The ’80s Are In—These 15 Hairstyles Prove It
Remember when hairspray was practically a food group?
The ’80s were wild times for hair – bigger was better, and rules were meant to be broken. Now those iconic styles are making a major comeback on runways and red carpets everywhere.
I’ve watched this revival with a mix of nostalgia and amusement, wondering if I should dig out my old crimping iron from mom’s attic.
Get ready to travel back in time with these throwback hairstyles that are surprisingly fresh in today’s world.
1. Voluminous Blowout
Nothing screams ’80s glamour like hair that reaches for the sky. Back then, we’d spend hours with round brushes and blow dryers, creating that signature bounce and height that made heads turn.
Modern stylists have refined the technique, focusing on adding volume at the roots while keeping the ends sleek. The key difference? Today’s version uses less product, creating movement that doesn’t feel stiff or crunchy.
My friend tried this at her wedding last month and honestly looked like she stepped off a vintage magazine cover. The secret is in the prep – volumizing mousse applied to damp roots before blow-drying upside down creates that gravity-defying lift without the helmet head effect we remember from decades past.
2. Crimped Hair Magic
My first crimping iron was bright pink and probably a fire hazard by today’s standards. We’d crimp entire heads of hair, creating that distinctive zigzag texture from roots to ends – bonus points if you added a side ponytail.
The 2023 version is more strategic. Stylists now recommend crimping just a few sections underneath for hidden texture or focusing on mid-lengths for dimension. This creates an interesting texture without the full-on lightning-struck look.
Celebrities have been spotted with subtle crimps on red carpets lately. The trick is using higher-quality tools that won’t fry your hair and finishing with a lightweight oil instead of the shellac-level hairspray we used back in the day. Your hair will thank you for this updated approach.
3. Side-Swept Statement Bangs
Madonna made these famous, and now they’re back with attitude. The dramatic sweep across the forehead was a bold choice that framed faces in an instantly recognizable silhouette.
Current iterations keep the dramatic angle but blend more seamlessly into the rest of the hair. Hairstylists are cutting them with more texture and less weight, allowing for versatility in styling.
I caved and got these last spring after seeing them everywhere on social media. My stylist recommended blow-drying them with a round brush immediately after showering – waiting even five minutes lets them develop their own stubborn ideas about direction. For maximum impact, pair with statement earrings on the exposed side to really channel that ’80s asymmetrical vibe while keeping the overall look current.
4. Scrunchie-Secured Half Ponytail
Half-up hairstyles defined my childhood, always secured with a fabric-covered elastic that was bigger than my fist. These scrunchies came in every color imaginable – the more neon, the better.
Today’s half ponytail sits higher on the crown than its ’90s counterpart, creating a more flattering lift. The modern scrunchie has evolved too, with luxe fabrics like silk and velvet replacing the garish patterns of yesteryear.
My niece recently raided my vintage accessory collection and couldn’t believe these were once considered dorky. For a fresh take, try leaving face-framing tendrils loose and keeping the ponytail portion slightly messy rather than slicked back. This combination of polish and casual texture feels deliberately stylish rather than accidentally retro.
5. Teased Crown Layers
Remember backcombing hair until it stood up like a proud lion’s mane? We’d tease just the crown section, creating that iconic silhouette with height where it counted most.
Modern stylists have mercifully toned down the extreme teasing. Today’s version focuses on creating lift without the tangled mess that used to require painful brushing sessions to remove.
My hairstylist showed me a gentler technique using a fine-tooth comb to lightly back-brush just at the roots. The key is preserving the smoothness on top while creating structure underneath – like architectural support beams hidden from view. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray that allows movement, unlike the crunchy fortress we built in the original decade.
6. Perm-Inspired Curly Texture
My mom still has photographic evidence of my spiral perm from 1986. The smell of those chemicals remains burned into my memory, along with the corkscrew curls that made me look like I’d stuck my finger in an electrical socket.
Today’s version skips the harsh chemicals. Modern stylists create similar texture using gentler methods like curling wands in varying sizes or specialized braiding techniques before sleeping.
Curl definition products have come light-years since the ’80s too. Instead of crunchy, dried-out curls, we now have hydrating creams that create bounce without the dreaded frizz halo. The current approach embraces natural curl patterns rather than forcing identical spirals all over, resulting in movement that looks effortlessly cool rather than obviously manufactured.
7. Business-in-Front, Party-in-Back Mullet
Once the punchline of hair jokes, the mullet has staged an unlikely comeback. Billy Ray Cyrus and hockey players made this short-front, long-back style the ultimate symbol of rebellious ’80s attitude.
The contemporary mullet is more deliberate in its shape. Stylists are creating softer transitions between the short and long sections, often incorporating layers that blend the two zones more harmoniously.
My cousin recently took the plunge and looks surprisingly cool – nothing like the accidental mullets we sported after home haircut disasters. For women, the modern mullet often includes bangs and face-framing pieces that soften the overall effect. The key is in the styling: texturizing spray adds separation and movement without the greasy look that defined the original version.
8. Big Curly Shag Cut
The curly shag was everywhere in the ’80s, from music videos to mall food courts. Those layered cuts maximized volume and created that distinctive mushroom-like shape we thought looked so cool.
Today’s version maintains the heavy layering but with more strategic placement. Current stylists cut to enhance your natural curl pattern rather than fighting against it, creating movement that frames the face beautifully.
My curly-haired friend got this cut last month and actually cried with happiness – finally, a style that works with her texture instead of against it! The big difference is in the products: lightweight curl creams and oils have replaced the sticky gels we once relied on. This allows for touchable softness while maintaining that gloriously big shape that makes this style so recognizable.
9. Feathered Layers Everywhere
Farrah Fawcett made feathered layers the hairstyle everyone wanted. We’d spend hours with blow dryers and round brushes trying to recreate those perfectly flipped sections that framed the face and cascaded down the back.
Modern feathering is more subtle and requires less daily styling effort. Today’s cuts incorporate the technique throughout the hair rather than just around the face, creating movement from every angle.
I watched my stylist use this technique on a client recently – she used thinning shears to create those wispy ends that move beautifully. The 2023 approach focuses on enhancing natural texture rather than forcing hair into submission. Stylists recommend using a lightweight styling cream instead of mousse for a softer finish that still holds the distinctive feathered shape without looking dated.
10. Slicked-Back Wet Look
The power look of the ’80s was all about control – hair slicked back with enough gel to survive a hurricane. Think Gordon Gekko or any villain in a Miami Vice episode.
Today’s wet look uses products that create shine without the concrete-like finish. Modern styling products allow for a glossy appearance while maintaining some movement and flexibility in the hair.
My brother tried this for a wedding and looked straight out of Wall Street – in the best way possible. The technique has evolved too: instead of combing product through dry hair, stylists now recommend applying to damp hair and allowing it to air dry or diffusing on low heat. This creates that high-shine finish without the flaking or stiffness that plagued the original version.
11. Bubble Ponytail Statement
We created these segmented ponytails using a stack of colorful elastics, spacing them evenly to create that distinctive bubbled effect. The more segments, the more impressive the style – bonus points for coordinating elastic colors.
The updated version uses clear or hair-colored ties for a more sophisticated look. Modern stylists also recommend gently tugging each section to create more dramatic “bubbles” while maintaining a sleek base.
My little cousin wore this to her dance recital, and all the moms were having flashbacks to their own childhoods. For a grown-up take, try a lower placement at the nape of the neck rather than high on the crown, and limit to 3-4 segments instead of the 6+ we used to rock. This keeps the nostalgic vibe while making it appropriate for more occasions.
12. Flipped-End Bob Revival
The bob with flipped-out ends was the ultimate preppy ’80s statement. We’d spend ages with a round brush, curling those ends outward to create that distinctive silhouette.
Today’s flipped bob has softer lines and more movement. Stylists are cutting more layers into the style, allowing for a less structured, more lived-in appearance that doesn’t require perfect styling.
My coworker debuted this look at our holiday party and immediately got compliments. The modern approach uses a larger barrel brush or curling iron to create a gentler flip rather than the sharp angles we once favored. Styling products have evolved too – lightweight mousses provide body without stiffness. This creates a nod to the ’80s shape while looking intentionally current rather than accidentally outdated.
13. Puffed-Up Top Knot
We used to gather hair at the very top of our heads, creating those fountain-like ponytails that sprouted upward. Sometimes we’d add scrunchies or ribbon for extra height and drama.
The contemporary version maintains the high placement but with more refinement. Today’s stylists focus on creating a balanced shape that complements face structure rather than simply maximizing height.
My roommate wears this to yoga and somehow makes it look chic rather than childish. The technique has evolved – instead of simply gathering hair at the crown, modern styling involves backcombing the base slightly for stability and wrapping the lengths around to create a more sophisticated knot. This maintains the distinctive high placement while looking deliberately styled rather than thrown together.
14. Asymmetrical Cut Edge
Remember those dramatically uneven cuts? One side would be significantly shorter, making a bold statement about your artistic soul and rebellious spirit.
Modern asymmetry is typically more subtle. Today’s stylists focus on creating a balanced overall shape with just enough unevenness to create visual interest without looking like a haircut accident.
My friend who’s a photographer recently got this style and it perfectly frames her face when she’s behind the camera. The contemporary approach often incorporates soft layers on the longer side to create movement and prevent the style from looking too severe. Styling has evolved too – instead of stiff-holding products, stylists recommend texturizing sprays that enhance the deliberate unevenness while maintaining natural movement.
15. Power Bangs Statement
Full, thick bangs were a power move in the ’80s. We’d blow-dry them straight down, creating a solid curtain across the forehead that made a bold statement.
The updated version has more texture and movement. Modern stylists cut bangs with subtle layers and thinning techniques that allow them to separate naturally rather than forming a solid block.
My sister got these last year and instantly looked cooler. The styling approach has changed dramatically – instead of forcing bangs to lie perfectly flat, current techniques embrace natural texture and even a bit of separation. Products have evolved from heavy gels to lightweight texturizing sprays that create definition without stiffness. This creates a nod to the distinctive ’80s fringe while feeling deliberately modern.