How to Do Victory Rolls: A Step-by-Step 1940s Hairstyle Tutorial

What Are Victory Rolls?

The History Behind Victory Rolls

The victory roll hairstyle consists of thick, sausage-shaped rolls of hair above the ears or on top of the head. Victory rolls are among the most iconic WW2 hairstyles, having been popularised by Old Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman.

As for why exactly they are called victory rolls, that remains something of a mystery. Many theories abound, though.

One such theory that it comes from the “V” shape of the hair. Another is that women had to wear their hair up for safety reasons when operating machinery on the home front. Later 1940s hairstyles moved away from the “victory roll” shape.

Why Victory Rolls Are Still Popular Today

Many women during WW2 were photographed sporting victory rolls. So, it’s no wonder that today’s fashionistas continue to associate them with the era. Going to a WW2-themed event or fancy-dress party any time soon? Expect to see a lot of victory rolls!

This retro hairstyle’s popularity took hold during the “pin-up” era of the 1940s and 1950s, with many actresses of the era seen wearing them. So, victory rolls enable followers of the modern vintage revival to easily emulate these stars’ glamorous looks.

Whether your hair is fine, short, or just needs a bit more oomph, clip-in extensions are the secret weapon behind many a show-stopping victory roll. For many people (stylists included), they are the “cheat code” to getting the fullest, most dramatic rolls. It’s all about smart styling, not settling for awkward workarounds.

What You’ll Need

Tools and Products

To get started, you’ll need these hair care products:

• Clip-on extensions
• Rattail comb
• Sectioning clips
• Bobby pins (kirby grips)
• Hairspray (the “strong hold” type)

Optional extras include dry shampoo (for giving your hair just the right texture) and a curling tong. You would use the latter to create the “roll” effect, but we know an even better method…

To create victory rolls, we like to recycle loo-roll cylinders. This may sound “out there”, but they’re the perfect size and easy to work with. Here’s how you do it:

• Using a hair grip, attach the cylinder to the ends of your hair strands.
• Roll the hair inwards, towards your head. The hair will form a loop around the cylinder.
• Are your hair ends being uncooperative? Wet them to calm them down.
• Keep rolling until the cylinder reaches your scalp. Now remove the grips from the hair ends and slide the cylinder out. You will be left with evenly curled hair.
• Insert pins into this hair to keep it rolled up.
• Repeat it all on the other side of your head to create your second victory roll.

If you want fuller, more dramatic rolls, a set of clip-in hair extensions is the easiest way to get there. Clip them in before you start and style them exactly like your own hair.

Which Hair Types and Lengths Work Best

Fine hair: generally, the more hair, the better for your victory rolls. You can work with fine hair by backcombing it, but this alone may not add enough body. That’s where Double Weft clip-ins (180-220g) can help, giving your hair more volume and structure, and the roll something to grip onto.

Thick hair: this kind of hair literally gives you more to work with. It also holds its shape more easily. So, weaving those luscious strands into victory rolls should be a doddle, right? Well, hair length plays a part, too. Even some thick-haired customers add clip-ins if they need a little extra.

Short hair (chin to shoulder): achieving the classic “double roll” with short hair is tricky, but certainly not impossible. Use clip-in hair extensions to bridge the gap. Even a One Piece Top Up (40g, 10” wide) clipped at the crown adds enough for a mini roll.

Curly/wavy hair: the good news is that you’ve got a lot of options here. You can go full turbo-curly with a curling wand or just leave your curls as they are for a subtler effect. You do, though, need to straighten the front sections first. Cliphair’s clip-ins are 100% Remy human hair, so they can be heat-styled and backcombed just like natural hair.

How to Do Victory Rolls Step by Step

Step 1 – Prepare Your Hair

Our victory rolls tutorial begins with a simple tip: don’t wash. Yes, seriously. Hair that’s gone without a good shampooing for at least 24 hours will be left with an oily residue; just what you need for easy victory rolls.

If you still can’t resist reaching for shampoo, opt for the dry variety. This, too, will give your hair the texture it needs for those bobby pins to stick. Avoid heavy products, but brush through your hair thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

This is when you’ll want to clip in your extensions if you’re using them. Focus on the crown and the two front sections where the rolls will sit; that’s where the extra volume makes the biggest difference. Add these clip-ins before backcombing. A Double Weft lace seam will hold backcombing well.

Step 2 – Section and Backcomb

Using the rattail comb, part your hair into three sections. Divide the front of your hair into two sections while leaving the back of your hair as the third section.

Now it’s time to backcomb those two front sections. What is backcombing? It’s basically where you comb the underside of your hair, or its “back”. In this instance, backcomb each section from mid-length to the root. Keep the top layer smooth.

If you’re wearing clip-ins, backcomb your natural hair and the extensions together. The extra density means your backcombing holds its shape much better than with natural hair alone.

Step 3 – Form the Victory Roll

Whether you want to know how to do victory rolls or victory curls, the general principle is the same. (Victory curly hair falls from the sides of the head rather than the front.)

After backcombing a section, hold it straight up. Now wrap it inward using your fingers or that trusty loo-roll cylinder. Tuck the hair ends under before pinning them securely at the base. Now repeat the whole process elsewhere for symmetry.

The extra volume from clip-in extensions gives you bigger, fuller rolls with less effort. You won’t need to backcomb as aggressively to get that plump, rounded shape.

Step 4 – Style the Back

Option A (Period-accurate): this entails curling the hair and pinning it at the nape. It’s the most historically authentic victory-roll look.

Option B (Modern): let the curls or waves hang out loosely for a relaxed finish. If you’ve added clip-in extensions, this is where the extra length really pays off, giving gorgeous, full curls that complete the vintage look.

Option C (Victory roll bun): wrap up the hair at the back into a low bun or chignon. With extra hair from extensions, you can create a larger, more impressive chignon.

Victory Roll Variations to Try

Single Victory Roll

Got shorter hair? A little can go a long way, as the saying goes. A single victory roll near the crown or sides of the head makes for an asymmetric, modern take. Even a One Piece Top Up clipped near the parting adds enough volume for a statement single roll.

Half-Up Victory Rolls

This is where clip-in extensions really shine. Think full rolls at the front and long, flowing curls at the back. A Double Weft or Seamless set gives you length and volume for both. These are also the most wearable everyday victory rolls.

Victory Roll Bun

Here, you get rolls at the front of the hair with one rolled bun at the back. It’s a polished look fit for weddings, themed events, and formal occasions. With our more than 17 years’ experience of providing clip-on hair extensions, we can give you a fuller chignon.

Troubleshooting Tips

My Rolls Won’t Stay in Place

Try backcombing the hair more, applying stronger hairspray and insetting more bobby pins. Also make sure you haven’t washed your hair for a day. Or, if you have, ensure you at least used dry shampoo for the job. Otherwise, the hair might not be grippy enough.

If your rolls keep collapsing, the issue is usually not enough hair to hold the shape. Adding clip-in extensions gives the roll more body and structure, so it holds itself up better with less backcombing and fewer pins.

My Hair Is Too Fine or Short for Victory Rolls

Fine hair: Classic Full Head clip-ins (130g) are designed specifically for fine hair. They add volume without being heavy, and the lightweight seam sits flat under the roll.

Short hair (chin to shoulder): you’ll need extra strength to wrap into a roll. A full-head clip-in set in 16” or 18” gives you enough working hair for a proper victory roll, even if your natural hair only reaches your chin.

Very short hair: no, you’re not a lost cause, as clip-in hair extensions can come to the rescue yet again! Besides, this can be very much a case of “less is more”. Try a single mini victory roll with a One Piece Top Up for a touch of volume.

My Rolls Look Uneven

Here’s where the loo-roll cylinder trick proves especially handy. Use it for each victory roll to ensure consistent sizing. To make certain sure, check those rolls in the mirror before pinning.

Best Hair Extensions for Victory Rolls

Why Extensions Make Victory Rolls Easier

Victory rolls need volume and length to hold their shape. If your natural hair is fine, layered, or shorter than shoulder length, extensions take the style from struggling-to-stay-put to effortlessly full.

Which Clip-In Extensions to Choose

How to Colour Match for Victory Rolls

If your hair colour just slightly mismatches, it’s easy to assume that people won’t notice. Indeed, with a hair-down style, you might just get away with it. However, it’s going to be more visible with an updo like victory rolls.

That’s why we recommend Cliphair’s free colour matching service. You can also obscure the effect with balayage hair extensions, which add dimension to rolls.