The 1980s: bright leg warmers, cassette tapes, and hairspray that could survive a hurricane. To be honest though, what was the real gem of the 1980s? The tresses. And prom hair, not just any hair. If you were lucky enough to go to prom during this decade, you most likely had a hairdo that deserved its own zip code. Volume, drama, and hairspray, if ever an ozone crisis had to be the definition of hair at prom in the 80s, this would have been it. Hairstyles went from gravity-defying curls to bangs reaching for the sky.
The 1980s are back in full force today, and although most of the clothing has been updated, the haircuts are bringing back the spectacular. Come along with us for a wild, crimped voyage through time as we explore how to transfer the prom hair enchantment of the 1980s into the modern era.
The 80s Hair Mentality: Go Big or Go Home
And there was a rule of thumb in the 1980s: the bigger the hair, the better the night. To finish your prom look, you had to tease, spray, and fluff your hair to the max. Riffing off Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Cyndi Lauper, among others, there were absolutely more telegenic-than-terrific looks sporting 80’s prom goers.
The problem about prom hair in the 1980s, though, was that it was more important to how it made you feel than how it looked. Entering a place with hair towering above you exuded a certain kind of authority. You had an unstoppable feeling, as if you could go directly from prom to a rock concert and still be the star.
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My Mom’s 80s Prom Hair Disaster
Let me tell you a little vignette about my mother. She was always saying that her prom hairstyle was “bigger than life itself.” With curling irons and a can of Aqua Net that easily might have doubled as a flamethrower, she spent hours in front of the mirror with her friends. But then disaster intervened, just as she was headed out to prom—an unexpected rainstorm transformed her sprawling, densely packed masterpiece into a sopped mess. Her fix? She dashed back inside and escalated the taunting even further. Brilliant problem-solving from the 1980s.
The Must-Have Styles of 80s Prom Hair
What then was the style of prom hair in the 1980s? Let’s examine some of the popular dance floor styles from that era and discuss ways to update them for the contemporary era.
1. The Permed Poodle Curls
If you weren’t one of the lucky ones with curls, you walked out of the stylist’s with a perm. And if you’re like me and one of the lucky ones, naturally curly locks is beside the point-you probably still got a perm so they can be bigger! Whitney Houston’s bouncy spiral curls epitomize the quintessence of perfect prom perfection.
How to Update It: You can achieve the same look as a perm without causing harm because of today’s hair products (thank you, technology!). To create tight, voluminous curls, you can try using a small-barrel curling iron or heatless curlers. Professional tip: if you use a lotion that defines curls, you get the bounce without the crunch.
2. The Feathered Bangs
Feathered bangs started the late 1970s with Farrah Fawcett, but by the 1980s, it was a prom classic. Image giant, puffy hair wings that sweep across your forehead.
How to Update It: This is the more free-spirited, textured take on feathered bangs, but no helmet head is necessary! Use round brush and volumizing mousse, but keep hair touchable and soft!
3. The Crimped Masterpiece
Curled hair defined the ultimate “I’m ready for prom” look. Using your trusty crimper, you could fashion your hair into a beautifully textured, zigzagged masterpiece.
How to Update It: Crimping has been revived, but in far more subtle form. For looser waves, use a wide-barrel crimping iron; for beachy waves, use a three-barrel waver. Add some texture spray to get that perfect tousled, lived-in look.
4. Sky-High Side Ponytail
Better still, the higher. One of the most famous trends of the 1980s was the side ponytail, worn straight up or teased to one side like a water spout. If you wrapped it in a scrunchie, extra points!
How to Update It: Keep the ponytail, but neaten it up. For volume, tease at the roots and keep the rest smooth. You can totally get a time-capsule look without looking dated by pairing a bright scrunchie (scrunchies are back, too) with an elegant, off-center ponytail.
5. The Fluffy Blowout
Huge, bouncy blowouts were a status symbol. Think Cindy Crawford’s piled curls or Molly Ringwald’s subtle waves.
How to Update It: The ’80s blowout has gotten a makeover. To get that good volume, use a round brush and copious root-lifting spray but the hair should still move. A fluffy soft blow out is a nod to previous prom queens but still feels fresh and new.
The Secrets Behind the Height: 80s Hair Hacks
Is it not a surprise that these little kids of the 1980s have that hair hanging as if it was put together by some physical laws defying gravity? Little-known facts for the promotion raised the bar for these hairstyles.
- Hairspray, hairspray, hairspray: Not the kind of flexible hold that’s available today. Perhaps you can use hairspray from the ’80s to assemble a little bit of construction, but it was the holy grail, Aqua Net.
- Tease, tease, with Teasing Combs! Divide your hair, backcomb as if for the last time ever and smooth the top layer of your head.
- Velcro rollers: You had to have those for that fluffy, smooth wave without the breakage. After blow-drying, you’d apply the rollers, wait, and presto. Instant volume.
Let’s Bring Back the 80s Prom Hair—But Make It Modern
The prom hairstyle of the 1980s is more subtle now. Soft waves have replaced crunchy curls, lightweight mousses have replaced heavy-duty hairspray, and we have accepted our hair’s inherent nature. But that playfulness and theatricality? It remains in place.
Why not give a little prom flair from the 1980s a try for your big event? Try a trendy spin on the side ponytail or those cuddly, soft curls that exclaim, “I’m here to have a good time!” Don’t forget the accessories; crunchy bits, huge bows, and clips are also making big returns.
Which 80s Prom Hair Would You Rock?
- The Permed Poodle Curls
- Sky-High Side Ponytail
- Feathered Bangs
- Crimped Hair
- Fluffy Blowout
Conclusion
So, ready to channel your inner prom queen? Whether you’re diving deep into the crimped archives or just adding a subtle 80s flair, one thing’s for sure: 80s prom hair is back, and it’s better than ever. Share your favorite 80s-inspired look on social media and tag us—because we need to see those side ponies!