The 1980s were a decade of excess, and nowhere was that more obvious than in the hairstyles people proudly rocked. Bigger was always better, perms ruled the land, and hairspray was practically a survival tool. But behind every teased, crimped, and mulleted creation, there were some pretty wild theories about why these styles worked—or why they were necessary in the first place. Looking back, it’s hard to believe we ever believed these hair myths, but at the time, they were gospel.
1. The Higher the Hair, the More Popular You Were
If you were a teenager in the ’80s, you probably believed that the taller your hair, the more socially successful you’d be. People spent hours teasing and spraying their locks into sky-high masterpieces, convinced that gravity-defying volume equaled instant coolness. It was almost like an unspoken rule—if your bangs didn’t stick out at least a few inches, were you even trying? HowStuffWorks further breaks down the mechanics of this bold hairdo.
Of course, reality paints a different picture. The sheer amount of time and effort it took to maintain those massive styles could’ve been spent on literally anything else. Not to mention, all that Aquanet probably did more damage to the ozone layer than anyone realized at the time.
2. The Mullet Was the Ultimate Power Move
The famous “business in the front, party in the back” look wasn’t just a haircut—it was a statement. People genuinely believed the mullet struck the perfect balance between professionalism and fun, making it the ideal choice for any occasion. Whether you were working a 9-to-5 or heading to a rock concert, the mullet let the world know you meant business—just not all the time. Mullet Champ is proud to note that each decade had its own distinct mullets and style specifics.
Unfortunately, history has not been kind to the mullet. What was once seen as a dynamic, versatile cut is now considered one of the most baffling hairstyle choices ever. Despite occasional comebacks, the mullet will always be remembered as a look that tried to do too much at once and ended up just looking ridiculous.
3. Crimping Was the Future of Hair
Somehow, the ’80s convinced an entire generation that zig-zagging their hair into unnatural waves was the height of fashion. Crimping irons were seen as futuristic tools that gave hair an edgy, high-tech look, making people feel like rock stars or pop icons. It was believed that crimped hair looked effortlessly cool and rebellious, perfect for standing out in a crowd. Allure writes that this ’80s trend is in the midst of a revival.
In reality, crimping just left hair looking frizzy and fried. It took forever to achieve and even longer to wash out, often resulting in a puffy mess the next morning. And yet, at the time, the belief that more texture meant more style kept crimping irons flying off the shelves.
4. Perms Made You Look More Mature
In the ’80s, if you wanted to look older—or at least more sophisticated—a perm was the go-to solution. Teenagers, moms, and even businessmen lined up at salons to get their hair chemically curled into tight, bouncy waves. The idea was that permed hair gave off a polished, put-together vibe, making anyone look instantly fashionable. Though this trend in the U.S. is just a few decades old, the style itself dates back to Ancient Greece, according to Hankering for History.
The truth? Many perms just made people look perpetually surprised, with curls so stiff they barely moved. The damage from all those chemicals left hair brittle, and the “mature” look often aged people in a way they didn’t expect—or want.
5. Frosted Tips Made Men More Attractive
Before the late ’90s brought them back in a different way, frosted tips had an early run in the ’80s, and the logic behind them was fascinating. Many believed that adding bleached streaks to the ends of their hair made them appear sun-kissed and rugged, as if they’d just returned from an exciting adventure. It was thought to be an effortless way to look stylish without doing much at all.
Unfortunately, the results often looked less “beachy” and more “accidentally dipped in bleach.” Overgrown frosted tips could turn brassy, and when combined with spiked hair, the effect was more cartoonish than cool. Yet, for a while, guys walked around thinking they were nailing the ultimate effortless charm.
6. The Rat Tail Was a Rebellious Statement
One of the strangest hair choices of the ’80s was the infamous rat tail—a long, thin strip of hair left to grow while the rest of the head remained short. It was supposed to signal individuality, defiance, and maybe even a connection to martial arts heroes from the movies. For some, it was a way to push back against conformity while still keeping most of their hair manageable.
Looking back, the rat tail mostly just confused people. It never really looked good, it required an awkward amount of maintenance, and it rarely complemented anyone’s overall style. And yet, there was a time when keeping that one little strand was seen as a personal badge of honor.
7. Feathered Hair Was Universally Flattering
Thanks to Farrah Fawcett and countless heartthrobs of the era, feathered hair was considered the ultimate flattering style. The theory was that soft, face-framing layers made everyone look youthful, glamorous, and effortlessly put together. If you could get your hair to flip just right, you had achieved peak ’80s beauty.
While it worked for some, achieving the perfect feathered look required a level of patience and skill that few actually had. One wrong move with the blow dryer, and you could end up with a flat, shapeless mess instead of voluminous waves. Despite the effort, people swore by the style, believing it was the key to always looking good.
8. Teased Bangs Added Elegance
For some reason, the belief that the bigger the bangs, the better, was inescapable in the ’80s. Girls spent endless hours teasing their bangs into dramatic poufs, believing that sky-high volume gave them a touch of elegance and glamour. The idea was that extra height and fullness framed the face beautifully, making every look more dramatic.
The reality was that teased bangs were a nightmare to maintain. They required copious amounts of hairspray, frequent touch-ups, and often resulted in a helmet-like effect. Yet, for years, people genuinely thought that looking like you were caught in a wind tunnel was the height of fashion.
9. Mohawks Were the Ultimate Punk Statement
For those who wanted to go full rebellion mode, nothing screamed “punk” quite like a brightly colored mohawk. The taller and spikier it was, the better, with some people believing that the look symbolized defiance against the establishment. It was a badge of honor, proving that you weren’t about to conform to society’s boring beauty standards.
But mohawks were high-maintenance, requiring gel, hairspray, and an incredible amount of patience to keep them standing tall. They weren’t exactly workplace-friendly either, which meant many people had to tone them down eventually. Still, for a few glorious years, the mohawk reigned supreme as the ultimate countercultural hair choice.
10. Hair Metal Curls Were the Key to Rock Stardom
Big hair wasn’t just for the ladies—’80s rock bands took the trend to new heights, literally. Bands like Bon Jovi, Poison, and Mötley Crüe led people to believe that long, voluminous, teased-out curls were the key to looking like a rock god. The more dramatic and over-the-top, the better—because subtlety had no place in the world of hair metal.
The problem? Unless you were actually in a band, this look didn’t translate well to everyday life. What worked under stage lights looked downright absurd at the grocery store, yet people committed to it fully, convinced it was the ultimate power move.
11. Side Ponytails Were the Perfect Mix of Fun and Sophistication
Somehow, the ’80s convinced us that pulling all of our hair to one side and securing it with a scrunchie was both playful and fashionable. Whether it was high up on the head or draped over the shoulder, the side ponytail was seen as the perfect balance between carefree fun and put-together style. It was a go-to look for everything from aerobics classes to school dances, making people feel trendy with minimal effort.
But looking back, the side ponytail was more quirky than chic. It had an almost cartoonish effect, making even the most serious outfit look unintentionally whimsical. While it made sense in the ’80s, wearing a side ponytail today outside of an ’80s-themed party would definitely raise some eyebrows.
12. Scrunchies Were the Ultimate Fashion Statement
In the ’80s, scrunchies weren’t just hair accessories—they were fashion accessories. You weren’t truly stylish unless you had a collection of colorful, oversized scrunchies to match every outfit. People genuinely believed that the bulkier the scrunchie, the better, and it wasn’t uncommon to see them worn around the wrist as a backup, just in case.
While scrunchies have made a partial comeback, their original ’80s versions were extreme. The sheer size of some of them made it seem like people had small pillows wrapped around their ponytails. While they were practical for avoiding hair damage, they became yet another example of the decade’s obsession with excess.
The ’80s were a time of fearless hair experimentation, and while some of these styles hold a special place in our hearts, most of them should stay in the past. The myths behind them seemed logical at the time, but hindsight makes it clear that we went to some truly extreme lengths in the name of fashion. Looking back, these hairstyles are reminders of a decade that wasn’t afraid to be bold, even if it meant a lifetime supply of hairspray.
