Big hair became popular in the 1980s for men as well as for women.
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.
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 prevalence of curly hairstyles in the 1970s and 1980s can be attributed to several cultural and social factors: Cultural Trends: The 1970s and 1980s saw a shift towards more expressive and individualistic styles.
Singer, actress, and overall goddess Cher conquered the decade's biggest trend—voluminous hair—like she invented the look.
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.
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 social change and dynamic introduced a new kind of expression of femininity that also reflected the male gaze and the heavy-handed objectification of it all. Fast forward to the 1970s when long hair became well associated with the counterculture movement of the hippies and the rejection of societal conformity.
1920s: The Roaring Twenties introduced a major shift in women's hairstyles. The iconic bob haircut became popular, characterized by short, straight hair that was often worn with a side parting. This style symbolized women's liberation and a break from traditional gender roles.
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.
One of the key 80s hairstyles that continues to impress is the side ponytail.
Invented by the hairdresser Jheri Redding, the Jheri curl gives the wearer a glossy, loosely curled look. It was touted as a "wash and wear" style that was easier to care for than the other popular chemical treatment of the day, the relaxer.
Absolutely! 80s hairstyles are making waves today. From big curls and feathered bangs to shag cuts and messy hair, some looks are finding new interpretations, and fashionistas are embracing the nostalgia of the 80s – but with a fresh twist.
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.
Hairstyles of the Elizabethan era were characterized by high, frizzed hair and often placed over wires or pads to create a heart-shaped frame around the head. These hairstyles were made easier when the first metal hairpins were invented in England in 1545.
Meet the woman, who has claimed the Guinness world record for the longest hair on a living person. Smita Srivastava from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh last cut her hair when she was 14. Her hair measures 236.22cm, or 7 feet and 9 inches. Smita is also a recipient of the Limca book of records in the longest hair category.
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. Television shows such as Dynasty helped popularize the high volume bouffant and glamorous image associated with it.
There wasn't just one look that defined the'90s. “The short cropped bob, voluminous, bouncy blowouts, long hair with blunt ends and face-framing layers, sleek updos with face-framing pieces, and voluminous bombshell updos with face-framing pieces were all popular during this time period,” says Marjan.
The distributions of these straight hair related alleles (see figure) support the hypothesis that our human ancestors had curly hair; the straight hair found in East Asians and Caucasians likely developed independently.
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.
In this section of Scripture, Paul uses four words in reference to hair: Covering (or covered)—long hair. Uncovered—short hair. Shorn—extremely short hair (in modern terms, a buzz cut).
1960s hairstyle overview
During the Civil Rights Movement, natural hair and afros became a symbol of African American pride. Hair length was also used to challenge gender norms, like with pixie cuts on women and long styles on men. Generally, hairstyles became fuller and longer with an emphasis on big curls and volume.
Hair trends of the '70s, '80s and '90s are back with a modern twist: From shixie shag to wolf cuts and the modern-day mullet, look out for these 2025 hairstyles.
Some consider millennials to be one of the heaviest generations. In the U.K., researchers found at least seven in 10 people born in the millennial generations will be overweight or obese before they reach middle age. Baby boomers only faced rates of five in 10.
Crimped Hair
As we mentioned, the '80s were all about volume and texture, so naturally, crimped waves dominated the decade.