The 1980s were an era of vibrant culture, and nothing captured the essence of the decade quite like its iconic hairstyles. Hair is something that can define a generation, and both boys and girls in the 80s embraced bold and daring looks. Hair not only described their style but also became representative of the time itself. From voluminous curls to slick back mullets, it is obvious that 80s hair was all about making a statement and expressing yourself.
While 80s trends differed around the world, one uniting feature was hair. Anthony Molyneux, an immigrant from England who grew up in the 80s, shared how his haircuts developed with the current trends at the time. He shared, “The trend was casual. This was a trend that emphasized clothing, footwear, and haircuts at the time.” While the males in England opted for low-maintenance hairdos and got their inspiration from English football players and musicians, males in America took a different approach with their hair.
Not just males, but everyone saw hair as a statement. Males in America took their inspiration from David Bowie and Tom Cruise. Everyone wanted large hair and would cut and style their hair so that it would reflect this. Mullets became very popular, as they were seen as being between conventional and rebellious. Actors like Patrick Swayze, Mel Gibson, and John Stamos all had a mullet while filming various movies/shows, playing characters that reflected the public opinion of the mullet. Feathered hair and The Quiff were all styles that allowed males to have large hair.
Although almost everyone loved big hair, people saw males with large hair as more rebellious and free-spirited. While this could be a good thing in some lines of work, like acting, other males turned to more sophisticated hairstyles when entering the workforce. The Pompadour was a voluminous hairstyle on top but slick on the sides, allowing men to seem both sophisticated and fun. The full slick back look was the stereotypical hairdo for the men working on Wall Street and in other finance and corporate jobs at the time. This gave men a professional and refined look. Michael Douglas showed this in the movie “Wall Street” in 1987. Meanwhile, Michael J. Fox showcased a more casual and “softer slick” in “Back to the Future.” All across the globe, men wanted to look like the people they watched on TV in movies, TV shows, and sports. They also wanted to portray a specific image of themselves. They used their hair to accomplish this. This led to a wide range of popular hairstyles that allowed men to achieve exactly what they were searching for.
With all that said, males were not the only ones with unique and daring hairstyles in the 80s. Influenced by pop icons like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, women often sported voluminous curly hair, teased to perfection with a generous amount of hairspray. The perm was an extremely popular choice for those with naturally straight hair, giving it extra bounce and body. Along with perms, aqua-cut bangs were the perfect addition to the iconic look. Crimped hair was also a beloved hairstyle at the time, with tools like the Windmere Crimper.
In addition to the hair itself, girls often used accessories like scrunchies, bows, and headbands to elevate their looks and embrace their personalities. It is no surprise that it took girls a long time to get ready. Kristen Hass, a young teenager in the 80s, recalls her experiences with her hair. “For someone that doesn’t have naturally curly hair like me, there were a lot of diffusers, curling irons, crimpers, and a lot of teasing involved”, she said. “So, I had to give myself a good 30 minutes to just do my hair for school.” Hair in the 1980s was more than just a fashion statement; it reflected the decade’s spirit of individuality and self-expression. The spirit of the 80s was loud and expressive, and modern Hollywood is trying to bring back that spark. 80s hairstyles have started to resurface as celebrities have worn them on the Red Carpet. Miley Cyrus, for instance, gained a lot of attention as she had extremely teased and voluminous hair at The Grammy’s last year.
Everyone loves the iconic style of the 80s, whether it’s the rebellious and slicked mullets or the glamorous curls and crimps of girl’s perms. 80s hair continues to be celebrated for its creativity and boldness, leaving a lasting impression in the world of hair.
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