Wig Wonderland: Styling A Lace Wig; 1940's Victory Rolls

Hair in the 1940's became longer compared to the 1920's or 30's and sophisticated waves came in fashion. Victory rolls became popular as women discovered pin curling. As the World War II had started, more and more women started working. They had to put their hair up and away from their faces, so they would pin curl it and wear a snood. When they took the pins out they's be left with wonderful curls. Because of the war and lack of iron, women had to be resourceful and they used cleaning pipes create this hairstyle.

There are a few theories of how this hairstyle got it's name. Some say that they looked like the trace of a fighter plane manouver that pilots used to make. Some think it's because it was in honour to victorious soliders that fought in the war. And others say it's because of the V shape that the two rolls create when they are pinned right on top of the head.

Ivan Anderson, a hairstylist at the Warner Brothers studios apparently created the Victory rolls.

Betty Grabel

Victory rolls

1940s

(source: http://www.fahv.com/iconic-hairstyles-pop-culture/)

Image found on: Nov 10 2015

Veronica Lake

Fashion icon and actress

1940s

(source: http://www.dreamy-hairstyles.com/1940s-Hairstyles.html)

Image found on: Nov 10 2015

Rita Hayworth

1940

(source: https://www.pinterest.com/carden7231168/09%E9%80%A0%E5%9E%8B%E8%A8%AD%E8%A8%88-victory-rolls/)

Image found on: Nov 10 2015

In my previous post I showed how I prepped and curled the hair for this 40's hairstyle.

When the rollers had cooled down I took all the rollers out; leave the pincurls in. Brush the hair out with a paddle brush. Then take the front sections and roll them with your fingers and pin them in place. You can place them any way you want, it is a very versatile look.

After taking out the heated rollers

Right Victory roll

Left Victory roll

Victory rolls from the top

Created on: Oct 30 2015

We left the rest of the hair in pin curls and took them out the following week. The wigs that we used are too long for a 1940's hairstyle, the hair was only up to the shoulders back then. However, it turned out very well.

I took the pins out of the curls and brushed out the hair using my paddle brush. You have to brush the hair from both top bottom side to maintain the curl. And that was it, easy but glamorous 1940's hair.