How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (2024)

Table of Contents
Ready Your Hair for Styling Create Waves Finish the Look Community Q&A Video Tips Things You'll Need You Might Also Like References About This Article Reader Success Stories Did this article help you? References
  • Categories
  • Personal Care and Style
  • Hair Care
  • Hair Texture
  • Wavy Hair
  • Making Wavy Hair

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parts

1Ready Your Hair for Styling

2Create Waves

3Finish the Look

Other Sections

Video

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

Reviewed byJasmin Todd

Last Updated: May 21, 2023Approved

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This chic, flirty hairstyle has stayed popular through the decades, and it's easy to do at home. Whether you think you were meant to be a lady of the thirties or you just want to experiment with a new 'do, read on to learn how to create this gorgeous look.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Ready Your Hair for Styling

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  1. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (4)

    1

    Wash your hair. You need to start with wet hair for this style to take hold, so go ahead and wash it using your favorite shampoo and conditioner.

  2. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (5)

    2

    Blot it dry. Don't entirely dry your hair; just blot it gently with a soft towel, making sure it's no longer dripping wet.

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  3. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (6)

    3

    Apply gel. Any type of strong-hold hair gel will do. Use a liberal amount toward the top and front of your hair, where the finger waves will be, and spread a smaller amount throughout the rest of your hair.

  4. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (7)

    4

    Part your hair. Use a fine-toothed comb to create a deep part on one side. Extend it back further than you normally would, so it almost reaches the crown of your head. Make sure it's nice and straight.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Create Waves

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  1. 1

    Comb your hair forward on the bigger side of the part. Leave the other side of the part, the smaller side, untouched for now. Comb your hair straight forward on the larger side.

  2. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (10)

    2

    Place your forefinger parallel to the part and press down. You want to align your finger with the part and press down to keep the hair right next to the part in place.

  3. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (11)

    3

    Comb the hair next to your finger back. This is a little tricky. Keep your finger firmly in place, so that the hair underneath it stays in its forward-combed position. Now take the comb and use it to comb the hair right next to your finger backward, so it's going in the opposite direction of the hair under your forefinger.

  4. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (12)

    4

    Position your middle finger next to your forefinger. You're using your middle finger to hold the hair right next to your forefinger in place.

  5. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (13)

    5

    Pinch the two fingers together and secure the hair with a metal wave clamp. The hair that lifts between your fingers is going to become a finger wave. Hold it in place with one of the metal wave clamps. The clamp should run parallel to your part.

  6. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (14)

    6

    Make more waves. Comb the hair right next to the clamp forward, and hold it there with your forefinger. Comb the hair next to your forefinger backward, and hold it there with your middle finger. Pinch your fingers together and secure the hair that lifts between them with a metal wave clamp. Keep making waves until you've created waves down the top of your ear.

  7. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (15)

    7

    Wave the hair on the other side of the part. Do the same thing to the other side, using your fingers and the clamps to create waves all the way to the top of your ear.

  8. 8

    Let your hair dry. Your hair should completely dry in the clamps. Don't take them out while your hair is still wet, or the waves will fall out.

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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finish the Look

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  1. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (18)

    1

    Consider the rest of your hair. The finger wave is typically only done to either side of the front of the hair. The rest of your hair should also be styled to create a polished look. Choose one of these options:

    • If you have long hair, create soft curls. After you've put the clamps in and while your hair is still damp, roll the rest of your hair up in curlers.
    • Do a bob. If your hair is short, you can curl the rest of it under using a few large curlers.
    • Make a chignon. This is a pretty way to style your hair, too.

  2. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (19)

    2

    Remove the clamps. Gently un-clamp them to reveal your new finger waves. If your hair is totally dry, they should stay in place.

    • If you put curlers in your hair, take those out as well.
    • Don't comb your hair or the waves will get loose.

  3. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (20)

    3

    Spray your hair with hairspray. Make sure your look stays in place by using hairspray to secure it. Spray the front and sides of your hair.

  4. How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (21)

    4

    Add some 30s flair. Do 30s-style makeup, and put on a 30s-style outfit. Your look is now complete.

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    See Also
    50 Best 1930s Hairstyles for Women Trending Again

Community Q&A

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  • Question

    Where can I buy the metal hair clamps to reproduce the 1930''s wave hairdo?

    How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (22)

    Community Answer

    A lot of beauty supply stores stock them.

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  • Question

    How long will the waves stay in place?

    How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (23)

    Community Answer

    I always finger wave and pin curl my hair, and my finger waves have lasted until I washed it again. I use extra-strength setting lotion (any quality brand should do) and I got the wave clamps from eBay. The finger wave technique is something that you get better at doing over time, and the hair will naturally begin to fall into that pattern when you finger wave it often.

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    Not Helpful 4Helpful 14

  • Question

    Where can I find curlers for my hair, and am I able to do this with long hair?

    How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (24)

    Community Answer

    You can find curlers in the beauty/hair section of any major retail store. You can use curlers on long hair, as well.

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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Video

      Tips

      • If you can't find metal wave clamps, improvise with hair clips, chip clips, or another clip-like contraption to hold the waves in place.

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      • You can do an entire head of finger waves, it isn't just for the sides.

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      Things You'll Need

      • Comb
      • Hair gel
      • Wave clips
      • Curlers
      • Alligator Clips

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      References

      1. Videos provided by Isabel Barense

      About This Article

      How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (35)

      Reviewed by:

      Jasmin Todd

      Curly Hair Specialist

      This article was reviewed by Jasmin Todd. Jasmin Todd is a Curly Hair Specialist and the Owner of Austin Curls in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Jasmin trained at the world-famous Ouidad salon and is Ouidad certified. In 2022, Mane Addicts named Austin Curls as one of the Top U.S. Salons for Curly Hair. This article has been viewed 701,433 times.

      47 votes - 73%

      Co-authors: 28

      Updated: May 21, 2023

      Views:701,433

      Categories: Making Wavy Hair

      Article SummaryX

      If you want to do a 1930's finger wave hairstyle, start by washing your hair and blotting it partially dry. Then, apply a strong-hold hairgel to your hair and part your hair to one side, making sure the part extends back to the crown of your head. After it is parted, start combing your hair down on the larger side of your part. When you get to where you want a wave, hold your finger parallel to the part, press down and secure a wave clamp. Repeat this process until you have several waves on each side. Let the clamps sit until your hair completely dries and remove for a stunning effect! To learn how to style the back of your hair while sporting this hairstyle in the front, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (36)

        Angela T. Cannavo

        Oct 5, 2018

        "I always wanted to know how 1930's waves were set into hair, and had often imagined giving it a try if I..." more

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      How to Style a 1930s Finger Wave Hairstyle (with Pictures) (2024)

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