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The Most Iconic Hairstyles from the Year You Were Born

Explore 50 years of trendsetting hairstyles, from glamorous curls to bold shags—discover what was hot when you were born.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Explore 50 years of trendsetting hairstyles, from glamorous curls to bold shags—discover what was hot when you were born.

The Most Iconic Hairstyles: A Year-by-Year Journey

Hairstyles are much more than fleeting trends—they reflect the spirit of each era, the influence of pop culture, and the ever-evolving definition of beauty. Whether you’re nostalgic for the feathered waves of the ’70s or the beachy waves of the 2010s, each year has brought its own signature style. Explore the defining hair looks from the year you were born and see how beauty standards have changed, decade by decade.

1970: Soft and Teased

Inspired by Susan Dey from The Partridge Family, this style featured gently teased brown hair with feathered ends, providing softness and subtle volume. It marked a transition from the more sculpted looks of the 1960s toward a relaxed, accessible vibe.

Characteristics: Soft texture, teased roots, natural movement
Icon: Susan Dey
Influence: Represented a gentle shift away from the bouffant trends of prior years

1971: Voluminous Curls

Diana Ross ignited the glam curls movement, celebrating volume, fullness, and unapologetic drama in hair. Big, bouncy curls became synonymous with disco and soul, embracing natural textures and encouraging women to play up their curl pattern.

Characteristics: Massive volume, defined curls, radiant shine
Icon: Diana Ross
Influence: Empowered the beauty of natural curls and highlighted glamor in everyday style

1972: Simple Middle Part

Maureen McCormick’s portrayal of Marcia Brady catapulted the straight, sleek middle part into homes everywhere. This look exuded youthful simplicity and was easy to achieve, making it accessible for all hair types.

Characteristics: Pin-straight lengths, precise middle part, healthy sheen
Icon: Marcia Brady

1973: Long, Straight Hair

No discussion of iconic hair is complete without Cher’s legendary ultra-long, straight locks. This style—sometimes reaching hip-length—captured the essence of bohemian chic and became a reference point for generations.

Characteristics: Waist- or hip-length, stick-straight, dramatic shine
Icon: Cher

1974: Natural Curls

Pam Grier’s voluminous afro ushered in a new era of embracing natural hair. The ‘fro became a proud cultural symbol and encouraged people to celebrate their texture without restraint or disguise.

Characteristics: Rounded silhouette, full-bodied texture, defined curl pattern
Icon: Pam Grier

1975: The Choppy Shag

Joan Jett personified the rock ‘n’ roll spirit with her choppy, layered shag. The look thrived on attitude, edge, and effortless movement—perfect for those drawn to rebellion and individuality.

Characteristics: Short-to-mid layers, razored edges, messy chic
Icon: Joan Jett

1976: The Wedge

Dorothy Hamill, famed American figure skater, made the wedge cut—stacked layers cut short at the back—an accessible and sporty trend. This low-maintenance look was practical yet fashionable.

Characteristics: Stacked layers, cropped nape, high-volume crown
Icon: Dorothy Hamill

1977: Big, Big Hair

Model Jerry Hall’s “Texas” hair was all about big blowouts and unapologetic volume. This style screamed confidence and was a favorite among those wanting maximum glamor and attention.

Characteristics: Large, backcombed waves, dramatic proportion, face-framing height
Icon: Jerry Hall

1978: Disco Hair

Donna Summer’s soft, brushed-out curls dominated the disco era—elegant, lush, and full of movement. This look reflected nightlife energy and a carefree approach to styling.

Characteristics: Glossy curls, voluminous shape, flowing layers
Icon: Donna Summer

1979: Platinum Blonde

Debbie Harry of Blondie introduced the edgy two-tone platinum blonde—roots left dark, lengths dyed blonde—setting off a color revolution. This punk-inspired look became a hallmark for rebels.

Characteristics: Platinum blonde top, natural/dark roots, bold contrast
Icon: Debbie Harry

1980: Feathered Layers

The feathered look took center stage in the ’80s, with Farrah Fawcett’s iconic flip shaping beauty standards. Bouncy, tapered layers created a wind-swept effect so loved by stylists and celebrities alike.

Characteristics: Cascading layers, out-turned ends, full volume
Icon: Farrah Fawcett

1981: Permed Curls

Tight, permed ringlets took the beauty world by storm, offering lasting curl for weeks. Whitney Houston rocked the permed style, making it synonymous with star power and fun.

Characteristics: Corkscrew curls, high volume, enduring hold
Popular With: Whitney Houston fans, pop enthusiasts

1982: Side-Swept Bangs

Soft, side-swept bangs became a staple for versatility and romantic appeal. The style worked with every length and added instant softness to any face shape.

Characteristics: Angled bangs, gradual layers, movement toward one side

1983: Mullet

The mullet—short in front, long in back—rose to fame for its distinctive “business in the front, party in the back” attitude. Stars like Joan Jett and Billy Ray Cyrus made the mullet a statement everywhere.

Characteristics: Cropped crown, flowing back layers, edgy shape

1984: Crimped Hair

Crimping irons hit the markets, and everyone wanted the zigzag, textured effect—Madonna was among the pioneers of this funky, fun style.

Characteristics: Wavy, crimped strands, visual texture, playful vibe
Tool: Crimping iron

1985: Teased Bangs

Big, fluffy bangs were achieved through backcombing and hairspray. Girls everywhere followed Cyndi Lauper and Madonna’s lead to create dramatic, teased looks that spoke to sheer creativity.

Characteristics: Lifted roots, high-volume fringe, maximum hairspray

1986: French Twist

This elegant updo found popularity on red carpets and formal occasions. Princess Diana’s version struck a balance between regal and modern.

Characteristics: Tucked chignon, smooth finish, sophisticated appeal

1987: Scrunchie Ponytail

The arrival of the scrunchie made ponytails a major statement—comfort married to color in countless fabrics.

Characteristics: High ponytail, voluminous scrunchie, playful finish

1988: Slicked-Back Hair

Sleek, gelled-back styles made runway waves, worn by supermodels and pop stars for a bold, contemporary edge.

Characteristics: Glossy shine, controlled edges, face-hugging shape

1989: Big Perm

Voluminous, tightly wound curls defined the late 80s, personified by stars like Paula Abdul. The perm craze showcased dramatic bounce and texture.

Characteristics: Big, bouncy curls, gravity-defying volume, bold silhouette

1990: The Rachel

Jennifer Aniston’s layered, mid-length ‘Rachel’ cut from Friends took salons by storm. The shaggy, flicked-out ends created effortless volume and movement.

Characteristics: Shoulder-length cut, choppy layers, face-framing
Icon: Jennifer Aniston

1991: Box Braids

Janet Jackson popularized classic box braids in Poetic Justice. This protective style empowered Black women to embrace length, versatility, and creative accessories.

Characteristics: Individual plaits, ample length, beaded accents

1992: Scrunched Waves

Beachy, scrunched waves found favor as a casual alternative to structured curls. Achieved with gel and mousse, this style was low-maintenance and summery.

Characteristics: Tousled texture, natural wave, sun-kissed look

1993: Butterfly Clips

Mini butterfly clips became the accessory of the minute, clipped throughout hair to create whimsical patterns and pop color.

Characteristics: Small accent clips, playful scattered placement

1994: Sleek Bob

Sleek, chin-length bobs combined elegance and sharp lines, inspired by Winona Ryder and Anna Wintour’s signature style.

Characteristics: Blunt edges, smooth finish, structured shape

1995: Mini Buns

Inspired by Gwen Stefani and the Spice Girls, mini double buns became the go-to for music fans and club-goers.

Characteristics: Paired buns, crown placement, youthful appeal

1996: Zig-Zag Part

The zig-zag part made every look fun and creative—often paired with hair gel or colored streaks for maximum effect.

Characteristics: Diagonal partings, uneven sections, visual coolness

1997: Spiked Pixie

Spiked pixies brought ‘90s edge, with short, pointy layers styled up and away for a fierce finish.

Characteristics: Short cut, spiky ends, high-hold product

1998: Chunky Highlights

Chunky, contrasting highlights added drama—think honey boldly striped against brunette. Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson were trendsetters for this style.

Characteristics: Wide streaks, bold contrast, visible color separation

1999: Frosted Tips

Popularized by boy bands, frosted tips meant bleach-blonde ends on spiky short hair—a trend that personified late ‘90s pop culture.

Characteristics: Bleached or lightened ends, dark roots, gelled spikes

2000: Face-Framing Layers

The millennium kicked off with wispy face-framing layers, often paired with straightened hair for a polished effect.

Characteristics: Graduated layers, soft lines around face, smooth finish

2001: Messy Bun

Effortless, messy buns reigned supreme, thanks to stars like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. This style spoke to the casual, laid-back mood of the early 2000s.

Characteristics: Loose, tousled bun, wispy tendrils, relaxed structure

2002: Side Bangs

Layered side bangs became the haircut of choice. Stars like Mandy Moore and Reese Witherspoon helped make this trend a salon staple.

Characteristics: Swooping fringe, side part, blended layers

2003: Pin-Straight Hair

The flat iron ruled the day—sleek, pin-straight hair as seen on pop stars and reality TV icons.

Characteristics: Optimally flat finish, reflective shine, little-to-no frizz

2004: Boho Waves

With the rise of boho chic, beachy waves became the go-to, inspired by stars like Mary-Kate Olsen. Imperfectly perfect, these waves embodied effortless festival style.

Characteristics: Tousled texture, loose wave patterns, natural charm

2005: Choppy Layers

Choppy, textured layers became popular, adding movement and edge. Ashlee Simpson championed this slightly messy, finished-yet-undone haircut.

Characteristics: Disconnected layers, piecey ends, unique shape

2006: Bangs

Bangs came back—full, blunt, and dramatic. Stars like Zooey Deschanel made fringe the must-have accessory for changing your look instantly.

Characteristics: Thick fringe, full coverage, straight across forehead

2007: Side-Swept Bob

Side-swept bobs offered sharp lines and angular movement, made memorable by Keira Knightley and Victoria Beckham’s Posh Spice bob.

Characteristics: Asymmetrical cut, deep side part, tapered edges

2008: Waves with Body

Big, body-filled waves as sported by Blake Lively brought maximum glamour and bounce, making this a red carpet favorite.

Characteristics: Set waves, high volume, healthy shine

2009: Sleek Ponytail

The sleek ponytail—straight, shiny, and pulled tight—exemplified runway elegance and understated beauty.

Characteristics: High-shine, smooth roots, sharp finish

2010: Beachy Waves

Loose, undone beach waves shifted the mainstream away from perfect ringlets. The look, beloved by Gigi Hadid and Blake Lively, captured a carefree, summer spirit.

Characteristics: Natural bend, subtle texture, effortless finish

2011: Pastel Color

Bright pastel hues—lavender, mint, pink—took Instagram by storm, with stars like Kelly Osbourne and Kylie Jenner leading the way.

Characteristics: Sugar-toned color, semi-permanent dyes, playful experimentation

2012: Ombre

Ombre color—dark roots melting into lighter ends—dominated, becoming one of the most requested salon looks of the decade.

Characteristics: Gradual color shift, pronounced contrast, low-maintenance regrowth

2013: Braided Crown

Braided crowns added regal charm to any ensemble, often paired with beachy waves or updos.

Characteristics: Wrap-around braid, natural parting, fairy-tale elegance

2014: Half-Up Top Knot

Half-up top knots offered a playful twist and maximum individuality—easy to style and ideal for all hair types.

Characteristics: Top section tied up, loose bottom hair, practical chic

2015: Blunt Bob

Kylie Jenner and Taylor Swift revived the blunt bob—sharp edges and serious attitude became the signature look.

Characteristics: Even ends, chin-grazing cut, modern finish

2016: Platinum Blonde

Stars like Lady Gaga embraced platinum blonde, igniting a frenzy for icy hues and bold color transformations.

Characteristics: Glossy, bleach-blonde, cool undertones

2017: Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs—parted down the middle and softly framing the face—returned with a vengeance, channeling 70s style icons.

Characteristics: Center-parted fringe, blended edges, wispy ends

2018: Low Ponytail

Sleek, low ponytails became the go-to for polished sophistication. Worn with middle or side parts, this look was seen everywhere from runways to offices.

Characteristics: Tied at nape, smooth surface, understated charm

2019: Glass Hair

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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