There’s something truly unmatched about ’80s hairstyles. The decade marked by exaggerated shoulder pads, citrus colors, and the “More is more” motto also exuded an air of rebellion from the pop and rock songs that played on the radio. The era’s biggest style icons adopted all of this into their hair as well. We admired Whitney Houston’s tousled curls and Princess Diana’s natural yet perfectly placed cut. Cindy Crawford’s impeccable blowouts even became one of her hallmarks.
The ’80s were the decade when hairstyles became an essential accessory for an iconic look. If you wanted to be the best-dressed, you simply couldn’t do without thinking about your beauty routine too. That meant more volume than we’d ever seen before, copious amounts of hairspray or gel, and a strong, rebellious, and deeply glamorous vibe—all of which accompanied unique cuts like the mullet and curly perms, not to mention popular ’80s hair accessories like scrunchies and thick headbands.
Today, as maximalism returns to the conversation, many of these styles are making a comeback among the fall 2026 trends. The modern versions have the same naturalness and carefree spirit as nearly 40 years ago, and they once again remind us that a well-planned hairstyle can completely transform a look. Below, you’ll find several ’80s hairstyles to inspire you before your next salon visit.
#1. A tousled ponytail, like Madonna
You can’t talk about popular ’80s hairstyles without discussing Madonna. The queen of pop wasn’t just known for her iconic looks featuring chains, lace gloves, and tulle skirts or for songs like “Material Girl” (1984) and “Like a Virgin” (1984). She brought that same rebellious and provocative style to her hair. Today you can still take inspiration from the singer’s ’80s look by rocking a tousled ponytail. The key is to go for that same effortless, experimental vibe by creating a contrast between more defined, sculpted roots and keeping the rest of the hair straight and manageable.
#2. A blowout with a side part, like Cindy Crawford
Although the blowout became most popular in the ’90s—immortalized in iconic hairstyles like Jennifer Aniston’s “The Rachel”—the technique of styling your hair with a round brush and blow dryer dates back much further. In the ’70s we saw it on Farrah Fawcett and in the ’80s on Cindy Crawford. The model taught us how to rock it with a side part, extreme volume, and a glossy finish. To achieve an effect similar to the supermodel’s, look no further than her own daughter, Kaia Gerber, for inspiration. The first step is to blow-dry your hair upside down to add body. Next, use heat rollers, turning them away from your face, and let them set for 15 to 20 minutes. Finally, seal the style with a flexible-hold hairspray to help you maintain the look all day long without sacrificing movement.
#3. Messy curls, like Julia Roberts
If I had to name one iconic ’80s hairstyle, it would undoubtedly be the tousled curls that actors like Julia Roberts made their signature look. Although Pretty Woman didn’t come out until the ’90s, the actor landed her first leading roles a decade earlier rocking the hairstyle that continues to serve as inspiration today. To recreate it, apply a volumizing foam or mousse, then create defined waves from the roots using a curling iron. Remember to break up the curls with your fingers to give your hair that tousled look, and finish with plenty of hairspray.
#4. Soft waves and volume, like Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields’s hair, with its soft waves and extreme volume, is one of the hairstyles that defined the entire generation. Dubbed the Brooke, this style moved away from the stiffness of the ’70s to make way for a more natural and fresh look. The key lies in the volume that comes from the roots. To achieve this, you can use a diffuser. Then create loose waves with a large-barrel curling iron and tousle them with your fingers. Don’t forget to use a heat protectant and set the style when you’re done.
#5. The pineapple updo, like Sarah Jessica Parker
Although loose hairstyles seemed to reign supreme, style icons like Sarah Jessica Parker proved that even hair full of tousled curls could be worn in an updo without losing its appeal. One of the most popular styles was the pineapple updo—that is, an updo with cascading curls. This look is characterized by lifting the volume upward and letting the curls fall forward, slightly framing the face, as if they were bangs. That playful and carefree aesthetic makes them popular even today. For extra flair, you can style it the way SJP did, and add bows or scrunchies.
#6. A wolf cut, like Joan Jett
When it comes to the hairstyles that defined the ’80s, the first to come to mind are the shag or wolf cut. These layered styles exuded rebellion and were made famous around the globe by figures like Joan Jett. The rock icon released her hit “I Love Rock ’n Roll” in 1981, and her defiant style—black eyeliner and loose, tousled hair—became iconic. To pull off this look, regardless of the cut, straighten the roots perfectly and, from midlengths to ends, go for unstructured waves or a tousled effect.
#7. Permed curls, like Dolly Parton
In the 1980s, Dolly Parton established herself on a global scale as a superstar of film as well as pop and country music. She starred in 9 to 5 alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, had hit songs like “Islands in the Stream” (1983) and “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” (1989), and her maximalist, glamorous style became her personal trademark. Her platinum blonde mane full of volume, layers, and perm-style curls remains an inspiration. To pull it off, many celebrities today wear wigs that maximize its volume to the fullest. At home, you’ll need a curling iron—and a lot of patience—to help you recreate the style.
#8. Natural curls, like Diana Ross
Following the trend of curly hairstyles, we simply must include Diana Ross’s voluminous hairdo. One of the queen of disco’s defining features was always her long hair—worn naturally, loose, and with a side part—that took ’80s volume to a whole new level. This created a style full of movement, and she often decorated ot with floral accessories and sparkling headpieces. To rock a hairstyle like the “I’m Coming Out” (1980), “Upside Down” (1980), and “Endless Love” (1981) singer, you can look to her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, for inspo. The point isn’t to try to replicate Diana’s exact hairstyle, but to learn how to wear your own natural texture with the same ease and personality.
#9. Outward-flipped ends, like Princess Diana
I can’t think of a better example to wrap up this list than Princess Diana’s short hairstyle with outward-flipped ends. The Princess of Wales’s hair was iconic in the ’80s for its controlled volume and sideswept bangs. Although it was teased at the crown, the hairstyle was characterized by a softer, more youthful harmony. To pull off this look, you’ll need a layered haircut to provide the underlying structure. To style it, use a root lifter for maximum volume and blow-dry outward, strand by strand.
A version of this article was previously published in Vogue Mexico.
