34 Best ‘80s Hairstyles For Women To Try In 2023

The most popular styles from decades ago are back in trend with a bang.

Reviewed by Laura Clark, Hairstylist
Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech

Edited by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature)

Fact-checked by Bhumika Daga, MA (English) • Dec 4, 2023

34 Best ‘80s Hairstyles For Women To Try In 2023

Image: Shutterstock

The fluffier and bigger the hair, the better – probably the driving force behind the ‘80s hairstyles.

Who can forget Farah Fawcett’s hair, oversized sweaters, and vibrant bright tights!

With retro hairstyles making a comeback, we decided to take you on an ‘80s hairdo journey. Soft full curls, big fluffy blowouts, flawless perms, sharp layers, and hair-raising mohawks; the ‘80s were way edgier than we are.

If you are wondering, “how do I style my hair like the ‘80s?”, look no further. Allow us to take you for a ride into funky town with some rad ‘80s hairdos. You will be embracing that decade sooner than you know!

Before You Get Started

The signature element of inspiration for an ‘80s hairstyle is volume. The bigger, louder, and wilder the hairstyle, the better!
Hair scrunchies were a fashion statement back then. And they have made a comeback now! Get silk scrunchies, as they are gentler on your hair.
Besides scrunchies, you will need to stock up on more types of hair accessories, like hair bands, clips, scarves, bandanas, etc., in bright colors. It was a rather blingy and flashy era.
Blunt bobs and blunt bangs were the way to put an edge to things.
Loud styling also implies too much strain on your hair. Ensure your hair care routine is in place and you do not overdo the heat treatments.

In This Article

34 Rad ‘80s Hairdos You Need To Remember

Before you dive into any of these 1980s hairstyles, know that your hair will need the help of more styling products than usual.

Expert hairstylist and founder of Just Bought It Hair, Laura Clark says, “The most important step after achieving the hairstyle you are looking for is lots of hair spray! This will keep the hair in place and give you that big volume, ‘80s look. Your hair will naturally want to fall but if you secure it with setting spray and volumizing hair spray it will stay all day and into the night!”
Now you are ready to dive into this list. Go on!

1. Feathered Shag

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Who can forget Dolly Parton’s iconic hairstyle? Parton has always been a massive fan of big poofy feathers and layers. Her eccentricity made blonde hair more fun and fabulous. This classic 80s hairstyle will surely bring all the eyes and cameras on you.

2. Frohawk

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This mohawk-inspired hairstyle gives an edgy and punky twist to your Afro-textured hair. The frohawk runs from the crown to the back of the head. You can slick the sides up or keep them braided. This hairstyle became a statement piece for Afro hair and defined the punk scene of the decade.

3. Permed Hair

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Permed hair was all the rage in the ‘80s. Go check out any of the TV shows from that decade, and you’ll see all the women with permed hair at least once. It’s imperative that I say this – please don’t try to perm your hair without taking the appropriate measures. If you are a perm virgin, here’s what you need to know. Chemicals are used to curl your hair. While the name stands for permanent (which means a permanent change in your hair), a perm does wash off with water if you don’t take the appropriate measures. So, go to a salon if it’s your first time. To achieve the perfect perm, you’ll need a good stylist who can work with your hair type, as well as some hair mousse to keep your curls looking bouncy and fresh.

4. The Mullet

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The mullet was a men’s hairdo ( popularized by celebrities like Billy Ray Cyrus and David Bowie), but there were a few women who decided to sport it. I must say, it looks better on women. Before Ellen DeGeneres started her career as a talk show host, she was a mullet-sporting comedian. More recently, Kristen Stewart and Rihanna have been seen sporting edgier mullets without taking away too much from this classic ‘do.

5. Jheri Curls

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These were called wash-n-wear curls, and they created quite a sensation back in the ‘80s. They are shiny permed curls that hang loose. Michael Jackson sported Jheri curls for his album Thriller, as did many other stars like Ice Cube. These curls were created by hairdresser Jheri Redding. Since then, they’ve become quite a hit among many women. If you check Instagram now, you’ll find many women flaunting this look like queens.

6. Hair Blowout

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Blowouts caused a big stir during the ‘80s as one of the best hairdos, and it hasn’t stopped since. The ‘80s were all about big hair, so blowouts were big styles that were fashioned perfectly to a T.

7. Big Teased Hair

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That’s right! Back-combed hair was big in the ‘80s. It was probably bigger than the unicorn frappe trend that debuted last year. If you’re from a generation after the ‘80s, look for your parents’ photos from that time. You won’t be disappointed.

8. Crimped Hair

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Who didn’t sport crimped hair in the ‘80s? Both men and women sported the crimped look, including the stunning Demi Moore. For those of you who don’t know, crimping your hair means styling your hair in zig-zag waves using a crimping iron. Did you know that the creator of the crimping iron created modern crimping for Barbra Streisand?

9. Beehive Buns With Headband

Beehive buns with headband 80s hairstyle

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This classic retro look was big in the ‘80s. Once again you can see the big-haired aspect. This hairstyle is classy as hell, and the head wrap is the perfect final touch, along with striking eye makeup and some lipstick. It is the perfect updo for any formal event or to captivate that boy you like in college.

10. Farrah Feathers

Farrah Fawcett’s hair was an icon in itself. This feathered cut sent every woman to the salon. You’ll find some variation of this hairstyle in all the movies and TV series from that time. And why not? It is stellar.

11. High Side Ponytail

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Who remembers DJ Tanner (Full House) sporting the high side ponytail? She looked cute as a button. This was the go-to hairstyle for young girls – along with being the work-out and dance routine hairdo. Why for a workout, you ask? It’s the best way you can show off your hair without it getting in your face during your exercises.

12. Scrunchies

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Colorful, vibrant, and oversized – scrunchies were a big deal in the ‘80s. Most of the time, they were tied around very little hair to create a dramatic contrast. That’s because the point of the hairdo was to focus on the stylish scrunchie. It’s the perfect way to deal with those bad hair days.

Fun Fact

Rommy Hunt Revson, who patented the scrunchie in 1987, named the product ‘the Scunci’ after her pet dog, a toy poodle.

13. The Bow

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Who doesn’t love a good bow? Big bow clips were all the rage in the ‘80s. DJ Tanner, Lisa Turtle, and almost all of our favorite teen characters sported a bow. The bow itself is versatile – you can find some innocent child-like colors or plain and printed designs for adults. There’s something for everyone!

14. The Headband

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The headband has stood the test of time. You can even see fashion icons like Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) from Gossip Girl and Veronica Lodge (Cami Mendes) from Riverdale flaunt it to perfection. It’s one of the best accessories to keep your hair off of your face. The variety it comes in is also incredible.

15. Half Up And Half Down

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Whenever my hair is a bit greasy, I go for a half top knot. It shows off your hair without making it look flat. I don’t know if y’all do the same, but the 80’s is the total opposite of that. The half updo was made to look bigger with some slight bangs settled in the front. Instead of letting your entire bangs fall on your face, comb it up with a brush so it adds height to your hair.

16. Cyndi Lauper

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time are songs that are played even now. It’s only fair that the woman who sung those songs be given credit where it’s due. Cyndi Lauper is as timeless as her songs. The same can be said about her hair too. Her fans sported her eccentric hairdos throughout the 80’s.

17. Soft Curls

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Soft curls were the curly-haired go-to version of the straight hair blow out. Look at these curls! I wish I had them. It’s no surprise that they’ve never gone out of fashion. Soft curls add a nice, supple feel to your hair. If you have sharp features that tend to come off as harsh, these curls can soften your lines.

18. Coconut Half Updo

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Have you seen kids with short half ponytails tied right at the top of their heads? It looks like a coconut tree, right? Well, the ‘80s made that hairdo a trend, but with medium to long hair. Tie up your hair in a high ponytail at the top of your head and let your hair fall to the sides and back to mimic a coconut tree.

19. Bangs

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Soft and twisted bangs were really big in the ‘80s. You could have a grungy hairdo, but the bangs with it would be more fuzzy than choppy. Feathered light bangs and bangs with uplifted and twirled ends were big back then.

20. The Rat Tail

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I had forgotten that such a trend really existed. In my personal opinion, I’m not sure how the rat tail became a trend to start with, but we’ve added some style to it by making it a rat tail braid now. I prefer that so much more!

21. Sandy From Grease

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When straight-haired good girl Sandy Olsson came out wearing black leather and curled hair, all girls considered making the change as well. I can only imagine what high school/college was like the week this movie came out – makeovers every other day and good girls going bad. What a time the ‘80s must have been!

22. Hippie Bands

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The hippy style was a huge ‘70s trend that seeped into the ‘80s. But the hippy headband trend was enormous and is still going strong as ever. Go to Sunburn or Tomorrowland, and you are guaranteed to see such headbands being worn to this day.

23. Barrettes

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Barrettes are classy accessories that hold your hair back. Any clips that hold hair in place are referred to as barrettes, so they can be clips, slides, or fancy hairpins. You can find them in so many designs and shapes, it’s crazy. If you’re looking for a bridal hairdo, consider a designer barrette to decorate your locks. You will look stunning!

Trivia

Barrettes are also known as hair slides. Alligator clip, tortoise-shell, and auto-clasp are some popular Barrette types.

24. Punk Hair

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Though they originated in the ‘70s, the ‘80s really took punk hairdos to another level. Hardcore punk hairstyles that you see people sporting now emerged in the ‘80s in Britain, all thanks to the UK82 renaissance. Elaborately teased hair that was meant to look drastically different from the prim and proper hairdos of the ‘80s – that’s the definition of punk rock hairstyles in my opinion.

25. Workout Head Band

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The ‘80s were big on workouts and looking brilliant while working out. Olivia Newton-John (go listen to ‘Physical’) has her own series of workout videos, no kidding – as does Jane Fonda, Raquel Welch, Tamilee Webb, and many other celebs from that decade. The one thing you’ll notice in their videos (apart from some very funny things) is their hair. It’s always in place and perfect. Well, that’s thanks to the head sweatband!

26. Classic Madonna One Side Hair

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Madonna has had her hair styled on one side many times, but this style is sophisticated. It is classy and perfect. The ‘80s really had a great mix of grunge, teen, and class. Really perfect!

27. Whitney Houston Hair

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Tell me honestly, didn’t you just start belting “And I Will Always Love You” with one hand on your heart and the other in the air (total diva songstress mode on)? The ‘80s was an era of stunning women, their careers, and their hair – like Whitney Houston. Her hairstyles were always sensational, and they’re sported by women till date.

28. Princess Diana Hair

From the moment Princess Di was seen in public, everyone wanted to be like her. Her social activism, fashion sense, and classic loose bob caused quite the stir. The fluffy, neatly styled bob quickly became the most sought-after hairdo. This hairstyle is elegant and sophisticated, yet messy. It’s perfect!

29. The Mohawk

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Yes, this is a punk hairdo, but it’s so legendary that it needs a special mention. The ‘80s took the mohawk to new heights (pun intended!). If you thought the mohawk was crazy now, you haven’t seen anything yet. The ‘80s was all about making the mohawk as punk and as crazy as ever. Messy big hair, shaved hair, and spiked hair became the fad of this era, and it remains so to this day. To style a mohawk, you’ll need some hair gel to spike up the center strip of hair, and some hair mousse to add volume to the top.

30. Spiky Hair

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Spiky hair for women was a trend in the ‘80s. Instead of overly gelled hair and extremely pointed ends, women opted for a more soft spiked look. It looked incredible with the vibrant eyeshadow trends of that time.

31. Straight Hair

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If you didn’t have a blowout, your other option was slick straight hair. If you watch Full House, you’ll notice Lori Loughlin’s slick straight hair making beloved appearances. Stunning!

32. Flapper Girls

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Even though this trend was at its height in the ‘20s, it still made a celebrated appearance every now and then in the ‘80s. Both curly and straight flapper cuts were all the rage. You would mainly see these hairdos in Broadway shows, burlesque bars, and other entertainment establishments. It was the go-to party hairdo for young ladies.

33. Bubble Ponytail

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TikTok has brought back the forgotten ’80s bubble ponytail. The hairstylists of the decade loved to play around with the hairdos. No matter what your hair texture is you can rock this easy hairstyle at any given moment.

34. Shag Haircut With Bangs

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This haircut was all the rage in the ‘80s and has surprisingly made a comeback with a bang. The shag haircut gives you rockstar feels and adds texture to your hair. To add modern versatility to the haircut, keep your bottom hair thicker to create an illusion of volume through the layers.

A blogger recalls her past days and shares her personal experience of acing 80s hairstyles. She gives an entire walkthrough of her dressing sense, accessories, and other things she experimented with. She talks about French plaits as much in-season hairstyle of those times and adds, “We learnt to tie other girls’ hair into these lovely, woven braids and then we practiced on ourselves in front of the mirror until we got it just right (i).” She explains about another hairstyle that seemed quite funny to her and states, “A haircut that was short at the top of the head with the hair puffing up, the sides had little hair, but just behind the ears the hair suddenly got long and extended in tufts to the nape of the neck or even longer to the shoulders.”

Infographic: Celebrities Who Brought The ’80s Hairstyles Back

There is something about the ‘80s hair that makes them evergreen. Cool, funky and edgy, these hairstyles will never go out of style. Because they are always trendy, many celebrities like to rock them repeatedly. Check out the infographic below to learn which celebrities flaunted the eighties-inspired hairstyles and put them high on the trend chart. Scroll down.

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With the return of the ‘80s hairstyles, your chances of looking drop-dead gorgeous at any given time have increased manifold. Just look at your options — permed hair, beehive buns with headbands, soft curls, and more. Aren’t they all super cute and amazing? It can be a good idea to get one of the hairstyles listed above if you are planning to give yourself a fresh and glamorous look. So, don’t hold yourself back. Just experiment with these beauties and prepare yourself to receive endless compliments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ‘80s bangs called?

The popular ‘80s bangs are called mall bangs.

How do you do an ‘80s side ponytail?

Gather your hair to the side of your head. Secure it with a hair tie about an inch above your ear.

Is a side ponytail ‘80s or ‘90s?

Side ponytail is an ‘80s hairstyle.

What Are Some Easy 80s Hairstyles That Women Can Try?

The decade was high on using different styling products to maintain hairdos for a long. But there were a few easy 80s hairstyles for women, like high-side ponytails, half up and half down, coconut half updos, crimped hair, and bubble ponytails, that required only some bobby pins, hair clips, elastic bands, and voila, your trendy hairstyle was ready.