80s Hairstyles: The Complete Guide
Big hair, bold choices, and the techniques that made it possible
The 1980s gave us many things: synthesizers, leg warmers, and the most unapologetically big hair the world has ever seen. Volume wasn't just desired it was required.
Here's what people are actually searching for about 80s hair, broken down by style, product type, and technique.
Iconic 80s styles: from mall hair to rocker mullets
Mall Hair
49.5k monthly searches • also searched: "1980 hair dos", "80 hair style"
What it looked like: Teased crown. Cascading curls. So much hairspray you could smell it from across the food court. Worn by every teen in every mall across America.
How it was created: Hot rollers or curling iron first. Then backcombing at the roots aggressively. Then maximum-hold hairspray, hold breath, spray. Repeat until hair doesn't move.
Products used:
- Volumizing mousse – applied at roots before styling
- Maximum-hold hairspray – the stronger the better
- Hot rollers – for uniform curls
- Fine-tooth comb – for teasing volume at roots
Why it worked: More was more. Volume read as effort, and effort was the point.
The Perm
49.5k monthly searches • also searched: "80's hair trends", "1980's hairstyle"
What it looked like: Tight ringlets. All over. Transformed straight hair into a permanent wave that lasted months. Men got them too smaller, tighter, just as committed.
How it was created: Chemical process. Rods wrapped into hair. Perm solution applied. Waited. Neutralized. Rinsed. The smell was unmistakable and lingered for days.
Products used:
- Perm solution – broke down hair bonds to reshape
- Neutralizing shampoo – stopped the chemical process
- Styling mousse – scrunched in while wet to define curls
- Diffuser attachment – dried without disrupting curl pattern
Why it worked: Low-maintenance daily styling. High-maintenance growing out. The 80s commitment to aesthetics.
The Mullet
49.5k monthly searches • also searched: "80's haircut", "80s style hairstyles"
What it looked like: Short on the sides and front. Long in the back. The original "business up front, party in back." Worn by rock stars, rural dads, and everyone in between.
How it was created: Clippers on the sides and front. Scissors on the back. Sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic. Strong-hold gel kept the front spiky while the back flowed free.
Products used:
- Strong-hold gel – for spiking the front
- Texturizing spray – added grip to the back
- Pick comb – for adding volume to the back section
Why it worked: Two hairstyles in one. Versatile. Unforgettable.
Side Ponytail
12.1k monthly searches • also searched: "80 hairstyles women", "80's female hairstyles"
What it looked like: All hair swept dramatically to one side. Teased at the crown. Secured with a fabric-covered elastic the bigger and brighter, the better.
How it was created: Tease crown first. Sweep to one side. Secure. Add ribbon or bow if feeling fancy. The official hairstyle of pop stars and aerobics instructors.
Products used:
- Volumizing spray – at the crown before teasing
- Fabric-covered elastic – must match outfit
- Finishing spray – to hold the teased section
Why it worked: Moved with you during dance routines. Photographed well from every angle.
The "Flock of Seagulls"
12.1k monthly searches • also searched: "80's hair style men", "80 hairstyle men"
What it looked like: Swept forward and to the side. Height at the front. Named after the band, became the defining new wave look.
How it was created: Blow-dried forward with a round brush. Strong-hold gel applied to hold the shape. Looked like you were moving even when standing still.
Products used:
- Strong-hold gel – held the forward sweep
- Blow dryer with concentrator – directed hair forward
- Round brush – created volume at roots
Why it worked: Instantly recognizable. Said "I'm into new wave" without words.
Crimped Hair
12.1k monthly searches • also searched: "80's hair trends", "1980s ladies hairstyles"
What it looked like: Zigzag texture. Accordion folds. Worn all over for full effect or just in sections for accent.
How it was created: Crimping iron pressed hair into ridges. Section by section. Often paired with big volume and lots of shine-enhancing spray.
Products used:
- Crimping iron – created the zigzag pattern
- Shine-enhancing spray – made the texture reflect light
- Heat protectant spray – because damage was real
Why it worked: Texture as statement. Different from everyone else in the room.
Common Questions About 80s Hairstyles
What types of products did people use for 80s hair?
Maximum-hold hairspray was essential. Mousse for volume, strong-hold gel for definition, and hot rollers for curl. The combination created structure that could last through a school day and a mall trip.
Did men have perms in the 80s?
Yes. Men's perms were smaller and tighter than women's, but just as common. Rock stars made them popular, and everyday men followed.
How long did it take to style 80s hair?
Mall hair could take 30-45 minutes. Hot rollers needed time to set. Teasing required patience. Hairspray needed to dry between layers. It was an investment in appearance.
Are 80s hairstyles coming back?
Elements have returned. The modern mullet. Curtain bangs (softer 80s). Texture and volume generally. But the full commitment the sheer scale remains distinctly 80s.