The big, bold and wild hairstyles of the 80s

You. Are. Beautiful. 

What do spandex, high-waisted jeans, mullets and perms have in common? They were fashion staples of the 80s. A time when everything was bigger, bolder and more wild. A time most of us would agree is good to have evolved from. We’ve left behind the perms, blown-out bangs and side ponies for more modern, simple looks that work with your hair’s texture and enhance your natural beauty. Thank goodness. 

Despite our collective exhale of relief, more than once the Top Knot team has arrived at a getting-ready morning to hear concern coming from a wedding party member: “I just don’t want 80s prom curls.” 

No, you don’t, and trust us when we say you don’t need to worry. 80s hair styles are most certainly not our jam, and you won’t be walking down the aisle looking like a scene from Dirty Dancing or a Whitney Houston music video. 

Phew. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let's have some fun recapping the popular hairstyles of that glorious decade and remind ourselves why we don’t want to go there again. 

The side pony
Can’t see your ponytail when it’s in the back, right? Move that baby to the side. And the higher the ponytail and the bigger the scrunchie, the better. Add big, back-combed bangs to the mix and you’re ready to rock it.

The big perm
You’ve blocked it from memory, but your mom’s photographic evidence still exists. You, with wild, full curls, after a tube of gel and can of extra-hold hairspray for maximum volume. At the time you slayed, but today, you’re struggling with post-traumatic-hair-disorder.

Bangs, baby!No time to trim your bangs? No problem, because you’ve got more bang to work with. Bring your teasing comb out and tease those bangs to the max, either straight up or into a feathered style. Next, spray with as much maximum hold hair spray as you can stand (the entire can?!). 

Crimping
Get that zigzag-wavy look using a crimping iron. Think the opposite of flowing beach waves or loose curls. If you’re crimping, you’re making a statement. You’re ready to get noticed, as if you stuck your fingers in a light socket. 

Curl it, tease it, accessorize it, crimp it and you’ll be travelling back in time. For now, let's focus on bringing out your natural beauty with a more modern, sleek, sophisticated look that is the most authentic expression of your beauty.