Big hair is a hairstyle that emphasizes large volume or largely styled hair, especially when those styles make the hair occupy a large amount of space above and around the head. The label "big hair" for such styles originated in the late 1970s, when these styles were beginning a period of popularity.
The hippie movement, with its emphasis on peace, love, and personal freedom, played a huge role in popularizing long hair. It was a visual way for young people to signal their opposition to the Vietnam War and the conservative values they associated with their parents and mainstream society.
Big hair arose in the mid 80s after long flat strait hippie hair of the late 60s/70s and the more practical short feathered layered looks of the early 80s. People were growing hair longer again but didn't want to look dated. It got bigger and fluffier and dramatic. Bangs in particular stayed spikier well into the 90s.
One of the most defining hairstyles of the 1970s was Farrah Fawcett's iconic look from Charlie's Angels. Usually best with medium-long hair, this feathered style involved brushing hair back and outward at the sides. Similar styles were all about volume, with bouncy curls, blowouts with curtain bangs, and flipped bobs.
Why did people in the 80s like to wear big hair? People were into big hair because the celebs had big hair, and people back then would like to have these looks as their favorite icons. Most of the musicians during the 80s were into big hair. These guys were rockers, and so of course, long hair was de rigueur.
The label "big hair" for such styles originated in the late 1970s, when these styles were beginning a period of popularity.
Big hair was the crown jewel of the 1980s, an unforgettable trend that defined the decade and cemented itself as a cultural marker for Generation X. From teased locks to over-the-top perms, the era's voluminous hairstyles reflected rebellion, creativity, and an unapologetic embrace of excess.
The shag cut was one of the '70s most popular and interchangeable hair looks. Known for its short, choppy layers and carefree, 'undone' vibe, this is the OG of trends like the wolfcut, and Stevie Nicks' curly take on it is the one.
70s eye makeup looks featured long, voluminous lashes on the top and bottom, always adding an extra coat or two of mascara before a night on the dancefloor. 70s makeup embraced beautiful, bronzed skin and irresistible glossy lips while keeping brows bushy and full.
In the 70s, platinum blonde was the colour of choice for feminine and sensual styles, just like the shade seen on Sylvie Vartan and Brigitte Bardot. XXL volume. Diana Ross and Donna Summer are to thank for the success of the afro cut. The idea?
The long hair trend grew with the spread of the hippie movement in the 1960s and, in the 1970s, longer hair styles would become the norm among men and women. In the 1970s, the popularity of Jamaica's reggae music and musician Bob Marley prompted interest in dreadlocks internationally.
The 1980s saw the onset of huge, voluminous locks on men and women, often in the form of long, curly hair. Inspired by heavy metal and appropriately-named "Hair Bands," huge hair was everywhere.
From the sky-high bouffants of the 1960s to the pinned bang poufs of the 2000s, big hair has always been a trend that comes back around.
For many years, people never cared about shaving their pubic hair until the birth of bikini in 1946. Between the 1960s and 1970s, trimming took a different twist, and women were discouraged from trimming. In the 1980s, they were now encouraged on trimming and even to do a thorough shave.
Hippies often wore their hair down to their shoulders and longer as a sign of protest against American involvement in the Vietnam War (1954–75) and to set themselves apart from the mainstream society.
The Afro Hair Movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a cultural and political statement that challenged Eurocentric beauty standards and celebrated Black identity. The Afro hairstyle, characterized by its voluminous and natural curls, became a symbol of Black pride and resistance against racism and discrimination.
The 1970s marked a transition from the polished looks of the 1960s to a more relaxed and natural aesthetic. Women embraced the “hippie” vibe, favouring long, flowing hair, sun-kissed skin, and minimal makeup. Bell-bottom jeans, floral headbands, and au naturel beauty were the defining elements of the era.
1970s makeup elements
In the early part of the decade, blush was more natural, but by the mid-1970s became a prominent feature with defined pink stripes starting at the temples. Bronzer was also popular to create a sun-kissed glow.
Jewelry made from wood, stones, coral or bone was a popular trend in the 1970s, reflecting the decade's hippie fashion. These pieces often featured earthy tones and organic shapes, creating a relaxed and natural look. Other earthy elements like leather and feathers were also included in this trend.
Long, sleek, and parted was THE look of the '70s. The total opposite of the voluminous feathered hair was the long and straight hairstyle. This usually was worn as a single-length cut with a center part that was typically adorned with flowers or a headband.
Notable for its volume and fluffy finish, '80s hair is big and brushed-out. Back then, hairspray was an essential, with many misting their manes into rigid shapes that felt crispy and stiff due to the old-school formulations.
In the '80s, big hair was not only a status symbol, but also allowed women to take up space, Rachael Gibson, who runs the account The Hair Historian, told the outlet. It was a statement and, especially for artists in the limelight, “filling the screen with your hair felt like quite a power move,” she added.
Generation X, defined by the Pew Research Center as those born between 1965-1980, is the smallest generation by population, due to lower birth rates. They are sometimes referred to as the MTV generation, as the MTV channel debuted in their formative years.
The 1980s ushered in an era of big, statement curly hairstyles including the mullet, feathered curls, tall mohawk hairstyles and the Jheri curls (made famous by Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and Rick James) were among other popular styles.