Decades may pass, trends come and go, but Old Hollywood will always be iconic. The looks, the stars, the hair; they all continue to inspire the red carpet and beyond to this day. You may know about silver screen stars like Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and Ava Gardner, but do you know about the Latinx forces that dominated Hollywood and beyond? One fierce, voluminous mane at a time that is.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, OLAPLEX is traveling back in time to pay homage to knockout looks from our favorite Golden Age Latinx performers. Be it color, texture, or style; these women had it all when it came to talent and beauty. Be that as it were, being a woman of color meant an entirely new set of obstacles on-screen and off. They'd often have to deepen their features like coloring their hair darker to look more "native," or bleaching their hair and enduring hairline electrolysis to look more American.
Hair services have come a long way since Hollywood's Golden Age. With the invention of OLAPLEX and its ability to repair hair, actors can transform from role to role with significantly less damage seamlessly. Looking back, we remember a time when rollers trumped curling irons and going platinum meant risky business with peroxide and ammonia.
Rita Moreno
Rita is an icon who is still working to this very day. She was the first Hispanic woman to win an Oscar, Tony, Grammy, Peabody award and achieve PEGOT status. There are far too many bombshell looks to swoon over; however, her most notable curly beatnik style short hair is one of her most remembered looks. We love how natural it looked on her!
Rita Hayworth
There may not be more iconic glam waves than Rita Hayworth's scarlet waves. A natural brunette, Rita's studio had her transform her entire look to appear more American on-screen, from hair electrolysis to push back her hairline to giving her the signature red waves we remember today. One of her favorite beauty tips for moisture and shine was an olive oil rinse. Imagine what she could've done with a No.6 No.7 combination!
Celia Cruz
Afro Cuban singing legend Celia Cruz often donned eye-catching hairstyles. We love the playful, daring approach she had to color, accessories, and styles. Most of all, we love her natural curls! This iconic golden age shot is giving us major hair envy––look at that shape!
Raquel Welch
You won't get very far researching hair icons without scrolling through a catalog of big hair moments a la Raquel Welch. Did you she's half Bolivian? Her big 60s 70s blown out waves are what dreams are made of.
Anita Page
Anita Page is one silent film star you should talk about. In the 1920s she was extremely popular, so much so, she reportedly received more mail than anyone on the MGM lot, making this Spanish bombshell something to write home about. However, It's those finger waves and blonde locks we are after.
La Lupe
Known as the Latin soul legend, La Lupe electrified her audiences with her wild, passionate performances. This Cuban soul tress was one of the pioneers of salsa. We adore all her classic 1960s hairstyles!
Carmen Miranda
Okay, let's talk about the queen of hair accessories, most notably for wearing fruit as a statement piece. None other than Caren Miranda, the Chiquita banana girl! When it comes to this Portuguese born Brazilian legend, we could learn a thing or two about resourcefulness and ingenuity.
Dolores Del Rio
Dolores Del Rio was a Mexican actor regarded as the first Latin American crossover star. We love Dolores' natural texture and how proudly she rocked it!
Maria Montez
Known as the queen of technicolor, Dominican actor Maria Montez was blunt bang royalty. Long before pin ups, girls made blunt bangs a thing, Montez set the stage for the iconic look.
Lupe Vélez
We cannot mention Hollywood's Golden Age without "Mexican Spitfire" Lupe Vélez. This femme fatal sizzled the 1920s and 30s with her drastic slicked to the sides middle part. She is quintessential 1930s with a bang.
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