subject: Get The Elvis Presley Hairstyle [print this page] The King of Rock and Roll is still, even today, the most iconic figure that has ever graced American culture. You may not have the slightest clue who iCarly and Justin Bieber are, but your kids sure know who Elvis is, and their kids will, and their kids' kids will, as well. Here's a little info on the Elvis Presley hairstyle that helped define his image.
Where Did It Come From?
Elvis didn't actually invent the hairstyle he made so famous. Rather, he borrowed the look from the comic book hero Captain Marvel, Shazam! His love of music was matched by nothing but his love of costumed heroes, and he replicated the sound of his favorite singers with the look of his favorite heroes, making him the world's first musical superhero. He emulated the costumery of comic books in his later appearance as well, with the cape and sequins and so forth.
How Do I Get The Look?
Don't mistake the look for a pompadour. Many people look up "how do I get a pompadour?" when emulating the Elvis look, but this isn't really right. The pompadour is smooth and rounded on top, whereas Elvis has a few loose locks giving him a signature appearance. The Elvis look is actually called a "Duck's Butt", because it looks a little like, well, like the butt of a duck. Now, you have either old Elvis or young Elvis (because you don't want the no-sideburns WWII G. I. Elvis).
Young King
For the younger look, the fifties look, start with a handful of pomade. Now, if you like, gel, mousse and spray are easier to work with, but not as authentic. They won't give you the same sleek shine as Elvis or the flexibility. Get the pomade in there really nice and thick, and then comb it throughout. Now once that's done, smooth out the sides and back with your hands and comb the top real tight. Now use the comb, and a photo for reference, and tease out a few locks until you have just enough hair hanging gracefully across your forehead.
Old King
If you want the Viva Las Vegas look, you'll need slightly longer hair. If you looked at a photo of Elvis without his style done at this time, it hung to around chin length or so before being combed back and up. Follow the same instructions as above, but allow for a little "fluff", some breathing room in the hair. This was his real "Superhero Look", so don't be afraid to go a little overboard in terms of size and volume.
