45 Iconic Men’s Hairstyles In The 80s

The 1980s were a revolutionary decade, both in fashion as well as culture, with very aggressive, rebellious, and over expressive trends. Hair Styles in the 80s Men played a major role in this cultural change, as hair was considered a major statement of individuality and style. This was the period when hairstyles were not only about good appearance, but also about making a statement. Due to the profound impact of pop culture and music, in particular, movies on the world, hair on men turned into a part of personality, social standing, and even affiliations to music or movies. With the glam of the big hair in rock and roll and the clean, tough cuts of movie scenes, in the 80s, the male hair was just like the atmosphere of the time, where inventiveness and brashness were the order of the day. It was the time of iconic styles that became a symbol of music directions, classic movies, and the transformation in the society’s mentality of self-expression.

Men’s Hairstyles In The ’80s

The hairstyles of men in the 80s were outspoken, demonstrative, and represented the cultural changes of the decade. From the legendary mullet to the high-top fade, hair became an important part of personal style and identity. These hairstyles were inspired by music, movies, and fashion, and they have significantly influenced pop culture.

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Men’s Mullet

The mullet is also the most famous and disputed hairstyle of the 80s, as it is short all around the sides and long on the back of the head. The decade made it a symbol of defiance and uniqueness, which rock stars, athletes, and average men wore. The mullet became even more familiar to people thanks to such celebrities as David Bowie and Billy Ray Cyr, who identified with the culture of rock n roll. Although the mullet was a divisive subculture, it was incredibly popular, and at some point became a symbol of fun and 80s free style.

The High-Top Fade

High-top fade was a bold and angular haircut that gained popularity, becoming the symbol of African American culture in the 80s. This hairstyle was popularized by hip-hop artists such as Run-D.M.C., M.C., and Will Smith, the character in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, who had sharp, flat tops with neat tapered sides. The fashion was commonly done through a blend of a fade away on the sides and the top cut to protrude tall and angular. This was a significant icon of black identity in the decade because of the role it played in urban fashion and hip-hop culture.

The Jheri Curl

Jheri curl was a hairstyle used among African American men during the 1980s, where there were tight, shiny curls that appeared to be wet all the time. The style was also a product of a chemical process that made hair bouncy and shiny, and this was usually done using a heavy application of curl activator. It was a big fashion statement, and celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy adopted this appearance. Although it needed a lot of upkeep, it was regarded as cool, sleek, and active, and the Jheri curl.

Flat Top

The top was a cool and unruly hair, which became very popular in the 80s and was particularly popular among African American men. The haircut had some hair that was trimmed on each side and too, with the upper part of the hair protruded in a flat, square manner. This was a popular hairstyle among the city kids and the professional sportsmen, such as NBA players, who wore it to demonstrate the cafe-style athletic style of coolness. The flat top was plain, piercing, and easy to keep, and hence convenient, but a stylish option.

The Crew Cut

A crew cut was an efficient and clean hairstyle, which was famous in the 80s, especially among military personnel and sportsmen. It had short and evenly cut hair all over and thus a clean and trim look. This is a no-nonsense haircut that was easy to maintain and provided a professional, sharp appearance. Crew cut suited people who wanted to have a low-maintenance haircut that does not seem to be reckless and yet commanding authority and respect.

Big, Voluminous Hair

One of the 80s fashion features was big, bulky hair as men adopted fuller, more textured hair. Through hairsprays, mousses, and curling irons, men were able to style their hair to get maximum volumization. It was more so with the glam rock and heavy metal scenes, which had musicians such as Jon Bon Jovi and Axl Rose, whose hair was wasgravity-defyingg. This exaggerated, bigger-than-life approach was a form of rebellion and rock and roll, penetrating the music industry and even the mainstream of fashion.

The Perm

The perm resurfaced with much vigor in the 80s, and both men and women wanted to get their hair curly and volumized. In men, the perm was used to provide texture and volume to straight hair to give it a more dynamic, full-bodied look. It was particularly the fashion of the glam rock and pop communities, as the curly appearance was adopted by musicians and actors. The perm had specific maintenance and chemical requirements; however, it provided a particular and exclusive hairstyle that grew to be a symbol of the 80s aesthetic.

The Side Part

The side part was a popular and classic hairstyle that was in use throughout the 80s. It was typified by a distinct and clean section on one side of the head, the rest of the hair being pushed to the other. This was a very professional and mature appearance, and was frequently used by men in the business or more formal environment. The side part was a maintenance of conservative style, although it was not so wild and bold as other 80s styles; it was an alternative to more aggressive styles of the decade.

Spiked Hair

The spiked hairstyle was an iconic and radical hairstyle, which often became linked to punk rock and the alternative scene. Men would use gel or hair wax to make sharp and spiky textures that were against the natural way of hair flow. The style was symbolic in the 80s, particularly to those who were a part of the punk or new wave subcultures. It was a declaration of rebellion, uniqueness, and a departure from popular trends. This appearance was appropriated by celebrities and bands such as The Cure and Billy Idol, and became a part of the 80s youth culture.

Men’s Shag Haircut

The shag hairstyle reappeared in the 1980s, inspired by the 70s, but with a heavier and layered technique. The choppy, uneven layer of his style provided texture and movement to the hair, which had been styled to appear slightly messy or even in a dishevelled manner. Both rock musicians and ordinary men who were seeking to have a carefree, effortless appearance wore the shag. It was a symbol of the relaxed, but still fashionable, spirit of the 80s that it could be worn with leather jackets and denim jeans to give the effect of something cool and casual.

How Men Styled Their Hair in the 80s?

The 1980s consisted of an era of aggressive self-expression, and the hairstyle of men started to play a significant role in the development of personal style. The emergence of pop culture, music, and movies saw the creation of hair salons and barbershops, cultural meeting places where men would meet to change their appearance. The art of styling their hair was not only a routine but an art as men tried a variety of creative styles that were bold. The following are some of the major trends and stepwise instructions for men on how they styled their hair during this legendary decade.

There will be an increase in Barbershops and Hair Salons: During the 80s, the barbershops and salons were not simply the venues to have a haircut; it was also the place where men could meet, receive counseling, and test out the newest trends. With hair style turning into a way of expressing self, these places offered the ideal place where men could experiment with outrageous styles, with high top fades and the mullet that was known to be the trademark hair style. The popularity of trends based on celebrities also implied that barbers could be requested to give certain styles that were based on music stars and film stars, hence these places played a crucial role in the grooming culture of the 80s.

How to get the iconic hairstyles of the 80s: To have the ideal hairstyle of the 80s, it was necessary to have the appropriate cut as well as the application of certain tools and products. From heavy-duty hairspray to specific gels, men got to know how to shape their hair so that they could have the voluminous, structured models that were typical of the decade. Hair dryers, curling irons, and blow dryers were necessary, and there are more complex-looking ones, like the high-maintenance Jheri curl or the precision of a flat top.

Mullet: The MB hair was the style of the 80s and included short hair on the front and sides with long hair on the back. To have mullet hair, the barbers would cut away the hair around the head and leave the hair long at the back. The mullet was styled with some hairspray or gel to have the front of the head in a nice pile and the back in a flowing or messy style. It was a low-maintenance but renegade fashion, as trendy as rock music icons, such as Billy Ray Cyrus, and athletes, thus the prime of cool in the 80s.

High-Top Fade: The high-top fade was a clean, sharp appearance that was identified as 80s hip-hop culture. To attain this style, they shaved the hair on the sides near the head, and the top was left much longer and arranged to stand straight and erect. To fade the sides, the sides would be faded using clippers and then blended into the top, which could be raised using gel or mousse. Such appearance was marked by its geometrical form, where regular trims were needed to kit perfect the structure and symmetry.

The Jheri Curl: The Jheri curl was a curly hairstyle, which was well-maintained and made it an icon of the 80s African American style. The hair would be chemically treated to produce tight, shiny curls so as to have the Jheri curl. They needed regular maintenance and curl activators, and special oils to keep the wet and glossy appearance. Men in the Jheri curls had to use an activator every few days to ensure that the curls continued to have a fresh and shiny look, and they had to get regular hair trims to avoid the frizziness and ensure that the curls were in a nice pattern.

A Military-style haircut. Crew cut: a practical and sharp haircut . A crew cut was a very common and functional hairstyle that was popular for its clean military-like appearance. Barbers would then cut the hair near the head on the sides and the back, but would leave a bit longer piece on the top of the head. This was an ideal design that could be worn by men who desired a low-maintenance but classy appearance. It did not need much styling – it could be simply a small amount of gel or pomade to shape the edges. Athletes, businessmen, and military men preferred the crew cut, which was no frills, clean and sharp in look, and the opposite of the voluminous fashion of the era.

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FAQ

1. What were the hottest men’s Hairstyles of the 80s?

A. The 80s have been associated with loud and loud hairstyles. Fashionable styles were the mullet, high top fade, Jheri curl, flat top, crewcut, and big thick hair. All styles portrayed various dimensions of the 80s culture, such as rock n roll, hip-hop, and street fashion.

2. What was so popular about mullets of the 80s?

A. During the 80s, the mullet became the source of rebellion and singularity, which made it iconic. The hair was short on the top and sides, and long on the bottom, making it the symbol of rock stars’ personalities, lies, and a carefree attitude. It was the declaration of non-conformity, which is linked to the mustachioed stars such as Billy Ray Cyrus and stars of the time.

3. What was the method used by men to get the high-top fade in the 80s?

A. To get the high-top fade, the sides were cut short and the top was left longer and shaped flat against the scalp, which was made square. Extra height and structure of the hair are always achieved using gel or mousse. It had to be maintained frequently in order to maintain the accuracy and sharpness of the shape, which became a trademark of the hip-hop associate within the 80s.

4. What is a Jheri curl, and how does it support men’s hairstyles in the 80s?

A. The Jheri curl was a chemical procedure that produced tight, shiny curls that appeared wet and shiny. In order to sustain the appearance, men applied curl activators and oils to keep the curls moist and greasy. This hairstyle was associated with high maintenance but required frequent treatments and was known to be very popular in the 80s pop culture, which was popularized by personalities such as Michael Jackson.