The 80s – a decade of big hair, bold fashion, and unforgettable hairstyles. We all thought we looked pretty rad back then, but hindsight is 20/20, right? I mean, what were we thinking with those mullets and perms?

Well, get ready for a blast from the past as we count down the 23 most iconic hairstyles from the 80s that we wish we could forget. Trust me, you’re gonna cringe, you’re gonna laugh, and you might even feel a twinge of nostalgia. So, grab your scrunchies and your hairspray, because we’re about to take a wild ride down memory lane!

Table Of Contents:

• 23 Iconic 80s Hairstyles We’d Rather Forget
  • The Mullet
  • The Rat Tail
  • The Jheri Curl
  • The Perm
  • The Feathered Look
• The Science Behind 80s Hair
  • Hairspray Overload
  • Teasing and Backcombing
  • Perms and Relaxers
  • Heat Styling Tools
• Celebrities Who Rocked Questionable 80s ‘Dos
  • Madonna’s Messy Curls
  • Cyndi Lauper’s Colorful Locks
  • David Bowie’s Avant-Garde Styles
  • Jon Bon Jovi’s Poofy Perm
• Conclusion

23 Iconic 80s Hairstyles We’d Rather Forget

The 80s were a wild ride for hair. Big was in, and I mean BIG. Perms, teasing, Aqua Net – you name it, we did it all in the name of voluminous, larger-than-life locks. Looking back, some of those iconic 80s ‘dos were, well, questionable at best. Here are a few celebrity hairstyles from the decade of excess that we’d rather leave in the past.

The Mullet

Ah, the mullet. Business in the front, party in the back. This style was rocked by everyone from Billy Ray Cyrus to Patrick Swayze. As a kid, I may have even sported a mini mullet myself – hey, it was the 80s.

The Rat Tail

The rat tail was the mullet’s edgier cousin. Picture a short ‘do with a long, thin braid hanging down the back. I distinctly remember a boy in my class rocking this look, much to our teacher’s chagrin.

The Jheri Curl

The Jheri curl was all about that glossy, wet look. Popularized by Michael Jackson and other stars, this chemically-treated style required serious upkeep and a whole lot of product.

The Perm

Perms were the go-to for achieving big, bouncy hair in the 80s. I’ll never forget the distinct smell of perm solution wafting through the salon. My own perm left me with a head full of tight curls that were impossible to tame.

The Feathered Look

Farrah Fawcett’s famous feathered hair was the envy of women everywhere in the 80s. Achieving those soft, face-framing layers required a steady hand with a round brush and a whole lot of hairspray. While these styles may have been all the rage back then, I think we can all agree they haven’t exactly stood the test of time. But hey, that’s the fun of looking back at old trends – we can laugh, cringe, and be grateful for how far we’ve come.

The Science Behind 80s Hair

Ever wonder how we achieved those gravity-defying ‘dos back in the day? Turns out, there was a method to the madness. Here’s a look at the hair care products and techniques that defined the decade.

Hairspray Overload

The key to 80s hair? Hairspray, and lots of it. Aqua Net was the brand of choice, thanks to its industrial-strength hold. I remember using nearly half a can to keep my bangs standing tall.

Teasing and Backcombing

To achieve maximum volume, we relied on teasing and backcombing. This involved using a fine-toothed comb to gently push the hair towards the roots, creating a cushion of sorts for the rest of the style.

Perms and Relaxers

Chemical treatments like perms and relaxers were all the rage in the 80s. Perms added curl and volume, while relaxers straightened natural hair. Both required serious commitment and upkeep.

Heat Styling Tools

Crimping irons, hot rollers, curling irons – you name it, we used it. These heat styling tools allowed us to create a variety of looks, from tightly coiled curls to zig-zag waves. Looking back, it’s no wonder our hair was often fried and frazzled by the end of the decade. But hey, we looked good (or so we thought). The 80s may be long gone, but the memories of those wild and wacky hairstyles live on. While I may not be rushing to recreate any of these looks anytime soon, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the days of big hair and even bigger attitudes.

Celebrities Who Rocked Questionable 80s ‘Dos

The 80s were a wild time for hair. Big was in, and celebrities led the charge with some seriously questionable styles. From Madonna’s untamed mane to Cyndi Lauper’s technicolor locks, stars weren’t afraid to push boundaries when it came to their mops.

Madonna’s Messy Curls

Madonna burst onto the scene in the early 80s with a head full of messy platinum curls. Her “Like a Virgin” look was edgy, sexy, and a little bit chaotic. Girls everywhere rushed to copy her carefree, tousled style. I remember begging my mom for a perm so I could achieve those wild waves. While Madonna’s hair has gone through many iterations since, her 80s curls remain iconic. They perfectly captured her rebellious spirit and “I don’t give a damn” attitude.

“I’ve always been adventurous with my hair, but I think I took it to the extreme in the 80s. I wanted to break all the rules.” – Madonna

Cyndi Lauper’s Colorful Locks

If Madonna’s hair was untamed, Cyndi Lauper’s was straight up wild. The quirky pop star rocked every color of the rainbow, often all at once. Lauper’s hair was an extension of her playful, punk-inspired style. She paired neon locks with eclectic accessories and wacky outfits. While most of us couldn’t get away with bright green hair at the office, Lauper made it look effortlessly cool. Her DGAF approach to beauty inspired a generation.

David Bowie’s Avant-Garde Styles

In terms of men’s hair, no one pushed the envelope quite like David Bowie in the 80s. The legendary musician rocked a variety of avant-garde styles that blurred gender lines. From his iconic red mullet to his bleach blonde pompadour, Bowie was always experimenting with his look. He even rocked a bright orange buzzcut at one point. Bowie’s fearless approach to hair and fashion made him a trailblazer. He paved the way for generations of artists to take risks and express themselves authentically.

Jon Bon Jovi’s Poofy Perm

In the late 80s, Jon Bon Jovi’s poofy perm was the pinnacle of rock star hair. His huge, fluffy mane practically defied gravity. Bon Jovi achieved his look with a combination of perming, teasing, and copious amounts of hairspray. The result was a lion-like ‘do that became his signature style. While Bon Jovi’s hair may look a bit dated now, there’s no denying its place in 80s hair history. His larger-than-life locks epitomized the decade’s obsession with excess and glam.

From Madonna’s platinum curls to Bowie’s neon buzzcuts, 80s celebrity hair was all about making a statement. These bold looks defined a decade and continue to inspire boundary-pushing styles today. Sure, some of these ‘dos may seem cringeworthy now. But you have to give these stars props for having the guts to take risks and express themselves. As someone who lived through the 80s, I look back on these wild styles with a mix of nostalgia and amusement. While I may not be rocking a perm or a mullet anytime soon, I’ll always have a soft spot for the decade that brought us these unforgettable celebrity hairdos.

Conclusion

Wow, what a trip down memory lane! From the mullets to the perms, the 80s sure had some unforgettable hairstyles. I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of glad most of these looks stayed in the past.

But hey, we can’t deny the impact these hairstyles had on pop culture. I mean, who could forget Madonna’s messy curls or David Bowie’s avant-garde styles? These looks defined a generation.

So, whether you rocked a rat tail or a feathered ‘do back in the day, wear it like a badge of honor. Because let’s face it, we all made some questionable fashion choices in the 80s. But that’s what makes those memories so special – and so hilarious to look back on.

Thanks for joining me on this nostalgic journey through the good, the bad, and the big-haired styles of the 80s. Until next time, keep on rockin’ your own unique style – no matter what decade it is!