What did peoples hair look like in the 80s?

Author: Ms. Audreanne Mosciski DDS  |  Last update: Monday, September 29, 2025

Spiked hair, teased hair, brightly colored hair, and shaved hair sections were popularized in the 1980s by the punk movement, as were the Mohawk and its twisted variant, Liberty spikes. The Mullet haircut existed in several different styles, all characterized by hair short on the sides and long in the back.

What was typical 80s hair?

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.

Did the 80s have big hair?

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.

Was 80s hair layered?

Feathered Layers '80s Hairstyle for Medium Hair

Gleaming, middle-parted waves molded to perfection were the hallmarks of the decade's pretty girls. A feathered hairstyle was the first-generation “Rachel,” and flattered almost all face shapes due to its democratic layers and low-maintenance length.

Did people curl their hair in the 80s?

Curls were a staple of 80s hairstyles, often achieved through curling irons or perms. This style allowed individuals to embrace a wavy look that was both playful and voluminous. Many opted for tight curls or loose waves, depending on their preference.

80s Rocker Hair Tutorial

Why did everyone have puffy hair in the 80s?

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.

Is a side ponytail 80s?

And while perms may spring to mind when you think of 80s hairstyles, today it's all about updating retro looks by taking the volume down a touch but keeping all of the attitude. One of the key 80s hairstyles that continues to impress is the side ponytail.

Why did hair look different in the 80s?

Big and eccentric hair styles were popularized by film and music stars, in particular amongst teenagers. Although straight hair was the norm at the beginning of the decade, as many late 1970s styles were still relevant, by around 1982 the perm had come into fashion.

Did people wear bandanas in their hair in the 80s?

In the '80s, it was all the rage to wear a bandana as an accessory to keep your hair in place. One of the most popular ways to wear one was wrapped around your head, like Princess Caroline did here.

What kind of jewelry was worn in the 80s?

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.

Who had the best 80s hair?

Below, the best '80s-style haircuts you could emulate today.
  • Jennifer Gray. ...
  • Michelle Pfeiffer. ...
  • Carole Bouquet. ...
  • Whitney Houston. ...
  • Jessica Lange. (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • Maryam d'Abo. (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • Daryl Hannah. (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • Courteney Cox. (Image credit: Getty Images)

How do you get big 80s hair?

“There are several key ways to get optimum volume of'80s hair. One popular way, which we are seeing lots of right now, is a perm. That built-in texture can really help to add a base to maintaining volume. Another way would be setting the hair on rollers.

What decade had the biggest hair?

Everything about rock and pop music got big in the '80s. Big sounds, big bands, big clothes, and — perhaps biggest of all — big hair! The decade that introduced Hair Metal saw newly minted rock stars doubling down on the glam and teasing their hair till it was sky-high.

What makeup was popular in the 80s?

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.

Will 80s hair ever come back?

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.

What is 80s hair rock?

Glam metal (also known as hair metal or pop metal) is a subgenre of heavy metal that features pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs, upbeat rock anthems, and slow power ballads. It borrows heavily from the fashion and image of 1970s glam rock.

What hair accessories were popular in the 80s?

Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit the iconic hair accessories that made every '80s girl feel like a style queen.
  • Scrunchies: The MVP of '80s Hair. ...
  • Giant Hair Bows: Bigger Is Better. ...
  • Barrettes: Functional and Fabulous. ...
  • Banana Clips: The Innovator's Choice. ...
  • Headbands: Preppy Perfection.

What was everyone wearing in the 80s?

The decade, characterized by eye-straining fabric colors and patterns, acid wash jeans, shoulder pads, massive, dramatic earrings, pearls, and big hair, had people confidently expressing themselves with their Style.

How do people wear their hair in the 80s?

One of the most common hairstyles during the '80s was curly bangs. A go-to style for natural and curly-haired people, this hairstyle brings volume front and center (literally), and makes for effortless movement.

What hairstyle was popular in the 80's for females?

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.

What was the biggest fashion trend in the 80s?

Top 10 Fashion Trends from the 80's
  1. BIG HAIR. Perms, perms, and more perms – you could have sailed the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria in some people's flows. ...
  2. SPANDEX. Lycra changed the world, and the 80s made sure it knew. ...
  3. RIPPED KNEES. ...
  4. LACEY SHIRTS. ...
  5. LEG WARMERS. ...
  6. HIGH WAISTED JEANS. ...
  7. NEON COLORS. ...
  8. MULLETS.

Did girls in the 80s shave?

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.

Who had big hair in the 80s?

In the mid-1980s, rising pop star Madonna sported big hair when photographed by Francesco Scavullo for Time. Soon, many women emulated her look, making her one of the most iconic celebrities in 1980s fashion.

Does a ponytail make you look younger or older?

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.

Are headbands 80s?

Headbands (especially when worn with teased hair) were such a staple of the '80s—rockstars like Steven Tyler and pop queens like Madonna often wore the accessory.

Previous article
What happens if you get lash lifts too close together?
Next article
Does skin sag after Botox?