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.
The hippie movement, with its emphasis on peace, love, and personal freedom, played a huge role in popularizing long hair. It was a visual way for young people to signal their opposition to the Vietnam War and the conservative values they associated with their parents and mainstream society.
Dating back to the '60s and '70s, when rock 'n' roll was the soundtrack to countercultural movements, long hair became a symbol of non-conformity. Think about it, during a time when the 'clean-cut' look was the norm, pushing back against societal expectations meant doing the exact opposite, growing your hair long.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Also commonly referred to as “The Farrah,” the feathered look features mid-to-long hair brushed back and outwards at the sides, giving the appearance of bird's feathers. “When I think of iconic '70s hair, who else but Farrah Fawcett comes to mind?
1960s hairstyle overview
During the Civil Rights Movement, natural hair and afros became a symbol of African American pride. Hair length was also used to challenge gender norms, like with pixie cuts on women and long styles on men. Generally, hairstyles became fuller and longer with an emphasis on big curls and volume.
It dates back at least to ancient Greeks and Romans, and according to archaeologist Elizabeth Bartman, even despite the Ancient Greek ideal of a “bearded, long-haired philosopher,” women in that society still had longer hair than men regularly did.
In the 70s, platinum blonde was the colour of choice for feminine and sensual styles, just like the shade seen on Sylvie Vartan and Brigitte Bardot. XXL volume. Diana Ross and Donna Summer are to thank for the success of the afro cut. The idea?
The Afro Hair Movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a cultural and political statement that challenged Eurocentric beauty standards and celebrated Black identity. The Afro hairstyle, characterized by its voluminous and natural curls, became a symbol of Black pride and resistance against racism and discrimination.
The hippy movement in the 1960's essentially rejected the notion that leg and armpit shaving was a necessity for women. It's my understanding that many European women do not shave their pits or legs nor was it ever commonplace for them to do so. It's essentially an artificial social construct.
The norm to remove leg hair for women became very strong in the 1940s, more specifically, it moved from fad to custom in a matter of months in the early 1940s.
The hairy covering of our early African ancestors would have provided some insulation from heat stress. Hairless bodies, however, are considerably more affected by high temperatures.
One of the most defining hairstyles of the 1970s was Farrah Fawcett's iconic look from Charlie's Angels. Usually best with medium-long hair, this feathered style involved brushing hair back and outward at the sides. Similar styles were all about volume, with bouncy curls, blowouts with curtain bangs, and flipped bobs.
A Karen haircut is a short hairstyle with short, spiky layers in the back and long side swept bangs in the front. It also often has chunky highlights in brassy colors. Platinum textured pixie cuts and heavily teased lobs have also recently been associated with Karen haircuts.
Should a 75 year old woman have long hair? We'd recommend shorter hair for a 75 year old woman, as it will help the hair to look thinner and healthier.
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.
Some consider millennials to be one of the heaviest generations. In the U.K., researchers found at least seven in 10 people born in the millennial generations will be overweight or obese before they reach middle age. Baby boomers only faced rates of five in 10.
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.
The results suggest that people deliberately sought partners beyond their immediate family, and that they were probably connected to a wider network of groups from within which mates were chosen, in order to avoid becoming inbred.
During the Ice Age, a heavy beard often caused frostbite when water vapour from a man's breath froze in facial hair. Men used sharp rocks and shells to shave off the longer hairs. Cave drawings from the period found in modern-day Ukraine depict men with short stubble.
In the early stages of mankind, there were limited options for our ancestors. For Neanderthals and ancient humans, their choice was to cut their hair with flint, grow it in a braid, or use mud.