50 Years of Hair: Part 1
Over the past 50 years, the beauty industry has changed drastically. From styles like the Beehive to the Farrah, the mullet to the man bun, and even straight and sleek looks to the modern day balayage, the hairstyles and looks have changed. But, one thing that remained constant is the steadfast growth of the beauty industry.
50 years ago, in September of 1968, Mr. Kenneth Shuler started his journey in the beauty world.
To honor and celebrate this achievement, let’s take a look at the most popular hairstyles from the late 1960’s through the 1970’s.
1968: (Women) The Beehive
The hair pendulum that went from the soft waves and lower-volume styles of the 1950s to a tower tall wraparound crown.
1968: (Men) Mop Top
Let’s take you back to the land of the Beatles with this classic look- the Mop Top
1969: (Women) Bouffant
Jackie O’ always knew how to make a statement with her style… and hair! This year, the bouffant hairstyle was the glamorous look that gals of all age groups strived to achieve.
1969: (Women and Men) Afro ‘do
Brought forth with the natural hair movement, the afro hairdo truly began to BOOM in ’69!
1970: (Women and Men ) Long and Center-Parted
After 1970’s Love Story starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal became the hit of the year, women started rocking center-parted straight styles. For men, the long and natural look, rather than oiling down their hair to slick it back, became a staple hair look for this period. Flowing freely and hanging loose with no inhibitions, this hair was the perfect style for those involved in the free-spirited hippie movement.
1971: (Women) The Pageboy
While this look first debuted in the ‘50s, the look truly didn’t become a staple in hairstyles until ‘70s. This version of the Pageboy was brought back by actress Joanna Lumley who wore the shorter haircut, that varied anywhere from shoulder-length hair to just below the ear. The hair was flipped under and the bangs were typically left messy and to fall naturally.
1971: (Men) Pork Chop Sideburns
The year the sides burns made a statement. While these sideburns are named the “pork chop” we sure are glad to see they got chopped and are part of the past!
1972: (Women) The Shag
Created by hairdressers Paul McGregor for Jane Fonda’s character Bree Daniels in the film Klute. This unisex cut can be worn spiked, fluffed out, or just let it go and “shag”
1972: (Men) The Mullet
David Bowie is likely the name-to-fame for bringing this hairstyle to popularity along with other influential mullet-wearing chaps like Paul McCartney. With this style, no matter the event, you always had business in the front and a party in the back.
1973: (Women) Cornrows
Actress Cicely Tyson inspired a beauty trend by wearing her hair in cornrows for her role in Sounder, leading the braided style into popularity.
1973: (Men) The Mustache
While not an actual hairstyle, the mustache (and other facial hair) became part of the hairstyling world. Going to your barber to help shape your facial hair was truly a mark of the 70’s.
1974: (Women) Middle to shoulders
Olivia Newton-John had this iconic do this year when she belted out “I Honestly Love You.” Why? This look was an easy to maintain and free-spirited look without the hassle of extra long hair.
1974: (Men) Surfer Hair
The “Californian surfer” hairstyle that sported a thick, shaggy, and highlighted look. This was a look that created the tousled, carefree, sun-kissed look of someone who spent their days on the beach.
1975: (Women) Stack Perms
By perming the middle and lower parts of the long hair, the stacked perm resulted in small curls around the ends and length of the hair while the top and crown area of the head remained straight. Almost giving the illusion of a halo of curls.
1975: (Men) Wavy Undercut
By shaving the hair on the sides of the head and perming the top of the head, the wavy undercut was a style that couldn’t be matched.
1976: (Women) The Purdey
Joanna Lumley, a British actress, wore the popular sleek, rounded hairstyle in the TV show The New Avengers and following the air of the show, this look began to grow in popularity and length!
1976: (Men) Gel slick back
Slicking your hair back, like Bowie here, was a look to show of the features of your face and to bring about a new look to the nearing end of the 70’s.
1977: (Women) The Dorothy Hamill
The 1976 Olympic ladies figure skating champion but the classic “Dorothy Hamill Haircut” short style on the map following her Olympic Gold Medal win.
1977: (Men) Spiky shag
Much like the women’s shag, this cut is created with some creme or gel to spike the hair.
1978: (Women) Farrah Waves
Farrah Fawcett and her unforgettable hair on Charlie’s Angels inspired countless women to highlight their hair and blow it out into full, sweeping waves.
1978: (Men) Elvis is in the building
Applying texturizing lotion to the hair and using a come to brush the hair going to the back, you too could achieve the Elvis styled look.
1979: (Women) Mohicans and Spiky Punk Hair
Musician Siouxsie Sioux and her goth-meets-punk style brought wispy, all-over-the-place hair into popularity.
1979: (Men) Slicked back mullet
Hair creme, again, and a brush sweeping the hair to the back was how to achieve this mullet hairstyle.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this blast from the past! Stay tuned for more fun and HAIRlarious pictures of the hair-growth over the past 50 years.
