Oh boy, let me tell you about the hair! The ’60s and ’70s were truly revolutionary decades for hairstyles, and I was there to witness it all. From the sophisticated beehives that reached toward the heavens to the wild and free flowing hippie locks, these iconic styles didn’t just change fashion – they changed society. Let’s take a nostalgic journey through the most memorable hairstyles that defined our generation.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. The Beehive
- 2 2. The Flip
- 3 3. The Hippie Look
- 4 4. The Vidal Sassoon Bob
- 5 5. The Afro
- 6 6. Farrah Fawcett Feathers
- 7 7. The Shag
- 8 8. The Pageboy
- 9 9. The Pixie Cut
- 10 10. The Dorothy Hamill Wedge
- 11 11. The Bouffant
- 12 12. The Mod Bowl Cut
- 13 13. The Asymmetrical Gemini Cut
- 14 14. The Long Layer Disco Style
- 15 15. The Cornrow Braids
1. The Beehive
The higher the hair, the closer to heaven! The beehive became the ultimate symbol of sophisticated ’60s glamour. Created by Margaret Vinci Heldt in 1960, this sky-high style required incredible amounts of hairspray and patience. We’d sleep with our heads wrapped in toilet paper to preserve the style, and heaven help anyone who dared to touch it!
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2. The Flip
Made famous by Mary Tyler Moore and Jackie Kennedy, the flip was the epitome of early ’60s chic. This shoulder-length style featured ends that curled outward, achieved through hours of rolling with giant brush curlers. It was sophisticated yet playful, perfect for both housewives and career girls alike.
3. The Hippie Look
Long, straight, and parted down the middle – this was the ultimate rebellion against the structured styles of the early ’60s. We’d iron our hair on the ironing board or spend hours with it wrapped around orange juice cans to get that perfect straight look. Flowers optional, but highly encouraged!
4. The Vidal Sassoon Bob
Vidal Sassoon revolutionized hairstyling with his geometric, low-maintenance bob cuts. The most famous version was worn by Mary Quant, perfectly complementing her mod fashion designs. This architectural style required precision cutting and regular maintenance, but boy, did it make a statement!
5. The Afro
The Afro became a powerful symbol of black pride and the civil rights movement in the late ’60s and ’70s. This natural hairstyle celebrated African American beauty and identity, popularized by icons like Angela Davis and Diana Ross. It wasn’t just a hairstyle – it was a revolution!
6. Farrah Fawcett Feathers
The hottest hairstyle of the ’70s, Farrah’s legendary feathered look launched a thousand imitators. Those perfectly flipped layers required serious styling skills and a good round brush. Every girl wanted to be an Angel, and this was the hair that could get you there!
7. The Shag
Made famous by Jane Fonda and David Cassidy, the shag was the perfect unisex cut of the ’70s. This layered style worked with any hair texture and required minimal maintenance. It was the ultimate “wash and wear” haircut that defined casual cool.
8. The Pageboy
The pageboy was the sophisticated choice of the mid-60s, worn perfectly by Jean Shrimpton and Julie Christie. This smooth, shoulder-length style featured rolled-under ends and often came with bangs. It was the perfect blend of mod and classic styling.
9. The Pixie Cut
Twiggy and Mia Farrow made this super-short style the height of fashion. The pixie cut was daring, modern, and perfectly showcased facial features. It took real courage to go this short in an era when long hair was the norm!
10. The Dorothy Hamill Wedge
After Dorothy Hamill won Olympic gold in 1976, everyone wanted her signature wedge cut. This short, bouncy style featured graduated layers that flipped up at the edges. It was sporty, practical, and perfectly captured the active lifestyle of the late ’70s.
11. The Bouffant
The bouffant was the precursor to the beehive and a favorite of First Lady Jackie Kennedy. This fuller, rounder style required serious teasing and enough hairspray to deplete the ozone layer. We’d spend hours backcombing and shaping until we achieved that perfect dome of sophistication.
12. The Mod Bowl Cut
Popularized by British models like Peggy Moffitt, the geometric bowl cut became a symbol of the mod movement. This precise, sharp-edged style often featured straight bangs cut right above the eyebrows. It was daring, dramatic, and perfectly complemented the graphic fashions of the era.
13. The Asymmetrical Gemini Cut
Another Vidal Sassoon creation, the Gemini cut featured an asymmetrical design that was shorter on one side. This architectural style required precise cutting and became a favorite among the fashion-forward crowd. It was space-age meets haute couture, perfect for the era of moon landings and modernism.
14. The Long Layer Disco Style
As disco fever swept the nation in the mid-70s, long, flowing layers became the style of choice for hitting the dance floor. This glamorous look featured lots of movement and bounce, perfect for catching the light of the disco ball. Stars like Cher and Bianca Jagger made this style synonymous with Studio 54 sophistication.
15. The Cornrow Braids
Cornrow braids gained mainstream popularity in the ’70s, especially after Bo Derek wore them in the movie “10”. However, this traditional African hairstyle had been around for centuries before becoming a trend. The style represented both cultural pride and artistic expression, often incorporating intricate patterns and beaded decorations.
