Vintage Beauty Inspiration from 1947: A Peek Inside American Hairdresser Magazine

I’m sharing a small preview from the 1947 American Hairdresser magazine, a 124-page trade publication created for professional hairstylists and beauty operators in the post-war era. This issue is part of my scanned archive on Patreon, where members can access the full magazines along with many other fashion and beauty catalogs from the 1920s through the 1950s.

If you love vintage beauty history, this issue is a goldmine. The 1947 American Hairdresser magazine was written for working stylists, not the general public, so it’s packed with the practical details you don’t usually see in mainstream fashion magazines. You get a behind-the-scenes look at how salons operated, what tools stylists relied on, and which techniques were considered modern and effective at the time.

What’s inside this issue

You’ll find a little bit of everything, including:

• Hairstyle ideas for everyday clients and special occasions

• Setting patterns and diagrams showing how to build structure and shape

• Haircutting guides and technical illustrations

• Tips for managing common salon challenges

• Product ads for curling tools, dryers, brushes, and salon furniture

• Articles about running a successful beauty business

• A mix of quirky and charming beauty-supply ads you just don’t see anymore

I’ve chosen a few pages to share below so you can get a sense of the style, layout, and content. The full magazine has 124 pages, so this really is just a small sample.

Why I love magazines like this

Magazines made for beauty professionals tell a different story than the glossy, aspirational publications most people know. They’re practical, direct, and full of real working knowledge. They show what everyday stylists actually did with clients, not just what Hollywood stars wore. As someone who loves vintage beauty and the history behind the techniques, I find these trade publications endlessly inspiring.

Here are a few pages to give you a taste of what’s inside this issue.

Patrons can access the full 124-page digital flipbook and regular vintage beauty and fashion scans along with many more membership benefits.

If you want to explore more

If you enjoy this kind of vintage beauty and fashion content, you might also like this post where I shared a vintage Lane Bryant catalog from 1942:

See the full 124-page January 1947 issue of American Hairdresser!
Join me on Patreon to get access to my growing archive of vintage fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazines — scanned and shared exclusively with my Patrons.

Join The Glambassador on Patreon for more vintage inspired style, beauty and lifestyle content!