Iconic 80s Aesthetic Hairstyles

Big Voluminous Curls

Honestly, when I think about 80s aesthetic hairstyles, big voluminous curls are the first thing that pops into my mind. The whole idea back then was simple — the bigger the hair, the better. I’ve tried recreating this look a few times, and to be fair, it’s actually easier than it looks. Start by using a curling iron or hot rollers to create large curls all over your hair. Don’t worry about making them perfect. The 80s vibe was always a little wild and dramatic.

Once the curls are done, gently brush them out and use a volumizing spray or a bit of hairspray. I’ve found that flipping your hair upside down and fluffing it with your fingers helps create that extra volume. The goal isn’t neat curls — it’s bold, bouncy, and a little messy. In my opinion, this hairstyle instantly gives off that retro glam look that feels fun and confident.

Crimped Hair

Crimped hair is one of those styles that instantly screams 80s nostalgia. I remember the first time I tried a crimping iron just for fun, and honestly, I was surprised by how cool the texture looked. Instead of smooth waves, crimping creates these small zig-zag patterns that add a lot of volume and personality to your hair.

To get the look, use a crimping iron section by section. If you don’t have one, braiding your hair overnight and opening it in the morning can give a similar effect. I’ve tried both methods, and both work pretty well. Once your hair is crimped, tease the roots slightly for extra height. In my opinion, the key is not trying to make it look too polished. Let it be big, textured, and a little chaotic — that’s exactly the charm of this classic 80s hairstyle.

Side Ponytail

The side ponytail might sound simple, but honestly, it has a playful 80s charm that’s hard to ignore. I’ve worn this hairstyle a few times when I wanted something quick but still stylish. Instead of tying your hair at the back, you gather it to one side of your head, usually near the ear, and secure it with a colorful scrunchie or hair tie.

What I love about this style is how easy it is to personalize. Sometimes I curl the ponytail a little, or tease the top section for volume. Back in the 80s, people loved adding bright scrunchies, ribbons, or even clips. In my opinion, that’s what really makes the look stand out. It’s fun, slightly dramatic, and surprisingly flattering. Honestly, if you’re trying to capture that retro aesthetic without spending too much time styling, the side ponytail is a great choice.

Feathered Layers

Feathered layers are one of those hairstyles that feel effortlessly cool. If you’ve ever seen old 80s movies or celebrity photos, you’ve probably noticed how soft and flowy this haircut looks. I’ve always liked this style because it adds movement without making the hair look too heavy or flat.

To get the feathered look, the hair is cut into soft layers and styled away from the face using a round brush and blow dryer. I’ve found that flipping the ends outward really creates that classic feathered effect. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, the style looks amazing. In my opinion, feathered layers are perfect if you want something vintage but still wearable today. It has that retro charm while still looking fresh and flattering.

High Teased Ponytail

The high teased ponytail is basically the definition of bold 80s hair. The whole style is built around volume, and honestly, teasing the hair is the secret. The first time I tried teasing my hair for this look, I was a bit nervous I’d ruin it, but surprisingly it works really well when done gently.

Start by teasing the crown section of your hair with a fine comb to create height. Then gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie or scrunchie. I’ve found that leaving a few loose strands around the face softens the look nicely. After that, add some hairspray to keep everything in place. In my opinion, this hairstyle gives instant attitude. It feels energetic, confident, and very true to the dramatic beauty trends of the 80s.

Mullet Hairstyle

Now the mullet is probably one of the most talked-about hairstyles from the 80s. You know the saying — “business in the front, party in the back.” Honestly, I used to think this hairstyle was strange, but over time I’ve started to appreciate its bold personality.

The idea is simple: shorter hair at the front and sides, with longer hair at the back. Styling it usually involves adding texture and volume. I’ve seen people use mousse or light gel to make the layers stand out more. To be fair, this hairstyle isn’t for everyone, but it definitely captures the rebellious spirit of the 80s. In my opinion, if you’re someone who enjoys unique and edgy looks, the mullet can actually be surprisingly fun to try.

Curly Perm Hair

Curly perm hair was extremely popular during the 80s, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. The perm created long-lasting curls that stayed bouncy for months. I remember seeing old photos where almost everyone seemed to have these big, fluffy curls, and it gave hair so much volume.

A perm is done using chemical treatments that reshape the hair into curls. If you already have naturally wavy hair, the effect can look even better. I’ve found that using a curl cream or light mousse helps keep the curls defined without making them stiff. In my opinion, the charm of perm hair is its fullness. The hair looks lively and textured, which fits perfectly with the dramatic and bold style of the 80s.

Half-Up Half-Down with Scrunchie

The half-up half-down hairstyle with a scrunchie is honestly one of my favorite retro looks. It’s simple, comfortable, and still very stylish. You basically take the top section of your hair and tie it into a small ponytail while leaving the rest of the hair loose.

What really completes the look is the scrunchie. In the 80s, scrunchies came in bright colors and fun fabrics, and they were almost like accessories. Sometimes I like to curl the loose hair slightly to add softness. Other times I leave it straight for a more relaxed feel. In my opinion, this hairstyle works great for casual days because it keeps hair out of your face but still shows off length and volume.

Spiky Hair

Spiky hair was one of the most daring hairstyles of the 80s, especially in punk and rock fashion. I’ve experimented with this look once or twice, and honestly it’s surprisingly fun. The idea is to style sections of hair upward so they form sharp spikes.

To create the spikes, you usually apply a strong hair gel or styling wax and shape the hair using your fingers. I’ve found that blow-drying the hair upward first makes it easier to style. The spikes don’t have to be perfectly even — actually, the messy look makes it better. In my opinion, this hairstyle captures the rebellious energy of the decade. It’s bold, edgy, and definitely not subtle.

Shag Haircut

The shag haircut is another classic 80s style that still looks stylish today. What I love about this haircut is how relaxed and effortless it feels. The hair is cut into multiple layers, which gives it a slightly messy but very textured appearance.

Styling a shag haircut is honestly pretty easy. I usually apply a little mousse or texturizing spray and then scrunch the hair lightly. I’ve found that letting the hair air-dry keeps the layers looking natural and soft. In my opinion, the shag works well for many hair types because the layers add movement and volume. It has that slightly rebellious 80s vibe while still feeling modern and wearable today.

Styling Tips for 80s Aesthetic Hairstyles

The 80s were all about bold, voluminous, and eye-catching hair. Big curls, teased layers, and fun accessories were key parts of the iconic 80s aesthetic. If you want to recreate these retro styles today, a few simple styling tricks can help you get that classic 80s look with ease.

• Use volumizing mousse for big hair
  Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair before blow-drying. This helps add body and lift, giving your hair that signature big and fluffy 80s volume.

• Tease the roots to create height
  Gently backcomb the hair at the roots using a fine-tooth comb. This technique creates extra height and fullness, which was a major trend in 80s hairstyles.

• Use hairspray to hold the style
  Finish your hairstyle with a strong-hold hairspray. It helps keep the teased volume, curls, and shape in place throughout the day.

• Add scrunchies, clips, or colorful bands
  Accessories were a big part of the 80s look. Bright scrunchies, fun hair clips, and colorful bands can instantly give your hairstyle that playful retro vibe.