Amongst women, large hair-dos, puffed-up styles, permanent waves, and softer cuts typified the decade.
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.
How to achieve big 80s hair? Start with dirty hair. Tease the hair at the roots with a fine tooth comb. Use a brush after using a fine tooth comb. Spray hairspray all over the front of your hair. Dry the hairspray with a hair dryer. Repeat the process until hair is big and bold. Put gel in the roots.
Iconic hairstyles from the 80s, like the Jheri curl, wanton crimping, and the mullet, along with the box cut, feathered and voluminous, hair sprayed curls made bold statements. The era was defined by its loud and rebellious hair trends, which were all about expressing individuality and making a statement.
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 '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.
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.
The mullet is among the 1980s hairstyles that worked for both men and women. If you're going out with a spouse, brother, sister, or cousin, then this is a good style you can both try. The way you style your mullet may depend on the length of your hair.
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.
Bright neon pink, yellow, blue, and light green hues are used in this color scheme, reminiscent of the '80s and its "bigger is better" fashion trends.
1980s hair was big, bold, and never boring. From mile-high bangs to crimped hair to ultra curly perms, 80s styles were about self expression...
“Because punk was so big in the 80's, a lot of those very expressive lime green, neon orange, pinks, and yellows ended up being popular hair colors,” Lopez says. Admittedly, brightly toned hair may be more of a look you experiment with using a wig, but hidden streaks of color or tamer hues are also always options.
These electric hues weren't applied sparingly, either: in many cases, eyeshadow was swept on from the lash line to the brow bone, ensuring the wearer would stand out in an (equally colorful) crowd. For lipstick, hot pink and fuschia were among the most popular hues of the decade—the more pigmented, the better.
Embrace the vibrant and nostalgic fashion 80s style trend at your next party. Incorporate iconic elements like shoulder pads, neon colours, leg warmers, acid wash jeans, leather jackets, oversized tops, mini skirts, statement accessories, high-top sneakers, an oversized blazer or sequins for an authentic look.
Crimped Hair
Equally emblematic of the 80s hair scene was the crimped hair trend, which brought a zigzag texture that screamed fun. Achieved with a crimping iron, this style electrifies one's look, fitting perfectly with the decade's adventurous fashion sense.
“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.
Teasing, also known as backcombing or ratting, is a combing technique used to create volume at the root of your hair. The technique involves using a fine tooth comb to gently comb the hair downward toward your scalp, causing the hair to slightly tangle and create a voluminous final look.
The mustache made a strong comeback to the mainstream in the 1980s, growing past its 60s and 70s association with counterculture. No 'tache is more closely linked to the era than the chevron—a thick patch covering the entire upper lip, angled towards the mouth, achieved using a beard trimmer.
Cher. Cher in 1981 and in 2024. After becoming known for her sheaf of straight hair in the '70s, Cher went big in the '80s. These days, the "Believe" singer is something of a chameleon, perpetually changing it up, as she did with this blonde look at a pre-Grammys party in February 2024.
Mall bangs are often voluminous, wispy pieces that pair nicely with a side part and bouncy tresses. As Ransom explains, “Mall bangs are big, bouncy and full of attitude. They're not just simple forehead fringe—they're styled, fluffed up and often curled or flipped to create even more volume.”