The 1980s were an iconic time: big rock bands, big shoulder pads, and even bigger hair! Chances are if you look back at your pictures from the ’80s, you will see many cringe-worthy decisions concerning your fashion. While some of these fashion choices have evolved into our modern times, some hairstyles are just “so ’80s”. Check out the most iconic hairstyles from the ’80s below!
Mullet
The mullet is probably one of the most well-known hairstyles from the 1980s. It is also the only hairstyle with a motto: business in the front, party in the back. The mullet is characterized by shorter hair in the front with longer hair in the back. While mullets seemed to have lost their popularity as a hairstyle over the years, they are a staple reference in pop culture. Some people are even trying to modernize the mullet so that it can make a comeback.
Big Hair
While many people believe that the ’80s marked a fashion slum, the hair at that time was a new height. That’s right; the ’80s was a time for big hair. Men and women alike fluffed, teased, gelled, and hair sprayed their hair to achieve the big hair the 1980s was known for. This hairstyle was popular in the rock and roll scene and gave off unruly rebel vibes.
Crimped Hair
Crimped hair from the 1980s is all about creating texture. This was usually done using a hot crimper. Once the hair was crimped, it often resembled small, frizzy waves rolling down the hair. Many people styled their crimped hair as big hair, using teasing methods and hair spray to make their hair appear bigger and more textured.
Perms
In the 1970s, sleek, straight hair was all the rave, and the 1980s saw a drastic turn from this style: the perm. Perms were a treatment-type hairstyle that added “permanent” curls to your otherwise straight hair. Getting a perm in the ’80s was a great option for someone who wanted text and curls without curling their hair each morning. However, perms did require long hours at a salon every 3-6 months to maintain the curls. In many cases, these perms created small, tight curls that would often get very frizzy. In these instances, perms often turned into big hair.
Big Curls
The big curl hairstyle was almost like a hybrid between big hair and perms. While perms often turned into big hairstyles, big curls were meant to be just that: large, voluminous curls that made a statement. This hairstyle was seen as a bit more professional in terms of big hair and was a staple hairstyle for the elegant, sophisticated woman in the ’80s.
High Ponytails
Another iconic hairstyle from the 1980s was the high ponytail. This hairstyle became popular with the rise of exercise and leotards and was seen as a fashionable way to keep your hair out of your face. Women of all ages began to rock this youthful-looking hairstyle in the 1980s. The high ponytails were worn as high as possible on top of the head and weren’t complete without a scrunchie.