1980s Hairstyles: 22 Classic Ideas
The eighties never met a little volume they liked.
- 1980s hair leaned into height, curls, feathering and strong silhouettes, often using mousse, rollers, teasing and hairspray to hold the shape.
- Scrunchies, high ponytails, perms and lifted fringes were practical styling tools as well as part of the decade’s recognisable look.
- Modern versions can keep the same volume and movement with softer products, less teasing and more touchable texture.
Big Feathered Blowout
Big Feathered Blowout leans into the 1980s rule of visible volume. Height at the crown and movement around the face keep the silhouette bold rather than flat.
High Curly Mullet
The exaggerated texture in high curly mullet is the point. Mousse, rollers or scrunch-drying can build the shape before a light mist of hairspray holds it.
Teased Layered Hair
Teased Layered Hair feels unmistakably eighties because the volume is spread through the whole style, not limited to the ends. Keep the finish touchable for a modern version.
Scrunchie Curly Ponytail
This scrunchie curly ponytail uses lift and separation to create a stronger outline around the head. It works best when the roots are supported before the lengths are shaped.
Half-Up Scrunchie Waves
Accessories and high placement make half-up scrunchie waves read instantly retro. The style is easiest to recreate when the hair already has some wave, curl or grip.
For root volume: Lift the roots first, then shape the lengths with a round brush or rollers.
Teased Blonde Waves
Teased Blonde Waves combines big texture with a clear silhouette, two hallmarks of 1980s hair. A diffuser can build volume on naturally curly hair without brushing the curl apart.
Cropped Curly Volume
Cropped Curly Volume leans into the 1980s rule of visible volume. Height at the crown and movement around the face keep the silhouette bold rather than flat.
High Side Ponytail
The exaggerated texture in high side ponytail is the point. Mousse, rollers or scrunch-drying can build the shape before a light mist of hairspray holds it.
Scrunchie Half-Up Hair
Scrunchie Half-Up Hair feels unmistakably eighties because the volume is spread through the whole style, not limited to the ends. Keep the finish touchable for a modern version.
Side Curly Ponytail
This side curly ponytail uses lift and separation to create a stronger outline around the head. It works best when the roots are supported before the lengths are shaped.
Holds better with: A light mousse gives retro volume more grip without a crunchy finish.
Voluminous Spiral Curls
Accessories and high placement make voluminous spiral curls read instantly retro. The style is easiest to recreate when the hair already has some wave, curl or grip.
Rolled Front Waves
Rolled Front Waves combines big texture with a clear silhouette, two hallmarks of 1980s hair. A diffuser can build volume on naturally curly hair without brushing the curl apart.
Teased Side Pony
Teased Side Pony leans into the 1980s rule of visible volume. Height at the crown and movement around the face keep the silhouette bold rather than flat.
Long Teased Layers
The exaggerated texture in long teased layers is the point. Mousse, rollers or scrunch-drying can build the shape before a light mist of hairspray holds it.
Crimped Layered Hair
Crimped Layered Hair feels unmistakably eighties because the volume is spread through the whole style, not limited to the ends. Keep the finish touchable for a modern version.
Pro tip: Let hot rollers cool fully before brushing them out for longer-lasting movement.
Feathered Blonde Shag
This feathered blonde shag uses lift and separation to create a stronger outline around the head. It works best when the roots are supported before the lengths are shaped.
Dark Teased Blowout
Accessories and high placement make dark teased blowout read instantly retro. The style is easiest to recreate when the hair already has some wave, curl or grip.
Ringlets With Bangs
Ringlets With Bangs combines big texture with a clear silhouette, two hallmarks of 1980s hair. A diffuser can build volume on naturally curly hair without brushing the curl apart.
Side-Swept Volume
Side-Swept Volume leans into the 1980s rule of visible volume. Height at the crown and movement around the face keep the silhouette bold rather than flat.
Curly Shoulder Bob
The exaggerated texture in curly shoulder bob is the point. Mousse, rollers or scrunch-drying can build the shape before a light mist of hairspray holds it.
At home tip: Build the shape in sections instead of trying to create all the volume at once.
Extreme Teased Blonde Hair
Extreme Teased Blonde Hair feels unmistakably eighties because the volume is spread through the whole style, not limited to the ends. Keep the finish touchable for a modern version.
Big Spiral Perm
This big spiral perm uses lift and separation to create a stronger outline around the head. It works best when the roots are supported before the lengths are shaped.