1. Feathered Bangs
Feathered bangs were a staple of ’80s hair, often paired with layered cuts for a soft, wispy look. The idea was to create a cascading effect that framed the face, but in practice, it often required relentless blow-drying and excessive hairspray to keep the feathered layers in place. When done right, it could look polished and chic, but more often than not, it ended up looking uneven and overly stiff.
The problem with feathered bangs was their high-maintenance nature. Any amount of wind or humidity could ruin the delicate arrangement, leaving you with a mess of floppy strands. While feathered styles still exist in more modern, relaxed forms, the rigid, overly styled bangs of the ’80s have thankfully stayed behind. They’re a reminder that not every trend ages gracefully, even if it once felt glamorous.
The 1980s were a time of bold experimentation in fashion, music, and especially hair. Bigger was better, hairspray was practically a requirement, and everyone seemed to be trying to outdo each other with volume, height, or sheer audacity. While some ’80s trends have made a nostalgic comeback, there are certain hairstyles that are best left in the past. Let’s look back at 12 iconic hairstyles from the decade that might make us smile now but should definitely stay where they belong: in the ’80s.
2. The Perm Gone Wild
The perm was the ultimate symbol of ’80s hair, but when it went wrong, it really went wrong. Achieving that perfect wave often required hours at the salon and a head full of chemical solutions that smelled like a science experiment. The problem? Not every perm turned out as planned. Instead of bouncy, voluminous curls, some people ended up with frizzed-out, overprocessed hair that looked more like a lion’s mane than a fashion statement. Add in the humidity, and you had a recipe for disaster.
Despite its popularity, the perm wasn’t exactly low-maintenance. Keeping those curls intact required constant upkeep, from specialized shampoos to endless teasing and spraying. While it made a statement at the time, the perm’s sheer unpredictability and the damage it caused to hair make it a trend we don’t need to revisit. Today’s hair trends lean toward natural textures and healthier approaches to styling—thankfully leaving the wild perm behind.
3. The Mullet
The infamous mullet—“business in the front, party in the back”—was arguably one of the most divisive hairstyles of the ’80s. Popularized by rock stars, athletes, and even a few brave regular folks, the mullet featured short, tidy hair on top and in the front, with long, flowing locks cascading down the back. It was meant to combine practicality and flair, but in hindsight, it mostly just looked odd. While some embraced the look as a rebellious statement, others saw it as a baffling blend of two completely different hairstyles.
Maintaining a mullet wasn’t easy, either. The contrast between the short and long sections had to be precise, requiring frequent trims to avoid crossing into full-on chaos. Though a few modern reinterpretations of the mullet have popped up, the original ’80s version—with its overly defined separation and lack of cohesion—is better left in the past. It’s a style that screams nostalgia but rarely, if ever, flatters anyone in the present.
4. Teased-to-the-Max Hair
In the ’80s, the bigger your hair, the better—and teasing was the key to achieving maximum volume. This style involved backcombing sections of hair and layering on heaps of hairspray until the desired height was reached. Often paired with bold makeup and shoulder pads, teased hair became a hallmark of power dressing and rebellion alike. But achieving this gravity-defying look came at a cost: damaged hair, sore scalps, and hours spent untangling knots.
While it may have been all the rage back then, teased hair has no place in today’s world of sleek, polished styles. The sheer amount of effort—and product—required to maintain it makes it impractical, not to mention the toll it takes on hair health. Looking back, teased hair is a fun reminder of the decade’s “go big or go home” attitude, but it’s a trend that’s best remembered, not revived.
5. The Rat Tail
The rat tail was one of the most perplexing hairstyles of the ’80s. It involved keeping most of the hair short while leaving a single, thin strand at the back to grow long. Sometimes it was braided, sometimes it was left loose, but no matter the variation, the rat tail rarely looked intentional—or flattering. It was often seen as a low-maintenance nod to rebellion, but it lacked the cohesive style of other bold ’80s trends.
The rat tail’s biggest drawback was its awkwardness. It didn’t blend well with other hairstyles, and once you committed to growing it, you were stuck with an in-between phase that wasn’t particularly appealing. While the ’80s were all about self-expression, the rat tail was a trend that confused more than it impressed. Thankfully, it’s one style that has yet to make a real comeback—and let’s hope it stays that way.
6. The Side Ponytail
The side ponytail was an unmistakable ’80s staple, favored by pop stars and fashion-forward kids alike. It involved pulling all your hair to one side and securing it with a scrunchie, often as high up as possible. While it had a playful, carefree vibe, it was far from practical. The uneven weight distribution could cause headaches, and the style itself wasn’t exactly flattering for most face shapes.
What made the side ponytail uniquely ’80s was its pairing with neon accessories, teased hair, and a general sense of fun. But as the years have passed, it’s become clear that this style was more about making a statement than looking good. While it’s fun to revisit for costume parties, the side ponytail doesn’t belong in the world of everyday hairstyles anymore.
7. Crimped Hair
Crimped hair was a quintessential ’80s look, achieved by using a crimping iron to create tight, zigzag waves throughout the hair. It was bold, playful, and absolutely everywhere, from high school dances to music videos. Often paired with teased roots and colorful scrunchies, crimped hair was a way to stand out and embrace the era’s love of texture and volume. However, the process of crimping involved intense heat and repetitive styling, leaving hair dry and damaged after repeated use.
The exaggerated, artificial waves didn’t flatter everyone, and maintaining the style often meant waking up early to perfect the look or sleeping in uncomfortable braids for a DIY version. Today’s beauty trends lean toward soft, natural waves, making crimped hair feel like a relic of a more experimental time. While it was fun and unique back then, the impracticality and fried-hair aftermath make it a trend we’re glad to leave behind.
8. Frosted Tips
Frosted tips might bring to mind the ’90s boy band craze, but their roots lie in the late ’80s. This hairstyle involved bleaching just the ends of short hair, creating a striking contrast that was both edgy and bold. Usually rocked by men looking to emulate their favorite rock stars, frosted tips were seen as a daring way to stand out. Unfortunately, the results often looked less “rock star chic” and more “DIY gone wrong,” as at-home bleaching kits didn’t always deliver salon-quality results.
The upkeep was just as questionable, with regrowth often creating an awkward two-toned effect. While frosted tips made waves in their time, they’ve since become a punchline for dated trends. Today, subtle highlights and natural colors dominate the hair scene, proving that some fads are better left in the past, where they can live on in throwback photos and fashion faux pas lists.
9. The Bowl Cut
Few hairstyles are as universally mocked as the bowl cut. Popular for its simplicity and low-maintenance appeal, this style involved trimming hair evenly around the head, often resulting in a look that resembled someone placing a literal bowl on their scalp as a guide. While it was primarily seen on kids, even some adults weren’t immune to the appeal of this symmetrical but unflattering cut.
The problem with the bowl cut was its inability to adapt to different face shapes or textures. It lacked versatility and often made wearers look more awkward than trendy. Though it saw a brief resurgence in the world of avant-garde fashion, the bowl cut remains a style that most would rather forget. It’s a reminder that “easy” doesn’t always equal “good.”
10. Hair Bows Paired with Teased Locks
The combination of oversized bows and teased hair was an ultra-feminine ’80s trend, often worn by pop stars and teenage girls. The goal was to add a playful, girlish touch to the already voluminous hairstyles of the era. These bows came in every imaginable color and pattern, and they were positioned high on the head, making them hard to miss.
While undeniably cheerful, the look often came off as overly cutesy and impractical. The bows themselves could feel heavy or slip out of place, and pairing them with teased, crunchy hair created an aesthetic that was more costume-like than chic. While accessories have made a comeback in modern hairstyles, the oversized bow and teased hair combo is better left as a nostalgic memory.
11. Aqua-Net Bangs
No list of ’80s hairstyles would be complete without mentioning Aqua-Net bangs, also known as “mall bangs.” This gravity-defying style involved spraying bangs into a stiff, curled arch that practically defied physics. Aqua-Net hairspray was the secret weapon behind the look, creating an unyielding hold that kept the bangs perfectly in place no matter the weather.
The effort required to sculpt and maintain these bangs was enormous, from curling irons to endless cans of hairspray. While they were considered a badge of honor for fashion-forward teens at the time, Aqua-Net bangs haven’t aged well. They epitomize the excess of ’80s hair trends, and today, they’re more likely to draw laughs than admiration.
12. The High-Top Fade with Extreme Angles
The high-top fade was a cultural phenomenon in the ’80s, especially popularized by hip-hop artists and athletes. It involved shaving the sides of the head completely while leaving the top portion long and styled into a tall, flat shape. At its peak, the hairstyle became increasingly experimental, with extreme angles, geometric patterns, and even designs shaved into the fade. While it was undeniably bold and iconic for its time, the more exaggerated versions often strayed into over-the-top territory, looking more like architecture than hair.
The upkeep for this style was no small feat, requiring precise trims and frequent touch-ups to maintain its sharp lines and gravity-defying height. As the ’90s ushered in more relaxed and natural hairstyles, the extreme high-top fade began to fade (pun intended). While its influence is still celebrated in pop culture and throwbacks, the most dramatic versions remain a product of their time, more suited for the vibrant creativity of the ’80s than today’s subtler trends. It’s a look that makes a statement but probably doesn’t need to make a comeback.
These hairstyles are a testament to the bold creativity of the ’80s, but they also highlight just how far hair trends have come. While we can laugh and reminisce about these iconic looks, we’re grateful that many of them remain relics of the past. Which of these did you or your friends dare to rock, and which ones still make you cringe? Let’s celebrate the fun and fearless spirit of the ’80s while leaving these styles safely in the rearview mirror.
