9 Popular Hairstyles of 1970s Celebrities That Still Rock Today

The 1970s was a decade when celebrities made bold statements with their hair. You’ll discover how these iconic hairstyles became a major influence on fashion trends. From feathery bangs to shaggy layers, these styles still inspire today’s looks.

When you dive into these popular hairstyles, you’ll see how they reflected the personalities and attitudes of the stars who wore them.

Whether you’re looking to recreate these styles or just appreciate their retro charm, the ’70s hairstyles offer a glimpse into a unique period of fashion history.

1) Farrah Fawcett’s Feathered Hair

Farrah Fawcett’s feathered hair was an icon of the 1970s.

You probably remember her from her role in Charlie’s Angels.

Her hairstyle became a massive trend and was copied by women everywhere.

The look featured layers that flipped outwards.

It had a lot of volume and movement, giving a carefree vibe.

It seemed perfect for those who wanted a stylish yet effortless look.

To get this hairstyle, you’d need a good blowout.

Hair was usually parted in the middle and then feathered back using a round brush and a hairdryer.

Some sections would be curled outward for that signature flip.

Farrah’s feathered hair suited many hair types.

Even if you had thin hair, the layers and volume could make your hair look fuller.

And it wasn’t just for long hair.

Many adapted the style to their shoulder-length cuts.

2) Cher’s Long Straight Hair

You can’t talk about ’70s hairstyles without mentioning Cher’s long, straight hair.

This look became one of her signature styles during the 1970s.

You could see Cher’s sleek, straight strands flowing down her back, often parted in the middle.

Cher’s hair was typically very long and almost always perfectly straight.

She often wore it down with a smooth, shiny finish.

This hairstyle exuded simplicity, yet it was extremely glamorous and eye-catching.

In many of her music performances and TV appearances, Cher kept this look consistent.

Even decades later, her straight hair remains a classic and iconic reference for sleek styles.

If you ever tried to achieve that smooth, straight hair like Cher’s, you know it was all about long lengths and perfectly straightened strands.

3) John Travolta’s Disco Curls

When it comes to iconic ’70s hairstyles, you can’t ignore John Travolta’s disco curls.

He rocked this look in the movie “Saturday Night Fever.” His hair was all about big, loose curls that framed his face and added to his dance-floor charm.

To get Travolta’s look, start by growing your hair to a medium length.

You’ll need some volume, so use a 1-inch curling iron.

Curl your hair away from your face to give it that fluffy ’70s vibe.

After curling, shake out the curls a bit so they don’t look too perfect.

You want them to have a natural, bouncy feel.

A little hair spray will help keep everything in place while you’re dancing.

4) Diana Ross’s Big Afro

Diana Ross rocked one of the most iconic hairstyles of the 1970s: the big afro.

This voluminous look wasn’t just a fashion statement; it was also a symbol of pride and beauty in the Black community.

You might remember Diana as the lead singer of The Supremes, where she started gaining fame in the 1960s.

But her solo career in the 1970s is where her afro really shined.

Her afro was shaped like a perfect halo around her head.

It was bold, beautiful, and made her stand out on stage and in photos.

If you wanted to copy her look, you needed a lot of volume and confidence.

The afro wasn’t just for women.

Men in the ’70s also embraced this hairstyle, making it a unisex look that symbolized the era.

You can still see the influence of Diana’s afro today.

Many artists and fashion icons look back to her style as a source of inspiration.

5) Jane Fonda’s Shag Cut

You can’t talk about 1970s hairstyles without mentioning Jane Fonda’s shag cut.

This iconic look emerged in the early ’70s during her role in the 1971 film “Klute.”

The shag cut featured evenly layered hair, with the shortest layers at the top and longer layers at the bottom.

This style was perfect for adding volume and movement to the hair, making it a favorite for those with thin hair.

The shag cut quickly became a trendsetter, influencing many to adopt this bold, edgy look.

Jane’s shag wasn’t just about the cut; it was also about the confidence and attitude she brought to it.

You could see the carefree and rebellious spirit of the ’70s in this hairstyle.

Even today, the shag cut remains popular, showing how timeless Jane Fonda’s style truly is.

6) David Cassidy’s The Partridge Family Look

David Cassidy became a style icon in the 1970s.

As Keith Partridge in The Partridge Family, he sported a famous shag haircut.

The layers on top and the sides gave his hair a tousled, yet controlled appearance.

This hairstyle quickly gained immense popularity among fans.

You couldn’t miss the clean-cut, yet rebellious vibe it carried.

Many teenage boys wanted to copy his look.

The shag haircut was versatile and worked well for both casual and semi-formal occasions.

Cassidy’s hair wasn’t just about fashion.

It became a significant part of his identity and presence on the show.

This look helped define the image of a 1970s teen idol.

If you ever watched The Partridge Family, you likely remember that iconic hairstyle.

7) Debbie Harry’s Punk Blond

Debbie Harry’s punk blond hairstyle is one of the most iconic looks from the 1970s.

As the frontwoman of Blondie, she sported a striking platinum blond that perfectly matched the edgy punk scene.

Her hair was often cut in shaggy layers that framed her face.

You might also recognize her bold use of dark roots.

It became a signature part of her look.

This contrast added to her rebellious image, making her stand out even more.

Debbie’s style was about more than just the color.

It was the full package.

Bold hairstyles, daring outfits, and a rockstar attitude.

Her looks from the 70s still influence fashion today, proving the lasting impact of her signature punk blond.

8) Elton John’s Glam Rock Hair

Elton John was famous for his bold and flamboyant style in the 1970s.

His hair was no exception.

In the early 70s, Elton often sported a mop top look, which many associate with the Beatles.

This style had thick, full hair that framed his face and captured the free-spirited vibe of the time.

As the glam rock era took hold, Elton’s hairstyles evolved.

He began to embrace glitter and feathers, creating a look that was both eye-catching and iconic.

His hair was often medium to long, with soft, flowing layers.

The combination of volume and sparkle became a signature part of his stage presence.

To replicate Elton’s glam rock hair, you’d grow your hair out to a medium or long length.

Then, add light waves or curls for texture.

Don’t forget the glitter and accessories that made his style so unique.

This look was all about standing out and expressing yourself.

9) Stevie Nicks’s Boho Waves

Stevie Nicks’s boho waves captured the essence of the 1970s.

Her hair was a mix of soft curls and loose, carefree waves.

This style defined her look and made her a fashion icon during that decade.

You could see Stevie’s boho waves paired with flowy dresses and layered shawls.

These waves weren’t just hair; they were a part of her whole vibe.

To get this look, you can start with loose waves and add some volume and texture.

Don’t forget some hair accessories like headbands or flowers for that extra 70s touch.

Overview of 1970s Hair Trends

The 1970s were a time of significant change in hairstyling.

Various trends emerged, heavily influenced by celebrities, music, and movies of the era.

Influence of Celebrity Culture

Celebrities played a huge role in popularizing hairstyles during the 1970s. Farrah Fawcett became iconic with her voluminous, feathered hair on Charlie’s Angels.

Her look inspired many to go for big waves and curls. Cher was another trendsetter with her long, straight, and sleek hair, which contrasted sharply with the bouncy styles.

Actors like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever made the slick-back look fashionable for men.

Additionally, David Bowie’s ever-changing hairstyles, from his mullet to his bright orange Ziggy Stardust hair, pushed boundaries and encouraged fans to experiment with their own looks.

Impact of Music and Movies

Music and movies had a strong impact on 1970s hair trends. Disco music, for instance, popularized big, glossy curls and voluminous afros, as seen on artists like Donna Summer.

The glam rock scene, fronted by musicians like David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, introduced more daring and dramatic styles, including vibrant colors and non-traditional cuts.

Movies also played a part in shaping hairstyles.

The success of Grease made the 1950s-inspired pompadours and sleek hairdos trendy again.

Meanwhile, the Blaxploitation films celebrated natural Black hair, leading to widespread popularity of afros and cornrows.

The varying styles from different cultural influences helped create a diverse range of looks that defined the decade.

Iconic Hairstyles of the 1970s

In the 1970s, some hairstyles stood out more than others.

These iconic looks defined the fashion of the decade and have influenced styles to this day.

The Farrah Fawcett Flip

Farrah Fawcett’s hairstyle became a huge sensation in the 1970s.

You might remember her from the TV show Charlie’s Angels, where she sported her famous feathered flip.

This style was characterized by its voluminous, bouncy look.

Women everywhere wanted to achieve those big, soft curls that framed the face and flipped out at the ends.

The look required layers, a good blowout, and often the use of a curling iron to keep those curls in place.

Farrah’s flip wasn’t just a hairstyle; it was a statement.

It represented the fun, free spirit of the decade.

Even today, this look comes back in cycles, proving its timeless appeal.

Diana Ross’s Big Curls

Diana Ross, the queen of Motown, brought bold and beautiful big curls into the limelight.

Her hairstyle was full of volume and had a natural, carefree vibe that many wanted to emulate.

Ross’s curls were not just about the volume but also about texture.

She often wore her curls loose and free, a reflection of the ‘natural hair’ movement that gained popularity during this time.

This encouraged many women of color to embrace their natural hair textures.

Creating Diana Ross’s big curls usually involved a lot of natural hair care and sometimes heat styling to define each curl.

Her captivating look was not just about style but also about embracing one’s natural beauty and confidence.

Legacy of 1970s Hairstyles

The hairstyles from the 1970s have made a lasting impact on fashion trends today.

Many of the styles from that decade still influence contemporary hair fashion in unique ways.

Modern Takes on Classic Styles

A popular hairstyle from the ’70s, the Farrah Fawcett feathered look, has seen a revival.

You can style this look with layered cuts and a round brush to get that iconic volume and bounce.

Another timeless look is the shag cut.

Jane Fonda’s style in the movie “Klute” still inspires many modern variants.

This layered cut works well for different hair lengths and textures.

The afro is another iconic ’70s style making a comeback.

This hairstyle celebrates natural curls and is often seen gracing fashion runways and red carpets today.

It promotes a message of embracing natural beauty.

Finally, the long, pin-straight hair with a middle part channels the disco vibe.

With straighteners and heat protectants, you get that sleek, smooth texture reminiscent of the era.

This style suits almost any face shape and is timelessly chic.