These Classic '80s Hairstyles Have Seen A Surge In Popularity Again

After navigating the 2010s — a decade that emphasized Instagram-ready glamour — and the first half of the "quiet luxury" 2020s, the very last era we expected to see influencing current hair trends was the '80s. Characterized by neon colors, oversized everything, and fearless self-expression, hair and beauty trends in the '80s were so definitively maximalist that we thought we'd bid them adieu for good. But here we are in the second half of the 2020s, and — pinch yourself — some of the decade's most iconic hairstyles are actually back.

"When you think about the hair from the '80s, it's usually really big, whether from teasing, fluffy bangs or lots of layers," celebrity hairstylist Stephanie Angelone explained to New Beauty in 2026.  "The idea is to have a hairstyle that's equal parts professional and natural." There are several cuts and styles that meet this criteria, from volumized blowouts that mix fun and chic, to ponytails that are as cute as they are practical. Of course, for these classic 'dos to work in our era, most of them have been through a modern revamp. 

"Big hair is back, but it's had a very modern makeover," celebrity hairstylist Jason Collier shared with RTE 100 in January 2026. "The key difference now is softness. You want lift and fullness, but with movement and 'touchability,' not rigid structure." The stylist added that "your hair should look as though it can move," which is a major difference from the '80s standard, defined by excess hairspray and teasing. This might have been something that people actually found attractive in the '80s, but these days we're infusing our own soft-glam aesthetic into these retro looks. 

The thought of having an '80s-coded side part might have had us clutching our pearls in the 2010s, but the widely debated part line has officially come full circle. Stars like Darryl Hannah typically wore their deep side parts with glamorous, sleek blowouts in the '80s, and that's exactly what we're doing today. Parting this way naturally creates more volume on one side and adds interest to a beautiful yet common hairdo. If you tend to part your hair based on your face shape, this is a great style for those with angular dimensions.

Of course high ponytails were a staple in the 1980s aesthetic; this was the decade when maximalist energy was non-negotiable in the hair and makeup chair. Tousled and volumized, ponytails often appeared on the side of the head, adding to the fun and unpredictable nature of '80s styling. While you probably couldn't get away with a side pony at fashion week now, high ponytails are absolutely one of the updos du jour. Give this classic look a 2020s update by pairing it with curtain bangs rather than a full fringe, and leaning into the messy, carefree vibes rather than crimping and teasing.

The glossy blowout never truly dwindled in popularity — we've worshipped iterations of this look in every decade since the 1980s. But while the noughties and 2010s favored a slicker blowout, we're now ramping up the volume just as they did four decades ago. To really get the perfect blowout on your natural hair and give it an '80s twist, focus on building volume right at the root. The key is to find the balance between big hair energy and refinement, because this look is large and in charge while still being sleek and polished. 

While the high pony makes a statement and wants to be noticed in a room full of people, the low pony is like its nonchalant little sister: trendy, understated, and still stylish without making quite so much noise. Low ponytails were just as prominent in the 1980s, and today, they're even easier to pull off. Crimped or curly styles dominated back then, so reach for some texture if you want to emulate the same look today. With its practicality and effortless sense of style — not to mention how easy it is to achieve — it's no wonder the low pony is surging in popularity again.

Decade in, decade out, bobs are a staple. This versatile short cut works on just about every face shape and hair type, and we're giving it an '80s makeover by embracing curls and volume. From Madonna to Whitney Houston, several A-listers and it-girls of the time styled their bobs like this, either reaching for maximum height with teasing or letting their curls provide the body and movement they desired. If you have naturally curly hair, this is also one of the lowest-maintenance short styles. Just sayin'.

A hallmark of the '80s, headbands have made an appearance nearly every decade since. Whether acrylic and tortoiseshell in the vein of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy or silky and preppy à la 2010s Blair Waldorf, they've been around. But now we're throwing it back to the 1980s with the pushed-back style, worn to slick back face-framing tendrils and paired, naturally, with volume. Stephanie Angelone clarified to New Beauty in 2025 that the modern trends are "pushed further back to slightly cover half the ear and your crown instead of worn down on the forehead full '80s style," but the sentiment is the same. 

If a volumized curly bob doesn't do it for you, we're also welcoming back the edgy asymmetrical bob. Another versatile look, asymmetrical bobs simply refer to cuts that aren't even. The graduated bob (longer at the front and shorter at the back) has had its moment in the sun, and now we're making way for the '80s-style discrepancy from side to side, popularized by Salt -N-Pepa. To get this look for yourself, you can emphasize the difference in lengths with styling and parting, or you can simply ask your stylist to cut your bob shorter on one side.

Good news if you have natural curls that have been dying to go free: '80s curls are back! This style encompasses many interpretations, but the only requirements are curls and volume. Generally, the bigger, the better. You might wear this look with curly bangs or part your hair on the side to really lean into that '80s aesthetic, but you could also dress it up with modern updates. One of the best curly hair trends for 2026 is swapping out defined, crunchy ringlets for softer curls without that sense of uniformity. Keep it big, but it's okay to move away from the overly stiff, aerosol-laced look of the '80s.

Every generation has its pixie-lovers. This short and boundary-pushing style transforms as the years go on, but we're nodding to the '80s once more with super-short lengths and a more androgynous vibe. 1980s stars like Annie Lennox often wore them ultra-short, spiky, and bleached blond, and we're seeing this style return to the fore. "I think what's making the pixie so appealing right now is that it doesn't necessarily have to look traditionally feminine or overly polished," Neale Rodger of STIL Salon told Vogue Adria in October 2026. "You can keep it soft and textured, make it sharper and more graphic, or even take it right down to a buzz cut."

No style was too out-there in the 1980s, which set the scene for the rise of the pineapple-inspired curly updo. This is another style with endless versatility that can be achieved in many different ways, from a messy loop bun to a clipped high ponytail. It's a classic look that instantly places its wearer in the '80s, but that's about to change as we're seeing more style gurus donning it in the 2020s. Sprinkle in some floral clips, and this vintage look becomes less retro and more whimsical.