Hairdos from the ’60s That Took Hours—and Were Worth It

Oh, the hours we spent teasing, spraying, and perfecting our hair back in the 1960s! While today’s youngsters might not understand the dedication it took to achieve these iconic looks, those of us who lived through the era remember the cloud of Aqua Net hairspray that seemed to hover in our bathrooms permanently. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable hairstyles that defined our generation.

1. The Beehive

Popularized by the First Lady Jackie Kennedy and singing sensation The Ronettes, the beehive was the ultimate status symbol of the 1960s. We’d spend countless hours backcombing our hair to achieve the perfect cone shape, sometimes making it so tall that we had to duck through doorways. The real trick was sleeping with it intact – many of us mastered the art of wrapping our hair in toilet paper to preserve the style for days.

2. The Flip

Made famous by Mary Tyler Moore and Marlo Thomas, the flip required precision rolling with those giant brush rollers we’d sleep in (talk about uncomfortable!). The key was getting that perfect outward curl at the ends, which meant hours of practice with a round brush and hairdryer. Some of us even ironed our hair on the ironing board to get it perfectly straight before creating that signature flip.

3. The Bouffant

The bouffant was all about height and sophistication, requiring serious backcombing skills and enough hairspray to deplete the ozone layer. We’d tease the crown until it stood tall enough to make a statement, then smooth the outer layer to create that perfect dome shape. The trick was using those pink foam rollers to create the subtle waves that framed our faces.

4. The Pageboy

The pageboy was the epitome of sleek sophistication, worn by fashion icons like Jean Shrimpton. Achieving the perfect under-curl required sleeping with a ring of rollers around our head and neck. The style required precision cutting and daily maintenance with a round brush to maintain that signature curve at the bottom.

5. The Pixie Cut

Twiggy made this daring shortcut the height of fashion, though it took real courage to chop off our long locks. While it required less styling time, maintaining the perfect pixie meant frequent trips to the salon and mastering the art of creating those signature finger waves with pomade.

6. The Big Bubble

The bubble style was all about creating a perfectly rounded shape that resembled, well, a bubble. We would spend hours with those enormous rollers, rolling inward to create a dome-like effect. The secret was using setting lotion before rolling and enough hairspray afterward to ensure it stayed put through any weather.

7. The Frosted Flip

Adding frosted highlights to the flip created a sophisticated look that was all the rage. We’d spend hours with those rubber caps, pulling strands through tiny holes with a crochet hook until our scalps were sore. The resulting two-tone effect was worth every minute of discomfort!

8. The Vidal Sassoon Five-Point Cut

This geometric cut revolutionized hairstyling in the mid-60s, requiring precise angles and expert maintenance. While it meant frequent salon visits, the wash-and-wear convenience was revolutionary for its time. Getting those perfect angles meant finding a stylist who truly understood Sassoon’s technique.

9. The Mod Bangs

Those straight, heavy bangs cut right above the eyebrows were essential for the mod look. We’d iron them flat using brown paper bags to protect our hair, then use setting lotion to keep them perfectly straight. The key was getting them thick enough to make a statement but not so heavy that they wouldn’t stay in place.

10. The Hippie Natural

As the decade progressed, the natural look gained popularity, especially among the flower children. Long, straight hair parted in the middle became a symbol of the counterculture. Although it looked natural, many of us still spent hours ironing our hair straight or trying various folk remedies to remove any wave or curl.

11. The Sophia Loren Voluminous Wave

Inspired by the Italian bombshell herself, this sophisticated style required perfect roller placement and endless teasing to achieve those signature waves. We’d use hot rollers the size of soup cans, setting them at just the right angle to create that sultry, swept-back look. The finishing touch was always a liberal dose of hairspray to maintain those glamorous waves throughout the evening.

12. The Bardot Tousle

Brigitte Bardot’s signature look featured volume at the crown, paired with softly tousled lengths. Creating this ‘perfectly imperfect’ style actually took hours of careful backcombing at the roots and strategic placement of hot rollers. The trick was making it look effortlessly disheveled while ensuring it held its shape all day long.

13. The Patti Boyd Fringe

This iconic British model and photographer, who was married to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, popularized the long, straight hair style with face-framing layers and wispy bangs. Achieving those perfectly feathered layers required regular trim appointments and nightly sessions with jumbo rollers set vertically to create a subtle, face-framing curve.

14. The Jackie O Roller Set

First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s perfectly coiffed style was achieved through a precise roller setting technique that created those signature soft curves. We’d section our hair meticulously, using different-sized rollers to create just the right amount of lift at the crown and that characteristic smooth curve under at the ends. Many of us would visit the salon weekly to maintain this sophisticated look.