Big volume, crimped texture, bold color and statement scrunchies: the 1980s produced some of the most memorable hair ever worn, and almost all of it is back. Modern 80s hairstyles for women keep the signature shapes and accessories but drop the crunchy, over-sprayed finish, so the looks feel playful and wearable instead of costume-like.
The 15 styles below cover the decade’s greatest hits, from the big blow-out and the perm to side ponytails, banana clips, frosted highlights and natural hair with bold headbands. Each one comes with clear instructions for your stylist or for recreating the look at home.
Volume and Texture 80s Hairstyles for Women
The Big Blow-Out
The big blow-out is the defining 80s hairstyle: long or medium hair lifted from the roots in every direction and set with a firm-hold spray. The more volume you build, the more authentic it looks. It suits fine to medium hair that needs lift, and it’s a fun party look for a themed night or any evening you want serious drama.
Work volumizing mousse through damp hair, then blow-dry in sections no wider than your round brush, lifting each one straight up from the root before rolling through the length. Let each section cool on the brush for a few seconds to set the lift. Mist a firm-hold spray section by section as you go, since one heavy layer at the end weighs the hair down. Flip your head upside down and shake out the roots for a final boost.
Crimped Hair
Fully crimped hair, with a crimping iron worked through every section from root to end, is the most instantly recognizable 80s texture. Coverage is the key. One or two crimped pieces look like modern texture, while a full head of zigzag waves looks straight out of the decade. It works best on straight or slightly wavy hair, and because crimping adds so much volume, it flatters fine hair especially well.
Apply heat protectant first, then crimp in one-inch sections from the nape upward, holding the iron for about five seconds on each spot. Mist a firm-hold spray over the finished texture to lock it in. On longer hair, wear the crimped lengths half up with a scrunchie at the crown to push the 80s feel further. Avoid brushing once you’ve crimped and separate the texture with your fingers instead.
Teased Crown with Smooth Lengths
A heavily backcombed crown with smooth, straight lengths below it is the easiest 80s volume to wear today. The contrast between height on top and sleek hair underneath looks polished in photos and works for the office, a wedding or a night out. It suits oval and round face shapes especially well, since the extra height at the crown lengthens the face.
Tease only the top third of the hair, working in thin sections and backcombing toward the root with a fine-tooth comb. Mist the teased section with firm-hold spray, then smooth the top layer lightly with a soft brush to hide the backcombing while keeping the height. Our roundup of long hair updos and half-up styles has more ways to build crown volume that lasts all evening.
The Perm
The original 80s perm used tight spiral rods. A modern perm in the same spirit uses larger rods for a looser, bouncier curl with plenty of volume, which looks fresh instead of dated. The even curl pattern from root to end is what gives it the 80s feel. It suits straight hair that won’t hold a curl and medium to long lengths with enough weight to keep the curls from frizzing.
Talk through rod size with your stylist before booking, because larger rods give a softer, more versatile wave than a tight spiral. A perm needs a professional salon appointment and some aftercare: skip washing for 48 hours, then use a sulfate-free shampoo and a curl cream to keep the pattern defined between washes. Expect the curls to relax gradually over the following months.
80s Updo and Half-Up Hairstyles
Side Ponytail
A high side ponytail, gathered at temple height or above and secured with a scrunchie or a big bow clip, is the easiest 80s hairstyle to pull off. Placement matters. Gathered at ear level, a side pony just looks casual, and at temple height or higher it instantly says 80s. It works on shoulder-length hair and longer, and layered hair looks especially good because the ends fan out.
Tease the crown slightly before gathering to add lift at the base of the ponytail. Smooth the opposite side with a brush and a little gel so it lies flat, then secure with a large velvet scrunchie or a bow clip in a bold color. Curl or crimp the ponytail lengths for extra impact, or leave them straight for a cleaner modern version.
High Pony with Scrunchie
A high ponytail at the very top of the crown, finished with a large velvet or satin scrunchie, is one of the most versatile 80s revivals. The scrunchie carries the decade reference. With a plain elastic the same ponytail looks contemporary, and with a big, bright scrunchie it looks deliberately retro. Satin scrunchies are also gentler on hair than tight elastics, which makes this a smart everyday option.
Gather the ponytail as high on the crown as you can and secure it with a thin elastic first, then slide the scrunchie over the top for better hold. Tease the crown lightly before gathering for extra height. Curl the lengths with a large barrel iron for a fully styled 80s look, or leave them straight for a sleeker take on the same shape.
Half-Up with Volume and a Bow
This half-up style starts with a generously teased crown, gathered at the back and finished with a large fabric bow or bow clip. The mix of height and a big bow makes it the most polished of the updos here, and it suits long or medium hair. It’s a good choice for parties, themed events and holiday gatherings, and it pairs well with loose curls or a blow-out on the lengths.
Tease the crown section well before gathering so the half-up has visible height above the bow. Secure with a small clear elastic and attach the bow over it. A bold solid color or a polka dot print feels most 80s, while a black velvet bow looks the most grown-up. Finish the lengths with a few loose curls from a large barrel iron to balance the volume on top.
Banana Clip Updo
A banana clip updo gathers the hair into a loose twist and secures it with a large curved banana clip. It takes under two minutes, and the clip itself does all the work of saying 80s. Beyond gathering and twisting, there’s no technique required, which makes it a great option for busy mornings and second-day hair, especially if your hair is thick or long and needs strong hold.
Large banana clips come in tortoiseshell, bold solid colors and metallic finishes, and all of them look true to the decade. Size matters: choose a clip long enough to hold the full section from nape to crown, since a small clip gives a completely different look. Comb the hair back, twist it loosely upward, snap the clip closed along the twist, then pull out a few face-framing pieces.
80s Color and Cut-Inspired Hairstyles
Bold Color with Volume
Electric blue, vivid red, bright copper or bold magenta worn on a big blow-out or large-curl perm is the most committed version of 80s hair. Color and volume work as a pair here, and either one alone looks contemporary. It suits anyone who loves bright beauty looks, and with temporary color it becomes an easy theme party option.
Temporary color sprays and wash-out gels let you try a bright shade for one night with no long-term commitment. Apply them on a fully blown-out base, working in thin sections with a towel over your shoulders, and use a clarifying shampoo to remove the color afterward. If you’d like something that lasts a few weeks, our dark cherry red hair color ideas show how rich red shades look in different lighting.
Frosted Tips and Highlights
Frosted tips lighten the outer sections and ends to near-white or pale blonde while the base stays darker. The modern version swaps the stark platinum frost of the 80s for caramel or warm blonde, which suits a wider range of skin tones and looks like a current color with a retro nod. It works beautifully on brown and dark blonde hair with layers that show off the lightened ends.
Ask your colorist for face-framing highlights that are brightest around the face and blend into the darker base through the interior. Babylights or a soft balayage keep the grow-out gentle. Use a purple or blue shampoo once a week to keep blonde tones from turning brassy. Our guide to caramel highlights on brown hair covers placement for a warm, blended version of the frosted look.
The Shag with Volume
An 80s shag uses heavy layers throughout the length with feathered or flicked-out ends, styled with a round-brush blow-out for maximum volume. The cut provides the shape and the styling adds the drama, and together they make the most complete 80s hair statement on this list. It suits thick and wavy hair especially well, since the layers remove bulk, and it pairs naturally with curtain or bottleneck bangs.
Ask your stylist for a shag with heavy interior layers and feathered, textured ends instead of a blunt finish. Blow-dry with a large round brush, flicking the ends outward on the last turn of each section. A firm-hold spray locks the flicks in place. Book a trim every eight to ten weeks so the layers keep their shape.
80s Natural and Textured Hairstyles
Big Natural Hair with a Bold Headband
A big natural afro or voluminous curly style with a wide, bold headband placed just behind the hairline is the strongest 80s look for natural hair. The headband supplies the decade reference and your natural volume does the rest. It works on type 3 and type 4 curl patterns and is a quick way to dress up second or third day curls. For more ideas, see our winter hairstyles for Black women.
Choose a headband in a bold solid color, a bright print or a metallic finish. Place it close to the hairline so it looks deliberate, since a band pushed back toward the crown can look like it slipped. Pick out the hair to full volume before you put the headband on, and refresh dry curls with a leave-in conditioner or curl cream first so they stay soft and defined.
Box Braids with Colorful Accessories
Box braids finished with bold, colorful beads and gathered into a high half-up with a bright scrunchie at the crown make a fun 80s-inspired protective style. The colorful accessories and scrunchie bring the decade feel, and the braids give the length and structure to show those accessories off. Our trendy natural hair braids guide covers installation and bead placement in more detail.
Pick beads in bright, mixed primary colors. Clashing combinations like yellow, red and blue feel far more 80s than a monochrome or metallic selection. Thread the beads onto the ends, secure them with small clear elastics, then gather the top half into a high half-up. Keep your scalp moisturized with a light oil and wrap the braids at night so the style lasts four to six weeks.
Finishing and Accessory-Driven 80s Hairstyles
The Sweatband Headband Look
A terry cloth or wide fabric sweatband across the forehead, worn with a big blow-out or high side ponytail behind it, is the most recognizable fitness look of the 80s. Aerobics culture made the sweatband a fashion piece as much as a gym staple, and it still looks fun for a workout class, a theme party or a sporty weekend outfit. It works on every hair length, including short cuts.
A neon or bright primary sweatband looks most authentic. Pair it with a high, voluminous ponytail or a full blow-out for the complete athletic look, and match it to bike shorts, a leotard or a bold color-blocked top. Place the band just above the eyebrows and smooth the hair in front of it with a little gel so it sits flat and comfortable.
Feathered Farrah Waves
Feathered waves bridge the late 70s and early 80s: long hair parted slightly off center, blown back and away from the face in big sweeping sections, and finished with a light-hold spray so the movement stays soft. Of all the styles here, this one moves most easily between retro and everyday. It flatters most face shapes because the waves open up around the cheekbones, and it looks best on long layered hair.
Blow-dry with a large round brush or use a large barrel curling iron, directing each section away from the face as you roll or curl so the movement sweeps back and out. Let the waves cool, then loosen them with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Finish with a light-hold spray, because a firm spray flattens the bounce that makes these waves look natural.
How to Update 80s Hairstyles for Today
Keep the Volume, Reduce the Stiffness
The original 80s blow-out was held with a heavy coating of firm-hold spray. Today, use volumizing mousse on damp hair, a round-brush blow-out for structure and a light-hold finishing spray. You still get the 80s volume, with soft movement that looks current.
Let the Accessory Do the Work
When volume alone doesn’t say 80s, an accessory closes the gap. A scrunchie, a banana clip, a wide headband or a big bow turns the same ponytail or updo into a retro look. Invest in one or two statement pieces and keep the rest of the styling modern.
Try Bold Color Temporarily
Several looks here rely on bright color for the full effect. Temporary sprays and wash-out gels let you commit for a single event. Apply them to a fully blown-out style and wash out at the next shampoo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 80s hairstyle is easiest to do at home?
The side ponytail, the high pony with a scrunchie, the banana clip updo and the sweatband look need no heat tools or special skills, because the accessories do the work. The big blow-out and the teased crown come next and only need a round brush and a blow-dryer. Crimping needs a crimping iron but no professional skill. The perm is the only style here that requires a salon appointment.
What products do I need for 80s hairstyles?
Volumizing mousse on damp hair builds the base for most 80s looks. A firm-hold hairspray locks teased sections and crimped texture in place. A large round brush is essential for the blow-out and feathered waves, and a crimping iron handles the crimped style. Beyond that, accessories such as scrunchies, banana clips, wide headbands and big bows are what turn everyday styles into 80s ones.
How do I get 80s volume without damaging my hair?
Use a heat protectant before blow-drying or using any hot tool. Rely on volumizing mousse instead of heavy backcombing, which roughs up the hair cuticle, and limit teasing to the crown. Gently brush out teased sections with a soft brush before washing to prevent tangles. A weekly deep conditioning treatment keeps hair healthy during a stretch of extra heat styling.
What 80s hairstyle suits short hair?
The teased crown, the sweatband look, bold color on a blow-out and crimped texture all work well on short hair. The side ponytail and banana clip updo need at least shoulder-length hair to gather properly, and the perm works best at medium length and longer. A short cut with maximum volume and a bold headband is one of the most recognizable 80s silhouettes of all.
Are 80s hairstyles still in style?
Yes. Scrunchies, banana clips and big, bouncy blow-outs are everyday trends again, and side ponytails and oversized bows show up regularly in street style. Looser modern perms have also returned to salons. Crimping and the heavily teased crown remain the most obviously retro styles here, so save them for when you want a deliberate throwback.
Final Thoughts
80s hairstyles for women still work because the decade’s signature tools are things modern styling already uses: volume, bold accessories, bright color and texture. Often the gap between an 80s look and a current one is a single scrunchie or an extra inch of height at the crown. Start with an accessory-led style like the side pony or banana clip, then work up to crimping or a perm once you’re hooked.
