Hairstyles Of The 80s

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“Explore the iconic Hairstyles of the 80s in this nostalgic journey through the era’s most memorable hair trends. Discover the secrets behind big perms, feathered locks, crimped waves, and other hallmark styles that defined a generation. Get styling tips and iconic examples, from Farrah Fawcett’s feathered hair to Madonna’s crimped locks.

The 80s were a time of big hair, bold colors, and experimentation. As a child of the 80s, I can attest to the fact that hairstyles were a major part of our identity. Whether you were a rocker or a preppy, your hairstyle said a lot about who you were.

One of the most iconic hairstyles of the 80s was the mullet. Business in the front, party in the back, the mullet was a popular choice for men and women alike. It was the perfect hairstyle for those who wanted to show off their rebellious side while still maintaining a professional appearance.

Another popular hairstyle of the 80s was the perm. Curls were in, and everyone wanted them. The perm was a great way to add volume and texture to your hair, and it was often paired with big, bold accessories like scrunchies and headbands.

The 80s were also a time of experimentation with hair color. Bright, neon colors were all the rage, and many people opted for bold shades of pink, blue, and green. It wasn’t uncommon to see someone with a rainbow of colors in their hair.

Overall, the 80s were a time of creativity and self-expression when it came to hairstyles. From the mullet to the perm to the neon colors, there was no shortage of options for those who wanted to stand out from the crowd.

Hairstyles were better in the 80s pic.twitter.com/gieHNQHZKs
— The 80s Girl (@The1980sGirl) November 6, 2021

Iconic Women’s Hairstyles of the 80s

During the 1980s, women’s hairstyles were bold, daring, and often outrageous. Here are some of the most iconic women’s hairstyles of the decade:

The Perm

Hairstyles Of The 80s — Source: Instagram@jadabeetheemcee

The perm was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its tight, curly locks. Women would spend hours at the salon getting their hair permed, and then use lots of hairspray to keep the curls in place.

ZigZag Bangs

Zigzag bangs were a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with their unique, jagged edges. Women would often pair this hairstyle with a short bob or a pixie cut.

Half-Up, Half-Down

Feathered hair — Source: Instagram@offbrandpollypocket

The half-up, half-down hairstyle was a popular choice in the 80s, with its flirty and feminine look. Women would often add a bow or a scrunchie to their hair to complete the look.

Asymmetrical Bob

80s hairstyle — Source: Instagram@heidipettigparton

The asymmetrical bob was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its edgy, modern look. Women would often dye their hair in bright colors to make the hairstyle even more eye-catching.

80s bob haircut — Source: Instagram@offbrandpollypocket

Wet Look

The wet look was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its slicked-back, shiny appearance. Women would use lots of gel and hairspray to achieve this look.

Top Knot

The top knot was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its simple and elegant look. Women would often add a headband or a scarf to their hair to complete the look.

Bandana Headband

The bandana headband was a popular accessory in the 80s, with its colorful and playful look. Women would often pair this accessory with a messy bun or a ponytail.

Rat Tail

The rat tail was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its long, thin strand of hair at the back of the head. This hairstyle was often paired with a mullet or a shag haircut.

Madonna Curls

Madonna curls were a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with their voluminous, bouncy look. Women would often add a hair bow or a lace headband to complete the look.

Bumper Bangs

80s bangs hairstyle — Source: Instagram@offbrandpollypocket

Bumper bangs were a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with their big, bold look. Women would often tease their hair to achieve this look, and then use lots of hairspray to keep it in place.

Bouffant

The bouffant was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its voluminous, glamorous look. Women would often add a hair accessory, such as a flower or a feather, to complete the look.

The Side Ponytail

80s ponytail hair — Source: Instagram@thedailyprophette

The side ponytail was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its playful, flirty look. Women would often add a scrunchie or a ribbon to their hair to complete the look.

Big Volume Feathered Hair

The feathered hair was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its unique, textured look. Women would often use a crimping iron to achieve this look, and then use lots of hairspray to keep it in place.

Crimped Ponytail

The crimped ponytail was a popular hairstyle in the 80s, with its fun and playful look. Women would often add a scrunchie or a ribbon to their hair to complete the look.

Iconic Men’s Hairstyles of the 80s

The Mullet

Ah, the infamous mullet. This hairstyle was all the rage in the 80s and was characterized by short hair on the top and sides, with long hair in the back. It was often referred to as the “business in the front, party in the back” haircut. Many celebrities rocked this look, including Billy Ray Cyrus and David Bowie. While it may not be as popular today, the mullet will always be remembered as one of the most iconic hairstyles of the 80s.

The Jheri Curl

The Jheri Curl was a popular hairstyle for men in the 80s and was characterized by tight, glossy curls. This style was named after the Jheri Redding brand of hair products, which were used to achieve the look.

The Jheri Curl was often seen on African American men and was famously worn by Michael Jackson in his music videos. While it required a lot of upkeep, the Jheri Curl was a popular choice for men who wanted to make a statement with their hair.

The Flat Top

The Flat Top was a popular men’s hairstyle in the 80s that was characterized by a flat, boxy shape on top of the head. This style was often seen in military haircuts and was popularized by celebrities like Mr. T and Vanilla Ice.

The Flat Top required a lot of maintenance to keep its shape and was often achieved with the use of hair gel or styling products. While it may not be as popular today, the Flat Top will always be remembered as one of the most iconic hairstyles of the 80s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the popular hairstyles in the 80s?

In the 80s, big hair was all the rage. Popular hairstyles included the perm, the mullet, and the teased or backcombed look. Many people also wore their hair in a side ponytail or a high ponytail with a scrunchie.

How to do your hair like the 80s?

To achieve an 80s hairstyle, you’ll need a lot of hairspray and possibly a curling iron or hot rollers. For a perm, you’ll need to visit a hair salon. To create a teased or backcombed look, you’ll need to use a teasing comb or brush and lots of hairspray. For a side ponytail, simply gather your hair to one side and secure it with a scrunchie.

What were the popular hairstyles in the 80s?

What are some 80s hairstyles for medium hair?

For medium hair, you can try a layered cut with lots of volume at the crown of the head. You can also try a half-up, half-down style with a scrunchie or a headband. Another option is to create loose waves with a curling iron or hot rollers.

What are some 80s hairstyles for long hair?

For long hair, you can try a perm or a layered cut with lots of volume. You can also create a side ponytail or a high ponytail with a scrunchie. Another option is to create loose curls or waves with a curling iron or hot rollers.

What are some 80s hairstyles for black females?

For black females, popular 80s hairstyles included the Jheri curl, the finger wave, and the box braids. The Jheri curl involved perming the hair and then using a special activator to create soft, defined curls. Finger waves were created by using a comb to create S-shaped waves in the hair. Box braids involved sectioning the hair and braiding it into small, box-shaped sections.

Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?

The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.

Conclusion

As someone who grew up in the 80s, I can attest to the fact that our hair was often the centerpiece of our look. From the iconic mullet to the voluminous perm, there was no shortage of unique and daring hairstyles to choose from.

One of the most popular hairstyles of the 80s was the mullet. This hairstyle was characterized by short hair on the top and sides, with longer hair in the back. It was often worn by men, but women also rocked the mullet with pride. The mullet was a symbol of rebellion and nonconformity, and it became a staple of the 80s fashion scene.

Another popular hairstyle of the 80s was the perm. This hairstyle involved chemically treating the hair to create curls and waves. Perms were often worn by women, and they were a great way to add volume and texture to the hair. Perms were often paired with big, bold accessories like oversized earrings and statement necklaces, making them a true fashion statement.