Learn How To Master The Iconic Beehive Hairstyle
Can a hairstyle truly define an era, and if so, which one has best captured the spirit of rebellion, glamour, and enduring style? The answer, unequivocally, is the beehive a towering testament to the audacious spirit of the 1960s and a hairstyle that refuses to fade into obscurity.
The beehive, a silhouette that continues to evoke visions of chic sophistication and bold self-expression, was born from an era of unprecedented societal shifts, the dawn of the space age, and a burgeoning fashion scene. Initially conceived to complement the stylish pillbox hats, which were considered the epitome of elegance, the beehive was more than just a hairstyle; it was a statement. It was a way for women to express their individuality, their confidence, and their willingness to embrace the unconventional.
Let's delve deeper into the core of this iconic hairstyle, its creation, and its enduring relevance. From the intricate techniques used to build this magnificent structure to its evolution in the modern era, the beehive offers a rich tapestry of beauty, history, and enduring influence.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin and Era | Developed in the early 1960s. Popularized during the decade, reflecting the era's fashion and societal changes. |
| Key Characteristics | A voluminous, often cylindrical or conical shape. Height and lift are achieved through teasing, backcombing, and strategic pinning. |
| Purpose and Style | Intended to complement contemporary fashion trends, particularly hats. It provided a formal, elegant, and structured look. |
| Cultural Impact | Became a symbol of the era's boldness and a visual shorthand for the sophistication of the period. Featured in popular culture through music, film, and magazines. |
| Famous Hairstylists | Stylists like Giles Robinson have created tutorials. Others like Martin Parsons have demonstrated at hair shows. |
| Techniques | Teasing the front section of hair. Lightly backcombing. Pinning strands to form a voluminous base. Using hairspray for hold and shape. |
| Modern Interpretations | Continues to inspire contemporary hairstyles. It can be adapted to various lengths, textures, and personal styles. |
| Celebrity Adoption | Celebrities, fashion icons, and stylists continue to be inspired by and recreate the beehive style. |
| Adaptability | Works well in formal settings, such as weddings, parties, and special events. Can be styled with loose hair, side bangs, or other elements. |
The journey to mastering the beehive, from its complex origins to the modern interpretations seen today, involves a number of techniques and steps. One of the initial crucial steps involves preparing the hair, usually starting with freshly washed and dried locks. Some stylists and experienced hair experts advise applying a volumizing hairspray for the foundation, especially for those with fine or straight hair, to add a degree of grip and texture, ensuring the hair will hold its shape. The actual process of building a beehive begins with teasing the front sections, focusing on the crown or where bangs would begin, and moving back towards the middle of the head. This technique provides the volume needed to give the beehive its signature height. The hair is held away from the head and teased with a fine-toothed comb, pushing it back towards the scalp to create a dense, voluminous base.
As the volume is built, strands from the sides and top of the head are carefully pulled back and pinned to the teased section to create the desired shape. It's a balancing act, bringing in strands to shape and cover the teased base while maintaining volume and ensuring the desired silhouette. The bottom half of the hair can be curled, lightly backcombed, or left loose, depending on the specific style you are after. In a tutorial, Giles Robinson, a stylist from John Frieda, demonstrates how to achieve a flawless beehive, which is ideal for occasions such as weddings or summer parties. The stylist from the Regis artistic team at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, Chris Tilley, showcases how to create the iconic '60s beehive style with flicks at the bottom, offering another option that is time-consuming but very easy. Martin Parsons, another expert, shares a modern version of the vintage hairstyle, showing versatility in the look.
The beehive's enduring appeal lies not just in its historical context but in its adaptability. It's a style that works in many ways, providing options for incorporating the hair into the structure, or wearing it loose. Those with side bangs can easily incorporate them. The look, as seen in many a modern interpretation, can include slight crimping. The beehive hairdo, born in the 1960s, remains a "totally '60s look" that is "still super cool and highly complementary." Many people find it a perfect hairstyle for weddings or summer parties. The focus is always on making sure the style can be customized to fit different lengths and textures. The core of building a beehive, as indicated by many experts, involves taking a small section of hair, around 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters), and teasing it, using short strokes toward the scalp to build volume. In many tutorials, the ultimate goal is to make sure the beehive is tall, not wide.
The beehive's popularity is a reflection of the broader beauty trends from the 1960s. In that era, women dedicated considerable effort and time to elaborate updos, particularly those with long hair, a fact which highlighted that simplicity was not a priority. It was about effort and impact. Hair was curled, teased, and sprayed into place. The beehive did not emerge in a vacuum; it was a product of its environment. It became wildly popular, the first genuinely original hairstyle in decades. Its association with specific cultural references, from music and film to the mod fashion of the time, cemented its position as an enduring symbol. The hairstyle often included the iconic flicks at the bottom.
Modern beehives are often inspired by the original, and modern stylists like Giles Robinson have come up with tutorials to guide through the process. The original look, which evolved from complex updos, gave rise to simpler variations that made the hairstyle more accessible and wearable. The style that was first created to complement the hats now stands on its own, and has been adapted in modern interpretations that reflect individuality and flair, showing its evolution.
The beehive hairstyle, born out of a desire for height and structure, also provided an interesting contrast to the sleekness seen in other hairstyles. It wasn't just about volume; it was about creating a statement. By understanding the foundation of the beehive and adapting the techniques, the style remains relevant and easily personalized.
As fashion cycles turn, the beehive endures, a reminder of a time when women embraced bold styles that stood the test of time. The beehive represents an interesting fusion of the past and present, and the style's versatility guarantees its future.
