From Poof to Pixie: The Most Iconic ’80s Hairstyles of All Time
According to the runways, 1980s looks are officially back in fashion—from bold shoulders to metallics and colored tights. So naturally, you should you wear your hair to match. And boy, was it a great decade for hair. Curly queens like Cher, Donna Summer, and Julia Roberts went big and bold. While straight-haired rock stars like Stevie Nicks and Cyndi Lauper teased and ironed theirs straight up, adding some red and pink dye for a pop of color. The real color of choice, however, was bleach blonde, particularly for pixie cuts, and Madonna, Annie Lennox, and even Cher (again) sported the cut long before Guy Fieri. In sum, the ’80s were all about volume, glam, and rock ‘n’ roll. And lucky for supermodel Christie Brinkley—the blonde bombshell of the decade—she had (almost) all of the above. To help inspire you today, here’s a look back at the most iconic hairstyles from the 1980s.
1Madonna
Madonna attends the American Music Awards in 1985 wearing a messy ponytail complete with a scrunchie, jewelry, and a bustier top.
2Cher
Cher poses for a photo session in June 1981 in Los Angeles, California wearing her curls down and out, as well as head-to-toe metallic.
3Tina Turner
Tina Turner performs on a TV show wearing a black leather jacket on May 2, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. Her hair truly defies gravity.
4Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford lets her hair loose during “The Love Ball” AIDS Benefit on May 10, 1989 at Roseland Ballroom in New York City.
5Cyndi Lauper
Singer Cyndi Lauper in 1980 with a short bleached pixie cut with read highlights, which she pairs with matching lipstick and eyeshadow.
6Donna Summer
Singer Donna Summer poses for a photo in the mid 1980’s in Los Angeles, California wearing her hair in tight curls.
7Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox liked to wear her bleached pixie cut super short, but here she girls it a bit for a night out in 1986.
8Christie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley attends an event in 1984 in New York City showing her sleek blonde hair, which was unrivaled during the decade.
9Brooke Shields
A young Brooke Shields sported stunning volume at Ann Getty’s Apartment Party in February 16, 1989 in New York City.
10Linda Evangelista
Supermodel Linda Evangelista was known for her short cut, and here she wears it swooped to one side at The Fashion Group International’s 6th Annual ‘Night of 100 Stars’ in 1989.
11Janet Jackson
Taking after her brother, Janet Jackson liked to let her hair flow curly and free. Here she poses with poofy bangs in 1980.
12Naomi Campbell
Supermodel Naomi Campbell sported an asymmetrical bob to the Tanqueray Sterling Ball on November 9, 1989 in New York City.
13Cher
When Cher wasn’t flaunting her curls, she had a short pixie cut à la Guy Fieri. Here she poses for a fashion session in January 1984 in Los Angeles, California.
14Julia Roberts
Actress Julia Roberts dyed her hair a sultry reddish brown for the Steel Magnolias’ New York City Benefit Premiere for the American Diabetes Association in 1989.
15Stevie Nicks
Singer Stevie Nicks brushed her blonde hair out for the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards in California. She paired the look with a single statement earring.
