10 Most Popular 80s Hairstyles

1980s hairstyles were all over the place – literally. From curly hair to mullets to crimped, what was big, fluffy or loaded with hairspray was in. Looking at the volume here, it’s simply jaw-dropping how they got it to stay that way. But with a little teasing, chemical treatments and a load of hairspray, they made it work.

Here are some of the most popular 80s hairstyles.

1. The Mullet

While some still wear it well today, this style was perhaps the most popular back then. Worn short at the front and sides and long in the back, they were rocked by rock stars and actors, including Paul McCartney, Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, Rod Stewart, Mel Gibson, Patrick Swayze and David Bowie. The mullet had also become popular in the United States within the lesbian culture, where it was used as an identifier of that social group.

2. Feathered Hair

This style was more popular in the early 80s with both men and women with straight hair. It was layered, with either a centered or side parting, then brushed back at the sides, similar to bird feathers.

Some added two-tonal highlights, a lot of mousse and gel to get a big, fluffy winged look. Many celebrities of the early 70s actually wore these well, including John Travolta, Rob Lowe, Princess Diana and Farrah Fawcett.

3. The Perm

There are simply too many styles of perms to count, but it was all popular back then. This ‘do worked for those with curly hair, both long and short. Although this style was expensive to maintain, time-consuming and labor-intensive, popular celebrities with these styles included Cher, Jon Bon Jovi, Dolly Parton and Tina Turner.

But despite them looking funny back then, perms are still considered fashionable today. Only in the 80s music videos, they had tightly coiled strands where today, beach wave perms and relaxed, bouncy curls are more fashionable. Just ask the California beach models.

4. Jheri Curl

Also known as Jerry curl or Jeri Curl, this is a permanent wave hairstyle that was especially popular among African Americans in the 80s. The ‘do was invented by Jheri Rdding, who personalized his style with a glossy, loosely curled look.

It was known as a “wash and wear” that was easier to maintain than other chemical treatments such as the relaxer. But the products to maintain this look were also expensive, costing anywhere from $3 to $6 for a small bottle. Popular music artists Michael Jackson, Ice Cube, as well as Hollywood star Samuel Jackson styled their hair.

But after Comer Cottrell created a cheap kit, known as the “Curly Kit”, middle and lower class individuals could mimic their idols.

5. Crimped Hair

This one worked particularly well for women with long, straight hair, making it into a wavy, somewhat sawtooth or zig zag fashion. Most often called crimping, this style is also known as crinkles and deep waves.

When making this look, the hair is treated with heated crimping iron (called a hair crimper) or by simply braiding the hair in multiple strands, waiting a few hours and then pulling them out. The original crimping iron was invented by Geri Cusenza in 1972, who was also the original founder of Sebastian.

While hitting its mainstream in the mid-1980s, it came back around 2007-08 and was worn by many. Pop star Demi Moore, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tyra Banks all pulled off this do very well, although it certainly isn’t a style for everyone.

6. The Side Ponytail

There was never any set way to wear this ‘do, other than it was worn on the side of your head and stuck out like an arm. There was the slightly higher, valley-girl classic and also straight from the top of your head, usually worn with scrunchies.

Not everyone liked them, but they were worn with a lot of loose-fitting clothing, like large shirts, plastic bangles and huge earrings that were ultra trendy back then. Lots of Hollywood pop stars had this look with Debbie Gibson, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna.

Since they were among the most popular stars of their time, it wasn’t any surprise that millions of girls copied their styles.

7. Flattops

Believe it or not, this ‘do had gone in and out of style since the 50s. Also known as the GI Joe look, men with this style had their hair in front standing straight up and cut straight back to form a flat-appearing deck. It may have been level, upward or downward sloping but was shaped with electric clippers, either freehand or using the clipper-over-comb method.

They are usually held in place with hair control wax, or butch wax, although some hair textures didn’t require waxes or straighteners to maintain their style. This style first became popular in the 1950s, coming back in the late 1960s and 1970s and finally a quick reappearance in the 1980s and early 1990s before dying altogether.

Popular idols with this style included John F. Kennedy, Big Daddy Kane, Jazzy Jeff, MC Rakim and Doug E. Fresh.

8. Tall Mohawk

This particular hairstyle wasn’t just popular in the 80s; it actually dates backs as early as between 392 BCE and 201 BCE, where a Clonycavan Man bog body was found in Ireland with a well-preserved Mohawk style.

The record for the tallest mohawk ever worn was by Kazuhiro Watanabe with a 113.6 centimeter (3ft 8 1/2 in) tall mohawk. But the style actually gets its name from the Iroquois, referred to as the iro, where the hair was originally plucked from the head rather than shaved.

During the 1980s, many punk and goth artists rocked this ‘do, especially with neon colors like pink and green.

9. Madonna Wrap Up

While Madonna was practically the Queen of Pop, she had some iconic hairstyles and fashion trends she set in her day. One of her most popular looks was of course her 80s punk teased curls pulled up by a thick wrap tied into a loose bow. It was especially popular among teens and is still popular today but without the as much curls or teasing.

10. Pulled Back with Ribbon Barrettes

Mostly the goody goody two shoes wore these, but many little ladies wanted them, especially tweens. There’s also a not-so-innocent version to this look: replacing the barrette with a feathered roach clip. These came in all different colors, many with neon and peacock feathers to add to the neon 80s vibe.

Have More to Add?

If there’s any we’re missing, please let us know in the comments below and of course pictures are always welcome. Show us what style you rocked back then!