Here is a typical example of styles from the 50's. Hair was conservative for the most part and so were the fashions.
These were the post war years and most women stayed home while the men worked to support the family. This mother and daughter have a short and wavy hairstyle that is parted on the side and coaxed into gentle waves. Wearing curlers to bed was common and then in the morning hair was brushed into place. Hairstyles were typically short enough to show the bottom of the ears. This was simple and easy to maintain.