Old Hollywood Star Janet Leigh's Pin-Curled Hair Is Perfect For Older Women To Copy Today

During the second part of the Golden Age of Hollywood, Janet Leigh was a name everyone knew. From starring in "Little Women" and "The Romance of Rosy Ridge," to becoming one of the first internationally beloved scream queens with projects such as "Psycho" and "The Fog," Leigh established an impressive legacy with her work. Apart from being an incredibly talented actor, Leigh was also a natural beauty, one whose hair and makeup choices inspired many. And speaking of her hair, while she rocked longer locks in her youth, it is her short pin-curled hair that left a major impact, as it represents a timeless look that beautifully suits mature women.

To understand just why Leigh's signature locks were so stunning and how to recreate them, we've enlisted the help of Eric Wright, stylist and owner of Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville, Tennessee. "Janet Leigh's hairstyle works because it creates soft volume exactly where many women benefit from it most," he tells us exclusively. "As we age, hair can naturally lose density and facial features tend to soften, so adding fullness through the crown and interior of the haircut helps restore balance and lift. The silhouette stays close around the perimeter while the interior has movement and body, which keeps the style looking polished without appearing overly stiff or dated." In fact, throwback photos of Janet Leigh and her daughter, actor Jamie Lee Curtis, showcase that the short, voluminous hairstyle worked on both ladies. "I also think this style has remained timeless because it frames the face beautifully," Wright adds, further explaining, "The soft curls add texture and dimension while maintaining a refined shape that feels elegant rather than trendy."

While there are some short hairstyles that are making you look older, Janet Leigh's signature 'do isn't one of them. But for many, recreating the look at home might seem intimidating. Luckily, Eric Wright explains exclusively to Glam that nowadays, the look is easier to achieve than most would assume. "Modern tools make recreating this style much easier than it was in Janet Leigh's era. Instead of setting the hair in rollers, I would use a half-inch flat iron to create small bends and curls by rotating the iron as you move through each section," he tells us. "That gives you the same soft, sculpted movement with much less effort. A small comb is also helpful for directing the hair around the ears and nape to create that polished finish and to prevent iron burns." If you tend to have hair that doesn't hold a curl well, be sure to pin it in place after you curl each strand to ensure it cools down while in shape. 

Depending on your hair, you might want to use certain products to ensure the hairstyle stays in place or to add additional volume. Wright recommends "a lightweight volumizer with heat protection that adds body without leaving the hair stiff or sticky." The hairstylist suggests using Davines VOLU Hair Mist or This is a Volume Boosting Mousse if you have finer hair, as these products can help make your hair appear thicker. "Both create a soft, touchable finish that works well with hot tools while maintaining movement," Wright tells us, adding that products like This Is A Strong Hair Spray or This is a Strong Dry Wax help finish the look with a gorgeous glossy shine. 

Loving Janet Leigh's short voluminous curls is one thing, but pulling them off is a completely different game. As with any haircut, customizing is key, as it ensures the layers and dimension work with your face. "I would encourage clients to focus less on copying the exact haircut and more on adapting the shape to their own features," Eric Wright tells us exclusively. "A stylist should evaluate the client's head shape, natural growth patterns, ear shape and cowlicks before deciding where to place volume and how short to cut the hair."

However, some things are generally applicable, as they ensure the end result resembles the curls the "Angels in the Outfield" star was so well known for. "The haircut itself should have a rounded silhouette with softness around the ears and hairline rather than one blunt length all the way around," Wright explains. "That customized approach creates a polished result while ensuring the style works with the client's natural texture instead of fighting against it." Depending on your preferred length, you can go slightly shorter or slightly longer with the haircut, as the curls work beautifully on either length. While Leigh has truly become an inspiration for short hair for many, the truth is that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. So, for the best low-effort hairstyle, copy her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis' short locks!