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.
In the 1980s, big hair was in vogue for both men and women. The term has also been used in punk, ornate, metallic hair, Gothic, and alternative culture, particularly with the fashion, associated with the fashion of the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s.
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.
Comments Section Big hair was also really popular in the 80s and to a lesser extent in the 70s. and the 1960s (the beehive, bouffant, etc...)... basically it has come and gone 2000 times throughout the beginning of time, just like flat straight hair has come and gone 200 times since human existence.
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.
Hairstyles in the 1980s included the mullet, tall mohawk hairstyles, jheri curls, flattops, and hi-top fades, which became popular styles.
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.
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
If you are looking for inspirations for hairstyles form the 70's, look no further than with Jane Fonda. The Shag happens to be the hairstyle that works for both men and women. The way David Cassidy sported this hairstyle made him an iconic heartthrob back in the day.
Feathered layers and rollers and Farrah Fawcett hair was born. She made this breath-taking style her trademark back in the '70s, prompting countless fans to try it out too.
It's bouncy. And it's back. From the catwalks to Capitol Hill, hair with added volume is trending. Raised at the roots and curled at the ends, big and bold hair has knocked relaxed, beachy waves off the hairstyle charts.
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.
Aqua-net Bangs
While this option can take many shapes, one that was popular in the '80s was the aqua-net bangs. It's hard to miss anyone in the '80s forms of entertainment without this style, especially high school movies and TV shows. That makes it a good choice for those at this point in their lives today.
Singer, actress, and overall goddess Cher conquered the decade's biggest trend—voluminous hair—like she invented the look.
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.
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.
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.
Beehive styles of the early 1960s sometimes overlapped with bouffant styles, which also employed teasing to create hair volume; but generally speaking, the beehive effect was a rounded cone piled upwards from the top of the head, while the simple bouffant was a wider, puffier shape covering the ears at the sides.
Jheri Curls
We couldn't talk about our favorite curly '80s hairstyles without highlighting Jheri curls.
Baby Boomers (circa 1946 to 1964) Generation X (circa 1965 to 1980) Millennial Generation (circa 1981 to 1996) Generation Z (circa 1997 to 2012)
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.
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.
'Friends' debuted in 1994 and the straight hair of Jennifer Aniston, who played the character Rachel, was an instant hit with salons being inundated by women asking for a 'Rachel cut'. It remained one of the most popular cuts for a decade, taking over from the curls that were popular in the previous decade.