• Long hair in the 1940's was often side-parted with loose, flowing curlsSexual young woman with a long hair. image by Veniamin Kraskov from Fotolia.com
  
  The world war that was raging overseas did not stop American women of the 1940's from fashioning glamorous hairstyles, modeling their locks after the popular Hollywood actresses of time. These women were forced to ration many of their beauty supplies for the war effort, but they managed to hold on to the necessary hairspray and curlers. The short, bobbed styles from the '30's were replaced by long, flowing, and free designs that were perfect for cocktail and dinner parties.
  
  

Long, Loose, and Flowing

• The 1940's is historically characterized as the decade of World War II, but in the United States it was also the age of Hollywood. During this decade, many glamorous actresses emerged who had a large influence on the hair, makeup, and clothing styles of women and girl admirers. Many of these actresses followed Rita Hayworth's trendy hairstyle---long and loose and parted on the side so that it came across one eye. To achieve this style, wearers would sleep with their hair in curlers so that when released, the hair would have loose waves and give the illusion of being thick and silky. This long and free-flowing style was very different from the tight bobs of the '20's and '30's, as women of the '40's wished to achieve a more "Hollywood actress" look. Today, these waves could be achieve using a large barrel curling iron.
  
  

Curly Up-Do

• For occasions where women wished to put their hair up, the up-dos were styled so that they were still loose, with curls spilling over the clips and spray that held them in place. Although this gives the illusion of being loose, each stray hair was actually pinned so that nothing would look out of place. Additionally, women of this decade left their bangs curly and loose, rather than tightly pinned back as they had been in previous decades. The bangs were often teased to appear thicker and add volume to the style, or were left in curlers overnight and pinned to the top of the head. The side-part was maintained as opposed to the hair being slicked back from the center, making the style appear softer and less rigid.
  
  

Low Bun Up-Do

• This up-do was also popular in the 1940's, and is becoming very popular among today's Hollywood actresses. This up-do is set lower on the head and to the side, so that it is nearly tucked behind one ear. In order to achieve this up-do, the wearer must part her hair to one side, then pull hair back in a low ponytail on the side opposite the part. This way, when the hair is up, it still covers one eye. The ponytail is then gathered into a low bun, with stray hairs pinned into place. This up-do looks best when hair has been crimped or curled before hand, and can be enhanced with a small flower or pin behind the ear.