Why did everyone in the 80s have curly hair?

Author: Maurice Raynor  |  Last update: Sunday, December 28, 2025

Perms were popularized by iconic movies during the 80s that featured actresses with big, lustrous curls, but this style got its start many years earlier in Germany. The process was invented by Karl Ludwig Nesser, a creative hairdresser who first tested the treatment on his wife.

Why was everyone's hair curly in the 80s?

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.

Why was everyone's hair so fluffy in the 80s?

The 1980s saw the onset of huge, voluminous locks on men and women, often in the form of long, curly hair. Inspired by heavy metal and appropriately-named "Hair Bands," huge hair was everywhere.

Why did everyone have a perm in the 80s?

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.

Why does everyone suddenly have curly hair?

Hair changing from straight to curly often indicates a hormonal shift within the body. Factors like menopause, pregnancy, puberty, and even taking birth control, can have a drastic, switching effect on your hair's texture. Hormonal changes alter how your genes are expressed, so changes here can make a big difference.

How Did the 80s Get Hair So Big?

Does hair get curlier as you age?

If you have straight hair, your hair may become slightly curlier as you age. This is because the shape of hair follicles changes over time.

Why did I have curly hair as a kid but not now?

Genetics. Curl pattern is genetically programmed just like eye color, height, and most other aspects of phenotype. Throughout our lives, however, we experience biological changes to our hair texture. By diameter, our hair tends to become gradually thicker into adulthood, thinning again in middle and old age.

Why was 80s hair so big?

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.

Do Gen Z get perms?

What's old is new again, when it comes to hair. But it turns out that Gen Z boys are the ones embracing the perm this time around. Their parents or grandparents may remember back when the tight, coily perms were popular for women back in the 1980s and early 90s.

Who popularized the perm in the 80s?

The iconic perm is now a thing thanks to 80s hair heroes Cher, Jon Bon Jovi and erm Deirdre Barlow. Just like flares and suede, perms are an hair trend that yo-yo in and out of fashion without a care in the world.

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.

In what decade was curly hair popular?

It wasn't until the 1980s, that curly hair had once again been considered “in vogue.” The 80's gave us the poofy, extreme hair,the “jheri curl” and even that high side pony with the crimped or curly hair. Today, it's okay to have those stylized curls and waves.

Is Side Pony 80s or 90s?

One of the key 80s hairstyles that continues to impress is the side ponytail.

What was the 80s curly hair called?

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.

What race did curly hair originate from?

What Ethnicity Does Curly Hair Come From? Curly hair is found across all ethnicities, though its prevalence and type can vary. It is common among people of African descent, who often have tightly coiled hair.

Why does curly hair go away with age?

The short answer to this is – Yes. The longer answer has something to do with hormones. The natural hormonal secretions that occur internally have an impact on the curl type of your hair. Curls can sometimes loosen, change pattern or shape due to hormonal conditions that fluctuate with age.

Who started broccoli hair?

In 2020, Dillon Latham, a then-15-year-old TikToker, posted a clip of himself getting a perm in the style of the broccoli haircut, which prompted its early spread among teenage and tween boys.

Does Gen Z wear bras?

Generation Z women don't want to wear bras and the new trend has become a hit. They are photographed in fun outfits without bras to show that different breast shapes are normal. TikToker Vaninileon went viral after she announced that she would try to go braless for an entire week, the Telegraph reports.

What are 80s bangs called?

1980s. Hair got even bigger in the '80s, so naturally, bangs did, too. Donna Summer's voluminous, curly bangs were trendy as ever. Between hockey mullets and “mall bangs,” bangs were everywhere.

Does long hair look older?

It is a common misconception that long hair makes you look older. In reality, the way your hair is styled and maintained has a bigger impact on your appearance. With proper grooming and styling, long hair can actually make you look younger.

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)

Is frizzy hair actually curly?

Well, let me break something down for you: “frizzy” is not a hair type. If your hair is not 100% smooth when you dry it naturally, then your hair is curly. It's not straight. It might be a very light wave, a gentle movement, but that still counts as a curl pattern.

What is the curly girl method?

Here's how to do the Curly Girl Method step-by-step.
  • Step 0: Reset Wash. First up, do a reset cleanse to remove product build-up from your strands. ...
  • Step 1: Cleanse. Wash your hair with a co-wash conditioner or a sulfate-free, low-poo shampoo. ...
  • Step 2: Condition & Detangle. ...
  • Step 3: Style. ...
  • Step 4: Plop. ...
  • Step 5: Repeat.

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