Every decade has its signature hairstyles, and at the time, they seemed like the epitome of cool. But fashion moves fast, and what was once trendy and glamorous can quickly become a source of laughter when looking back at old photos. Some styles were gravity-defying, others required gallons of hairspray, and a few were just downright questionable. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 12 once-trendy hairstyles that now look completely ridiculous in retrospect.
1. The Flock of Seagulls Cut
Named after the British band A Flock of Seagulls, this dramatic, swooping hairstyle was pure 1980s excess. With its gravity-defying, asymmetrical bangs that shot forward like wings, it became a signature look for new wave musicians and clubgoers. It screamed futuristic and edgy at the time, but let’s be honest—it also looked like a windstorm had just hit someone’s head.
These days, the Flock of Seagulls cut is mostly remembered as a punchline. It’s so over-the-top that even those who rocked it back in the day can’t help but laugh at old pictures. While it had its moment in music history, it’s one trend that will likely never see a serious revival.
2. The Mullet
Ah, the mullet—the business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back haircut that ruled the late ’70s and ’80s. This infamous style was worn by rock stars, athletes, and regular guys who wanted to exude both professionalism and rebelliousness at the same time. For a while, it was the ultimate statement of cool, especially when paired with a leather jacket or a sleeveless tee.
Fast-forward to today, and the mullet is widely regarded as one of the most cringe-worthy hairstyles ever. Its awkward proportions and mismatched layers make it a tough look to pull off. Though ironic hipsters and a few daring celebrities have tried to revive it, the mullet remains a hairstyle best remembered (and laughed at) rather than repeated.
3. The Beehive
In the 1960s, the higher the hair, the closer to heaven—or at least, that’s what it seemed like with the beehive. Women would tease their hair into towering, helmet-like shapes that required copious amounts of hairspray and strategic backcombing. The style was sophisticated and elegant in its prime, popularized by icons like Audrey Hepburn and The Ronettes. But let’s be honest: it looked like a lot of work, and maintaining it was no easy task.
Looking back, the beehive seems more like a structural engineering feat than a hairstyle. It’s hard to imagine anyone willingly spending that much time sculpting their hair into such an exaggerated shape today. While it occasionally makes a comeback for vintage-themed events, the beehive is one trend that’s best left in the past.
4. Frosted Tips
If you were a guy in the late ’90s or early 2000s, chances are you at least considered getting frosted tips. This hairstyle involved bleaching the ends of spiky, gelled-up hair, creating a sun-kissed look that was especially popular among boy band members and wannabe heartthrobs. Justin Timberlake, Guy Fieri, and countless high schoolers proudly rocked this look as a sign of peak coolness.
Today, frosted tips are more likely to elicit groans than admiration. The harsh contrast between dark roots and platinum-blonde tips just looks unnatural, and the overly gelled spikes make it even worse. While some styles from the ’90s have come back in fashion, frosted tips remain firmly in the “what were we thinking?” category.
5. The Jheri Curl
The Jheri curl was a staple of the late ’70s and ’80s, made famous by Michael Jackson and countless other R&B and pop stars. This glossy, curly style required a hefty amount of activator to maintain its signature wet, dripping look. It was the ultimate sign of cool in its heyday, and everyone from Lionel Richie to Eazy-E sported it with pride.
However, the high-maintenance nature of the Jheri curl made it a nightmare in everyday life. The greasy residue would stain pillowcases, furniture, and even clothing, making it an impractical style choice. As the ’90s rolled around, the Jheri curl quickly fell out of favor, leaving behind a legacy of ruined upholstery and regrettable photos.
6. The Rat Tail
For reasons that still baffle historians of bad hair trends, the rat tail managed to gain popularity in the ’80s and early ’90s. This bizarre style involved growing out a thin strip of hair at the back of the head while keeping the rest short. It was often braided, beaded, or curled, as if that made it any better.
Looking back, the rat tail is one of the strangest hair choices to ever grace pop culture. It doesn’t matter how much effort someone put into styling it—it still looked like an afterthought. Thankfully, this trend disappeared by the mid-’90s, only to resurface occasionally in ironic fashion.
7. Big ’80s Hair
There was no such thing as too much volume in the 1980s. Women (and plenty of men) embraced massive, teased-out hairstyles that defied gravity. Armed with cans of Aqua Net, people would spend hours blow-drying, backcombing, and spraying their hair into giant, frizzy clouds. It was a time of excess, and hair was no exception.
But as fun as it looked, big ’80s hair has not aged well. The sheer amount of effort required to maintain those sky-high locks is exhausting to even think about. Today, it’s mostly remembered as a nostalgic relic, best suited for throwback parties and hair metal tribute bands.
8. The Bowl Cut
The bowl cut has haunted children and adults alike for decades. A parent-friendly, low-maintenance haircut that looked exactly like someone placed a mixing bowl on their head and trimmed around it, this style peaked in the ’70s and ’80s. Kids, in particular, were often forced to wear this unfortunate look because it was cheap and easy to do at home.
While some modern variations have attempted to make the bowl cut fashionable again, its original form remains firmly in the category of bad hair decisions. It’s a style that few look back on fondly, and even fewer want to bring back.
9. Liberty Spikes
Punk rockers in the ’80s took spiky hair to the extreme with liberty spikes, a style where hair was gelled and molded into long, pointed spikes that stood straight up. The taller and more gravity-defying, the better. This look was a rebellion against mainstream beauty standards and was often dyed in neon colors to enhance the effect.
While it worked in the punk scene, liberty spikes look downright ridiculous outside of a mosh pit. The sheer amount of hair gel required to hold them up made washing (or even moving) a challenge. It was a fun phase, but it’s not exactly making a comeback in professional settings anytime soon.
10. The Rachel
Inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s character on Friends, “The Rachel” became one of the most sought-after haircuts of the mid-to-late ’90s. Women everywhere flocked to salons asking for the voluminous, layered look that framed the face with bouncy, feathered strands. It was the epitome of chic at the time, and even Aniston herself admitted she couldn’t escape it.
Looking back, The Rachel was an absolute nightmare to maintain. It required constant blowouts, meticulous layering, and plenty of styling products to keep its shape. While some modern versions have emerged with softer, more natural layers, the original cut now looks oddly stiff and over-styled, proving that not every iconic look stands the test of time.
11. Crimped Hair
Crimped hair was the definition of fun in the ’80s and early ’90s. With the help of a crimping iron, hair was transformed into zigzag-patterned waves that looked like a neon music video come to life. The style was often paired with teased volume and side ponytails, making it a favorite among pop stars and teen idols.
While crimped hair was fun and rebellious in its heyday, it now looks more like a bad science experiment gone wrong. The harsh, unnatural texture didn’t age well, and the sheer amount of damage caused by those early crimping irons was enough to make any hairstylist cringe. Though some celebrities have attempted a modern take, the original crimped look remains a relic of a very specific time.
12. The Skater Cut
The skater cut, also known as the “skater flop” or “mop top,” was the go-to hairstyle for teen boys in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Inspired by professional skateboarders and alternative rockers, this shaggy, chin-length style required lots of head-flipping to keep it out of the eyes. It was popularized by stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and every guy in a pop-punk band.
Though it seemed effortlessly cool at the time, the skater cut now just looks messy and unkempt. The excessive length and awkward shape didn’t suit everyone, and for many, it became a long-growing-out phase rather than a well-styled choice. While the “soft boy” look has made a comeback, the original skater cut remains a hairstyle best left in the early 2000s.
Some hairstyles become timeless, while others become cautionary tales. These once-trendy looks might have ruled their respective decades, but today, they mostly serve as hilarious reminders of just how fast fashion and beauty standards evolve. If nothing else, they give us something to laugh about when digging through old photo albums. So, whether you once rocked a mullet, a Jheri curl, or some serious crimped hair, just remember—you weren’t alone.
