Taming Those Locks

Posted on: 10 March 2015

Are you the soon-to-be bride in an Elvis-themed wedding and wondering how you should do your hair for the big event? Since your wedding day is such a special time in your life, why not choose a hairstyle from a special time in the life of the king of rock and roll? It was in the 1950s that Elvis signed his first contract with a national-based recording company, and also received his first acting role. It was a decade of new beginnings for Elvis, so start your new beginning with the below tips for creating a wedding day-do reminiscent of the flippin' 50s.

For Short or Medium-Length Hair

Americans were super keen on Italian influence in the 1950s. First lady and fashionista Jackie Kennedy sported an Italian-inspired wardrobe, Italian actors appeared in top-ranking movies, and even cartoons began to pay tribute to the romantic, laid-back culture (who doesn't remember the spaghetti scene from Lady and The Tramp?). It only made sense for ladies of the 1950s to incorporate that strong Italian amore into their hairstyles, as well.

So, what did Italian-inspired hair of the 1950s look like? It was short, and wavy or curly -- think Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor. The goal was to achieve a natural-looking, yet sculpted appearance. 

To get the look yourself, wash your hair and apply a handful of styling mousse while it's still wet. Next, volumize your hair by brushing it all to one side and then blow drying it. 

For the next step, you'll need to roll your hair. You can apply cool rollers the night before your wedding day and sleep with them in, or use hot rollers the day of your wedding. 

Starting at the center of your forehead, take a small combed section of hair and twist it up in a small roller, turning the roller toward the back of your head as you twist. Next, roll the section of hair immediately behind the first roller. Continue along the center of your head, moving on to medium rollers and then large, and then working your way back down to small rollers near the nape of your neck.

Next, roll the hair on each side of your head, following the same pattern of small rollers around the perimeter of your hairline and large rollers toward the crown of your head.

After you wake (if using cool rollers) or after your hot rollers have cooled, remove them and give your new locks a light rustle with your fingers for the perfect, 1950s, Italian-influenced hairstyle.

For Long Hair

If you've got long hair, you have a couple of options for your wedding day hairstyle. Your first option is a high, tight ponytail such as was often worn by beloved star of that time, Audrey Hepburn. 

It's easy to achieve Audrey's up-do. Visit a hairdresser and ask them to trim your bangs good and short. Next, gather all of your hair except your bangs in a ponytail at the crown of your head and secure with a hair tie. Give each side of your ponytail a tug outward to make sure it's secure, and you're done.

If you want something a little more styled than a simple ponytail, opt for a bouffant bun. To style your hair in a bouffant bun, start by separating it into two sections -- front and back. Next, take the back section of hair and secure it in a ponytail at your crown.

Now comes the fun part. Using a brush or comb, tease the ponytail by brushing it from bottom to top. It will look a mess, but don't worry; you're just trying to build volume at this point. Once you've got a good sized nest of crazy hair sitting atop your head, run a brush very lightly over the top of it so that just its outside surface gets a smooth, tidy look.

Next, take your front section of hair and brush it back around the teased section. Twist the bottom of the front section and tuck it into the teased section before securing it all in place with hair clips or bobby pins. 

If you aren't sure how to do your hair for your Elvis-themed wedding, try this site or other like it and draw inspiration from the decade that sent the king's career soaring off to a good start. Whether you've got short or long hair, the above tips offer everything you need to achieve a fun and fabulous 1950s wedding day hairdo.