Curly Hair 80s Hairstyles – By clicking “Accept all cookies” you agree to store cookies on your device to improve website navigation, analyze site usage and support our marketing efforts.
Sophie Ross has covered beauty and fashion for over five years. Her writing appears in Refinery29, The Knot, StyleCaster, and more.
Curly Hair 80s Hairstyles
.jpg?strip=all "Curly Hair 80s Hairstyles")
As the saying goes, what goes up must come down. When it comes to fashion and beauty, what goes out of style must come back. You probably smile at your mom’s old photos, and you definitely wish she had a few pieces in stock so you can put a vintage twist on your modern ensembles. While some trends from the 80s were better left behind, others have become mainstream again. We called up celebrity hairstylists Emily Miranda and Nigella Miller to get their advice on recreating these iconic ’80s hairstyles.
Royal Ascot 2019: How To Match Your Hair To Your Hat
Even Cher temporarily ditched her famous pin-straight mane for chemically treated curls. This trend was definitely one of the most popular trends of the 80s and it finds a new life in the 21st century. Instead of the tightly coiled strands you remember from music videos, people are heading to the salon for beach wave perms and more relaxed iterations of those bouncy curls.
, you’ve put your strands through the crimper at least once. The trend may have caught on among millennials for seeing Hilary Duff, but it actually started in the 1980s. For a modern spin, as seen on the 3.1 Phillip Lim runway, curl the hair throughout and brush it for a glossy texture. Try this look with the Gold n’ Hot Crimping Iron ($35).
The ’80s wouldn’t be complete without statement headbands, and while they’ve been under the radar for a while, they’re officially back (and bigger than ever). Modern twists include maxi sizes with accessories like velvet knots, chains, pearls, and buckles. Try this braided one from Anthropologie ($18).
S Hairstyles: 30+ Hairstyles That Need To Come Back
Similar to the nail clips you’re more familiar with, banana clips served as a substitute for hair ties in the ’80s (because bands and scraps could cause volume shocks you’d worked so hard to create). For a modern twist on this classic look, opt for a $4 pair of pearl-encrusted nail clips from Sally Beauty.
Although the ’80s were full of bang iterations, the permed fringe reigned supreme. Get your own shape, wear them in curls, tease them as much as possible and style them in a way that blends flawlessly with the rest of the hair. Be sure to twist away from your face, and add trendy volume to your ends by using your curling iron to create voluminous bangs.
Asymmetrical styles were a staple of the ’80s, and we’ve seen them slowly trickle down to mainstream runways. Ask your stylist for an asymmetrical cut, or create the illusion of flipping your hair into a deep part, which also helps add volume to thin hair.
S Curly Hair
Just like today, power suits and windbreakers were a staple in the 80s. The secret to this look is having that cotton candy air directly on your head. To create the look, blow your head forward – lifting at the roots. For added height, apply a volumizer to your scalp before straightening your head, like Oribe Volumista Mist ($44). For a Prabal Gurung throwback style, start at your hairline and run pomade through your strands to the top of your head.
Hair barrettes are back for the better part of 2020, and we’re happy to see that clip-in bows got the memo. Style them any way you want (at the end of your ponytail, tied in a top knot, etc.), but we love how this detail gives a definite nod to the 1980s.
We can’t think of a better way to reference the popular ’80s haircut than with Debbie Harry’s effortless punk rock shag. Since then, the shag has not changed much. It was cold then, and it’s even colder now. Seen on almost every runway this year, the new shag comes with soft layers, long bangs, and tons of body (and sometimes contrasting roots if you want). To recreate, ask your stylist for a layered cut, then add plenty of texturizing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($23) and give your hair a good shake.
The 20 Best ’80s Hairstyles To Try
Arguably one of the most popular styles of the decade, the 1980s ushered in Farrah Fawcett’s bearded hair era. To recreate it yourself, you’ll need a two-barreled brush (a larger one to create back volume and loose curls, plus a smaller one to create feathery face-framing pieces), then hairspray to bring it all together. We love the Nexxus Comb Thru Volume Finishing Mist ($14). Miranda recommends using a small round brush and strong hold bristles.
Miller has a different approach. “Pin curls! When you curl your hair for this iconic style, I say ditch the barrel iron, use a strong hold hairspray and pin curl clips,” she says. “When you curl the curl, you set the curl in place and let it shape your face, rolling the curl in the opposite direction away from the face.”
“Always let hair cool and finish with hairspray. Let your entire head set for 25 minutes, then take out your curls and brush them into your desired style,” Miller said.
S Hairstyle Starter Pack
, the side ponytail was one of the most defining hairstyles of the decade. In 2020, it will get a modern twist with bangs going in opposite directions (instead of pulling all the hair diagonally towards a focal point).
Named for the “water spout” effect created by this super-high ponytail, the whale spout is definitely making a comeback in 2020. Style it in a half-up or all-up style, positioning your ponytail as high as you can so it’s parted. The desired shape of the whale’s spout. Wrap a section of your hair around your hair tie for an upscale and sophisticated touch.
Neon scrunchies ruled aerobics classes in the 80s, but in 2020 they’ve been given the moderate treatment. Nude, grey, black and white scrunchies elevate any hairstyle and are no longer limited to exercise. “I remember a time when you could only get nice accessories at a hair supply store. Now with so many stylists working with different brands, it’s so easy to get them,” says Miranda.
Top 35 Men’s Hairstyles From The 1980s
These Scunci Velvet Scrunchies ($7) are perfect for adding an effortless ’80s vibe to any modern look.
Sendaya can literally rock any style, but here she shows us that the mullet isn’t dead. Hot highlights, long bangs and gorgeous dresses bring this style to life.
You can thank Madonna for the classic ’80s hair trend. While we love the subtlety of a bow barrette, it doesn’t add the same wow-factor as a massive bow headband. We like this one from Free People ($28).
S Hairstyle Trends We’re Wearing Now
Chunky highlights are making a big comeback in 2020. Try these face-framing chunky highlights for a new twist on a classic look, as seen on celebs like Kylie Jenner and Beyoncé.
Nothing says high fashion like hair pulled back at the roots. Rihanna pulls off this ’80s style effortlessly with mega volume. To get this look at home, use Ouai’s Matte Pomade ($24) and run it through the roots of your hair. Brush back and you’re ready for the red carpet.
So maybe you’re not ready to shave the side of your head. How about a sleek bob instead? This bang look frames oval faces perfectly. For extra shine, try Colorwow’s Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray ($29).
Best Curly Haircut Ideas Of 2021
This look may not be for the faint of heart, but this half-shaved style originated with the 80s punk movement. Pair this look with some neon colors like Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Semi-Permanent Hair Color Full Coverage ($16) and you’re ready to be a headliner.
An ’80s look isn’t complete without a lot of volume, and this trend is here to stay. If you’re looking for the ultimate 80s look to try in 2020, this is it. Get out your combs and start joking around. Need an extra lift? “Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam ($13) is definitely one of my favorites for volume because it’s so good. You can use it for as many hours as you want and you’ll still have soft, manageable hair,” says Miranda. The 1980s saw a variety of eccentric styles such as punk-pop fashion and gender-blurring haircuts. Volume, bright colors, making a statement and expressing it all with hair was a decade. And the epitome of eighties hairstyles is the cool girl with big bangs and feathered bangs.
Some 80s hair trends seem to be making a comeback, with fashionistas seeing big hair and high ponytails. The comeback of vintage hairstyles is nothing new
