The 1980s showcased a diverse range of bold and iconic hairstyles, from rebellious punk rock looks to glamorous big hair with teased volume. Styles like the mullet, perms, feathered hair, and statement-making choices like big bangs and the rat tail reflected the era's spirit of individuality and self-expression through hair fashion. Accessories like scrunchies and headbands added a fun and colorful touch to the eclectic mix of trends that defined 80s hairstyles.
Here are some iconic top 10 hairstyles of the 80s for good changes in your old hairstyles, and these hairstyles will make you look hot and dashing:
The Mullet
Big Hair
Pompadour
Perms
Feathered Hair
Spiky Hair
Crimped Hair
Side Ponytail
Rat tail
Afro
The Mullet
Known as "business in the front, party in the back," the mullet hairstyle gained popularity in the 1980s. Short hair at the front and sides, long at the back. It symbolized sophistication and rebellion. Originating from "mule," it was embraced by both genders. Celebrities and rock stars made it mainstream. Despite being divisive, it has occasional comebacks with modern twists. The mullet remains an iconic and bold hairstyle, blending sophistication with nonconformity.
Big Hair
Big hair was a defining trend of the 1980s, characterized by voluminous, teased styles. Achieved through teasing, hairspray, and sometimes extensions or perms. Backcombing created a voluminous base for elaborate styles. Teasing at the roots added height and fullness, creating a gravity-defying look larger than life.
Pompadour
The pompadour hairstyle is a classic look that has spanned generations, influencing men's grooming trends. Originating in the 18th century and becoming popular in the 1950s, it symbolizes sophistication and style. Hair is swept upward and back, exuding elegance and refinement. This versatile style suits different hair lengths and textures and is customizable to complement various face shapes and personal styles.
Perms
Perms, short for permanent waves, were a popular hairstyle of the 80s. They chemically alter hair structure to create lasting curls or waves, offering texture, volume, and style with minimal upkeep. Men and women embraced perms for added body and movement. The process involves applying a chemical solution to break and reform hair bonds, resulting in the desired curls or waves after styling.
Feathered hair
Feathered hair, a popular 1980s hairstyle, featured soft, layered waves that created a feather-like effect. The light and airy appearance, with strands flowing naturally, was its hallmark. Embraced by men and women, it offered a versatile, flattering, soft, and romantic look. Feathered layers added texture, movement, and volume, complementing different face shapes and hair lengths.
Spiky hair
Spiky hair, a bold and edgy style popular since the 1990s, features hair styled upwards into sharp spikes, conveying rebelliousness and attitude. It offers a way to express individuality and personality, diverging from traditional styles. The versatility of spiky hair allows for subtle to dramatic interpretations, catering to various preferences for texture and daring looks.
Crimped hair
Crimped hair is a textured style with small zigzag waves, popular in the 1980s and 1990s for adding volume and visual interest. Achieved using a crimping iron or braiding damp hair, the resulting waves create a dynamic and eye-catching look, standing out with a three-dimensional quality.
Side Ponytail
A side ponytail is a stylish and versatile hairstyle popular since the 1980s, where the ponytail is positioned off-center over one shoulder. This chic and playful look adds flair and sophistication to your hair effortlessly. To create it, gather hair on one side of the head and secure it with an elastic band or hair tie, allowing the ponytail to cascade elegantly over the shoulder.
Rat tail
The rat tail is a distinctive hairstyle with a long, thin strand of hair extending from the back of the head or neck, popular in the 1980s and 1990s for making a bold statement. It involves shaving or trimming the sides and top of the head, leaving a narrow strip at the nape to grow long. The length and thickness of the rat tail can vary from subtle to dramatic, allowing for individual expression.
Afro
The afro, a voluminous and rounded hairstyle, celebrates natural curly or oily hair without chemical straightening, symbolizing pride, identity, and self-expression within the African diaspora. Originating in the 1960s and 1970s during the Black Power movement, it signifies black pride, empowerment, and resistance against Eurocentric beauty standards favoring straight hair. The afro embraces natural hair texture and rejects societal pressures to conform to a standardized beauty ideal.