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So many people look back to the 1980s with nostalgia. It was an era of exciting music, anti-establishment sentiment, and daring new styles.
Rock and roll took on a whole new meaning, while punk rockers made the world sit up and pay attention to their sentiments.
Given there was such upheaval in the 1980s, we were treated to so many boundary-pushing hairstyles that challenged the norm and allowed people to express themselves in different ways.
With that in mind, allow us to introduce you to 10 iconic 80s hairstyles for men and women, with a tribute to the pioneers who showcased these styles for the very first time.
Men's hairstyles in the 80s
It's difficult to sum up 1980s hairstyles succinctly, given the huge variety of daring styles and looks that icons rocked throughout the decade. But to give you some inspiration, here are five men's hairstyles of the 80s that you might like to try this year.
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Style |
As worn by |
Description |
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Patrick Swayze, Billy Ray Cyrus |
It would be impossible to write an article about 80s hairstyles and not mention the mullet. This iconic men's haircut was popular with sports stars and musicians alike. In some ways, it defined the style of the era, and is often the cut that many think back to when reminiscing about 80s culture. |
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Rocker |
Jon Bon Jovi, Tommy Lee |
The rocker was a super popular 80s hairstyle that was synonymous with the music of the age. The rocker style was the same as the shag, featuring lots of volume and big, unruly waves. Perfect for all that head-banging! |
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Punk |
Sid Vicious, Billy Idol |
There was a lot of anti-establishment sentiment in the 1980s, and the punk style really captured the imagination. With side spikes and mohawks of various colors, the punk rockers made the world pay attention to their music. |
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Feathered |
Mel Gibson, James Spader |
This 80s men's hairstyle was all about volume. Though the feathered look worked well with short and mid-length hair, Mel Gibson and friends showed the true charm of feathered locks with longer, more voluminous styles in the decade. |
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Perm |
Donald Sutherland, Tom Hanks |
The most iconic curly hairstyle of the 80s is the perm. Big, bold curls were all the rage in the 80s, and this iconic look practically defines the decade. |
80s hairstyles women
It wasn't just men who were experimenting with their styles in the 1980s. Women, too, rocked huge styles and out-there looks that more conservative decades in the past would have frowned at. Here are some 80s women's haircuts you can think about replicating:
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Style |
As worn by |
Description |
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Scrunchies |
Paula Abdul, Lisa Turtle |
Super easy yet chic and stylish, scrunchies were all the rage in the 1980s, and it was the ideal 80s hairstyle for long hair. Most women scrunched their hair into a loose ponytail, and it was a carefree, fun-loving look that continued well into the 1990s. |
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Voluminous curls |
Brooke Shields, Vanessa Williams |
We've already mentioned that the 1980s were all about volume, and voluminous curls were the look of the decade. This cute 80s hairstyle featured free-flowing locks and waves accentuated by a blow dry. |
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Short feathered |
Princess Diana, Helen Slater |
One of our favorite short hairstyles in the 80s was the short feathered look popularized by Princess Diana and other style icons. Layers and volume made this style what it is and proved that you don't need length for a dreamy, feathered look. |
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High bangs |
Christina Applegate, Christie Brinkley |
Bangs were everywhere in the 80s, but we have a soft spot for the women who rocked high bangs throughout the decade. Lots of hairspray raised standard bangs to new levels, showing the forehead for the first time. It was an iconic look that is making a comeback today. |
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Hair wrap |
Madonna, Cyndi Lauper |
An easy 80s hairstyle that has stayed in fashion over the past few decades is the hair wrap. Madonna is credited for starting this trend, with headbands appearing in many of her stage productions. Popstars used everything from scarves to slim bands to wrap their hair, and it's a look that many still replicate today. |
Are any 80s hairstyles back in fashion in 2024?
In 2024, pretty much anything goes. However, the shag is making a huge comeback this year, thanks to a TikTok trend. It's got a bit of the rocker about it, and it's loosely based on the mullet. So, if you want a men's 80s hairstyle that is coming back into fashion, the rocker or the mullet is a good one to try.
For women, bangs are once again hugely popular this year, thanks mainly to Taylor Swift. So, if you want to try a throwback to simpler times, turn to Christina Applegate's 80s high bangs for something slightly different, and turn heads for all the right reasons.
Conclusion
Whether you opt for an 80s hairstyle for medium hair or an easy style with hair accessories, there are so many looks you can try to replicate in 2024. At Laifen, we love the feathered look for men and the voluminous curls for women.
If you're looking to accentuate your waves while rocking the voluminous curls style, it's all about the blow dry. The Laifen Swift Special is the perfect dryer for a blowdry, offering adjustable heat settings and ionic technology to reduce frizz.
You can also check out our range of ionic dryers to dry your hair to perfection as you sport any of the above 80s hairstyles this year.
