We’ve been harping on about hair quite a lot recently. That’s because there’s been, relatively, a massive amount going on between the A-list, supermodels and just about every notable woman with hair in between. Exactly three weeks ago it was all about the rebirth of the bob and only on Friday afternoon we fed you news of the bleach blonde brigade. But what’s also been bubbling under is an altogether more rousing, beautiful, feminine and retrospective persuasion of hair styling. It’s retro, and most of the Hollywood hills seems to be waving its hair about with said look.

The recent sightings are the kind of soft 40s influenced twirls that are synonymous with the likes of Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and just about everyone else that ever graced a silver screen. You know, those kind of pretty, loose ones that twist very softly around the hair line and bend politely at the ear. Or longer ones that fall to one side elegantly, rather nonchalantly, though you can be certain that heavy lashings of hair spray were used in the process.

From Jessica Alba’s The Little Mermaid lengths to Lana del Rey’s recent Marilyn reincarnation – an identical waved style just in a rich, chocolate shade – they’re all blooming at it. The lot of them. Click through the gallery above to see the pick of modern day icons who are doing retro hair just right. And dust off your Elnett.