The Bouffant: Hairstyles from the 1960s

Hairstyles Trends 2012

Mad Men, probably the best TV series in history, has entered in its fifth season (2012) the "Swinging Sixties" era, and has contributed to the revival of all things 1960s.
The Bouffant, one of the most popular styles then, has actually become a true classic. After it was created by Raymond Bessone, probably the first celebrity hairstylist, the bouffant went on to become a true classic, and can be part of many different styles, like a 1960s ponytail or a French twist.

How to do a Bouffant: the tools and products to get it right

Tools you will need:

1. A tease comb or tease brush. These have multiples bristles that will make teasing your hair that much easier than using a regular comb or brush.
2. Optional, but very useful, 3-4 big rollers (2" at least) to prepare the crown of your head, Velcro, hot or otherwise.
3. A hair iron, hot curlers or your preferred method for curling your hair. 
4. Bobby pins in your hair colour (black, brown, blond... there's a plethora of colours to choose from).
5. Hair clips to help during preparation.

Products you will need:

1. A volumising mousse or your preferred product.
2. Hairspray.

 Brigitte Bardot is the inspiration behind these photos (from www.fashionishing.com).

How to do a perfect Bouffant in 7 easy steps:

1. Curl most of your hair (Photo 1). Use and iron curler or any other preferred method, brushing out the curls to give them a not-so-finished, natural look. This does not apply, of course, if you a already have this look.
2. Prepare the crown (Photo 2).  Separate a circular section at the top of the crown and apply volumising mousse to it. Optional, but useful, is to lift the roots of the hair by using big curlers and letting dry (if you have fine or very straight hair, or both, it will help to keep the volume afterwards, but if you have wavy or curly hair you can skip this step).
3. Back-comb hair (Photo 3). Take a parting of the crown at the very back of the crown, holding it not too tense and start teasing. Use three rapid, curved movements of your teasing comb/brush to back-comb, starting a couple of inches from the scalp. Push teased hair with a fourth movement to the scalp. Repeat with each parting of hair, working your way forwards towards the forehead, building on volume and height. Your hair will look messy at this stage, but back-combing done right doesn't damage your hair (although, let's face it, it's not something you should be doing on a regular basis).
4. Smooth over (Photo 4). Brush softly the very top layer of hair back, smoothing it over the back-combed (and still messy) section, with the height and shape you want it to have.
5. Pull back and hold (Photo 5). Pull back all crown hair and use bobby pins (in your hair colour) to hold it in place at the back of your hair. You can modulate the height and shape you want it to have at this moment.
6. Separate two smaller sections of hair (Photo 6). This it not irrelevant: it does change the overall look greatly.
7. Pin the two side sections in place (Photo 7), lightly twisting each one into the centre as you pin it. This will help to create balance and a smoother finish. Finally, hairspray to keep everything in place using a firm hold hairspray.

MORE 1960 STYLES?

• 1960s Makeup: The winged eye.
• 1960s Hairstyles: The Ponytail.
• Full skirts: How to wear a full skirt: Trends 2012  and How to wear a full skirt: Styling tips.