In the mid-1980s and through the mid-1990s it was common to see women of all ages from girls, tweens, teens, college and beyond wearing high ponytails or high side ponytails held with a scrunchie.
One of the key 80s hairstyles that continues to impress is the side ponytail.
Hairstyles in the 80s were perms, crimped hair, shag haircut, farrah fawcett, side pony, highlights, big hair, hairspray styles, mohawks, big volume hair and braided styles.
It was a schoolgirl hairstyle worn by children. It wasn't until the 50s that the ponytail was finally considered an appropriate hairstyle for women. The film star Sandra Dee wore her hair in a ponytail during the classic teen romance movie Gidget. The ponytail then became a classic hairdo for the girl next door.
Half-up, half-down styles were a top choice in the '80s. The half-up ponytail allows you to show off your length while getting hair out of your face. And like many other styles during that time, it was paired with an ultra-high ponytail and a colorful scrunchie.
Revson's scrunchies were extremely popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Scrunchies initially became popular in the '80s because they were a less damaging alternative for pulling big hair up. Also, scrunchies came in many different colors and patterns, so they matched the colorful and over-the-top aesthetic of the 1980s.
In the mid-1980s and through the mid-1990s it was common to see women of all ages from girls, tweens, teens, college and beyond wearing high ponytails or high side ponytails held with a scrunchie.
As it turns out, Ariana Grande's signature style is the secret to instantly looking years younger. By pulling your hair up into a ponytail high enough that it can be seen from the front, it opens up the face, tightens facial features, and emphasizes your eyes, eyebrows, and cheekbones.
Hairstyle #1: High Pigtails
Nothing says the '90s like this pop star-inspired 'do. High pigtails were all the rage during this decade, and it's an easy-to-do style that many still wear today.
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.
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.
The '80s and '90s, perhaps due to how recent they still feel, are particularly prevalent, with more and more stars gravitating to crimped hair. The celebrity way to wear the trend doesn't follow any sort of rulebook. Some crimps are tighter, more like mermaid waves than a funky, nearly geometric pattern.
Amongst women, large hair-dos, puffed-up styles, permanent waves, and softer cuts typified the decade. Big hair that was "often permed to achieve the desired volume" is especially associated with women of the mid 1980s as well as male rockstars of that era, especially of the glam metal genre.
In the 18th century wigs used a "queue" or "tail", consisting of a leather strap or small bag, to hold the wig together and support it. The early to mid 19th century and the modernization of the rubber industry allowed for use of rubber in clothing, which would ultimately include early elastic hair ties.
A high ponytail provides a lifting effect that can emphasize cheekbones, whereas a low ponytail elongates the face, softening features and creating a more sophisticated look."
In most cases, not wearing your hair in tight ponytails or buns is enough to allow your hair to regrow.
Mitch Stone, stylist to the stars, warns, "once hair has passes your ribs, it is officially making you look older." Trimming a few inches off your locks is an easy fix for this common hairstyle mistake, taking years off your appearance and revitalizing your look.
Although the side ponytail started in the 1980's, it was still a favourite in the 1990's too.
It's also thought to have roots in Ancient Greece; frescoes in Crete depict women wearing ponytails set high on the backs of their heads. In the 18th century, it became the mandatory style for European soldiers and was known as a “queue” (the French word for “tail”).
“It indicates power and confidence – showing your face to the world and getting things done in style.”
Just think about it: The '80s brought us fishnets and leg warmers, served up electric colorways and the naked dress, made a case for leggings-as-pants, and inserted shoulder pads into any blazer and blouse that designers would allow.
In middle school, Nora said, a girl gives a boy a scrunchie if she likes him. In high school, she gives it to him if they're dating. If the couple is in a nontraditional relationship? Anything could happen.