To achieve iconic eighties hair, embrace volume, layers, and bangs. Utilize blow dryers, curling irons, and perm rods to create curls and height. Tease roots with teasing combs and secure with hairspray for lasting hold. Remember the historical significance, tracing its roots in punk to its association with New Wave and Glam Rock icons. This style symbolizes excess and remains a fashion statement, influencing contemporary hairstyles.
What Makes Big Hair?
Prepare yourself for a blast from the past as we dive into the glorious world of big hair. This iconic hairstyle has graced the heads of countless fashionistas and rock stars, and it’s making a major comeback in the beauty world.
Big hair is all about volume, volume, volume! It’s a hair symphony characterized by layers, bangs, and curls. Layers add lift and movement, while bangs create a dramatic frame for your face. And let’s not forget the curls, which can range from soft waves to bouncy ringlets.
But hold your hairspray, because that’s not all! Teasing combs are a big hair essential. These bad boys help you create that coveted root lift, adding height and fullness to your locks. Hairspray, the king of all hair products, holds everything in place, ensuring your big hair stays in tip-top shape all day long.
**Tools of the Trade: The Secret Arsenal for Big Hair**
To create that iconic big hair, you’ll need an arsenal of tools that would make a salon stylist envious. Let’s dive into the essential tools that will transform your mane into a voluminous masterpiece:
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Blow Dryers: The key to building volume, blow dryers are like miniature hurricanes for your hair. Look for one with a powerful motor and a concentrator nozzle to direct the airflow and boost your hair’s lift.
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Curling Irons: Curls and big hair are like BFFs! Curling irons with different barrel sizes allow you to create varying curl patterns, from tight ringlets to loose waves. The bigger the barrel, the looser the curls, so choose wisely to customize your volume.
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Perm Rods: If you’re aiming for a more permanent solution, perm rods offer a semi-permanent way to set your hair in voluminous waves. These flexible rods come in various sizes, allowing you to create everything from tight spirals to loose, flowing locks.
Mastering these tools is the key to unlocking the secrets of big hair. With a little practice and a bit of elbow grease, you’ll be turning heads with your larger-than-life locks in no time!
The Cultural and Historical Legacy of Big Hair
Big hair is more than just a hairstyle; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has left an indelible mark on fashion and society. From its rebellious roots in the punk subculture to its glamorous association with New Wave and Glam Rock, big hair has been a symbol of excess, individuality, and self-expression.
In the 1970s, punk rockers like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones adopted big hair as a way to defy societal norms. Their towering hairstyles, often adorned with spikes and color, represented their rejection of the establishment. In the 1980s, big hair became synonymous with New Wave and Glam Rock icons like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Boy George. These artists used big hair to create over-the-top and unforgettable stage personas.
Celebrity hairstylists like Vidal Sassoon, Toni & Guy, and John Frieda played a pivotal role in popularizing big hair. Sassoon’s geometric cuts and innovative layering techniques gave volume and movement to hair, while Toni & Guy and John Frieda’s perm rods and teasing combs created the iconic “beehive” and “mullet” hairstyles.
The cultural significance of big hair extended beyond the music industry. It became a fashion statement in its own right, with women of all ages and backgrounds embracing the look. Big hair symbolized power, confidence, and femininity. It was a way to stand out and make a statement.
Today, big hair continues to influence contemporary hairstyles. From the tousled waves popularized by Sarah Jessica Parker in the 1990s to the bouncy blowouts favored by the Kardashians, the legacy of big hair lives on. It’s a testament to the enduring power of hair as a form of self-expression and a reflection of our cultural zeitgeist.
The Impact and Influence of Big Hair
Let’s talk about big hair! It’s not just a hairstyle; it’s a statement, a cultural phenomenon that has shaken the fashion world and influenced generations.
Symbol of Excess
Remember the 80s and 90s? Big hair was everywhere! It symbolized excess and opulence, a reflection of the booming economy and a culture obsessed with consumption.
Fashion Statement
Beyond its symbolic meaning, big hair became a fashion statement. It was a way to stand out, express individuality, and turn heads. From Madonna’s iconic bouffant to Sassoon’s precision cuts, big hair had a place on every runway and in every magazine spread.
Influence on Contemporary Hairstyles
The impact of big hair is still felt today. It inspired countless contemporary hairstyles, from beehives and mullets to messy buns and top knots. While the volume and height may have diminished, the big hair DNA can be seen in the layered, voluminous looks that grace fashion magazines and runways.
So, there you have it! Big hair not only turned heads but also transformed fashion and influenced an entire generation of hair stylists. It’s a testament to the power of a hairstyle to make a cultural impact that lasts far beyond its time.
