Why did hair look different in the 80s?

Author: Jefferey Price  |  Last update: Wednesday, August 6, 2025

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.

Why was hair so crazy in the 80s?

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.

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.

Will 80s hair ever come back?

While it's difficult to predict exactly when or how 80s hair will make a comeback, it's certainly possible, especially as trends often repeat themselves over time.

Why did everyone in the 80s have curly hair?

Cultural Trends: The 1970s and 1980s saw a shift towards more expressive and individualistic styles. The counterculture movements of the 1960s influenced the embrace of natural textures, including curls, as a form of self-expression.

How Did the 80s Get Hair So Big?

What was the 80s hair style called?

Hairstyles in the 1980s included the mullet, tall mohawk hairstyles, jheri curls, flattops, and hi-top fades, which became popular styles. Amongst women, large hair-dos, puffed-up styles, permanent waves, and softer cuts typified the decade.

Why does Gen Z like curly hair?

One of the key reasons for the popularity of curls among Gen Z is the emphasis on embracing and enhancing natural beauty. As Clayton Hawkins, a celebrity hairstylist, explains, “Gen Z is all about embracing and enhancing their natural beauty.

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 Side Pony 80s or 90s?

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

Is 80s hair coming back in 2025?

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.

What era was frizzy hair?

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.

Why was hair so long in the 70s?

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.

Who started the big hair trend in the 80s?

From these origins, big hair became a feature of a number of Japanese street and alternative fashions, including Harajuku and ganguro. In the early 1980s, Brooke Shields became a dominant force in the fashion trend after becoming a teen model in 1980.

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.

What hairstyle was popular in the 80s 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. That makes it a good choice for those at this point in their lives today.

Why is it called a Jheri curl?

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.

What is the 80s haircut called?

"Mullets, pixie haircuts, perms, heavy bangs, and more are making a comeback," says Malhotra. Fortunately for us, the 2.0 version of '80s cuts is much more wearable than its predecessor.

Are bandanas 80s or 90s?

But the '90s style of bandana-wearing was actually first popularized in the 1970s, donned by self-proclaimed hippie women and the likes of Dolly Parton. The style was also worn in the '80s by Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose, though that is an entirely different story.

Are sequins 80s or 90s?

Sequins. High-shine fabric was a showstopper in the '90s, from sequin shirts and pants to glittery hair accessories and skirts. Take a page from Michael Jackson and use the glittery fabric to stand out on a special occasion.

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.

What is the most famous hairstyle ever?

Ahead, some of the most iconic celebrity hair moments of all time.
  • Audrey Hepburn's Chignon. ...
  • Farrah Fawcett's Fringe. ...
  • Elvis' Swoop. ...
  • Angela Davis' Afro. ...
  • Diana Ross' Curls. ...
  • "The Rachel" (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • Halle Berry's Pixie. (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • Marilyn Monroe's Blonde Bob. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Is a side ponytail 80s?

A side ponytail told the world you were spirited and fearless. In modern time it's transitioned to a red carpet staple – so I wonder what the future holds for this 1980s hairstyle?

Why do Gen Z feel old?

Due to so much information, Gen Z has turned into a generation that is young but has an aged-like mindset that is struck with constant fear and is critical of making mistakes. Failure to succeed in life socially, economically, family-wise, and career-wise has caused Gen Z to live in despair.

Why do so many kids have the broccoli haircut?

It became popular among teenage and tween boys in the 2020s, particularly due to its spread on TikTok, and became an Internet meme around the same time.

What is TikTok hair called?

The wet mop haircut is a modified bowl cut... Also nicknamed “the TikTok haircut", it's the 2022 men's hair trend that is all over the internet. This wet mop hairstyle, typically worn by men, has long hair on the top (usually messy, wavy or curly) and short hair on the sides and back of the head.

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