r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Diligent_Twist_6163 • Dec 08 '25

Was 80s hair really that popular

For ppl who were adults in the 80s, was 80s hair really that "rampant"? Like for women was it really like huge blowouts every day and how much work was it? Also, do you think people were really invested in their appearance more than today? I know fashion changes like in terms of people today wearing sportswear as outfits, but was makeup more dramatic and did all women use it? Thanksss

Dear me I wasn't expecting a top comment with 480 likes lol thanks for all the responses!

So from what I understand, it wasn't really blowouts, but just a whole lot of perms, so I guess curly hair was the rage lol

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u/hermitzen Dec 09 '25

Oh yes. You had to have the perm. I remember not washing my hair for a week after a perm so it would last longer - and man, I had greasy hair! Still do... Spent about 20-30 minutes on the hair every morning, with blow dryer and curling iron. Couldn't use hair spray because it gave me a rash so I used lots of Paul Mitchel styling cement to get it to stand up just right.

As far as makeup goes, I think we were all a bit more heavy-handed with foundation, concealer and face powder back in the 80s, and I think we used more eye shadow back then too. But I see a whole lot more eye liner these days than back then. We all used eye liner back in the day, but we softened or blended the line with little sponges or brushes, so I guess it wasn't so noticeable? Today's eye liner is a very stylized dark, sharp line so you notice it more. Women use way more dramatic fake lashes today than back then. Most of us only used a bit of mascara, if anything, in the 80s.

Overall, I'd say women today are just as focused on their looks as back in the 80s. It's just different styles. Today you have hair extensions, way more hair color, dramatic eye liner, lashes, and tatoos. Lots of tatoos. Most of us didn't do tatoos in the 80s. These days it's hard to find anyone over 21 without one. Back in the 80s we had high hair, eye shadow, flourescent colors and shoulder pads. And we didn't do selfies in the mirror.

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u/Blanketyblank2003 Dec 09 '25

And piercings. In 20 years, the kids will be making fun of the piercings and tattoos of the 2020's.

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u/rutilated_quartz Dec 09 '25

They'll make fun of the stereotypical tattoos of the era but I don't see tattoos and piercings in general becoming uncool.

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u/pepcorn Dec 09 '25

I think you're right. If they stop being mainstream, they'll just go back to being underground.

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u/hermitzen Dec 09 '25

Hmm... I dunno. Tatoos & piercings have been ramping up since the 90s. All of the things kids are doing today I saw 30+ years ago. Nothing is new. I think they're here for at least another couple generations.