I've seen movies either set in the 30s/40s/50s/60s wh--and even some movies in the 70s--where men either use ''hair oil'' or it is referrenced. What exactly was hair oil? In the movies it doesn't look like Brylcreem or any kind of cream or goo or gel, it simply looks like pure liquid but it made their hair look very shiny and easy to slick back. What was used for ''hair oil'', like what particular oil or idk mineral was used--Were there any particular brands? Are there any commercial brands of hair oil still available which make the hair shiny and slick?

My Dad used to use hair oil. There were always bottles of it that (as you'd expect) had a clear dark yellow oil. Not sure of brand names but he had them throughout the 70s and 80s.

My father-in-law used this right into the 2000's.  I think he used Silvikrin brand

It's come to me!  :)

My Dad used Vitalis! Turns out it's branded as a hair tonic.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410H674FPGL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

And here's a retro ad for it...

http://www.galionclassof64.com/retrolife/RETROLIFE_files/RetroVitalis_65.jpg

My step-father used it but I don't know what brand.



Cat

Just googling "hair oil" will find plenty of references to it

I knew a guy who used so much oil in his hair, that on a real hot day, you could fry an egg on his head :D

I always associate hair oil with '70s mobsters!

Yo! Vinnie!
:-X

I always associate hair oil with '70s mobsters!

Yo! Vinnie!
:-X



Not mobsters to me-I think of punks. That is where the term "greaser" came from-from all the oil in their hair.



Cat

IS that something like what George Clooney kept spreading in his hair in "O Brother Where Art Thou?"  Or was that a pomade?

Either way, my dad uses hair grease.

http://www.probeauty-supply.com/images/medium/Hair_Grease_Dax-100-Pure-Lanolin_MED.jpg

Been seeing that little jar since I was born.

But the hair oil always seemed like it would run right off the wearers' head.

I made the mistake of trying to go "Fonzie" in 1977 for 50's day in the 6th grade and used Vaseline as my weopon of choice.  Took about a dozen washes with scalding hot water and Dawn to even make a dent in removing it.  Not good.

Dang, that vaseline thing was wild. I made the mistake of using it on my bangs when I flatironed them.  :( Not good and i no longer wear my bangs now.