Vintage hairstyles often look complicated, but this tutorial proves that some of the prettiest retro looks can be surprisingly simple.
In the video, the creator shares two of her favorite everyday vintage hairstyles: a classic chignon and elegant milkmaid braids
. Both styles require only a few basic tools and can be done in just a few minutes, making them perfect for busy mornings or days when your hair isn’t freshly washed.
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The Beauty of Simple Vintage Hairstyles
The creator starts by explaining that these are her personal go-to hairstyles whenever she’s short on time, feeling a little lazy about styling her hair, or working with second-day hair. Instead of spending a lot of time curling or setting her hair, she relies on these quick styles to create a polished vintage-inspired look.
The only supplies needed are:
- A hairbrush
- Hair elastics
- Plenty of bobby pins
She mentions that these hairstyles work best on longer hair, although shoulder-length hair may also be long enough depending on thickness and texture.
Hairstyle #1: The Classic Chignon
The first hairstyle featured in the tutorial is the chignon, a timeless updo that has remained popular for decades.
What Is a Chignon?
A chignon is essentially a knot or roll of hair positioned at the back of the head. The creator explains that variations of this hairstyle appeared throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, making it a versatile choice for anyone interested in vintage fashion.
One reason the chignon has remained popular for so long is its elegance. It looks refined enough for formal occasions while still being practical for everyday wear.
Creating the Chignon
The process begins with thoroughly brushing the hair to remove tangles and create a smooth foundation.
Next, a part is created. The creator uses a middle part but notes that a side part works just as well depending on personal preference.
The front sections of hair are then twisted. Starting at the part, each side is twisted toward the ear and secured with two or three bobby pins. These twists help frame the face and add a vintage touch to the finished look.
Once both sides are pinned:
- Gather all remaining hair into a low ponytail.
- Slightly loosen the front twists for added volume.
- Divide the ponytail into sections.
- Twist the sections together.
The twisted hair is then wrapped and shaped into the chignon at the back of the head.
The Most Challenging Part
According to the creator, forming the actual chignon can sometimes be the trickiest step. Stray hairs may stick out, and getting the shape right can require some patience.
Her solution is simple: use as many bobby pins as necessary.
Once everything feels secure and comfortable, the hairstyle is complete.
The final result is a sophisticated vintage updo that looks much more complicated than it actually is.
Hairstyle #2: Vintage Milkmaid Braids
The second hairstyle is the creator’s beloved milkmaid braids.
She notes that this look was particularly popular during the 1940s, making it a great option for anyone trying to achieve an authentic vintage appearance.
Why Milkmaid Braids Are So Popular
Milkmaid braids combine practicality with elegance. They keep the hair completely off the neck and face while creating a soft, romantic silhouette.
There are several variations of this hairstyle, but the traditional version usually features:
- A center part
- Two braids wrapped across the top of the head
The creator personally prefers a slight side part for a softer look.
Creating the Milkmaid Braids
The process begins similarly to the chignon.
After creating a side or center part:
- Twist the front sections of hair.
- Secure them with bobby pins.
Next, divide the remaining hair into two equal sections.
Each section is braided separately. The creator jokes that braiding takes a while for her, especially with long hair, but the process itself is straightforward.
Once both braids are complete, the styling begins.
Wrapping the Braids
The first braid is brought over the top of the head and pinned securely.
The second braid is then placed in front of the first braid to create the characteristic milkmaid effect.
To make the hairstyle look seamless, the loose end of the braid is tucked underneath the opposite braid and hidden from view.
Securing Everything
Just like with the chignon, bobby pins play a major role.
The creator mentions that she often uses around fifteen bobby pins because her hair is thick and heavy. While that may sound excessive, the extra pins ensure the hairstyle stays in place throughout the day.
Once everything is pinned down securely, the milkmaid braids are finished.
The result is a charming vintage hairstyle that looks elegant, feminine, and surprisingly wearable for everyday life.
Here’s a detailed blog-post-style version of the video in a casual, reader-friendly tone.
4 Easy Vintage Hairstyles for Long Hair That Actually Work for Busy Days
Vintage hairstyles are gorgeous, but let’s be honest—they can also seem intimidating. Between perfectly set curls, complicated victory rolls, and endless styling tutorials, it’s easy to assume that recreating vintage looks requires a lot of time and effort.
That’s exactly why Vicky’s approach is so refreshing.
In her video, she shares the vintage-inspired hairstyles she actually wears in real life. These aren’t elaborate styles reserved for special occasions. They’re quick, practical hairstyles she relies on when she’s heading to work, running late, or simply doesn’t feel like spending an hour on her hair.
If you’ve ever wanted a vintage look without the vintage-level commitment, these hairstyles might become your new favorites.
Starting With a Simple Foundation
Before jumping into the hairstyles, Vicky begins by lightly refreshing her curls.
She uses a curling wand to redefine some of the curls in her hair, explaining that she often does this at the beginning of the week. Instead of fully styling her hair every morning, she creates a foundation that can last for several days.
The goal isn’t perfection. She isn’t spending a long time creating flawless curls. Instead, she’s simply adding enough shape and definition to make styling easier throughout the week.
This approach is especially helpful for people with long hair because it creates texture and hold without requiring daily heat styling.
Once the curls are refreshed, the real fun begins.
Hairstyle #1: Faux Bangs Without the Commitment
The first hairstyle is one of the most versatile looks in the entire video.
If you’ve ever wondered what you would look like with bangs but weren’t willing to commit to cutting them, this style offers a clever solution.
Vicky starts by creating a deep side part. She then takes a section of hair from the front of her head and smooths it out with a comb. After applying a small amount of mousse, she rolls the section inward to create the illusion of bangs.
The finished result resembles vintage bumper bangs and instantly changes the overall appearance of the hairstyle.
What makes this look especially appealing is how customizable it is.
You can:
- Leave the rest of your hair down
- Add a vintage bandana
- Twist and pin the sides for a half-up style
- Wear it with a ponytail
- Pair it with different accessories
The hairstyle gives off strong 1940s and 1950s vibes while taking only a few minutes to create.
For anyone curious about bangs but not ready to grab scissors, this is probably the easiest way to experiment.
Hairstyle #2: The Easy Front Roll
Next up is a simplified version of a vintage front roll.
Traditional victory rolls can be beautiful, but they often require practice and patience. Vicky’s version captures a similar aesthetic while being much easier to achieve.
Using the same side-parting technique, she applies a little mousse to a front section of hair and wraps it around her fingers.
After rolling the hair inward, she gently twists it into position and secures it with bobby pins.
The result is a soft vintage roll that frames the face beautifully without looking overly formal.
One of the best things about this style is how well it works with modern outfits.
You can wear it:
- With your hair down
- In a low ponytail
- In a high ponytail
- With a ribbon or bow
- For work or casual outings
The addition of a ribbon creates a playful retro look that feels youthful and effortless.
Hairstyle #3: The “I’m Running Late” Hairdo
This might be the most relatable hairstyle in the entire video.
Vicky jokingly describes it as her “I have a meeting in fifteen minutes and I’m not ready” hairstyle.
The technique is incredibly simple.
After creating her usual side part, she takes a front section of hair and rolls it outward rather than inward. Instead of creating a dramatic roll, she simply pins it back into the rest of her hair.
That’s it.
Seriously.
The style takes almost no time at all, but still adds enough detail to make it look like some effort went into the hairstyle.
To elevate the look, she adds a ribbon.
This is one of the biggest themes throughout the video: accessories do a lot of the work.
A ribbon, scarf, or bandana can instantly make a simple hairstyle feel more vintage and intentional.
According to Vicky, changing ribbon colors is an easy way to create variety throughout the week without changing the hairstyle itself.
Bonus Variation: A Quick 1960s-Inspired Half-Up Style
Vicky also demonstrates a simple variation that transforms the previous hairstyle into something completely different.
Instead of rolling the hair to the side, she pushes it upward and backward before pinning it in place.
This creates volume at the crown and gives the hairstyle a subtle 1960s feel.
The look is reminiscent of the bouffant-inspired styles that became popular during the decade, but without requiring teasing, hairspray overload, or complicated styling techniques.
She also shares a practical tip for fixing awkward bumps or uneven sections.
Rather than restarting the hairstyle, simply use strategically placed bobby pins to shape the hair where needed.
Sometimes the quickest solution is the best solution.
Hairstyle #4: Milkmaid Braids With a Vintage Twist
The final hairstyle in the video is the most elaborate, but it’s still surprisingly manageable.
Vicky starts by parting her hair down the middle and separating a small front section.
The rest of the hair is divided into two sections and braided into traditional braids.
Once the braids are complete, she wraps them across the top of her head and secures them with plenty of bobby pins.
If you have very long or thick hair, you’ll probably need extra pins to keep everything secure.
On its own, this creates a classic milkmaid braid style.
But Vicky adds her signature touch.
Instead of pinning the front section back traditionally, she rolls it into the same front roll used in previous hairstyles.
This small detail transforms the look from simple milkmaid braids into something that feels much more vintage-inspired.
The combination of braided structure and rolled front volume creates a hairstyle that looks far more complicated than it actually is.
The Secret Ingredient: Bobby Pins
If there’s one lesson to take away from this tutorial, it’s that bobby pins are doing most of the heavy lifting.
Throughout every hairstyle, Vicky relies on bobby pins to:
- Secure rolls
- Hide loose strands
- Shape volume
- Anchor braids
- Hold accessories in place
She jokes that vintage hairstyles and bobby pins basically go hand in hand, and after watching the tutorial, it’s hard to disagree.
Why These Hairstyles Work So Well
What makes these hairstyles stand out isn’t their complexity.
It’s the opposite.
They’re realistic.
Many vintage hair tutorials focus on recreating historically accurate styles, which can be beautiful but often require significant time and effort.
Vicky’s hairstyles are inspired by vintage fashion rather than strict historical recreation. They capture the charm and silhouette of retro styles while fitting into modern schedules.
Most of them take only a few minutes, require minimal products, and can be adapted in countless ways with accessories.
For busy mornings, workdays, or those moments when you want to look put together without dedicating an hour to styling, these hairstyles strike the perfect balance between practicality and vintage flair.
The end result is proof that you don’t need complicated techniques or professional-level skills to bring a little retro charm into your everyday routine.
