Master The Iconic 80S Big Hair Look: A Comprehensive Tutorial

80s Big Hair Tutorial

An "80s big hair tutorial" is a step-by-step guide that teaches individuals how to create the voluminous, glamorous hairstyles popularized in the 1980s. A prominent example is the signature look of rock band Bon Jovi, featuring teased hair piled high and styled with hairspray for maximum impact.

This tutorial holds relevance for those seeking a retro aesthetic, as well as for hairdressers and history enthusiasts. Benefits include learning a unique styling technique, understanding the cultural significance of the trend, and gaining insight into the evolution of hair fashion. Key historical developments that contributed to the rise of big hair include the invention of hair mousse and the influence of punk and glam rock.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the essential steps for achieving authentic 80s big hair, exploring techniques such as teasing, backcombing, and setting with hairspray. We will also discuss the cultural context of the trend and its lasting impact on fashion and popular culture.

80s big hair tutorial

Understanding the key points of an 80s big hair tutorial is crucial for achieving the iconic look. Here are 8 essential aspects to consider:

• Teasing: Backcombing hair to create volume.
• Backcombing: Combing hair against its natural growth direction for lift.
• Hairspray: Holding hair in place and adding shine.
• Mousse: Enhancing volume and providing a base for styling.
• Round brush: Shaping and smoothing hair while blow-drying.
• Blow dryer: Drying and volumizing hair.
• Sectioning: Dividing hair into manageable parts for easier styling.
• Patience: Achieving big hair requires time and effort.

These key points are interconnected and essential for creating the signature 80s big hair look. Teasing and backcombing add volume, while hairspray sets the style and adds shine. Mousse provides a foundation for teasing and blow-drying, which shapes and smooths the hair. Sectioning simplifies the styling process, and patience is crucial for achieving the desired results. Understanding these aspects will empower individuals to recreate the iconic 80s big hair look and appreciate its historical and cultural significance.

Teasing

Teasing, or backcombing hair to create volume, is a fundamental technique in achieving the iconic 80s big hair look. It involves combing hair against its natural growth direction, creating friction that separates hair strands and allows for more volume. This technique is particularly effective for fine or limp hair, as it adds body and fullness.

In an 80s big hair tutorial, teasing is often used in conjunction with other techniques such as blow-drying and hairspray. By teasing the hair at the roots, stylists can create a base of volume that can be further enhanced with blow-drying and hairspray. This combination of techniques allows for maximum volume and hold, resulting in the signature 80s big hair look.

A notable example of teasing in an 80s big hair tutorial is the iconic style of rock band Bon Jovi. Their signature look featured teased hair piled high, with long, flowing locks cascading down the sides. To achieve this look, stylists would tease the hair at the roots, then blow-dry it upwards to create volume and shape. Hairspray was then applied to set the style and add shine.

Understanding teasing is crucial for anyone seeking to recreate the 80s big hair look. By mastering this technique, individuals can add volume and body to their hair, creating a glamorous and voluminous style. While teasing can be a bit time-consuming, the results are worth the effort, especially for those seeking a truly authentic 80s big hair look.

Backcombing

Backcombing, a technique involving combing hair against its natural growth direction, plays a vital role in achieving the signature volume of 80s big hair. By creating friction, backcombing separates hair strands, allowing for increased volume and lift.

• Root Teasing: Focuses on teasing hair at the roots, creating a foundation for volume that can be further enhanced with blow-drying and hairspray.
• Sectioning: Dividing hair into smaller sections before backcombing allows for more precise and controlled volume building.
• Graduated Teasing: Involves teasing hair in layers, with shorter layers teased more heavily at the roots and longer layers teased less, creating a natural-looking volume.
• Tool Selection: Using a fine-toothed comb specifically designed for backcombing helps minimize hair breakage and ensures even distribution of volume.

Understanding and mastering backcombing is essential for achieving the iconic 80s big hair look. By carefully teasing hair against its natural growth direction, stylists can create that defies gravity, resulting in glamorous and voluminous hairstyles. Backcombing remains a popular technique in modern hairstyling, used to add volume and lift to various hairstyles, from sleek updos to voluminous curls.

Hairspray

In an 80s big hair tutorial, hairspray plays a crucial role in achieving and maintaining the iconic voluminous look. It serves two primary functions: holding hair in place and adding shine, ensuring that the hairstyle remains intact throughout the day.

• Hold: Hairspray contains polymers that form a flexible film around each hair strand, providing structure and support. This helps to keep teased and backcombed hair in place, preventing it from falling flat.
• Shine: Hairspray often contains reflective ingredients, such as mica or pearl extract, which add shine and luster to the hair. This enhances the overall appearance of the hairstyle, making it look more polished and glamorous.
• Humidity Resistance: Hairspray helps to protect hair from humidity, which can cause frizz and reduce volume. By forming a barrier around each hair strand, hairspray helps to repel moisture, keeping the hair looking smooth and voluminous even in humid conditions.
• Variety of Finishes: Hairsprays come in a variety of finishes, from light and flexible to strong and firm. This allows stylists to choose the right hold and shine level for the desired hairstyle, whether it's a soft, natural look or a bold, voluminous style.

Understanding the importance of hairspray and its various functions is essential for achieving the perfect 80s big hair look. By using hairspray correctly, stylists can ensure that their clients' hairstyles remain intact and glamorous throughout the day, even in challenging weather conditions.

Mousse

In the context of 80s big hair tutorials, mousse plays a crucial role in achieving the desired voluminous and gravity-defying hairstyles. It serves as a foundation for styling, enhancing volume and providing a base for further styling techniques.

Mousse is a hair styling product that is typically applied to damp hair before blow-drying. It contains polymers that create a flexible hold, giving hair more body and fullness. The polymers in mousse work by coating each hair strand, creating a barrier that prevents hair from becoming limp or flat. This volumizing effect is essential for achieving the signature big hair look of the 80s.

In addition to enhancing volume, mousse also provides a base for other styling products, such as hairspray and gel. By creating a smooth, even surface, mousse helps these products to adhere to the hair more effectively. This results in a longer-lasting hold and a more polished look. Mousse can also help to protect hair from heat damage caused by blow-drying and other heat styling tools.

Overall, mousse is an essential element of 80s big hair tutorials. It provides the foundation for volume, hold, and protection, making it a must-have product for anyone looking to achieve this iconic hairstyle.

Round brush

The round brush is a cornerstone of the 80s big hair tutorial, playing a pivotal role in shaping, smoothing, and volumizing hair during the blow-drying process. Its unique design and functionality contribute significantly to achieving the iconic big hair look.

The round brush, typically made of ceramic or metal, features a barrel with evenly distributed bristles. As hair is wrapped around the barrel and blow-dried, the bristles gently grip and smooth the hair cuticles, reducing frizz and creating a sleek, polished surface. The barrel's shape allows for controlled tension and even heat distribution, enabling stylists to shape and mold the hair as desired.

Furthermore, the round brush helps to create volume at the roots by lifting the hair away from the scalp and directing the airflow towards the base. This volumizing effect is essential for achieving the gravity-defying height and fullness associated with 80s big hair. By using the round brush to shape and smooth the hair while blow-drying, stylists can create a foundation for further styling, such as teasing and backcombing, to achieve the desired height and volume.

In summary, the round brush is an indispensable tool in the 80s big hair tutorial, enabling stylists to shape, smooth, and volumize hair during blow-drying. Its ability to control tension, distribute heat evenly, and create volume at the roots makes it a fundamental element for achieving the iconic big hair look.

Blow dryer

In the realm of "80s big hair tutorials," the blow dryer stands as an indispensable tool, shaping and volumizing hair to achieve the iconic larger-than-life looks. Its relationship with these tutorials goes beyond mere drying; the blow dryer plays a pivotal role in creating the foundation for voluminous hairstyles that defy gravity.

The blow dryer's ability to manipulate hair structure stems from its airflow and heat. By directing a powerful stream of hot air onto damp hair, the blow dryer rapidly evaporates water molecules, causing the hair shaft to shrink in diameter. This process, known as "shrinkage," tightens the hair cuticles, resulting in a smoother, less frizzy appearance. The combination of heat and airflow also allows stylists to shape and mold hair as it dries, creating volume at the roots and directing the hair's movement.

Furthermore, the blow dryer serves as a preparatory step for other styling techniques commonly employed in "80s big hair tutorials." By removing excess moisture from the hair, the blow dryer makes it more receptive to teasing and backcombing, techniques that further enhance volume and create the signature height associated with 80s hairstyles. Additionally, the blow dryer helps to set hairspray, a crucial element for maintaining the voluminous style throughout the day.

In summary, the blow dryer is an essential component of "80s big hair tutorials," playing a multifaceted role in drying, volumizing, and preparing hair for further styling. Its ability to manipulate hair structure and create volume makes it an indispensable tool for achieving the iconic hairstyles of the era.

Sectioning

In the context of "80s big hair tutorials," sectioning plays a crucial role in achieving voluminous and gravity-defying hairstyles. By dividing hair into manageable parts, stylists gain greater control over the styling process, ensuring even distribution of volume and minimizing tangles and breakage.

• Top Section: The top section of hair, typically separated from the rest using a horizontal part, is styled first to create height and volume at the crown. It involves teasing, backcombing, and blow-drying to achieve maximum lift.
• Sides and Back: The sides and back of the hair are sectioned off to allow for focused styling. These sections often receive less volume than the top section but still require careful attention to maintain a cohesive look.
• Layers: Sectioning hair into layers allows for customized styling, creating different levels of volume and movement. Shorter layers can be teased and backcombed for extra height, while longer layers add flow and shape.
• Bangs: If present, bangs are typically sectioned off and styled separately to frame the face and create a polished look. They can be teased, blow-dried, or curled to complement the overall hairstyle.

Effective sectioning is essential for achieving the iconic "80s big hair" look. It enables stylists to work with smaller, more manageable sections, preventing tangles and ensuring even distribution of volume throughout the hair. Proper sectioning also allows for targeted styling, creating different levels of volume and movement within the hairstyle, resulting in a polished and glamorous look.

Patience

In the realm of "80s big hair tutorials," patience emerges as a crucial virtue for hairstylists and individuals alike. Achieving the iconic voluminous and gravity-defying hairstyles of the era demands a significant investment of time and effort. Patience plays a multi-faceted role in the success of these tutorials, influencing both the process and the outcome.

Firstly, patience is essential for meticulous sectioning and styling. Dividing hair into manageable parts allows for precise application of teasing, backcombing, and blow-drying techniques, ensuring an even distribution of volume. Rushing through these steps can lead to uneven results and damage to the hair. Patience enables stylists to carefully craft each section, building a solid foundation for the voluminous style.

Furthermore, patience is vital for allowing hair products to work their magic. Hairspray, mousse, and gel require time to set and hold the hair in place. Applying these products hastily can result in a less-than-optimal hold, leading to the hairstyle falling flat prematurely. Patience allows the products to fully penetrate the hair shaft, ensuring a long-lasting and voluminous look.

Beyond the technical aspects, patience also plays a role in managing expectations. Achieving big hair often requires multiple attempts, especially for those new to the techniques involved. Stylists and individuals must be patient with themselves and the process, recognizing that achieving the desired results may take time and practice. Patience fosters a positive and persistent mindset, ultimately leading to greater success in creating the voluminous hairstyles of the 80s.

In conclusion, patience is an indispensable element of "80s big hair tutorials." It underpins the meticulous styling process, allows for effective product application, and cultivates a positive mindset for achieving the desired voluminous look. Understanding and embracing the importance of patience empowers hairstylists and individuals to master the techniques and achieve the iconic hairstyles of the era.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section provides insightful answers to commonly asked questions about "80s big hair tutorials," addressing potential concerns and clarifying essential aspects of the tutorial.

Question 1: What hair types are best suited for 80s big hair?

80s big hair tutorials are universally flattering, as the techniques can be tailored to suit all hair types. However, finer hair types may require more teasing and backcombing to achieve the desired volume, while thicker hair types may need less.

Question 2: How do I prevent my big hair from falling flat?

To maintain the volume of your big hair, use a strong-hold hairspray and allow it to dry completely before touching your hair. Additionally, avoid over-brushing, as this can flatten the hair.

Question 3: Can I sleep with big hair?

While it is possible to sleep with big hair, it is not recommended. The friction from tossing and turning can cause tangles, matting, and breakage. To preserve your big hair, consider sleeping on a satin pillowcase or using a sleep cap.

Question 4: How do I refresh my big hair the next day?

To refresh your big hair the next day, lightly dampen your hair with water or a volumizing spray and blow-dry it upside down. You can also use a root lifter to add extra volume at the roots.

Question 5: What are some tips for teasing hair?

When teasing hair, use a fine-toothed comb and backcomb small sections of hair at a time. Avoid over-teasing, as this can damage your hair. To smooth out any flyaways, use a light-hold hairspray.

Question 6: How can I avoid damaging my hair with 80s big hair styling?

To minimize hair damage, use heat protectant spray before blow-drying and avoid over-teasing. Additionally, deep condition your hair regularly to keep it healthy and strong.

These FAQs provide valuable insights into the techniques and considerations involved in achieving and maintaining 80s big hair. By following these guidelines, you can embrace the voluminous and glamorous hairstyles of the era with confidence.

In the next section, we will delve into the history and cultural significance of 80s big hair, exploring its origins, influences, and impact on popular culture.

Styling Tips for Effortlessly Chic Hair

This section unveils expert tips to elevate your hair styling routine and achieve effortlessly chic looks. Follow these actionable pieces of advice to transform your hair from ordinary to extraordinary.

Tip 1: Embrace the Power of Dry Shampoo: Dry shampoo is a lifesaver for extending the life of your blowout and absorbing excess oil. Apply it to your roots and massage it in to refresh your hair without washing it.

Tip 2: Master the Art of Heat Protection: Shield your hair from heat damage by using a heat protectant spray before styling with hot tools. This creates a barrier between your hair and the heat, preventing breakage and dryness.

Tip 3: Get Regular Trims: Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy hair. Removing split ends prevents them from traveling up the hair shaft and causing further damage.

Tip 4: Invest in Quality Hair Care Products: Don't skimp on hair care products. Invest in high-quality shampoos, conditioners, and treatments that are formulated for your specific hair type and concerns.

Tip 5: Avoid Over-Washing: Over-washing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and scalp irritation. Aim to wash your hair every 2-3 days, or less frequently if possible.

Tip 6: Use a Wide-Tooth Comb: A wide-tooth comb is gentler on your hair than a brush, reducing breakage and tangles. Use it to detangle wet hair before styling.

Tip 7: Protect Your Hair from the Sun: Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the sun's UV rays. Wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray to shield your hair from sun damage.

Tip 8: embrace the power of leave-in conditioner: Leave-in conditioner provides continuous hydration and nourishment to your hair. Apply it to damp hair after washing to improve manageability, reduce frizz, and protect against damage.

In summary, by incorporating these styling tips into your routine, you can achieve healthy, radiant hair that turns heads wherever you go. These tips empower you to maintain your hair's natural beauty while embracing the latest trends and techniques. As we delve into the final section of this article, we will explore innovative styling tools and techniques that are shaping the future of hair.

Conclusion

This comprehensive guide has delved into the intricacies of "80s big hair tutorials," exploring the techniques, tools, and cultural context that shaped this iconic hairstyle. Key insights include:

1. Essential Techniques: Teasing, backcombing, blow-drying, and hairspray play crucial roles in achieving the signature volume and height of 80s big hair.
2. Styling Tools: The round brush, blow dryer, and sectioning clips are essential tools for shaping, smoothing, and volumizing hair during the styling process.
3. Cultural Impact: 80s big hair emerged as a symbol of the era's bold and glamorous fashion, reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of excess and individuality.

These elements are interconnected, with each technique and tool contributing to the overall look. The combination of teasing, backcombing, and blow-drying creates the foundation for volume, while hairspray sets the style in place. The round brush and blow dryer work together to shape and smooth the hair, while sectioning clips allow for precise styling and control.

Understanding these insights empowers individuals to recreate the iconic 80s big hair look, embracing the era's signature style and glamour. Whether for a special occasion, a costume party, or simply for a touch of retro flair, the techniques outlined in this guide provide a roadmap to achieving this voluminous and unforgettable hairstyle.