The 1980s was the decade when hair defied gravity, embraced neon colors, and made bold statements that could be seen from space. As a hairstylist who lived through that wild era, I can tell you we were fearless with our hairspray and reckless with our perms. Let’s revisit those iconic styles that make us cringe in old photos but still hold a special place in our hearts.
1. The Feathered Farrah
Though born in the 70s, Farrah Fawcett’s iconic feathered flip reached its zenith in the early 80s.
Women would bring her poster to my salon weekly! Creating those perfect feathered layers required precision cutting and serious blow-drying skills. The swooping sides framed faces beautifully while maintaining that coveted volume.
2. The Crispy Perm
Nothing says 80s quite like the smell of perm solution and the sight of tight, chemically-fried curls.
My hands still remember rolling thousands of those tiny perm rods! After processing, clients left with crunchy, ramen-noodle curls that required industrial-strength conditioner. Yet somehow, everyone wanted this look!
3. The Side Ponytail
How a simple ponytail became revolutionary just by moving it to the side still amazes me!
Teenage girls would bounce into my chair demanding this asymmetrical style. I’d secure their hair with colorful scrunchies, then tease the ponytail for maximum volume. Paired with side-swept bangs, it was pure 80s magic.
4. The Jheri Curl
Michael Jackson’s Thriller-era locks launched a thousand Jheri curls in my salon.
This chemical process created those signature glossy, defined curls that required constant moisturizing. Clients didn’t mind the maintenance or the activator that stained their pillowcases. The shine was worth every sacrifice!
5. The Rat Tail
Possibly the most questionable trend I ever participated in – a normal haircut with one lone, skinny strand hanging down the back.
Boys would beg their mothers to let me create this bizarre appendage. Sometimes we’d braid it, occasionally we’d dye it. Parents hated it, which only made kids want it more!
6. The Crimped Catastrophe
Hours spent with hot crimping irons created those distinctive zigzag patterns throughout otherwise straight hair.
The smell of singed hair was a salon constant! Despite the damage, clients adored the texture and volume. For special occasions, we’d crimp just a few sections for that perfect 80s accent.
7. The Asymmetrical Bob
Salt-N-Pepa didn’t just push it – they pushed this bold, angular cut into mainstream popularity!
One side dramatically longer than the other, this geometric style required precision and confidence. My scissors never rested as women rushed in requesting this edgy look that screamed urban coolness.
8. The Whale Spout
Remember gathering all your hair at the very top of your head, securing it, and letting it fountain outward?
This ridiculous yet adorable style had me creating gravity-defying masterpieces daily. Teenage girls would leave my chair with their spouts pointing skyward, secured with colorful scrunchies. Pure fun in hair form!
9. The Mall Bangs
If your bangs didn’t reach for the heavens, were you even living in the 80s?
I’d tease those front sections until they stood six inches tall, then shellac them with enough hairspray to deplete the ozone layer. Girls would practice the perfect angle at home, creating these magnificent vertical masterpieces.
10. The New Wave Quiff
Bands like Duran Duran inspired this artfully tousled, asymmetrical style that required serious product commitment.
I’d spend hours sculpting these architectural wonders for clients headed to clubs. Using gel, mousse, and strategic blow-drying, these looks defied both gravity and convention. New wave music demanded new wave hair!
11. The Spiral Perm
Unlike its crispier cousin, the spiral perm created corkscrew curls that bounced with every step.
I became a master at wrapping hair vertically around those long rods! The process took hours, but clients left with perfect spirals that framed their faces dramatically. The maintenance was worth it for that romantic, wild look.
12. The Flat Top
Military precision met hip-hop culture in this architectural marvel that required weekly maintenance.
Creating the perfect flat surface on top was my specialty! I’d use clippers, then scissors, then a level (yes, an actual level) to ensure geometric perfection. Black men made this style iconic throughout the decade.
13. The Flock of Seagulls Swoop
Named after the band whose lead singer sported this dramatic style, this look featured hair combed forward then up and back in a wing-like formation.
Creating that perfect cascade required patience and engineering skills! Clients would sit motionless as I sculpted their hair into gravity-defying wings that framed their faces.
14. The Skunk Stripe
Bold, contrasting color panels became all the rage after films like Blade Runner hit theaters.
I’d carefully bleach sections platinum blonde against dark bases, creating dramatic contrast. Sometimes we’d add vibrant colors instead! These striking looks announced your arrival before you even entered a room.
15. The Punk Liberty Spikes
Nothing said rebellion like hair standing straight up in spikes like the Statue of Liberty’s crown.
Creating these required egg whites, glue, or industrial-strength gel. My punk clients would sit patiently as I constructed these architectural wonders. The style took hours to create but made an unforgettable impression.
16. The Aqua Net Halo
Not so much a specific style as an approach to ALL styles – using so much hairspray that your hair became a solid, unmovable force field.
I went through cases of Aqua Net weekly! Clients wouldn’t leave until their style could withstand hurricane-force winds. The crunchier, the better was our unofficial salon motto.
17. The Pageboy Flip
This sophisticated shoulder-length cut featured hair curled under at the ends with precision.
Princesses Diana made this elegant style a global sensation! I’d spend hours with rollers and round brushes creating that perfect flip that bounced when clients walked. The style radiated polished femininity with minimal effort.