The ’80s were a time of bold fashion choices, including some wild hairstyles that might be best left in the past. While some looks have made a triumphant return, others are better suited to nostalgia than a revival. Let’s explore these memorable styles and appreciate them from afar.
1. A Tainha
The mullet, with its business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back vibe, was everywhere back then. I know it sounds strange now, but it was a genuine trend. Picture someone looking serious from the front but turning their head to reveal a cascade of hair at the back. Let’s keep it nostalgic.
2. Cabelo frisado
Crimped hair, with its zigzag texture, was a staple of ’80s styling. Armed with a crimping iron, people transformed straight hair into a textured masterpiece. The technique involved pressing hair between patterned plates. It’s fun to remember, but perhaps best left to costume parties these days.
3. Franja com penas
Feathered bangs were like a gentle breeze across the forehead, often requiring endless teasing and hairspray. They framed the face with soft layers, giving an angelic look. Although they added a touch of whimsy, today’s trends lean towards more natural and less labor-intensive styles.
4. The Rat Tail
Ah, the rat tail, a slender strand of hair dangling from the nape of the neck. A curious choice, it was like having a pet snake slither down your back. While it provided individuality, it’s now a relic—a style best enjoyed in retrospect.
5. Permed Glam
Permed hair was all about volume and curls, achieved through chemical treatments. This look was synonymous with the glamorous and rebellious spirit of the ’80s. While it added character and flair, nowadays softer, more natural curls are favored over these structured spirals.
6. Cabelo grande
The bigger, the better was the mantra. Hair was teased, sprayed, and sculpted to reach sky-high levels. It was a statement of boldness and confidence. Though it symbolized fearless style, few have the time or patience for such high-maintenance looks today.
7. Jheri Curl
Jheri curls gave hair a glossy, curl-defining look, often requiring generous amounts of product. The maintenance was as intense as the shine. While it added a unique charm, it also left a trail of greasy residue, making it a style better left for music videos.
8. Side Ponytail
The side ponytail was a playful and youthful style, perfect for showcasing scrunchies. Positioned over one shoulder, it added an energetic twist to everyday hair. While it was fun and spirited, today’s styles offer diverse and sophisticated alternatives for wearing hair up.
9. High Top Fade
The high top fade was a bold choice, characterized by sharply cut sides and towering hair on top. It was both artistic and expressive, symbolizing the cultural movements of the era. While it showcased individuality, it’s now appreciated as a historic symbol rather than a modern trend.
10. Teased Bangs
Teased bangs were all about volume and drama, sitting like a crown atop the forehead. Achieved by backcombing and hairspray, they added height and flair. While they made a statement, current styles lean towards simplicity and ease, moving away from such complex, towering arrangements.
11. Rattail Braids
Rattail braids combined the singular rat tail with intricate braiding, adding a unique twist to this already curious style. While it offered a personalized touch, it’s seen today as a playful experiment of the past rather than fashion-forward. Nostalgia aside, simplicity triumphs now.
12. The Mushroom Cut
The mushroom cut, with its bowl-like appearance, framed the face in a symmetrical, if not peculiar, manner. It was a common choice for kids, offering a sort of uniformity. As fashion evolved, this style became more of a childhood memory than a pathway to modern-day chic.
13. Curtain Hair
Curtain hair, with its parted-in-the-middle look, draped down like stage curtains. It created a laid-back, casual vibe. While it offered an easy-going charm, today’s haircuts embrace more structured and styled appearances, leaving this relaxed look as a sweet nod to the past.
14. Liberty Spikes
Liberty spikes reached impressive heights, creating a spiky crown effect synonymous with punk rebellion. Achieved with gel and patience, each spike was a declaration. While it showcased defiance and individuality, it’s considered a radical style rather than an everyday choice now.
15. The Shag
The shag haircut, with its layered, messy look, provided an effortless, carefree vibe. It was all about volume and texture, embodying the laid-back spirit of the time. While it offered a relaxed aesthetic, today’s trends favor more polished and refined hairstyles over this tousled appearance.
16. Flock of Seagulls
Inspired by the band, this style featured dramatic, swooping sides and a towering front. It was as much about attitude as it was about the hair itself. While it captured the essence of its era, the extravagant styling and maintenance make it a relic rather than a revival candidate.
17. Ice Blonde Tips
Bleached tips offered a sun-kissed, edgy look, often seen in conjunction with spiked or gelled hair. The sharp contrast provided an adventurous flair. While fun in its time, these frosty ends are now replaced by more subtle and blended color transitions in modern trends.
18. Asymmetrical Cuts
Asymmetrical cuts created striking silhouettes, offering a bold departure from traditional haircuts. Each uneven layer added an unexpected twist. While they symbolized confidence and innovation, today’s styles prioritize symmetry and balance, making these bold shapes a unique memory of the past.
19. The Slicked-Back
Slicked-back hair exuded confidence and authority, requiring pomade and a fine-tooth comb. It was the go-to for an immaculate, polished look. Although it represented sophistication, today’s styles lean towards more natural textures and movement, leaving this look for special occasions or themed events.
20. The Bowl Cut
The bowl cut, resembling an inverted bowl placed atop the head, was an unmistakable childhood haircut. It provided a low-maintenance option for parents. However, as style evolved, this simple, symmetrical cut became more of a nostalgic reminder rather than a modern-day choice.
21. Moicano
The mohawk was a bold statement of rebellion, with shaved sides and a dramatic strip of hair running down the middle. It required commitment and attitude to match. While it was an emblem of individuality, today it’s more associated with alternative scenes than mainstream fashion.
22. The Wedge
The wedge haircut, with its sharp angles and geometric form, added definition and style to short hair. It was chic and sophisticated, offering a modern twist to classic short styles. While it was trendy, today’s styles embrace softer lines and movement, moving away from such stark angles.
23. Camadas de penas
Feathered layers added dimension and movement, cascading gently around the face. They created an ethereal effect, framing the face with soft elegance. While they were incredibly popular, today’s hairstyles lean towards simpler, more streamlined looks, making these layers a fond memory.
24. The Ducktail
The ducktail hairstyle, with its slick sides and back-combed center, offered a retro flair. It required precision and product for that polished look. Although it was once the epitome of cool, today’s fashion prefers less structured and more natural styles, leaving this one for themed parties.
25. The Flat Top
The flat top was all about precision, with hair perfectly leveled across the top of the head. It was a symbol of style and personality. Although it was trendy and bold, modern preferences lean towards more rounded and textured tops, making the flat top a distinct memory.
26. The Pompadour
The pompadour, with its voluminous top and slicked-back sides, exuded classic elegance and charm. It required time, patience, and product to perfect. Although admired for its grandeur, current trends prefer more manageable and less formal styles, making the pompadour a sophisticated relic.
27. The Pageboy
The pageboy haircut offered a neat, symmetrical shape, resting just above the shoulders. It combined simplicity with style. While it was a popular choice for children and adults alike, today’s haircuts embrace more varied and dynamic styles, leaving this uniform cut in the past.
28. O Afro
The afro, with its iconic volume and round shape, celebrated natural hair texture and cultural pride. It was a powerful symbol of identity and self-expression. While still appreciated and worn, today’s afros often incorporate modern twists and variations, evolving beyond the classic 80s silhouette.
29. The Sideburns
Sideburns were the finishing touch to many 80s hairstyles, offering a rugged and bold aesthetic. They were styled to complement everything from mullets to mohawks. While they added character, today’s grooming trends favor subtler, more integrated sideburns, making the pronounced 80s version a nostalgic touch.
30. The Buzz Cut
The buzz cut, with its uniform simplicity, was a practical and easy-to-maintain choice. It required minimal styling, offering a no-fuss option. While it still holds appeal for those seeking convenience, today’s styles often include fades or textures to add interest, enhancing this basic classic.