Remember when hair was bigger than shoulder pads and hairspray stocks soared through the roof? The ’80s blessed us with some truly unforgettable hairstyles that, believe it or not, still turn heads today. As your friendly neighborhood hair wizard, I’m thrilled to walk you through 10 classic ’80s looks that have stood the test of time, plus 8 contemporary twists that bring these retro vibes into the 21st century.
1. The Voluminous Side Ponytail
Gravity-defying and unapologetically playful! I’ve seen clients walk out with this bouncy number and turn more heads than a tennis match.
The trick? Tease that crown until your arm gets tired, then sweep everything to one side. Secure with a scrunchie (yes, they’re back) for maximum ’80s authenticity.
2. The Feathered Farrah
Though born in the ’70s, this feathery phenomenon dominated ’80s yearbooks everywhere. When clients request this look, I know they mean business about volume!
Those signature face-framing layers create movement that’s simply hypnotic. Flick each section outward with a round brush for that windswept, perpetually-caught-in-a-gentle-breeze effect.
3. The Crimped Explosion
Whenever I pull out my crimping iron, younger clients look positively confused. “What medieval torture device is that?” they ask.
Little do they know this zigzag texture was once the height of hair fashion! Creating deliberate creases throughout the hair gives instant volume and texture that screams ’80s rockstar energy.
4. The Power Perm
Nothing says “I mean business while also being fabulous” quite like the power perm. Tight, bouncy curls that defy humidity and gravity simultaneously!
While modern perms are gentler, the ’80s version was chemical warfare on your strands. However, those springy coils created such magnificent volume that clients still reference these looks in my chair.
5. The Mullet Masterpiece
Business in front, party in the back! Despite being the punchline of countless jokes, the mullet refuses to die—and frankly, I respect its resilience.
The beauty lies in its duality: professional enough for office meetings yet wild enough for weekend concerts. Short, manageable crown with lengthy locks flowing behind—what’s not to love?
6. The Mall Bangs
How high can you go? With mall bangs, the sky was literally the limit! I’ve spent countless hours helping clients achieve this gravity-defying front fringe.
Teased to astronomical heights and shellacked with enough hairspray to deplete the ozone layer (sorry, Earth!), these statement bangs announced your arrival before you even entered the room.
7. The Asymmetrical Bob
Whoever decided hair should be even on both sides clearly lacked imagination! The asymmetrical bob changed the game with its dramatic angle.
Shorter on one side, longer on the other—this look screams confidence. I’ve always admired how this cut frames the face while making a bold geometric statement that turns ordinary hair into architecture.
8. The Whale Spout
Halfway between a fountain and a palm tree, the whale spout gathered hair at the crown and let it cascade down like water from a fountain.
Whenever I create this look, I secure the base with a scrunchie, then tease the falling strands for maximum volume. The higher the base, the more dramatic the effect—and drama was the ’80s middle name!
9. The New Wave Quiff
Half punk, half new romantic—the quiff merged rebellion with style. Slick on the sides with dramatic height up front!
Creating this look requires serious gel commitment and a fearless attitude. Though originally a men’s style, I’ve adapted this for clients of all genders, proving good hair transcends such trivial boundaries.
10. The Layered Shag
Messy yet intentional, the shag was rebellion in haircut form. Those choppy layers created movement that seemed to dance with every head turn!
When clients request this cut, I know they’re ready for texture. The beauty lies in its versatility—it works with straight, wavy, or curly hair, making it the democratic choice of ’80s styles.
11. Modern Mullet Revival
Forget what you thought you knew—today’s mullet is all about texture and personalization. Gone are the jarring transitions of yesteryear!
Instead, we’re creating softer blends with textured layers throughout. The modern mullet maintains that signature short-to-long flow but with deliberate shaping that flatters rather than frightens.
12. The Sleek Asymmetrical Lob
Where the ’80s version shouted, today’s asymmetrical cut whispers. Subtle length differences create movement without screaming for attention.
I love giving clients this updated version with sleeker finishes and less severe angles. The modern asymmetrical lob offers the same directional edge but with a sophistication that works in any professional setting.
13. The Soft Perm Resurgence
Modern chemistry has blessed us with gentler formulations that create waves, not warfare on your hair! Today’s perms are customizable miracles.
Rather than uniform corkscrew curls, we now create varied patterns that mimic natural texture. The result? Beachy waves or loose spirals that look like you were simply born with perfect hair—no helmet head required!
14. The Textured Crop
Taking cues from the new wave quiff, today’s textured crop keeps the attitude while ditching the product overload. Think of it as the quiff’s more approachable cousin.
Short sides with textured length on top allow for versatile styling. One day slick it back for business, the next tousle it forward for weekend adventures—it’s ’80s inspiration with modern practicality.
15. The Curtained Shag
Marrying the center-parted curtain style with shaggy layers creates the perfect modern-retro hybrid. This cut is flying out of my salon faster than I can sharpen my scissors!
The face-framing curtain effect flatters virtually everyone, while internal layers create movement and volume. It’s the ’80s shag with a ’90s twist and modern sensibility.
16. The Refined Feather
Today’s feathered cuts maintain those signature layers but with a lighter, more natural finish. Less “I just fought with a blow dryer” and more “I woke up like this.”
Modern feathering focuses on creating movement that enhances your natural hair pattern. The updated technique uses point cutting for softer edges rather than the sharp, defined flicks of the original.
17. The Structured Volume Pixie
Taking cues from ’80s volume but with precision cutting, the structured pixie delivers drama without the daily styling marathon. It’s rebellion with refinement!
Short sides contrast with a longer, voluminous top that can be styled sleek or tousled. The key difference? We’re creating architectural shapes through cutting, not through product and teasing.
18. The Crimped Accent
Rather than crimping your entire head (hello, breakage!), modern crimping focuses on strategic sections for textural interest. It’s about the accent, not the assault!
I love crimping just a few underlayers or random mid-sections to create dimension within a style. This targeted approach gives that textural nod to the ’80s without looking like you’re headed to a costume party.