From Poof to Pixie: The Most Iconic 80s Hairstyles of All Time

ladies 80s hair

In the world of hair, what could be more confident than a short hairstyle? Let’s take a look at some of the popular ways that women styled their short ‘dos. The princess style was characterized by huge, soft-looking curls accented by a perfectly placed bow tie or tiara-like headband decorated with faux pearls and gems. Miley Cyrus has really thrown herself into the resurrection of ’80s hair this year.

ladies 80s hair

thought on “List of 38 Most Popular 80’s Hairstyles for Women [Updated]”

For black females, popular 80s hairstyles included the Jheri curl, the finger wave, and the box braids. The Jheri curl involved perming the hair and then using a special activator to create soft, defined curls. Finger waves were created by using a comb to create S-shaped waves in the hair.

’80s Hairstyles for Short Hair

I don’t know if y’all do the same, but the 80’s is the total opposite of that. The half updo was made to look bigger with some slight bangs settled in the front. Instead of letting your entire bangs fall on your face, comb it up with a brush so it adds height to your hair. Colorful, vibrant, and oversized – scrunchies were a big deal in the ‘80s. Most of the time, they were tied around very little hair to create a dramatic contrast. That’s because the point of the hairdo was to focus on the stylish scrunchie.

A Super-Shaggy (and Iconic) Mullet

On the periphery, you have to add twisted braids to add that exotic Native American hair braids. To complete this 80s women’s hairstyle, you need to do a small pony at the center of your head. The association of this hairstyle with negative sections of the society made it unpopular then. It takes a combination of flowing layering and hot iron rod, to straightening. The accessories make the girl into the high octane rock star.

There was "straight out the side of your head" (lookin' at you, Deb from Napoleon Dynamite), valley-girl classic, and sky-high (like Queen Bey's look, here). Hair barrettes have been back for the better part of 2020, and we're so glad to see that clip-in bows got the memo. Style these any way you so please (at the nape of your ponytail, pinned into a top-knot, etc.), but we love how this side-part detail gives a definitive nod to the 1980s.

Warm highlights, longer bangs, and chic suiting breathe life back into this style. Take a modern twist on this classic look and opt for a claw clip lined with pearls, like this one from Sally Beauty, $4. Her signature red hair (dyed! She was born a brunette.) and natural texture were all the rage during her run of John Hughs films. Once that is in place, get some hair a make short bangs across your entire forehead.

Modern mullets can be created with a variety of hair lengths and colors. The bob haircut became popular in the ’80s, and it remains a common haircut request at salons all around the world. A very popular choice is the low to high hair cut that features shorter hair in the back with longer locks framing the face. You can play around with layers to find the best styles that will complement the shape of your face.

Long Curls with Curly Bangs

The high ponytail, often secured with a scrunchie, was the epitome of ’80s cheerfulness and ease. It was both a casual day and a glamorous night-out choice. The model has always been stunning, but she reached new heights when she showed up to a benefit event in 1987 with the most voluminous and glossy blowout we've ever seen. With layers similar to Princess Diana's, actress and former fitness star Jane Fonda sported the ultimate long '80s hair during a photo shoot.

Workout Head Band

80s Blowouts Are Back & Bigger Than Ever, NYFW 2019 - Refinery29

80s Blowouts Are Back & Bigger Than Ever, NYFW 2019.

Posted: Fri, 15 Feb 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Modern curl creams defrizz and moisturize without adding crunch or fuzz. But Koestline says perms and other curly hair treatments have also come a long way since the '80s. "Due to newer testing methods and the availability of better ingredients, brands often add active ingredients that help repair and prevent damage," she says. So, we’re better at styling curls, but also better at creating them. To find out which '80s hairstyles are back on trend and how you can update them, we turned to the experts.

Some of the most memorable TV and movie stars of the 1980s had hairstyles that now epitomize the decade. Princess Diana’s short, layered cut inspired women worldwide with its royal elegance. Each of these looks went beyond mere fashion—they became symbols of self-expression, with your hair serving as a canvas showcasing your personality. Whether you rocked a perm or flowed with feathered bangs, the hairstyles of the 1980s made sure that every day was a walk down the fashion runway. Our article today pays tribute to the classiest and fanciest of hairstyles from the days in the 80s to equip you with a broader knowledge of those trends. In time, you’ll learn the aesthetic values of such hairstyles and realize why they are the ones to die for even in the contemporary world of fashion.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why they called some rock groups “Hair Bands”. The latter half of the 1980s saw Glam Metal popularize the big hair look that was both voluminous and loud. This look involved crimping, teasing, perming, bleaching and chemically treating their hair into a wild mess. Both men and women enjoyed this hairstyle and it became an iconic symbol of the 1980s hairstyles. The Flattop was really popular in the 1950s and unexpectedly became trendy again with boys and men in the 1980s.

Super high ponytails (bonus points for anchoring them slightly to the side for the full effect). Comb your hair back with a lightweight gel and don't be afraid to play around with volume in the actual pony. Rihanna’s mullet is clean and well-coiffed but veers on the choppier side, making it a micro-mullet style with features of a pixie cut. This style is voluminous throughout, with just enough height at the center of the head and a short, side-swept bang to complement it. Lily’s short, sleek cut is a modern take on the sophisticated bobs of the ‘80s.

Some bold eye makeup in bright colors will finish your look. The queen of pop rocked so many '80s hairstyles, but this has to be our favorite. With voluminous, wavy bangs and a statement red headband, it doesn't get more decade-appropriate than this. The 1980s witnessed a diverse range of cultural influences that left an indelible mark on hairstyling trends for women.

Icons like Farrah Fawcett flaunted their voluminous manes, inspiring you to pick up your teasing comb and reach new heights with your hair. The era also brought us the mullet, the ultimate business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back statement, and the Jheri curl, offering a glossy, curled style. Your hair became an extension of your personality, with the perm being one of many ways to express individuality.

Then some little pony emerges on one side of the head, leaving the rest of the hair intact. An elegant updo that transcended time, the French Twist became especially popular in the ’80s for its sleek sophistication, perfect for formal occasions and everyday elegance. Frosted tips added a cool, edgy contrast to hair, with lighter ends creating a sun-kissed effect that was particularly popular in the latter part of the decade. Inspired by the iconic actress, this style featured feathered layers that framed the face, blending ’70s glamour with ’80s volume for a timeless look. Braided styles, from simple plaits to intricate designs, added a touch of whimsy and craft, showcasing the era’s experimental approach to hair.

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