The decade was all about self-expression and very few hairstyles of the 80s capture the era’s exuberance quite like the perm.
The perm grew to become one of the most iconic hairstyles of the 80s, thanks to its ability to add volume, texture, and personality to just about any hair type. Short for permanent weave, the perm gave people cascading curls and dramatic shapes that were never possible before. As a result, it quickly became a defining symbol of 80s fashion and was embraced by everyone from pop stars to fashion enthusiasts. And, it represented not just another hairstyle, but a cultural shift towards individuality and glamour.
How Hairstyles of the 80s Changed Everything It’s important to remember that the cultural and economic backdrop of the 80s played a significant role in the rise of the perm . After enduring the oil crisis of the 70s, the 80s saw a booming economy and an increase in consumerism thanks to the widening middle class, and the burgeoning availability of disposable incomes. When coupled with the rise of mass media which brought celebrities into everyday life, everyone wanted to look like a superstar.
It was back in 1981 when MTV was officially launched, and quickly grew to become a cultural powerhouse. The musicians featured on the channel were larger-than-life, and their hairstyles were showcased in countless music videos to millions of people across the country. Everyone wanted to mimic their favorite celebrity, and perms were the perfect option.
After all, the perm’s future dramatic curls and high volume, were a perfect fit for the more is more aesthetic of the era. And, thanks to the many advances in hairstyling technology, the process of making perms was more accessible. This allowed everyday people to achieve a more professional result at home or at their local salon. But, it wasn’t just women who were getting perms in the 80s , because men were also adopting the hairstyle in order to make their own bold style statements.
The Rise of Perm Hairstyles of the 80s If we want to truly understand the rise of the Perm hairstyles of the 80s, we need to take a closer look at the three main types that were available.
The Classic Tight Curl Hairstyles of the 80s The first, and most common form of permanent was the tight curl perm. This style was supported by 80s celebrities like Olivia Newton-John and Whitney Houston. If featured defined yet small curls that added a significant amount of volume to the hair. It was very popular with women who wanted a playful yet polished look. And, in order to achieve this look, one had to use small perm rods and a chemical solution to break and reform the hair bonds. The result was a series of small bouncy curls that could last for months on end. For anyone looking for a low-maintenance yet high-impact style, the tight curl was the go-to choice.
Hairstyles of the 80s and the Loose Wave Then we have the loose weave hairstyle of the 80s. Although tight curls dominated most of the decade, the loose weave perm offered a more relaxed alternative. This style was done around larger perm rods and provided a more natural look while still adding volume and texture. One of the most popular icons of the 80s who sported a loose weave perm was Brooke Shields. In fact, she popularized the style and made it more appealing for those who wanted an effortlessly glamorous appearance. As a result, the style became very popular among young professionals and women who were looking for something that could easily transition from formal to casual events.
Perms for Men Then there were the perms for men. Although most people who grew up in the 80s aligned the permanent with women, there were a surprising number of male celebrities who sported a perm throughout the decade. At the top of the list, you have Jon Bon Jovi who created a whole new standard for male grooming. At the same time, you also had Kevin Bacon who was appearing in just about every film throughout the decade.
The People Who Made Hairstyles of the 80s Popular Because of the popularity of the perm throughout the 80s , there were a number of people who made the hairstyles of the 80s so popular. At the top of the list, one can think of Whitney Houston’s signature curls. Her style became an aspirational look for millions of women around the country. Then there were Farrah Fawcett’s loose waves which set the stage for a more relaxed style in the latter half of the decade. We already mentioned Jon Bon Jovi, but Patrick Swayze also made perms an important part of his signature look. And, thanks to the efforts of Vidal Sassoon perm kids could simply be bought at the local department store.
The Legacy of the Perm To say that perms impacted only the 80s fashion industry, would be an understatement. Rather, the hairstyle helped to reshape societal attitudes towards individuality and self-expression. The perm featured a bold yet versatile look that reflected the cultural shift towards celebrating uniqueness. And, as more people began to break away from the more conservative styles of the 60s and 70s, the perm became a quintessential part of 80s pop culture. There was a demand for voluminous curls that helped lead to the development of specialized shampoos, conditioners, and styling tools in order to maintain and enhance that curly hair for weeks on end.
Conclusion In the end, perms were more than just another hairstyle, they were a cultural phenomenon that captured the bolt and creative spirit of the decade. From the tighter curls of the earlier half of the 80s to the looser waves towards the end, perms offered both men and women endless possibilities for self-expression. Even decades after the perm hairstyle faded away, the techniques are still being utilized today, in countries around the world.
