There are plenty of ’80s hair trends we never thought would come back in style. But just like skinny brows and blue eyeshadow, we’re about to be proven wrong.
While ’90s and ’00s nostalgia has been at an all-time high the past few years, the return of Netflix’s Stranger Things has left viewers pining for the ’80s era it’s set in. Siri, play “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush.
And it seems to be having an effect on our hair choices too.
The hair experts at Cloud Nine did some digging and found that searches for ”80s perm’ were up by 8600%. And that’s not all…
The ’80s hair trends making a comeback
#1 Mullet
Business in the front, party in the back. The modern-day mullet has been back for a while thanks to Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down, with 36,000 searches in the last month.
#2 ’80s perm
We all wanted hair like Julia Roberts in the ’80s, and hell, we still do. The ’80s perm has experienced a spike in popularity with Gen Z, with the hashtag boasting 1.2 billion views on TikTok.
#3 Shag haircut
Ahhh the ever-versatile shag hair cut. We love this one because it looks so flattering on all different hair types. Make sure you have a good texture spray on hand if you need help creating movement. bh loves: De Lorenzo Elements Sandstorm Dry Texture Spray, $25.50 at delorenzo.com.au
#4 Big volume
We wouldn’t be talking ’80s hair trends without some big, big volume. Whatever natural texture you’re working with, hit ’em with that va-va-voom.
#5 Curly bangs
Curly hair needn’t be a curse when it comes to cutting a fringe. The style has had a 6200% search increase in the last week alone. A curtain fringe style (longer towards the sides) can really work for those with waves and curls.
#6 Crimped hair
Think of the modern crimp as softer and less ‘imprinted by an iron’. Use a low heat and loosen with your fingers.
Which ’80s hair trend is your favourite? How did you wear your hair in the ’80s?
I wish my curls looked like the ones in photo #5! Absolutely gorgeous
I had an 80s perm & styled it with lots of volume, haha! I liked how the perm dried out my greasy roots, so I didn’t have to shampoo as often.
I won’t be getting a perm again, but I’m still onboard the volume express!
That’s interesting – I didn’t know they did that. I have greasy roots too and it’s so frustrating and time consuming having to wash my hair everyday
Nbird: it was surprising the difference a perm made – I shampooed MUCH less frequently!
I permed my hair many times during the 80s. I loved the volume. Good times!
I was born in the 80’s but I love the crimped look.
Love Khloe Kardashian’s hair
I’m so boring. Always stick to long wavy hair.
I like the perm in the pic above. I dont know if that would suit me though.
Not too sure about the mullet. I like most of the other styles upon the models. I have very fine hair so I a short style. Not really in fashion but that’s ok with me
I look best with a short style
My 80’s perms were huge. I loved them then, but I cringe a little when I look back at photos now.
I don’t mind 80s hair, even a mullet can look hot if you wear it well
Not for me and that is not a crimp. A crimp makes your hot look like a crinkle cut chip.
I was only a child back then, but I do remember the crazy big hair, perm used to be so fashionable.
Crimped hair! Love
1 and 3, oh no
I had a disastrous perm, used a leave in spray which was meant to lighten my hair but turned it orange.
I used to use those breville hot sticks to curl my hair which were really good. Had lots of 80’s hair disasters.
Grew up in the 80’s, my favourite decade, still love a lot of 80’s music today.
I had a disastrous perm too . I have really thick hair and really felt and looked like a sheep in badly neesding to be shorn !!
I permed my hair right through the eighties too – lots of curls and extra body then!!
Yes I agree it does help with the greasy roots. I wonder why?
Styles have a habit of going in circles -I do like NO 5 as I have straight hair so cannot achieve this look ever.
I had a perm back in the 80’s but not sure I could see myself with one now. My hair looks much like the crimped hair look in #6 when I let it dry naturally, but I often straighten it to make it more manageable.
My youngest (17) is rocking the shag look at the moment & she loves it.
No. Mullets need to go!
Haha yeh probably the least of my fave 80’s trends too! But boy what a comeback it’s been making hey!?!
Camila Cabello’s hair is goals
My entire teens involved growing up in the ’80s so I’m very familiar with these trends and actually loved the 80’s!
Not sure about the mullet or perm. But I love the crimped hair. I use to crimp my hair all the time when i was young
I heard perms were coming back in. Yay, for us fine haired gals, a perm was a lifeline
I find my hair does quite well with a really soft perm and it gives it a lot of body.
My hair has naturally gone from straight to wavy and almost has a crimped effect similar to the redhead in the article photo. I have always hated the change but I guess I should now try and embrace it!
No to the mullet, but I do like the shag style
Love the shag haircut and the big volume.
I always like number 6 haha. No that is not actual crimp style, just regular wavy naturally dried hair. Crimp is very pronounced, like after tiny braids
edit: “my hair is always like number 6”
Not a fan of any of these styles, except for maybe crimped hair & voluminous hair, that’s about it. I’m lamenting seeing young people walking around with mullets – I’m sure they’ll will look back in about 10-20 years & wonder what on earth they were thinking!
I did try a perm back in the mid-late 90’s, but it didn’t work on my hair at all.
I’ve always looked best with a short style so none of those styles would suit me. My favourite is #4.
Some hit and misses there! Love the curls, not a big fan of the mullet
Seems that everything that is Old is New again, glad about the Thin Eyebrows, mine are still thin even if I add some thickness to them with L’Oreal Paris Unbelievable Brow Kit.
Oh, please no – not the mullet!!
Everything else is great, just not the mullet 😉
haha, so true!
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone look good in a mullet – it’s so unflattering. Love the others.
I had a hit and miss perm lol also that beautiful crumpet fringe that you sprayed with so much hairspray, it had it’s own post code 😂
Mullet’s should be banned. Just my opinion as they look hideous on anyone. 😱
I like them all except the mullet
All of these just look messy to me
I am not sure I am keen on any of these.
I’m not really wild about any of these looks, but on the right people they look good.
Yay – bring back the 80s! Mind you I wouldnt go the perm again, my hair wouldnt take it now. Some of the pics of hair you see from then were often extreme, not generally what the usual people wore. I still love big hair – especially on guys!
I like Crimped hair.So natural and beautiful.
Oh noo not the mullet
I went to an 80s themed party once and that was the only time I wore my hair in a curly style. Maybe the crimped hair would be ok.
I LOVE the volume look of the 80’s. The only perm I regret from back then was the “poodle’ look, otherwise love the curls!
I love curly hair and have permed my hair many times although it ruins your hair.
Some I still like and others not so much
I like Khloe Kardashian’s hair. Looks great
Khloe is so pretty! I wish! Also, styling my hair is super hard, do you have any suggestions? X
Very interesting but not my thing
Born in 1988, I Didn’t have much hair to be rocking as a Bub. Looking at pics of my mum, she was the big volume, teased hair style (3).
Ugh, not a mullet!