[James Gutierrez]

Bonnet hair dryers​

For many teenage girls in the '50s, hair care was a commitment. The bonnet hair dryer—large, loud, and slow—was an essential tool in the quest for sleek styles.

After a morning wash and a long drying session, the rollers went in. Giant ones. Sometimes even tin cans if nothing else would do. A scarf wrapped around the whole setup made it socially acceptable—barely—to be seen around the house. But venturing out? Not with curlers on display.

At community pools, the routine played out in locker rooms too—young women shampooing and setting their hair right after a swim, all in preparation for a Saturday night date.

Image source: Australia Remember When / Facebook

Haircare may be easier now, but the memories of those elaborate routines still linger.

Did you go through the same routine? Tell us your memories!

 

[starrysnan]

Yep Mum and I used one of these hairdryers. We both had very fine hair so it didn't take long to dry. I remember I didn't like the noise it made and how your ears got quite warm in the plastic bonnet. Thank goodness for modern drying and styling tools!

 

[Leenie]

Yep Mum and I used one of these hairdryers. We both had very fine hair so it didn't take long to dry. I remember I didn't like the noise it made and how your ears got quite warm in the plastic bonnet. Thank goodness for modern drying and styling tools!

Oh my god , I still have a Lady Sunbeam hairdryer bought over 50 years ago in the back of the wardrobe, only it’s in a square case.

 

[DLHM]

My mum had one and I used it until I got my own electric hair rollers.

 

[Fernsie]

Every Saturday afternoon was spent under the Sunbeam haidryer and that round air outlet was perfect for drying your nail polish whilst your hair was drying.