The beehive is a woman's hairstyle that resembles a skep beehive. It is also known as the B-52, for its similarity to the bulbous nose of the B-52 Stratofortress bomber.

The beehive reached its peak of popularity in the 1960s, and was especially popular in the United States and other Western countries. The beehive remains an enduring symbol of 1960s kitsch.

The style originated in the USA in 1958 as one of a variety of elaborately teased and lacquered versions of "big hair" that developed from earlier pageboy and bouffant styles.

By the late 1960s the beehive became unfashionable, although it probably continued to influence later female hair styles.

The cut was resurrected by The B-52's, an avant-garde rock band who took their name from the hairstyle.

The cut also featured in John Waters' 1988 cult film, Hairspray.

Marge Simpson's hair is an extreme, two-foot high beehive.

External link

• CNN article about the resurgence of the beehive
• Beauty World's History of the Beehive