When it comes to hair and makeup, the 80s were a time of real expression. More specifically, the best 80s hairstyles saw everything from backcombing to mullets, perms and half-up hairstyles.
Much like the best 80s makeup looks, the decade wasn’t short on celebrity hairstyles that have gone down in the beauty history books either. From Madonna’s big accessorised ponytails to Whitney Houston’s voluminous curly hair, to Princess Diana’s signature hairstyle.
So, if you’re keen to take inspiration from the decade, ahead we’ve collated the best 80s hairstyles both from the era as well as modern hairstyles that are heavily inspired by the 80s. Whether you’re looking to get ideas for a new haircut or are simply feeling nostalgic, these styles are sure to inspire you.
32 of the best 80s hairstyles as seen on celebrities
1. The half up
The half ponytail was a style that so many people wore in the '80s and has become popular once again in the 2020s. This curly style from Sarah Jessica Parker, just over a decade before Carrie Bradshaw hit our screens, is a great example. A gel is a great way to give all types of curls hold, while mousse will add volume and body if your hair doesn't have a lot of this naturally. And if you don't have curly hair, they can be styled in using a thin wand.
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2. The backcombed ponytail
Backcombing was huge in the '80s, and pop icon Madonna incorporated it into many of her hairstyles throughout the decade – particularly the accessorised ponytails that really were a staple look for her.
3. The voluminous curls
Whitney Houston is one of the most iconic artists from the '80s with so many memorable hair and make-up moments. Her curls always looked fantastic, with the I Wanna Dance With Somebody music video another great example.
4. The Diana
This hairstyle is so associated with the late royal that most people know what you're referring to when you say "The Princess Diana haircut". With feathery layers that actually have a bit of 70s feel to them, the style was always blow dried with lots of volume and is a look that's synonymous with her.
5. The side swept curls
Curls with lots of volume were key in the 80s. Hair was often heavily swept over to one side, adding height, as seen here on Janet Jackson. If your hair doesn't have a similar pattern naturally, these kinds of curls can be achieved using a thin curling wand.
6. The big blow dry
Big and bouncy, voluminous blow dries were a go-to style – think old Hollywood but bigger – and rollers were a popular way of achieving said big and bouncy hair. This look on Brooke Shields is a great example of an 80s blow dry.
7. The shaggy mullet
This is another instance of a hairstyle being synonymous with a particular person; Tina Turner's big, layered, mullet-like hairstyle was an iconic look that she was known for.
8. The soft shag haircut
The shag haircut – a look that Goldie Hawn really made her signature along with curtain bangs – was a big deal in the 70s, and that carried into the 80s. The silhouette here is softer and more rounded as opposed to the shaggier vibe you might have seen in the decade before, but it's still very much a statement cut.
9. The volumised updo
Much like other hairstyles, updos were also all about volume in the 80s, often seen with a lot of added height – as seen on this super elegant hairstyle worn by Iman. A gel will really help to slick down the sides of this style – or any sleek updo – while keeping them in place.
10. The side swept waves
A heavy side part was seen everywhere during the 80s – many styles were swept over to one side which boosted the volume. Michelle Pfeiffer's waves were accentuated with a soft side fringe, all swept over for a kind of big, beachy look.
11. The layered pixie cut
Jamie Lee Curtis has had other hairstyles, but the one that we most closely associate with her is some kind of pixie cut, which suits her down to a tee. The layering on top gives the style some added height, while the overall haircut accentuates her face shape.
12. The heavy side fringe
Heavy fringes were big in the 70s, too, and that trend continued into the 80s, no question. Olivia Newton John's style sees her with a big sweeping fringe that goes into shaggy layers for an understated take on that haircut. We're sure you'll agree it perfectly frames her face.
13. The blunt bob
A blunt edged bob with a lot of volume throughout was a major look in the 80s and a real power hairstyle that was seen on several film and music stars – including the iconic Diana Ross here.
14. The perm
We probably don't need to tell you that a perm went hand in hand with the 80s, and really was a huge trend for the decade. Music icon Cher loved changing up her hair, and often sported a big curly hairstyle in both the 70s and 80s.
15. The rounded shag haircut
Jane Fonda is another star who made a particular haircut her signature, and this was an earlier iteration of the shaggy look she's known for – slightly longer and with rounded layers and a fringe, with a lot of volume on top.
16. The loose curls
One of Julia Roberts' most recognisable hairstyles are her loose curls, which she often sported from the late 80s into the 90s, usually swept over to one side. This is also a look she was seen with in some of her most popular films.
17. The longer layered pixie
A pixie cut is a timeless classic that has been a popular choice throughout history, and Halle Berry has had several variations of it throughout her career. The style perfectly compliments her face shape and here it's a longer, layered style.
18. The curly shag haircut
Dolly Parton absolutely loves a big hairdo and, though she may have tweaked it a little over the years, some kind of voluminous shag haircut has been her signature look for decades. In the 80s, she often opted for a curly shag with bangs.
19. The full fringe
Farrah Fawcett is a go-to reference when it comes to iconic 70s hairstyles, with her feathery winged shag haircut a real classic. In the 80s the look softened a little but still kept that shaggy vibe, paired with an ever-so-slightly feathered full fringe.
20. The short crop
An '80s icon, singer, actress and model Grace Jones often wore her hair short, seen here with a short crop that really shows off her bone structure. The star was also known for incredible make-up looks like this one.
21. The voluminous blow dry
There were many different big blow dries seen in the 80s but, generally speaking, the go-to styles had one thing in common: lots of volume. Here, Julianne Moore's hair curves at the ends of the layers for a fuller appearance.
22. The shaggy bob
Blondie's Debbie Harry is another '80s music icon, and her platinum blonde hair is still referenced today. This look – a kind of shaggy long bob with a shaggy fringe to match – is one of her famous hairstyles.
23. The mullet
Jumping forward to more recent years with some '80s-inspired looks; the mullet was one of decade's most famous hairstyles, which Miley Cyrus brought back years later with her own take on the look. And though she's since grown the style out, there's no denying that it seriously suited her.
24. The half up bun
Half up hairstyles were huge in the 80s, giving wearers the best of both worlds with an updo and longer hair, and they continue to be a popular choice in the 2020s featuring a ponytail or bun – just as actress Gabrielle Union proves.
25. The spiral perm curls
Maybe a little less voluminous than the 80s, Blake Lively's style here still feels like a clear nod to the spiral perms that were popular during the decade. It's a look that can easily be created temporarily using a curling wand.
26. The curly shag
The shag haircut, which was seen through the 70s and 80s, is still an on-trend look today, though it's much softer than when the style first became popular. Sandra Oh's layered hairstyle with curly bangs is a great example of an updated curly shag cut.
27. The voluminous updo
'80s updos were often all about volume. Salma Hayek's incredible updo here features added height on top as well as being quite a voluminous style, giving the look a kind of '80s feel.
28. The high ponytail
Ponytails have always been popular, but they were especially so in the '80s and a go-to style for many pop stars, usually worn quite high – not too dissimilar to Jennifer Lopez's extra long style here.
29. The quiff
Quiffs were another feature that was seen on 80s hairstyles, seen both on updos and both shorter and longer hairstyles. Here, at a red carpet premiere in 2020, Cate Blanchett's updo incorporates a soft, side-swept quiff.
30. The wet look side swept hair
Wet look hair, often slicked back from the hairline, was another key 80s hair trend that has made a comeback in recent years. Priyanka Chopra's look, swept to one side and featuring wet look waves, is a great example of a moden take on the trend.
31. The backcombed bardot
Backcombing was a popular technique in the 80s and often the case was "more is more" for that voluminous finish. It's still seen on the red carpet today but is far more understated – Anne Hathaway's Bardot hairstyle here features very subtle backcombing to give the style height.
32. The voluminous pony
Last but certainly not least is actress and model Eva Longoria. Worn at the 2022 amfAR Gala in Cannes, this ponytail, which features loose curls for a voluminous look, has similar height to the ponytails that were popular throughout the '80s.
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