThe age of the blonde bombshell was ushered in by no other than Marilyn Monroe, the most famous of them all.e age of the blonde bombshell was ushered in by no other than Marilyn Monroe, the most famous of them all.

1955: Barrel Curls

1955 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Full, rounded curls brought a bouncy vibe to blonde bombshell locks like Jayne Mansfield's.

1956: Ponytails

1956 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

At long last: The super simple style we all know and love, pushed into popularity by none other than French sex symbol Brigitte Bardot.

1957: Soft Full Curls

1957 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Soft, elegant styles marked the mid-'50s — though all that would soon change.

1958: French Pleat

1958 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

A chic vertical roll of hair that keeps your locks out of your face, the French pleat was as perfect for career women nowadays as it was then.

1959: Flipped Out

1959 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Bringing a totally new silhouette to the era's style, stars like Sophia Loren popped a cute curl right at the end of the hair.

1960: Stacked Updo

1960 hairstyle

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Unlike the neat, polished updos of years prior, women opted for messier, imperfect styles to achieve a sexy look.

1961: Pageboy