'80s Hairstyles That Celebs Are Still Rocking Today

No matter how much time passes, the 1980s have managed to stay with us. Not only does the fashion keep coming back over and over again, but there are even fun '80s hair trends that you can still wear today and look totally in style. In fact, there are plenty of '80s hairstyles that celebrities are still rocking — not because they never gave up their quintessential '80s looks, but because the decade has proven its cultural impact isn't going anywhere.

"What stands out most to me is some of the haircut shapes, like mullets and shags, that we're now seeing a lot of again," celebrity stylist David Lopez told Real Simple in May 2024. "What I think people are liking most about '80's hair now is how expressive it is." In other words, the decade of neon colors and Aqua Net really lets you tap into your creative side. While not everyone may be keen on embracing '80s hairstyles, if it's something you've considered, then you definitely have options. As long as you go big and channel your inner Cyndi Lauper, you really can't go wrong. But if you need some celeb inspo to help you out, then look no further.

When it comes to '80s hairstyles, it's hard to not think of the mullet. Worn by people of all genders, this "business in the front, party in the back" haircut was everywhere in various lengths in the 1980s. It's also been making the rounds for a quite a few years now. What's cool about the mullets that are being rocked today by celebrities like Quinta Brunson, Kristen Stewart, Zendaya, and Miley Cyrus, is that the new mullet trend is an edgy look that can be customized for each person. "Mullets used to be a negative term that people used to describe a haircut that had 'gone wrong'. Now it's my number one request," hairstylist Lulu Richards told the BBC in February 2021. "Clients from all backgrounds, ages, jobs, and lifestyles are after one."

What's also great about mullets, as we've seen with the celebrities who have sported them, is that they work with any hair texture. Straight, wavy, or even tight curls can be cut into a mullet and one's overall look is immediately elevated, especially if you style it right. "Regardless of the hair type, it's important that you're using texturizing products," celebrity hairstylist Katie Allan told Country and Townhouse in 2024 about styling mullets. "I would recommend a dry texture spray for straighter hair, and a curl building serum for curly hair."

Although feathered hair may have you thinking about Farrah Fawcett in the late 1970s, the trend also spilled over into the 1980s. As one of the most iconic '80s hairstyles, the cut was worn from everyone from Princess Diana and Cheryl Ladd, to Patrick Swayze and John Travolta. "It's a style that focuses on soft edges, rather than hard lines, and there's definitely a wispy element to the shape of a feathered hairstyle," celebrity hair stylist Tom Smith told Marie Claire UK in December 2023. "However, rather than a messy or choppy look, feathered hair is a look that's combined with precision and balance."

Because feathered hair is a style that can be worn no matter your hair length, these days we've seen celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Emily Ratajkowski, Hoyeon Jung, and Hannah Waddingham with feathered layers. It's a cut that works for everyone because it frames the face, highlighting features in a softened way. Not only can face-framing haircuts make you look younger, but the texturized layers add dimension and volume to your hair. 

While Natasha Lyonne seems to be cornering the market on big hair lately, she's certainly not alone. For example, Miley Cyrus' hair reached new heights when she won her first Grammy in 2024. And Andie MacDowell, a celebrity who flaunted her gray hair on the red carpet and stole the show, almost always has her voluminous curls on display. It's refreshing to see such a fun look not just out in the wild but on celebrities too. 

Larger-than-life hair and the hip '80s mall bangs have been making the rounds, because frankly, it feels good to let your hair take over, as opposed to trying to minimize yourself in a culture that likes women to be small in more ways than one. "Instead of chasing perfect definition, curls and waves were a huge flex in their raw, organic state, typically amplified with a 'bigger is better' attitude," hairstylist Dusty Schlabach told Allure in October 2025 about the '80s trend. "The look was about freedom, individuality, and the confidence that came with letting your hair take up space."

In the 1980s, high ponytails that stemmed from the crown of one's head, were an easy way to get your hair up and out of your face. Although some went for the high side ponytail instead, in either case these styles worked for both casual and formal occasions. It's also a look that hung around into the 1990s, as evidenced by Madonna at the 1995 MTV VMAs.

"I love a slicked-back ponytail with the added drama of long, flowing hair for a truly striking look," celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims told InStyle in December 2025. "To create this look, I pull the hair away from the face — the ponytail is the star of the show as you walk away, but the focus on the face initially draws you in." In other words, it's a fairly easy style to achieve.

These days the high ponytail is known as the power ponytail and for good reason: it demands attention. Although Ariana Grande has perfected this look and rocked it for a long time now, other celebrities, like Kylie Jenner, Zoë Kravitz, and Kate Beckinsale, have also given the style a try and, to no surprise, slayed it. Pull a few pieces of hair forward to frame your face and you've added just enough glamour to the equation to make this '80s hairstyle elegant enough for the next Met Gala.

In news that might be a bit surprising, crimping is back in style. But instead of tight zig-zag shapes that we saw in the 1980s and early 1990s, the modern take on it is much looser and has more variety in regards to the waves that are created. However, it still requires a heating iron to bring the look to life. "Some crimpers are also called the waver (a large triple curling iron)," Jennifer Nast told Brydie in November 2023. "The smallest crimper is mostly used for volume at the roots and updo styling. A regular-sized crimper will give you that iconic '80s look."

Although we've seen crimped locks on several celebrities over the past few years, it was Beyoncé's hair at the 2026 Met Gala that really shined a light on the fact that the trend was indeed back. Keke Palmer, Ashlee Simpson, and Charli XCX have also leaned into the updated version of crimping. If you're tired of your pin-straight hair, but don't want to get a perm, there's crimping iron with your name on it.