Wartime hairstyles had to be neat, feminine and practical. The Victory Roll look was equally suitable with an evening gown, a crisp Defense uniform or a housewife’s frock.
There are a few different ways to achieve Victory Rolls. Which method you find easiest will probably depend on the length and texture of your hair. Victory Rolls can be worn as “wings”, one on either side of a centre part; asymmetrically, with one smaller and one larger roll on either side of a side part; or with an extreme side part for a daring evening look.
Method One – Making Victory Rolls With the Pin Curl Method
1940s hairstyles often featured pin curls – round curls made by coiling strands of hair up into hollow circles. This method uses the same technique to make Victory Rolls.
- Begin by parting your hair as desired – a centre part, side part or extreme side part. Generally women with round faces are better suited to side parts. Whichever part you choose, section the hair off from the part to behind the ear on each side.
- Use a boar bristle brush to smooth one section of hair. Hold the section of hair by its ends and carefully roll it up, catching any stray hairs and incorporating them into the circle of hair as you roll. Make sure the hair is rolled flat, not twisted, and roll towards the centre of the head.
- When the circle of hair has reached the scalp, arrange it next to the part and use bobby pins to secure the curl. A little primping and the use of some hair spray may be required to get the desired upsweep from the face.
- Repeat the method with the hair on the other side of the part. Try to position the second curl evenly with the first.
Method Two – Making Victory Rolls With Hair Rats
If your hair is long or has a lot of taper towards the hemline, you may find the pin curl method tricky. Using hair rats helps make the rolling process easier, and produces Victory Rolls that are longer and more sausage-shaped than the curls of the previous method.
- Part hair as in previous method. Hold the section of hair by its ends and roll up around a short hair rat (you can make your own or purchase foam or net rats from beauty supply stores). Smooth any loose hairs over the roll as you go.
- When the hair has been rolled up to the scalp, position the rat and use bobby pins to secure. Make sure you arrange the hair so the rat is completely covered and not visible.
Repeat with the hair on the other side of the part.
Method Three – Making Victory Rolls With the Loop Method
This method is handy for hair that just won’t roll up, even with rats. Very long, tapered or layered hair may benefit from this method. The loop method is also handy for 1940s hairstyles that require a lot of back hair.
- Part hair as in the other two methods. Use a boar bristle brush to smooth the section of hair for one roll.
- Then twist the strand of hair gently, close to the scalp, in the direction away from the part. Form a loop with the hair close to the scalp, and pin in place like a regular Victory Roll, leaving the remaining hair hanging down under the loop. The loop should face towards the part.
- Repeat with the other side. These rolls are smaller than in the other two methods, as the rolls contain less hair (one loop instead of the whole length). To compensate, the sections of hair used can be larger, or the loops can be “poofed” out higher with hairspray.
Tips for Making Victory Rolls
- Lightly spray the rolls and hold your hand at the side of your head, gently cupping and pushing the hair upward, while the spray dries. This prevents the rolls from sagging.
- Use a boar bristle brush to sleek the front hair before making the rolls.
- If Victory Rolls don’t seem to suit you, experiment with different parts. Angle the rolls differently, try placing them further back on the head, closer together or farther apart. Make the rolls higher or lower. Most women will be able to find a style which flatters their face shape.
Victory Rolls can be incorporated into vintage or dieselpunk '40s long hairstyles or short styles.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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