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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 1980s were a time of excess and expression. With fashion serving as a bold statement of individuality and freedom, big, curly hair wasn't just a style; it was an attitude—a rebellion against the sleek, restrained looks of previous decades.
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.
Many people find long hair appealing because it is often associated with health, youth, and reproductive vigour. Hair is considered a natural symbol of beauty, thus well-maintained and long hair can enhance the perception of attractiveness.
“Looks from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s are coming back and providing inspiration for this big-hair trend,” celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway tells Glamour, pointing to beauty icons like Brigitte Bardot, Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, and Cindy Crawford as inspirations.
Notable for its volume and fluffy finish, '80s hair is big and brushed-out. Back then, hairspray was an essential, with many misting their manes into rigid shapes that felt crispy and stiff due to the old-school formulations.
Wearing them was fashionable among teenage girls; later to be an adopted fashion by boys in the city of Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their popularity was partly due to the influence of the films Fame, Xanadu and Flashdance and the concurrent aerobics craze.
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 advent of manscaping would have to wait until fashions changed again from about the middle of the 1980s. At this time, the New Romantic scene and the androgynous looks of established stars, like David Bowie , meant that, for some men at least, shaving closely was a highly desirable look.
Females with long hair are considered more attractive than females in short hair and healthier by men, especially if women are less attractive. Long hair, as it is harder to care for, it is associated with high phenotypic and genetic quality (Mesko and Bereczkei, 2004) . ... ...
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.
Things You Should Know. Guys often like short girls because their height difference makes them feel needed and like they can protect them. Some guys are drawn to short girls because they make them feel taller and more manly, boosting their ego. Shorter guys often like shorter girls because they are more similar in size ...
Generation X—born 1965 to 1980. Millennials—born 1981 to 2000. Generation Z—born 2001 to 2020.
Instead, they see it as a way to express themselves. Ignoring traditional colors, young people freely experiment with bright colors, blue, green, pink, purple to trendy tones like gray, red, yellow, not afraid to explore all options.
Which country has the most curly hair? Brazil is often noted for having a high percentage of people with curly and wavy hair due to its diverse ethnic background and climate conditions that influence hair texture.
“The 1980's will always uphold its reputation as one of the most iconic decades on record, especially when it comes to hair. From blow out bangs, shaggy cuts, perms and mullets, the 80's hair culture is definitely making a comeback!” says Extensions and trend expert from Cliphair Brenda Lee Intignano.
Another common myth asserts that Native American hair is universally straight. However, this oversimplification ignores the fact that the texture of Native American hair is far from uniform. Many Native Americans have wavy or "s-wave" hair, which showcases the rich diversity within indigenous populations.