Prepare to embark on a nostalgic journey as we traverse the vibrant landscape of hair evolution that defined the 1960s and 1980s—eras celebrated for their audacious reimagining of style and unapologetic embrace of self-expression. While these decades left an indelible mark on fashion history, not every trend from the period has aged gracefully in the collective memory. Let us, then, revisit some of the most eyebrow-raising hairstyles that the world could gladly leave behind.
1. **The Bouffant**: A quintessential style of the 1960s, the bouffant epitomized volume through meticulous back-combing and liberal application of hairspray. While Jackie Kennedy elevated it to a symbol of polished sophistication, the reality for most wearers was a far cry from effortless glamour.
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2. **Flicks**: Popularized by screen sirens like Angie Dickinson, the “flicks” hairstyle redefined mid-century elegance by infusing hair with angular dynamism—upward for a flirtatious lift, downward for a swinging sophistication. Unlike the towering bouffants that monopolized the era’s beauty standards, flicks achieved volume through precision rather than excess.Today, the flicks’ once-indispensable lacquered rigidity has dissolved, yielding to hair’s natural sway—a shift from sculpted precision to untamed vitality.
Product on Amazon: Living proof Style Lab Control
Brand: Living proof
Price: 29.99 USD
Rating: 4.6 Total reviews: 1224
Top Review from US: “From a male perspective this hairspray does a great job on my barber styled haircut. I have a tapered 3 on the sides with a couple inches of the length on the top. Its perfect for adding some extra hold to help my side part in place and styled. Is the hold the best I have ever had with a hairspray no, I would give that to Hard Head. It does last pretty much a work days worth of time depending on how liberal you are. The thing that sets this apart for me is the scent is very nice and not overwhelming like other hairsprays or like the previously mentioned Hard Head. In my experience you can comb this through but its settles otherwise its difficult to get it back to form factor. Other than that I definitely recommend this product well worth the price IMHO.”
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3. **Long and Straight**: As the 1960s drew to a close, a group of style icons redefined glamour with hair as sleek as a blade—long, pin-straight locks that epitomized the decade’s futuristic flirtation with minimalism. While this sleek style captivated many in its time, modern preferences have shifted away from heat-dependent, overly flat aesthetics. Today, people opt for more natural, textured hair, and the hassle of wrestling with flat irons to achieve a poker-straight look is enough to keep this trend firmly rooted in the past.
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4. **The Mop Top**: Thanks to The Beatles, the mop top was the defining haircut for men in the 60s. But it wasn’t just a male trend; women like Julie Driscoll embraced the androgynous cut too. Yet today’s sleek, polished trends have shelved the mop top as a relic of chaos, its unruly charm out of step with an era that prefers precision over protest.
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Product Benefits: Controls Frizz, Moisturizes, Softens, Smooth, Maximum hold, Shine, Hydrating
Hair Type: Fine, Thick, Curly, Wavy, Kinky, Coily, Dry
Material Type Free: Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Silicone Free, Phthalate Free, Dye Free
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5. **Spiky Punk Hair**: As the 1970s roared in, punk rock erupted as a cultural Molotov cocktail—and its hairstyles became the movement’s most visible manifesto. Inspired by icons, the era’s spiky, neon-drenched coifs were not mere fashion choices, but weapons of rebellion: jagged, gravity-defying creations that screamed defiance against the decade’s over-polished glam. Yet today’s beauty ethos, with its penchant for understated elegance and purposeful imperfection, has consigned punk’s towering spikes to the annals of bold experimentation.
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6. **Shaggy Style with Long Bangs**: The 1970s shag cut, synonymous with Joan Jett’s anarchic glam, was all about layers and long bangs. While the style had its moment, many of today’s interpretations focus on refined texture rather than the unruly, rock ‘n’ roll spirit of the original. The desire for manageable and chic hairstyles means this version of the shag will likely remain a 70s memory.
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Hair Type: Curly
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Top Review from US: “Sheds a lot for the first few wears. Construction is nice. Bangs are cut nicely. Very lightweight. Tangles easily at the nape as do all synthetic wigs do. I love the colors. Wig is exactly as pictured. I would purchase again.”
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7. **Feathered Bangs**: Farrah Fawcett’s feathered bangs epitomized the 70s, with layers upon layers creating a soft, fluffy frame for the face. While Farrah’s glamorous style will always be remembered, the high maintenance and daring nature of feathered bangs aren’t conducive to the effortless looks we gravitate towards now.
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Rating: 2.9 Total reviews: 4
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Material: Human Hair
Style: Straight
Hair Type: Clip, Human Hair, Straight
Top Review from US: “I purchased “light brown” french bangs and while the initial color was a very brassy blonde or maybe a very light red color, these- as of my review date are INDEED MADE OF HUMAN HAIR! I would say the only way to get a true match would be to order a color that is lighter than your natural hair and then dye the bangs to match. I dyed mine 6N to match my natural hair color and think they look very realistic and blend in well! I am very pleasantly surprised for the value! I paid less than $10. I will post some photos. The first photo is before I dyed them and the 2nd is after I dyed them. The third & fourth pictures are after I dyed, trimmed, and styled them.”
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8. **80s Crimped Hair**: Crimped hair—the 1980s’ most audacious ode to excess. With its signature zigzag pattern achieved by a hot crimping tool, this style was seen everywhere, from runways to music videos. Stars like Madonna and Demi Moore rocked the crimped look with aplomb. Yet, for the rest of us mere mortals, reproducing this style often resulted in a frizzy, unruly mess rather than a chic, fashion-forward statement.
What made crimped hair so popular was its ability to add texture and volume, two attributes highly prized in the era of excess. However, the amount of heat and effort it took to achieve those crimps meant damaged hair for many. Today, as we prioritize healthy hair over temporary trends, crimped hair is a style best reserved for retro-themed parties.
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Rating: 4.3 Total reviews: 1121
Top Review from US: “This is a great wand. I have the straightener and it has served me very well. So I decided to splurge and get this from GHD as well. I ended up returning the one through Amazon because GHD has had sales all summer and it was a much better deal from their main site. However, the wand is amazing and I’m glad I purchased it.“
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9. **80s Poodle Perm**: The poodle perm is perhaps one of the most notorious hairstyles of the 80s. As the name suggests, it involved tight curls that created a voluminous, fluffy appearance reminiscent of a poodle’s coat. Women across the globe, including celebrities like Barbra Streisand, embraced this look, which promised to transform flat, lifeless hair into a mane full of bounce and body.
While it was certainly a bold choice, the upkeep was no small feat. The chemicals used in the perming process often left hair dry and brittle. And let’s not forget the daily styling that was necessary to keep those curls in check. Fast forward to today, and the poodle perm is one trend that we’re happy to have left behind in the 80s.
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10. **The Infamous Mullet**: Dubbed the “business in the front, party in the back” hairstyle, the mullet is arguably one of the most notorious haircuts of all time. Popularized by rock stars and athletes alike, it was the go-to style for those looking to make a statement. However, its asymmetrical nature and stark contrast between the short front and long back sections made it a divisive choice.
While some argue that the mullet has seen a resurgence in recent years, with modern spins giving it a fresh twist, many of us remember the 80s versions with a mix of nostalgia and horror. Simply put, unless you’re a rock god like David Bowie, pulling off a mullet without looking like you stepped out of a time machine is a challenging feat.
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