Bleached out Peroxide-blond hair became an iconic fixture on the hair scene during the 1980s.
Bleached blonde hair goes back to the early 30's when Jean Harlow was a huge hit as an actress. She and Mae West both had bleached blonde hair. Harlow was next cast in Platinum Blonde (1931), for Columbia Pictures, with Loretta Young.
In the 1980s, platinum was all the rage, and many women liked to cut short, perm blond hair. Punk culture makes neon colors popular, and blonde with neon pink stripes is the preferred combination. The disco scene in the 1980s introduced the concept of glitter, and many women sprinkled it on their hair casually.
Hairstyles in the 1980s included the mullet, tall mohawk hairstyles, jheri curls, flattops, and hi-top fades, which became popular styles. Amongst women, large hair-dos, puffed-up styles, permanent waves, and softer cuts typified the decade.
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.
Big hair became popular in the 1980s for men as well as for women. The term is also used in the glam rock, hair metal, goth and alternative cultures and is particularly associated with fashion of the 1980s, or inspired by the period.
As we mentioned, the '80s were all about volume and texture, so naturally, crimped waves dominated the decade. While they used to feature tiny zig-zag waves, they're now often created with a wider crimping tool for more modern, loose and (almost beach-like) waves.
Vibrant eyeliners, neon eyeshadows, and coloured mascaras were used to create dramatic, larger-than-life 80s eye makeup and lipstick colours like fuchsia, plum and bubblegum pink were lacquered onto the lips to create vivid 80s pouts. Everything looked lifted and dynamic in the 80s, especially when it came to blush.
So, how do you get that '80s fluffy hair? "Eighties blowouts are all about lifting the roots," says Toth. "Use lots of volumizing products and lift the roots with a metal round brush." (A wooden round brush can stretch the elasticity out of your hair, making it too smooth and shiny for a classic '80s blowout.)
One of the key 80s hairstyles that continues to impress is the side ponytail.
Nature's Rarest Palette: Red Hair Standing at the apex of rarity, natural red hair occurs in just 1-2% of the global population. This striking shade results from a specific genetic variant of the MC1R gene, requiring both parents to pass on the recessive trait.
JEWELRY STYLES
As the decade opened, the focus in jewelry was on gold and diamonds. Thin gold chains were worn in multiples as bracelets and, in various lengths, as necklaces, often with gold charms and small gem-set pendants.
Hair lightening had evolved and by the 1980's the foiling method had developed, where slices of hair are painted with bleach and folded Into squares of aluminium foil, and still the most popular menthod of highlighting used today.
Bleached hair will regrow at the same rate as other forms of damaged hair, which in a healthy growth cycle is typically between 6-12 months.
By the 1930s-1940s, silver screen sirens like Jean Harlow, Mae West and Marilyn Monroe popularized the appeal of the platinum blonde bombshell, while Clairol debuted one of the first at-home color kits.
Lived through the '80s or just discovering its gloriously over-the-top aesthetic for the first time? Either way, you can't miss the comeback of the decade's most iconic hairstyles. Teased volume, funky textures, and statement accessories ruled back then, and now those bold looks are turning heads all over again.
It was the era of excess: a time to play, be adventurous, and try fun, expressive beauty looks. Like the hair (teased to the sky), '80s makeup was flashy and attention-grabbing: think vivid blush, technicolored lids, and the perennial statement lip (typically in shades of red or pink).
Velour, velvet, and polyester were popular fabrics used in clothes, especially button-up and v shirts. Looser pants remained popular during this time, being fairly wide but straight, and tighter shirts were especially popular, sometimes in a cropped athletic style.
Take a look back at a few of the many styles of women's shoes from the '80s, including spike heels, wedges, flats, pumps, penny loafers, moccasins and boat shoes, just to name a few!
The 1980s were a time of excess and expression. With fashion serving as a bold statement of individuality and freedom, big, curly hair wasn't just a style; it was an attitude—a rebellion against the sleek, restrained looks of previous decades.
Dressing preppy was huge in the '80s, and offsetting all those sweaters and pastels was the half-updo. Braids—especially the French braid—were an added one-two punch to the whole more-exclusive-than-thou look prevalent in teen TV tropes everywhere.
80s Crimped Hair
Another style that lived in the 70s, 80s and even 90s we can't really get behind is crimped hair, as rocked by Demi Moore in the 80s classic, St. Elmo's Fire.