The 1970s were a decade of bold self-expression, and nothing exemplified that more than the hairstyles. From gravity-defying updos to experimental cuts that defied tradition, hair was more than just a part of our look—it was a statement. While some styles captured the groovy vibe of the times, others crossed into downright outrageous territory. These were the looks that left us scratching our heads, wondering what we were thinking. Whether you rocked these styles or just admired them from afar, they’re sure to spark a few memories of the wilder side of the ’70s. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 14 hairstyles that were so outrageous they probably should’ve stayed in the salon.
1. The Feathered Farrah
When Farrah Fawcett burst onto the scene in Charlie’s Angels, her iconic feathered layers became the gold standard for glamour. Women everywhere rushed to their stylists, armed with pictures of Farrah, hoping to capture her effortless, breezy look. But for every successful recreation, there were countless failed attempts that ended up looking more like a windblown mess than a perfectly sculpted masterpiece. Achieving those voluminous flips required hours with a round brush, hot rollers, and cans of hairspray. The effort was immense, but so was the payoff if you nailed it.
The problem was that not everyone had the hair type or patience for such a style. If your hair was too fine or too curly, the feathered look could quickly spiral into chaos. What started as a symbol of effortless beauty often morphed into a stiff, overly sprayed helmet of hair. Still, the style’s popularity proves just how much Farrah’s charm could inspire—even if the results weren’t always as glamorous as her famous poster.
2. The Shag
The shag was all about layers, texture, and a rock ‘n’ roll edge. Popularized by musicians like Rod Stewart and Joan Jett, it was edgy and rebellious—a perfect fit for the counterculture vibes of the ’70s. Stylists would cut hair in choppy layers to create a disheveled, effortlessly cool appearance. It was meant to look like you just rolled out of bed, ready to take on the world. But in reality, getting the shag just right was anything but effortless.
The danger with this style was that it could quickly veer into mullet territory if the layers weren’t balanced. Many walked out of the salon looking more like a lopsided porcupine than a rock star. And if you weren’t ready to commit to the upkeep, those jagged layers would grow out in a very awkward fashion. Still, for a brief, glorious moment, the shag let everyone feel like a rock star, even if only in their own bathroom mirror.
3. The Perm
Perms were the ultimate gamble. If done correctly, you’d walk away with luscious, bouncy curls that looked fresh off a shampoo commercial. But when they went wrong—and they often did—you’d end up with fried, frizzy hair that resembled a poodle on a bad hair day. The chemical process involved wrapping hair in rods and dousing it with a strong solution to alter its structure. It was a bold move, and the results were unpredictable.
What made perms particularly wild was their commitment. You couldn’t undo a bad perm; you had to wait for your hair to grow out or endure a haircut. And those tight, spiral curls weren’t always flattering on everyone, especially when paired with the oversized glasses and bell-bottoms of the era. Yet, despite the risks, perms were a rite of passage in the ’70s, and for better or worse, they left their mark on our collective hair history.
4. The Dorothy Hamill Wedge
Dorothy Hamill’s Olympic gold medal wasn’t the only thing she inspired in 1976. Her short, sleek wedge haircut became a national obsession, with women lining up to copy her look. The wedge was a sharply angled bob with shorter layers in the back and longer pieces framing the face. It was modern, sporty, and easy to maintain—perfect for an active lifestyle.
However, not everyone could pull it off. The precision required for the wedge meant that even the slightest mistake by your stylist could leave you looking like you’d gotten into a fight with a lawnmower. And while Dorothy’s thick, shiny hair made the style look flawless, those with fine or thinning hair often found the cut less forgiving. Even so, the wedge became a cultural phenomenon, proving that sometimes, simplicity can still turn heads.
5. The Beehive
The beehive was a towering testament to the motto “bigger is better.” While its heyday was in the ’60s, the style carried over into the ’70s, especially for special occasions like weddings and proms. Women would tease their hair to great heights, secure it with an arsenal of pins, and finish with enough hairspray to survive a hurricane. The result was a gravity-defying updo that could double as a helmet in a pinch.
But the beehive’s drama came at a cost. Hours in the salon chair and countless cans of Aqua Net were just the beginning. The real challenge was maintaining the look. Sleeping with your head propped up on pillows to preserve the hive was a common tactic, and washing out all that product could feel like an Olympic event. Yet, despite the hassle, the beehive remained a symbol of high-fashion elegance—even if it occasionally tipped into absurdity.
6. The Pageboy Image
This sleek, rounded cut was inspired by the medieval era but found its way into the ’70s thanks to its clean lines and simple silhouette. Think of it as a cousin to the bob, but with a more structured, bowl-like appearance. The pageboy was especially popular among men and women who wanted a unisex style that still looked polished. It was the kind of cut you’d see on everyone from news anchors to kids in school photos.
Unfortunately, the pageboy could easily veer into awkward territory. If cut too bluntly, it risked looking like a literal bowl had been placed on your head during the haircut. And for those with wavy or curly hair, trying to force their locks into a straight pageboy often led to frustration and frizz. Still, for a time, the pageboy was seen as the height of minimalist sophistication.
7. The Afro
The Afro was more than a hairstyle—it was a statement of cultural pride and self-acceptance. In the ’70s, it became a powerful symbol of the Black Power movement, with figures like Angela Davis and Michael Jackson wearing it with pride. The Afro celebrated natural texture and rejected the societal pressures to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. It was bold, beautiful, and unapologetic.
However, maintaining a perfectly rounded Afro was no easy task. It required regular shaping and a pick comb to achieve that signature symmetry. And while the style was empowering for many, it also drew criticism and discrimination in certain circles, highlighting the social challenges of embracing natural beauty. Despite these hurdles, the Afro remains one of the most iconic hairstyles of the ’70s, symbolizing a powerful cultural shift.
8. The Mullet
The mullet might have been “business in the front, party in the back,” but in the ’70s, it was more chaos than compromise. Popular among both men and women, the mullet featured short, cropped layers on top and long, flowing hair in the back. It was versatile enough to pair with disco outfits or rock ‘n’ roll leather jackets, making it a hit with everyone from David Bowie to everyday folks.
Yet, the mullet’s versatility was also its downfall. It rarely looked good on anyone, and its unbalanced proportions made it a frequent punchline. Still, it became an emblem of rebellion and individuality, even if it’s one of those styles we collectively cringe at in hindsight.
9. The Bowl Cut
The bowl cut was one of the most polarizing hairstyles of the ’70s. Its name alone told you everything you needed to know—this was a cut so simple that it looked like someone had placed a bowl on your head and trimmed around it. While it might have been practical for parents giving their kids a quick and easy haircut at home, it quickly became a fashion statement, thanks to its neat and symmetrical appearance. Celebrities like Moe Howard of the Three Stooges may have popularized the look in earlier decades, but it gained fresh traction in the ’70s as an ironic nod to minimalism.
Unfortunately, the bowl cut often fell short of being truly fashionable. For many, it was less a choice and more a result of a quick fix from mom or dad with a pair of kitchen scissors. It could look stiff, overly blunt, and entirely unflattering. Add in the naturally rebellious nature of ’70s fashion, and the rigid style clashed with the free-flowing, textured looks of the era. Still, the bowl cut earned its place in the hair history books for its sheer practicality, even if it’s one we laugh about today.
10. The Flipped Bob
The flipped bob took a classic cut and gave it a distinctly ’70s twist. This hairstyle was all about sleekness at the crown, combined with outwardly flipped ends that created a playful, flirty vibe. Women everywhere, from stay-at-home moms to high-powered professionals, embraced the flipped bob for its versatility. It was stylish without being overly complicated, making it a favorite for daytime wear and formal occasions alike. The secret weapon for this look? A trusty curling iron and a steady hand.
But for all its charm, the flipped bob came with its challenges. Achieving the perfect flip required precision, and one wrong move with the curling iron could leave you with an uneven or overly curled end that refused to cooperate. Maintaining the style throughout the day also required a fair amount of hairspray, and any contact with humidity could turn those sleek flips into a drooping mess. Still, the flipped bob was a symbol of the polished, put-together look that many women aspired to in the ’70s, cementing its place as a memorable style of the era.
11. The Long Hippie Hair
If there was one hairstyle that captured the counterculture spirit of the ’70s, it was long, natural hippie hair. This look was all about embracing simplicity and rejecting the highly styled trends of previous decades. Men and women alike grew their hair long and let it flow freely, often adorned with headbands, flowers, or beads for a bohemian touch. It was a direct response to the cultural shifts of the time, symbolizing freedom, individuality, and a connection to nature.
However, while the hippie hair aesthetic seemed effortless, it required a surprising amount of care to keep it looking healthy and vibrant. Split ends, tangles, and the occasional dreadlock were common struggles for those who skipped regular trims or relied on basic shampoos. The style also faced criticism from more conservative circles, who saw it as unkempt or rebellious. Despite this, long hippie hair became an enduring symbol of the ’70s, representing a carefree lifestyle that many still romanticize today.
12. The Disco Curls
Nothing said “nightlife” in the ’70s like a head full of bouncy, voluminous disco curls. Inspired by the glitz and glamour of the disco scene, this hairstyle was all about making a statement on the dance floor. Think Donna Summer or Diana Ross, whose luxurious curls became the envy of anyone with a love for nightlife. Achieving the look required rollers, curling irons, and plenty of mousse to create big, defined curls that stayed intact through hours of dancing under a disco ball.
The downside? Disco curls were incredibly high-maintenance. They required hours of preparation and regular touch-ups to maintain their shape. If you didn’t have naturally curly hair, achieving the look could involve damaging amounts of heat styling or even resorting to a perm. And if you stepped outside on a humid night, all that effort could be undone in minutes. Despite the challenges, disco curls were the ultimate party hairstyle of the decade, embodying the high-energy, glamorous spirit of the disco era.
13. The Mohawk
The Mohawk was a bold and rebellious hairstyle that emerged from the punk rock scene in the late ’70s. Featuring shaved sides and a strip of long, spiked hair down the middle, the Mohawk was a dramatic departure from the mainstream styles of the time. It was an unmistakable symbol of counterculture, individuality, and defiance, often dyed in vibrant colors to make an even louder statement. Bands like The Clash and fans of the punk movement embraced this daring look, turning it into a cultural phenomenon.
Creating and maintaining a Mohawk wasn’t for the faint of heart. Shaving the sides required precision, and styling the central strip involved copious amounts of gel or even sugar water to keep the spikes standing tall. It was an intimidating look that drew both admiration and criticism, with some seeing it as an artistic expression and others viewing it as a step too far. Regardless of opinion, the Mohawk’s rise in the ’70s marked a significant shift toward bolder, more unconventional hairstyles that broke the mold of traditional beauty.
14. The Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs were one of the more approachable and universally flattering hairstyles of the ’70s. Made popular by stars like Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot, these soft, face-framing bangs parted in the middle to create a relaxed, romantic look. They were versatile enough to pair with long, flowing locks or shorter styles, making them a go-to option for women who wanted a trendy, feminine touch.
While curtain bangs looked effortless, they required careful maintenance to avoid falling into your eyes or becoming greasy throughout the day. Regular trims were essential to keep them at just the right length, and styling them often involved a blow dryer and a round brush to create that soft, cascading effect. Despite these challenges, curtain bangs captured the ’70s spirit of understated glamour, proving that not every hairstyle of the decade needed to be outrageous to make an impact.
The 1970s were a time of bold experimentation, and nowhere was that more evident than in the hairstyles. From gravity-defying updos to sleek, minimalist cuts, these looks captured the era’s unique mix of rebellion, individuality, and self-expression. While some styles have stood the test of time, others are best left as nostalgic memories. But love them or laugh at them, these hairdos remind us of a decade when anything—and we mean anything—was possible.
