It was tipped to be a long weekend of street parties and community celebrations. VE Day 75, or ‘Victory in Europe Day’ marks the day towards the end of World War II, when fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end.
This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary, moving the May Day Bank Holiday 5 days later, so VE Day will be dealt as Bank Holiday. VE Day will be very different than what was planned but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate within our own homes and raise a glass to the heroes of World War II on Friday 8th May. And as we will probably be watching some classic- or -new war related movies, many of us may get tempted to experiment with a 1940’s hairstyle. Which is why we have a step-by-step guide for you.
Hair History
When it comes to hairdressing, very few decades are as iconic as the 1940’s. One of those most recognisable hairstyles is without a doubt the Victory Rolls. It’s a hairstyle that goes down in history as a reminder of the strength and determination during the 1940’s and let’s be honest, we could all do with a bit of that right now.
Hair historian, Rachael Gibson says: “During the Second World War, more women than ever were recruited into manual labour – and that meant wearing their hair in practical, safe hairstyles that wouldn’t get caught in machinery or otherwise get in the way. The Victory Roll became a trend thanks to its combination of glamour and practicality; hair was worn swept up off the face, with detailed rolls at the front to add an elegant touch that could peek out of a hair net or headscarf.”
With parallels between then and now, Rachael adds: “The concept of hairstyles borne out of necessity and the need for a practical solution still resonates today, as we search for styles that we can easily replicate at home to look and feel our best during a time of crisis – and those that allow us to hide roots or style grown-out cuts.
While today we might have more tools than ever at our disposal, you can’t beat a classic bristle brush for achieving a smooth, glossy finish – just like our grandmothers might have used back in the 1940s. For gents, grooming was also paramount – even during the War. Along with a classic comb, the hairbrush would have helped achieve the perfect smartly styled, side-parted style.”
Get the look
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Here, award winning stylist Brooke Evans provides a modern take on the Victory Roll using Kent Salon brushes.
- After waving the hair, use the brush to section a front panel of the hair.
- Then, back comb the hair from mid-way up the hairs length using strong downward strokes and compressing to the head.
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- It may look messy but then with a Kent Salon KS01 bristle brush, smooth all the edges to create a more polished feel with the back comb remaining in the middle.
- Once in place use your fingers, spray and smooth along the hair shaft twisting the hair allowing it to fall into a Victory Roll. Brooke’s top tip: “Allow it to fall the way it wants to – not making it go a certain way will add to the overall look.”
- Use a setting clip to hold in place. Pull small amounts out to feel more modern and spray in place. Finally, remove the clip and add a few discreet grips for extra hold. Ready!
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Here online you may browse our Portfolio section to find inspiration from the greatest hair artists… read our Blog to discover the top events and what we like about them,… then visit our Magazine section to read the latest edition (and archive editions) of Tribu-te publications. If you’d like to enjoy your very own edition of Tribu-te delivered directly to your home – visit the Shop to order a subscription to arrive quarterly. And of course, once a year, you can visit the Tribu-te Show – it’s an awesome presentation of the leading hairdressers on the best stage possible in central London each October! Contact us if you have any questions or would like to submit photography and ideas for any of our editions in Europe – we’re particularly keen to see your salons for our Design section both in print and online.