Men's 1950s Ducktail Haircut Tutorial

by JATAI, 12 Jul 2024

The ducktail haircut was a popular vintage 1950s hairstyle where the hair on the back of the head was shaped like a duck's tail. In this tutorial, it's not about any special ducktail comb or combing technique, but rather a step by step guide how to create this hairstyle with scissors.

This men's coiffed hair has continued to remained an iconic look from the 50s. Watch this ducktail hairstyle tutorial video and follow along with the transcript in this article.

Ducktail Haircut Tutorial:

Welcome back to Jatai Academy! I'm Russell Mayes, Director of Content for Jatai and today we're going to be doing a throwback to the 50s with the ducktail haircut.

Cutting the Sides

So we're going to start with a straight back section from the center of the recession that splits off the top of the head from the bottom of the head and we're going to use our Osaka Scissor because I will tend to take a larger section, so a little fatter blade and a sharper blade will make it easier to cut.

I'm going to take an angled section that's going to follow the front hairline and cut that down at whatever my desired length is. I want a little bit of length so that the hair flows back.

This haircut tends to look better with the hair that has a little bit of movement to it so. I'm walking my guide which means each section I take I'm combing into the previous section and cutting that as my guide.

So I cut the first section. I comb section one and two together to make section two. I comb section two and three together to make section three. I comb section three and four together and so on until I reach the mastoid which is that bone right behind the ear.

Now here you'll see me take the same section, the same angle and everything all the way down to the nape. And I will comb this into the previously cut section.

Now at this point I can either leave it a little longer in the nape or I can taper it in. I'm choosing to taper this in slightly so most of my ducktail is going to be a little higher up.

You're still going to get it all the way through the center which you know the ducktail is where everything is combed to the center and then right down the middle of the back of the head it's combed straight down.

So I'm taking parallel sections as I work through the back of the head and I'm combing that to the previously cut section. Now you can see here how I'm tapering that down slightly but I'm still combing everything all the way over to where that mastoid is on the right side of the head behind the ear.

I'll comb it back and check and start seeing how I build up a little bit of length and I want this length to build up as it's going towards the center of the head.

So I'm taking parallel sections at the ear combing everything to the ear all the way down to the nape, just being very very methodical with each section that I take with each section that I cut.

I want to keep it as consistent as possible you know and the Osaka Scissor tends to be nice, sharp. It's got a good blade length on it so it gives me a little bit of uh power behind each scissor stroke so I can cut more hair.

As you'll see here I'm taking everything from the center of the head pulling it over right behind the ear and cutting that on top of my previously cut guides.

Slightly tapering it a little bit as I get to the nape but still leaving that length build up in the center of the back of the head.

Now let's go through and look at it, see how we're shaping up. We can see I'm getting that length in the center of the back.

Now let's go through and cross check. I'm going to start right on top of the ear and since I cut this initially vertically I'm going to go through and cross check horizontally.

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Ducktail Haircut Horizontal Sections

Men's 1950s Ducktail Haircut Tutorial - Cutting Horizontal Sections

Now after I finish cross checking the sides there, we're going to go through and take a horizontal section to the initial parting that I had.

Now I'm going to take all the hair on top and pull over to my previously cut sections underneath. I'm holding this horizontally straight up from the head using my guide in the back as the shortest piece to make sure I blend in the back so I'm disconnecting it underneath as I get to the front of the hairline.

Whatever that front bang length is, that's the length I'm cutting it to. I could leave it longer or I could leave it shorter it's really up to your preference on how you want the top of the hair to look.

I'm going for a little bit of a pomp look so I want the front to be a little longer than it is in the crown. Now here you can really see how I'm blending the top into the back of the head and then just following my guide underneath being methodical point cutting that through so I have less worries about building up too much weight and it's going to blend a little bit easier.

I want to keep the top really soft, textured, point cutted as opposed to going through and cutting it blunt. Then it's much harder to blend that way and I have to be far more precise.

So keep following each section until I get all the way over to the center. Make sure that's cut. Now let's go through and taper it in right over the ear just a little bit more.

Cleaning up the Sides and Nape

Men's 1950s Ducktail Haircut Tutorial - Scissor Over Comb

So I'm going to go through scissor over comb shorter at the uh parting right there, shorter at the sideburn and then tapering that up and just slowly working that up until I get that blended.

Now I'm going to go through in the back. I'm just going to take a horizontal section right across the bottom and I'm going to cut that length that I built up from pulling it over to the side of the head off because I want this to be square in the back.

Some people will leave it longer and allow that ducktail to flip out. I'm going to keep it much cleaner and more tapered into the back. After I get everything done there, I'm going to go through and do exactly the same thing on the other side.

Creating the Ducktail

After I do the other side, I'm going to come back and take a center section right in the back of the head. This section I'm going to go through and create a completely new guide.

I'm going to hold it out and cut this vertically following the head shape going up the back of the head. By leaving the center in the back shorter, that allows that length build up from the sides to comb over and separate from the center of the back and gives it that really distinctive ducktail look.

I'll check it. I think it needs to be a little bit shorter so I'm going to take it a little bit shorter. But I'm just going to go through very systematically, cut the center of the back out. Now I'll start combing this down check it out see how it combs over.

I think it needs to be a little bit wider so I'm going to take and extend that a little bit to the right and a little bit to the left. So I'll start with a small section in the center about an inch wide see how the hair combs over it.

If I need a little bit more width to be undercut in the center of the back of the head, then I'll expand that section and take a little bit more. This is just purely going to be based upon visually how you want that to look from combing the hair on the sides over the center and seeing how that falls.

That's looking pretty good. I'm getting that separation right through there. So I'll do the same thing on the other side extend that a little bit to make sure I have an even amount of width in the back of the head.

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Now here you can see I'm broadening the width on the left side of the head so it matches the right side of the head. Check that out. See how that's looking. That's looking pretty good.

Addressing the Top

Men's 1950s Ducktail Haircut Tutorial - Cutting the Top

Now let's move on to the top of the head. Now since I've already cut the top by pulling it to the left and to the right to make sure it blends with the left and the right and the undercut I'm just going to go through and hold everything up right in the center, take a center section.

From my length in the front, I'm going to cut that down so it gets a little shorter towards the crown so that the emphasis of the length is right around the front and then it starts to blend as it goes to the back.

Now because I pulled everything over to the left and to the right most of the length is going to be in the center of the top of the head. So by cutting this first section I will have very little hair that reaches on either side so it's mainly I have to cut the center of the top out so that it blends like I want it to.

I'll just check here make sure both sides are even pulling everything to the center following my center cut guide to make sure that that has a nice pleasing silhouette from the side profile.

Styling and Finishing Touches

After we do this let's blow it dry and take a look at it. I'll just use a vent brush and blow dry everything in kind of a pompadour style and make sure everything gets blown back into the center blowing each side into the center.

Now we're going to take our Jatai Tokyo Thinning Scissors and go through and just blend where I did a little scissor over comb underneath there to make sure that's nice and soft and smooth through there.

A little bit in the nape as well just to keep everything soft. I'm not going to go through and do the whole thing just right where I want it to taper a little bit more. Now we're going to go through and put a little bit of pomade on it just to get some separation right there in the front.

We're going to pleat that front kind of pompadour to make it look a little more lived in and a little less Conway Twitty which is what this haircut really reminds me of.

But this will keep it a little bit more modern and cooler and give it a little bit more of a distinctive look around the front. Overall, I think everything looks pretty good.

I think we got a nice pleasing shape. The silhouette is really important when you're doing these pompadour type styles to have a good silhouette from a profile. And we're looking pretty good through there.

Nice and tapered you can see how it's being combed into the center and then the center is being combed straight down so we got a nice little DA in the back.

Check out the Jatai Academy! There's all kinds of great information on there to make you a better hair stylist. Let us know what you'd like to see in the future and we will catch you next time. Thank you so much for watching.

Final Ducktail Haircut Look

Men's 1950s Ducktail Haircut Tutorial - Final Look

Vintage hairstyles of the 50's often had a distinct look. When it comes to the ducktail, we have that image of a higher pompadour look from the front and the sides combed in to the middle of the back. It's generally worn on straight hair rather than curly hair so that you can really see the ducks tails in the back. It's also distinctly characterized by greased back hair.

The ducktail haircut is also known as a ducks ass haircut, duck haircut or DA duck hair. This push back hairstyle is a unique hairstyle from this time which hasn't really come back as a trendy look. However, the hair DA has remained an iconic look from this time period and will continue to do so.

Tutorial

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14 Back to School Haircut Inspiration Ideas for Kids

by JATAI, 23 Aug 2023

When it comes to kid's hair, sometimes it's easy just to cut their hair at home if it's a simple trim. But sometimes having a professional do the work is necessary and maybe a fun splurge or even a back-to-school look. Without being over the top, here are some cute inspirational cuts for kids that set the tone for a fun, fresh look for the kiddos. Girls @halcyonsalonshelby What's more classic than some curls. This cutie looks ready for her first day back to school with her hair color and beautiful curls on point. It's not too short but not super long either. This is a great look for any little girl. @impactbeauty_byshay A simple bob is always in style. Sometimes a little girl just doesn't want to fuss with long hair. With a one length pretty bob that's curled at the end, this little girl is rockin' it. It's low maintenance, can be styled in various ways and shows off her youthful, feminine energy. @topnotchbeautycorner Adorable, trendy and cute. This little girl has got it going on in a stylish, fun way. The small details like the gold crown trinkets and gold coil around the braid make any little girl look and feel like a princess. @definitionssalonspa Say yes to the curtain bang. Simple curtain bangs that frame the face add some style and depth to long straight hair. Part the hair down the middle for curtain bangs or style them for a side swept bang with a side part to change it up. The curtain bang is versatile! @hairby_angelina_ine This little girl is beyond her years with this asymmetrical bob that is to die for. And with straight one length bangs, her look is sassy and fun. It's sure to catch a lot of adoring attention...from the parents. @balayagemary A heavy chunky bang is always super cute on little girls. They can somehow pull it off much better than adults. Why is that? Combine it with some waves and you've got a feminine, sweet look. It's easy to maintain and very versatile. @holykale.hair Is she growing up too fast? This little girl looks like she has an adult haircut. With a cute French bob, highlights and slight wave, she's letting everyone know she's the queen of trending hair. Maybe not easy to maintain, but it sure is cute! Boys @luiselbarber Doesn't he look sweet? This gentleman's...or should we say gentleboy's haircut is clean, classic and tidy. It's short on the sides with a little length on top and combed to the side. This little man is ready for school. @salonsuccess This little guy is just cool. While it's temporary, a little hair art shows off his creative side. This kid has great hair so having his hair very short on the sides but longer on top makes his look more edgy and stylish. It's a bit higher maintenance, but it's fun! @machitong Can we say mullet? It's not for every little boy, but they sure look cute with one, much cuter than adult males. This kind of cut looks best when the hair is naturally a bit textured. He's pulls it off well. @xv.josh How cute is this little boy? That smile is adorable and the precise and clean lines of his haircut are on point. The extra design at the top just set this hairstyle off. A bit high maintenance, but it's mainly just the outlining that needs regular attention. @hairbiz.withizz Scroll through all the images and you'll see this haircut is more than it seems. At first it looks like a pompadour, but when you look at the back, it's a whole other story. This look works well on a boy with a great head of hair. It's edgy, relatively easy to maintain and stylish. @a1errthing This little boy looks so happy and he should be! This haircut fits him perfectly. It's clean and stylish at the same time. He definitely looks school ready with his perfectly razored outlined hairline and simple hair design in the back. @hairbyscheila For a more tidy, classy look, try a side hard part. It's easy for any barber to create with a razor and it gives an extra pop to any boy's hairstyle. Comb the top of the hair to the opposite direction of the part and use a little product. He's ready to go!

The Evolution of Hairstyles Throughout the Decades

by JATAI, 16 Aug 2023

Hairstyles have always been a significant aspect of human culture, reflecting the trends, values, and social norms of different eras. Let's explore the history and evolution of hairstyles over the decades: 1920s The Roaring Twenties introduced a major shift in women's hairstyles. The iconic bob haircut became popular, characterized by short, straight hair that was often worn with a side parting. This style symbolized women's liberation and a break from traditional gender roles. 1930s The 1930s saw a transition from the boyish bob to more feminine and glamorous looks. Soft waves and curls were fashionable, and women often used hot rollers or pin curls to achieve the desired effect. The Hollywood influence played a significant role in popularizing these glamorous hairstyles. The most popular look was the Hollywood wave which has continued to be a popular look in the 2020s. 1940s The World War II era influenced hairstyles as practicality and functionality became essential. Victory rolls were popular among women, involving rolling and pinning sections of hair to create a prominent wave at the front. Shorter, cropped hairstyles were also prevalent due to the practicality of working women. The victory roll is a popular hairstyles for pinup girls of today. 1950s The 1950s embraced femininity and elegance. Women's hairstyles often featured voluminous curls, poodle cuts, and the iconic bouffant. The advent of hair spray helped maintain these elaborate styles. Men's hair was often slicked back or styled into a pompadour. 1960s The 1960s brought about a revolution in hairstyles, influenced by the counterculture movements and the rise of British pop culture. Women started to experiment with shorter haircuts like the pixie cut and the mod bob. The beehive hairstyle, popularized by icons like Audrey Hepburn, was also a notable trend. 1970s The 1970s showcased diverse hairstyles influenced by the hippie movement and disco culture. Women embraced long, flowing hair, often with center parts. The Afro hairstyle gained popularity among African-Americans as a symbol of pride and identity. Men's hairstyles became more relaxed, with longer hair, shaggy cuts and facial hair. 1980s The 1980s were characterized by bold and dramatic hairstyles. Big hair was in, with women teasing their hair to achieve volume and using copious amounts of hairspray. Perms, mullets, and feathered hairstyles were all the rage. Men also sported voluminous hairstyles, including the famous "mullet" style. 1990s The 1990s witnessed a more casual and grunge-inspired approach to hairstyles. The "Rachel" haircut, popularized by Jennifer Aniston's character on the TV show "Friends," became incredibly trendy. Short, pixie cuts also gained popularity among women. Men's hairstyles ranged from long, unkempt looks to shorter, textured styles. 2000s The turn of the millennium brought a mix of hairstyles. Straight, sleek hair became fashionable, often achieved through the use of straightening irons. Emo and scene subcultures popularized asymmetrical cuts, choppy layers, and bold colors. Men's hairstyles varied from buzz cuts to spiky hair. 2010s The 2010s embraced a diverse range of hairstyles. The ombre trend gained popularity, with hair transitioning from dark to light colors. Buns, braids, and top knots became go-to styles for women. Men's hairstyles incorporated undercuts, fades, and more intricate beard grooming. 2020s And finally, we reach the modern day hairstyles. The 2020s have seen a diverse range of popular hair trends. These trends reflect a blend of past styles with contemporary influences and individual expression. These types of cuts and looks have all been popularized so far. Natural Textures There has been a growing emphasis on embracing natural hair textures and celebrating diversity. People with curly and wavy hair have been encouraged to let their natural textures shine, leading to the popularity of hairstyles like the curly afro, twist-outs, and braid-outs. Bob and Lob Haircuts The bob and lob (long bob) haircuts have remained popular in the 2020s. These versatile styles can be customized to suit different face shapes and hair textures. The blunt bob, textured bob, and asymmetrical lob have been particularly trendy. Pixie Cuts Short pixie cuts have made a comeback in the 2020s, offering a bold and chic look. This style allows for low-maintenance haircare routines and can be customized with different textures and lengths to suit individual preferences. Curtain Bangs Curtain bangs, also known as Bardot bangs or '70s bangs, have gained popularity. This style features long, face-framing bangs that are parted in the middle, creating a soft and romantic look. Curtain bangs can be paired with various hairstyles, from long waves to updos. Shag Haircuts The shag haircut, inspired by the '70s, has been a popular choice in the 2020s. This layered cut adds texture and movement to the hair, often with feathered or choppy ends and best achieved with a razor. The modern shag offers a versatile and effortlessly cool aesthetic. Balayage and Face-Framing Highlights Balayage, a technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights, has continued to be a sought-after trend in the 2020s. Face-framing highlights, where lighter tones are strategically placed around the face, have also gained popularity as they can brighten and accentuate facial features. Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Styles With increasing environmental awareness and thanks to the pandemic, sustainable and low-maintenance hairstyles have become popular. Effortless, air-dried looks, minimalist haircuts, and styles that require minimal product usage have gained traction. This trend aligns with the desire for a more eco-friendly and time-efficient approach to haircare. Throughout the generations, hairstyles have changed dramatically. Every generation has been characterized by different looks and styles. As people continue to express their creativity with their hair, as new products are developed and as social and political climates change, these all influence how we decide to express ourselves through our personal styles. While some trends have lasted for decades, others have come and gone. Who knows what the rest of the 2020s or 2030s will bring. Whatever it is, we're sure it's going to be memorable.

Bobs, Bobs and More Bobs: The Trend of 2023

by JATAI, 24 May 2023

It seems 2023 is starting off with some fun looks. After a couple years of shagadelic haircuts and mullety styles, the trending looks are taking a more classic approach these days. While shags and mullets may have had their run, the bob is turning out to take centerfold. The great thing about a bob is that it's so versatile. There are many ways to cut and style a bob to match a personality or persona. Bobs can be long or short, blunt or textured, curled or straight with or without bangs. The creative possibilities are endless! Let's look at 10 popular bob styles that get the most love. The Graduated Bob The graduated bob is a type of bob with stacked layers in the back with longer strands in the front. The back of the hair tends to be more curved instead of a hard angle. It is it a difficult haircut to achieve but it looks great when done right. It's a very common and popular short haircut. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor. A-Line Bob Alternatively, the A-Line haircut refers to the perimeter of the haircut. It is the same as a graduated bob in that the hair is shorter in the back and longer in the front. However, it does not have the stacking of layers in the back. And the front is usually more pointed than a graduated bob. Asymmetrical Bob This type of bob's distinct characteristic is that one side in front is longer than the other. It can have layers or no layers and it can be stacked or not stacked in the back. There are different renditions of an asymmetrical bob, but it's usually a style for someone who wants a little edge to their bob style. French Bob The French bob is a classic bob hairstyle characterized by very short hair, either at the chin line or above. Sometimes it's paired with short bangs too. Think of the movie Amelie and you'll know what this looks like. It usually has lots of layers and texture for a choppy look. For the extra texture, a razor works well. Italian Bob Similar to a French Bob, the Italian bob is slightly longer, usually grazing the chin or below but above the shoulders. It's sophisticated and elegant and has a blunt straight edge. The Italian bob carries weight at the bottom with a lot of volume. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor...or both at the same time. Lob Lob stands for 'long bob' so the hair generally skims the shoulders or goes slightly past it. This is a popular look in modern times as it gives a happy medium between having short and long hair. When curled it can look shorter and resemble a traditional bob, but when straightened it can look more like medium length hair. Straight Bob A classic, simple no frills bob is the straight bob. With no layers, no texture, no curls or stacking, this look is very basic. It can be cut with bangs if desired, but the general look is one of sleek sophistication. The look is completely symmetrical and lays flat against the head. It can look quite sultry and sexy if done right. Layered Bob This style is also known as a textured bob. Simply stated, this type of bob has more body and movement to give volume. While the straight bob has no layers or volume, the layered bob is all about the extra lift. The extra texture is often achieved by using a razor. Curly Bob With even more texture is the curly bob. The curly bob is full of bounce and volume. It could be layered but it doesn't have to be. This bob is fun and full of life and energy. The curls could be natural or intentionally made with a curling iron or curling tool. The curls can be tight and small or big and loose. There are so many ways a curly bob can look! Modern Bob The modern bob is so 2023. It's what has been trending for bobs in the last few years. And it's THIS bob. While it won't last forever, it is the 'it' style as of late. The modern bob is characterized as casual, cool, soft and feminine. It usually has a slight curl in there and a little volume. It's a simple yet stylish bob that's attractive and eye catching. It's no wonder the modern bob has become so popular. So that's it! 10 bob hairstyles for 2023. Although most of these bobs have been around for many many years, it just goes to show how classic the bob really is. It will never go out of style and there will always be new innovative ways to cut and style a bob. Here's to short hair in 2023. Hair Trends, Women

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Men's 1950s Ducktail Haircut Tutorial