Hair dye has been used for thousands of years to alter hair color for aesthetic, cultural and religious reasons. The practice of dyeing hair likely originated in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece and Rome. By the early 20th century, commercial hair dyes started becoming widely available, allowing people to easily change their hair color at home. The 1950s saw the rise in popularity of at-home hair dye, providing an affordable and convenient way for women to keep up with the latest hair trends.
The Origins of Hair Dye
The use of hair dye dates back to ancient times. In ancient Egypt, both men and women would dye their hair using henna to change their natural hair color. Henna could produce shades of red, brown and black dye for the hair. Ancient Greek texts also make references to hair dying using plant dyes and even harsh chemicals like sulfur and alum. The ancient Romans were known to use plant extracts as well as soaked animal fats to achieve lighter hair colors like blond and red.
Hair dyeing continued to be practiced in many cultures through the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. However, most hair dyes were temporary and washed out after one application. Permanent hair dye formulas were not developed until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Rise of Commercial Hair Dye
In 1907, French chemist Eugene Schueller developed the first commercial hair dye and called it Aureole. Schueller would go on to found L’Oreal and begin mass marketing hair dye to women. By the 1910s and 1920s, home hair dye kits were becoming widely available and advertised in women’s magazines. These early dyes used harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia to lift and alter hair color.
In the 1930s, important innovations were made in developing safer permanent hair dyes. In 1931, German hairdresser Charles Nessler invented the cold wave or “perm” technique for curling and waving hair using chemicals instead of heat. Around the same time, Eugene Schueller of L’Oreal developed breakthrough hair dyes that used paraphenylenediamine (PPD) as a less irritating alternative to pure aniline dyes.
Hair Dye in the 1950s
The 1950s saw an explosion in the popularity of commercial at-home hair dyes. After World War II ended, women who had worn dull colors out of pragmatism during the war years were ready to experiment with more exciting hair shades. The rise of Hollywood and movie stars also influenced hair trends, as women sought to emulate the latest glamorous looks.
| Brand | Year Introduced |
|---|---|
| Miss Clairol | 1950 |
| L’Oreal | 1950s |
| Clairol | 1950s |
Some key hair dye brands introduced in the 1950s include:
The 1950s saw hair dye move solidly into the mainstream. In 1950, only 7 percent of American women dyed their hair. By 1955, that number had jumped to 15 percent as hair dye became widely embraced.
The most sought after hair colors in the 1950s were shades of blonde, red and light brown. Blonde hair was considered glamorous and desirable, inspired by blonde movie stars like Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Grace Kelly. Bleaching hair to achieve platinum shades became popular. Hair dye commercials from the era tended to promote blonde hair, with taglines like “Blondes have more fun!”.
Hair Dye Trends in the 1950s
At-Home Dye Kits
In the 1950s, leading the way in the commercial hair dye industry was the company Clairol. In 1950, Clairol launched a breakthrough home hair-coloring product called Miss Clairol, the first one-step hair color kit that allowed women to easily dye their hair at home. Miss Clairol came in 12 flattering shades with an easy to use brush.
Within 6 years of its launch, Miss Clairol was being sold in 49 countries around the world. Clairol’s advertising campaigns targeted busy, middle class housewives by positioning their dye kits as an affordable luxury and beauty essential. This hugely successful marketing campaign made Clairol into a multimillion dollar company.
Vibrant Colors
While blonde was the most in-demand shade, hair dye allowed women to experiment with vibrant new colors like platinum, bright red and jet black. Hair could be colored all over or in highlighted streaks. Advice columns cautioned women against dyeing their hair too drastically different from its natural shade, but more bold looks started coming into fashion.
Dyeing Gray Hair
Another major incentive for women to dye their hair was to cover up gray strands. In the 1950s, gray or white hair was strongly associated with old age. Women were advised by beauty magazines to touch up their roots frequently to avoid a growing out effect as gray hairs came in.
Hair dye allowed women to retain a youthful, vibrant hair color instead of transitioning to fully gray or white hair as they aged. For many women, regular dyeing became an essential ritual to hang on to a modern, attractive look.
Hair Dye Safety
While hair dye technology had improved from earlier decades, 1950s hair dye still posed some safety hazards:
– Dye could cause irritation and burns on the scalp and skin if left on too long. Extra caution was required for leaving dye on the recommended amount of time.
– Over-bleaching and back-to-back dyeing could damage and dry out the hair, leaving it brittle and weakened. Women were advised not to dye their hair more than once every 4-6 weeks.
– Some women experienced allergic reactions to the chemicals in dyes, especially paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Allergy testing before use was recommended.
– If multiple products were used improper order, like bleaches and ammonia, the chemical interaction could damage hair. Proper instructions had to be followed.
By the late 1950s, scientists raised concerns about links between hair dye ingredients and cancer. While more research was still needed, it was the first time the long-term safety of hair dyes came into question.
Why Hair Dye was Popular in the 1950s
There are several key reasons why at-home hair dye became widely popular and socially acceptable during the 1950s:
1. Inexpensive, convenient accessibility
After WWII, the American economy was growing steadily. Commercial hair dye was now an affordable product for middle class women. Easy to use at-home dye kits meant women didn’t have to go to an expensive salon for a temporary dye job.
2. Hollywood and celebrity influence
Hair trends were heavily influenced by the latest glamorous looks of Hollywood stars. Women sought to imitate the platinum bombshells they saw on screen using home hair dye products.
3. Rejecting a “matronly” look
Gray or dull hair was associated with being old fashioned. Youthful, vivid hair dye allowed women to avoid a matronly appearance.
4. Increasing cosmetics usage
The 1950s saw an expansion in the use of cosmetics and beauty products like makeup and dyed hair. Hair dye was part of creating a complete put-together look.
5. Focus on femininity and beauty
After serious wartime years, women wanted to express their femininity again through their clothing, makeup and dyed hair. Blonde hair in particular was tied to American ideals of female beauty.
Hair Dye Advertising in the 1950s
Hair dye companies relied heavily on advertising to make their products into must-have items for women in the 1950s. Some key themes and strategies used in vintage hair dye ads from this era include:
– Advertisements targeted housewives by positioning hair dye as an affordable home luxury.
– Promoting hair dye as a way to keep up a youthful, attractive appearance.
– Making blonde hair seem glamorous by associating it with Hollywood and popular culture.
– Before and after photos showed women transformed into new, exciting hair colors.
– Emphasizing how easy and safe the dyes were to use at home.
– Suggesting that hair dyeing was a commonplace activity that most women did.
– Claiming that hair could be dyed without anyone being able to tell it wasn’t natural.
– Recommending regular touch-ups to cover new growth and grays to maintain color.
Types of Hair Dye Used
Permanent Dyes
Most mainstream hair dyes available in the 1950s were permanent dyes that caused lasting chemical changes in the hair shaft. Permanent dyes were most popular because the color remained until the hair grew out.
Popular dye chemicals:
– Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) – an organic compound that was less irritating than pure aniline dyes
– Ammonia – added to open hair cuticles so dye could penetrate shaft
– Hydrogen peroxide – bleaching agent mixed with ammonia to lighten hair
– Resorcinol – helped direct dye molecules inside hair shaft
Semi-permanent Dyes
Semi-permanent dyes coated the outside of the hair shaft but did not penetrate or permanently alter it. The color washed out over 4-8 shampoos. Could be used to go darker without bleaching but didn’t last as long.
Temporary Rinses
Temporary rinses or coloring mousses were applied on top of hair and rinsed off at the end. Only lasted 1-2 shampoos before fading. Easy to use but not long lasting results.
Bleaches
Bleaching kits used peroxide solutions to strip natural pigment from the hair and lighten it. Bleaching was required before applying lighter dye colors. Over-bleaching could seriously damage hair.
Color Removers
Color removers used reducing agents to remove permanent dye molecules from hair. Allowed dyeing hair back to original shade if desired.
Salon Hair Dying vs. At-Home Kits
In the 1950s, women had two main options for coloring their hair:
Professional Salon Dyeing
– More expensive, around $15-25 per appointment.
– Custom blending for more subtle, natural looks.
– Even dye application by a skilled stylist.
– Strand tests done to check results before full coloring.
– Less risk of scalp burns or skin irritation.
At-Home Dye Kits
– Very inexpensive, around $1-3 per box kit.
– Limited color selection, mostly basic shades.
– More likely to have uneven or splotchy results.
– No skin allergy testing so higher irritation risks.
– Had to follow timing directions closely to avoid damage.
Despite risks, at-home dyes were by far the most popular for their affordability and convenience. Easy to use products like Miss Clairol made home dyeing simple.
Hair Dye and Teenage Girls
During the 1950s, some parents imposed strict rules against their teenage daughters dyeing their hair. Unnaturally colored hair was seen as a sign of rebellion or loose morals. However, many teens broke parental prohibitions and dyed their hair fashionable shades anyway.
Some concerns about teenagers using hair dye included:
– Skin irritation or allergic reactions more likely for first time users.
– Overuse could damage delicate hair that was still developing.
– Association of dyed hair with being “fast” or promiscuous.
– Trying to emulate provocative Hollywood stars viewed negatively.
– Permanent coloring hard to reverse if parents disapproved.
Despite parental reservations, hair dye let teenagers experiment with their identity and keep up with the latest styles of the day.
Men and Hair Dye in the 1950s
In the 1950s, hair dye was primarily targeted at and used by women. However, some men, especially in the entertainment industry, did dye their hair:
– Male actors or performers sometimes dyed hair to look younger.
– Men with naturally gray or white hair wanted to avoid looking elderly.
– Covering up bald spots was another motive, usually with temporary rinses.
– Youth-oriented rock stars like Elvis started popularizing dyed black quiffs.
– Hair dye ads began marketing towards men later in the decade.
Overall though, dyed hair for men faced a social stigma. It was strongly associated with vanity and femininity. The vast majority of men did not color their hair, keeping their natural shades.
How Hair Dye Has Evolved Since the 1950s
Hair dye formulations and results have significantly improved over the decades:
– Usage of ammonia and other damaging ingredients has declined.
– Options for temporary and semi-permanent dyes increased.
– Advanced techniques like balayage and ombre created more natural looks.
– Toners and glazes added shine and helped color last longer.
– Access to a diverse range of fashion hair colors expanded.
– Custom blending at salons became more sophisticated.
– Keratin and other treatments helped repair hair damaged by dye.
– Hair dyes must meet much more stringent safety regulations today.
While hair dye originated in the 1950s, modern formulas deliver longer lasting, gentler and more customizable results. Hair color is also no longer permanently damaging if removed properly.
Conclusion
In summary, hair dye first became a commercialized trend in the early half of the 20th century. By the 1950s, affordable and easy to use at-home hair dye kits were widely popular with women as both beauty maintenance and a cosmetic luxury. Despite some safety concerns, dyeing hair an exciting new color became a commonplace practice. Hair dye allowed women to quickly alter their appearance to emulate Hollywood stars or cover up grays. Youthful, vibrant dyed hair was tied to femininity and breaking with tradition. While salon dyeing was more controlled, DIY kits gave women freedom and autonomy in styling their hair. Hair dye in the 1950s marked an important shift in consumer culture and women embracing cosmetics innovation to express themselves. The basic formulas and limited colors of the time did carry risks and damage, but laid the foundation for safer, diverse modern hair dye that continues transforming looks today.
