Rockabilly Style

Rockabilly is one of the earliest forms of rock music, emerging in the 1950s. It's popularity waned in the 1960s, but has enjoyed a revival which now has given birth to an entire subculture. While I personally love rockabilly music, I love the style even more. I grew up listening to No Doubt, and Gwen Stefani's style has inspired so may looks for me, and she pulls a lot from the Rockabilly style. So this post is gonna give a few tips on how to get that rockabilly chick style. I hope you enjoy, and I'm hoping to get a lot more posts about different styles up soon!

Rockabilly is the reflection of rough sensuality, tough sexiness which is inspired by ‘40s pinup model, Bettie Page. In an era of repression, she brought a "bad-girl" sensuality that is reflected in the rockabilly lifestyle and music. Her trademark hairstyle – long dark hair with shorter temple-to-temple bangs – is very popular among retro lovers.

Hair is styled with volume on the top of the head and styled close at the sides, cascading in waves or curls along the crown and down the neck. Bangs are kept straight and smooth. 

Styling the Pin-up Hairstyle First, apply a good-quality setting lotion on your freshly washed hair to make your curls last longer. Then pin curl the ends of your hair. To make the pin curl, segment the wet and product-laden hair with your comb and comb it into a ribbon. Using your fingers, shape the ribbon into a circular curl and overlap the hair as needed depending on the length of the hair. Step By Step: 1.  Start by using a comb with a rat tail or if you prefer, use a fine toothed comb. From personal experience I can tell you that creating pin curls can be difficult without the proper comb. 2.  Using the tail of the comb create a clean, deep part in your hair.  3.  Carefully section off a 1" inch section of hair for a medium sized curls.  Section on a smaller section for tighter curls and larger sections for looser curls. 4.  Comb the new section until it is completely smooth. 5.  Spritz the section with a spray bottle filled with water or you can experiment with a hairspray or super volumizing tonic.  6.  Hold the section of hair flatly against your scalp with one finger. 7.  Take the end of the section and wind in a clockwise position around the opposite index finger forming a complete circle. Keep in mind that for the best style, form a round curl and not an oval one.   Note:  Be sure not to twist the hair as you wind it. Make sure that the ends are tucked inside of the curl, and curl is pinned right on top of it natural hair base. Do not pin the curl away from the base of the curl. 8.  Holding the end of the curl with the thumb of the same hand, slip the curl off the index finger letting the end naturally fold inward. 9.  Continuing to hold the curl between the thumb and forefinger, finish winding it.  Place it flat against the scalp. Clip it with a hair clip or two through the middle of the curl.  Note: If you prefer, you can use more than one clip on each curl.  When using more than one clip, crisscross the clips to form an X configuration. 10.  Press against the curl to make sure that the ends don't escape.   Note:  You may wish to work with end papers available from most large beauty supply stores.   11.  Once the curl is formed according to your desire, use a single or double pronged clip and slide it carefully over the newly formed curl to hold it in place.   Note:  Keep in mind that many people prefer the double prong clips for sleeping comfort. Under no circumstance should you use bobby pins which will form dents in the hair and may add to overall frizziness.  12.  Make sure that the curl is anchored tightly by the clip, especially if you plan to sleep in the set overnight. 13. Work in a uniform pattern when creating the curls working from side to side and from top to bottom of the head. 14.  Spray well with hairspray or styling spray.  Sit under a hood dryer to set the style or sleep on the style overnight.

After your hair has dried, brush the curl out carefully for a more natural look. Make sure your front has a natural look too, by combing tresses smooth when dry, this way it won't look stiff and plastered. Take front locks and divide them in two separate pieces which you roll into two victory rolls and secure with bobby pins. Finish the look with hairspray; mist more at the base of each swirl end if needed.

Styling pinup girl updos is almost the same. Keep the sides close to the head, and the crown area gathered in a big swirl. You can even braid or twist some locks for a extra interest.

An easier hairstyle is a simple quiff with a ponytail, which can be achieved in just a few minutes. To achieve this, pull your hair into a high ponytail and wrap around a large-barrel curling iron for thirty or so seconds, so that it will spiral. Then, back-comb your bangs and pin the ends down near your ponytail to create the quiff. If this doesn’t appeal to you, you can try curling hair with a quiff and add a large flower barrette to finish it off.

Here's some videos by Kandee Johnson of other hairstyles which you could use when creating your rockabilly look:

Makeup:

Again, I turn to my favourite makeup artist for a tutroial on makeup. I'm choosing a few of Kandee Johson's videos depending on which style of makeup you prefer.

CLothes:

Go for - halter dresses with sweet-heart necklines, bust ruching and fitted waists, high waist pencil skirts in either black or red, cardigan sweaters, sweater sets, full gathered skirts in floral prints or bright solid colours, high-waisted ankle length pants and men’s striped dress shirts (roll up the sleeves and tie a knot in the front). When it comes to shoes, look for Mary Janes, retro flats, saddle shoes, Converse All Stars and boots. You may want to try wearing bobby socks with your flat shoes. Finally, when it comes to accessories, wear tattoo-inspired necklaces, leopard print or hounds-tooth purses, headbands, hair nets and small classic earrings.