Since when does Clairol advertise using illustrations of enemy aircrafts in the midst of being destroyed? Can you imagine the brand trying to do this in 2009? The copy reads: "There is no room in America for anything but the best."

The war effort hinged on hairpins.

Also, to help win the war, they had to stop making perm rollers. Sacrifices!

"Scoldy Lox" brand: "Help win the war by preventing wastage of hair pins!" Please note her sailor collar.

"A war can teach a girl a lot of things… " Like making do without manicure stuff. "You and I will be giving up our 'home front' tools for the man on the battle front… and we'll be doing it cheerfully, gladly, without grumbling."

A world war cannot stop a girl from getting married. Wartime brides! "The service bride moves fast and packs light, and her beauty program must be geared accordingly… You must show her that an easy-to care for hairstyle requires a short feather cut and a lovely permanent wave."

Honestly, I absolutely adore this hairstyle. Curls! Off the face! And flowers! And check out that no-fuss bouquet.

Two words: Victory cuts! Short, neat curls are obviously a winning formula. (Click "full size" to enlarge.)

The "tucked under" shortie looks almost like an origami project.

All of the "selections for summer nights" are extremely elegant… and extremely precise! The war will not be won with bedhead!

Should you dare to attempt and recreate some of these 'dos at home, instructions are provided. The text is really quite a treat: "Here is a banged feather bob that is sure to win the hearts of level-headed youngsters who know the secret of combining good looks and hard work, with no dire effect on either… The criss-crossed back is as gay as any young head could wish and it is formed so simply that it can easily be recombed. Sleek side wings are an effective foil for the fluffy bangs. For more frivolous moments, this style will lend itself particularly well to the addition of perky little bows or flower ornaments."

This is the Feather Halo, "just a little different from its feathery cousins."

Since our country is indeed at war, you must ask yourself: "Does Your Appearance Promote Morale?" (Click "full size" to enlarge.) Here's how this story begins: "You, a beautician in wartime, are telling your patrons that beauty is a duty today… and that good grooming gives confidence, increases efficiency and fosters a buoyant spirit. And right you are!" When it comes to your hair, check and see: "Is it smartly dressed… becoming… and short? Or does it straggle about your shoulders…?" Your bedraggled, snarled locks mean the terrorists have already won, people!

Earlier: Bangs, Curls, Swingers & Swirls: 1965 Modern Beauty Shop

Writes the anonymous person:

Is it true that a woman with a short hairstyle is subconsciously indicating that she does not want sex? My wife had a drastic haircut four days before our wedding and our sex life was a damp squib from the start. The erotic side of our marriage has died completely. My wife considers me childish and says that as all other elements of our relationship are fine, I should not want more than this.

First, a few questions: While the sexual and anthropological importance of hair is well-documented as an indicator of health, beauty and desirability; and while long, lustrous hair is equated with youth, femininity and wanton sexuality; and while short hair is sometimes perceived as either asexually androgynous or I-give-up mom style... really? Is he serious? Second: did they not have sex before their wedding? When did this "damp squib" start? Because if it was pre-wedding, then it seems highly circumstantial to blame the haircut (and maybe they should have addressed these issues beforehand); and if not, there's not much basis for comparison. Is he just looking to the haircut as a means of figuring out whether he can actually blame his wife for this? How long have they been married? Do they have kids? Has her hair grown out or has she continued to cut it? I think it also needs to be asked: was she happy with the haircut, or did it go horribly wrong and make her feel unattractive? Inquiring minds want to know.

The actual advice columnist doesn't seem to be bothered by this lack of information. She says,

Cutting one's hair does not necessarily point to an avoidance of sex, although deliberately reducing one's attractiveness in a spouse's eyes may well signal some desire to push them away. You sound angry and full of longing for a fulfilling sexual relationship - and that is understandable.

Wait, "not necessarily?" I get that advice columnists — especially of the respectable, clinical psychologist variety, probably try not to judge and there are so stupid questions, but this question was idiotic, conveying as it did a certain reductive lack of self-insight and, if you want to go all out, anachronistic homophobic undertones. Besides which, doesn't it seem unlikely that anyone would strive to make herself deliberately unattractive in anyone's eyes at her own wedding? Anyway, does she know he hates her haircut, or is this some weird passive-aggressive thing, where this guy prefers to write anonymously to a stranger and pretend his marriage's deep problems can be summed up by a few inches of keratins? Connolly suggests sitting down and talking — without judging — and find out what's really behind the sexual issues. Sure. But if he thinks the clues to his marital problems lie in a trip to the salon, maybe a set of extensions would be more to the point.

Sexual Healing [The Guardian]

[Image via Moviecritic.com]