Some mornings, hair just refuses to cooperate, and suddenly the mirror starts feeling a little too honest. Maybe your layers have gone flat, maybe your ponytail looks bored, or maybe you are simply craving that dramatic, flirty, slightly wild energy that classic 70s hairstyles deliver.
I get it. There is something deliciously appealing about hair that has movement, softness, and a bit of personality without trying too hard. Why does everything look better when it seems a little undone on purpose?
That is exactly why 70s hairstyles keep coming back with fresh attitude. They bring volume, shape, texture, and that cool lived in charm that makes even a simple outfit feel styled.
So if you want inspiration that feels nostalgic but still current, you are in the right place. Let us talk about the best 70s hairstyles to save for your next salon visit, mood change, or spontaneous hair identity crisis.
70s hairstyles
1. Feathered Layers
Feathered layers create soft airy movement that instantly makes hair feel lighter and more alive. The shape opens around the face, the ends flip beautifully, and the whole style gives off a polished but relaxed bounce that never looks stiff.
- Length: Medium to long.
- Cut Type: Layered cut with feathered ends and face framing.
- Styling Method: Blow dry with a round brush for lift and movement.
- Products Used: Mousse, heat protectant, lightweight shine spray.
- Optional Variations: Add a center part, a soft side part, or subtle brightness around the front.
This look works especially well for people who want a flattering style with a little glamour and very little drama. It feels good for office days and dinner plans, which is honestly a rare gift. I have seen this cut save flat hair more times than I can count, so yes, it earns the hype.
2. Curtain Bangs With Long Waves
Curtain bangs with long waves give off instant cool girl energy in a gentle way. The fringe opens at the center, drapes softly along the cheeks, and blends into waves that move like they have somewhere fun to be.
- Length: Medium to long.
- Cut Type: Long layers with a parted fringe.
- Styling Method: Curl away from the face, then brush into loose waves.
- Products Used: Heat protectant, wave spray, light hold hairspray.
- Optional Variations: Try subtle highlights around the fringe or a softer bend through the ends.
This style suits people who like romance with a little edge. It works with oversized knits, easy denim, and anyone who wants to look styled without acting like hair took over the whole morning. Curtain bangs do have a tiny attitude problem in humidity, but honestly, who does not?
3. Shaggy Midlength Cut
A shaggy midlength cut brings texture, choppy layers, and a bit of rock and roll energy without going full drama queen. It creates a lived in shape that feels effortless, cool, and just messy enough to look interesting.
- Length: Medium.
- Cut Type: Shag with textured layers and fringe.
- Styling Method: Air dry or diffuse with scrunching for separation.
- Products Used: Texture spray, mousse, curl cream if needed.
- Optional Variations: Add a brow grazing fringe or a slightly softer face frame.
This look suits busy mornings, creative wardrobes, and anyone who wants a hairstyle that does not ask for perfection. It is the sort of cut that looks better with a little grit and less fuss. Give it texture, not fluff, unless you want your hair to audition for a cloud role.
4. Blowout Bob
The blowout bob feels sleek for a second, then flirty the next, which is exactly why it works so well. It sits around the jaw or collarbone, turns under softly, and has enough bounce to feel special without becoming high maintenance theater.
- Length: Chin to collarbone.
- Cut Type: Bob with gentle layering and movement.
- Styling Method: Blow dry with a round brush and bend the ends inward.
- Products Used: Mousse, smoothing cream, heat protectant.
- Optional Variations: Add crown lift or a warmer color tone for more retro energy.
This cut works for work settings, date nights, and any moment when you want hair that says you know what you are doing, even if you do not always. It needs regular trims, but the payoff is worth it. Even a plain T shirt gets a little more confidence out of this one.
5. Long Hair With Center Part And Flip
Long hair with a center part and a soft flip feels simple at first glance, then suddenly very chic. The lengths sway instead of hanging flat, and the flipped ends give the style that unmistakable 70s attitude.
- Length: Long.
- Cut Type: Long cut with subtle internal layers and soft shaping.
- Styling Method: Smooth blowout with outward flipped ends.
- Products Used: Heat protectant, smoothing serum, root lift spray.
- Optional Variations: Add soft face framing or a slightly stronger bend at the ends.
This one suits minimalists who still want some personality. It works when you like long hair but do not want endless layering or a complicated routine. Straight long hair can go flat fast, so a little lift keeps it from whispering when it should be making an entrance.
6. Volume Heavy Afro
A volume heavy afro makes a statement the second it enters the room. It has shape, height, texture, and a gorgeous round presence that feels powerful, expressive, and completely full of life.
- Length: Short to medium.
- Cut Type: Rounded shape with curl specific layering.
- Styling Method: Moisturize, define, then shape with a pick or fingers.
- Products Used: Leave in conditioner, curl cream, oil for sealing.
- Optional Variations: Add color dimension or keep the silhouette extra rounded.
This look suits anyone who wants to celebrate natural texture and wear a style with personality. It pairs well with bold fashion and simple silhouettes. Why settle for quiet when your hair can be magnificent? Hydration matters here, because dry curls can get a little dramatic in the worst way.
7. Soft Farrah Inspired Waves
Soft Farrah inspired waves bring glamorous sweep that feels iconic without looking costume like. The layers curve away from the face, the volume sits in all the right places, and the movement has that glossy flowing feel that makes hair look expensive.
- Length: Medium to long.
- Cut Type: Layered shape with a dramatic face frame.
- Styling Method: Round brush blowout with outward sweeping bends.
- Products Used: Mousse, shine spray, heat protectant.
- Optional Variations: Add warm highlights or a softer center part.
This style works for special events, dinner dates, and those days when you want your hair to look like it had a plan. It pairs beautifully with romantic dresses and tailored neutrals. If your blow drying skills are rushed, though, the vibe can slip from glamour to Tuesday very fast.
8. Flip Ends Lob
The flip ends lob gives you a playful shape that feels neat, modern, and very 70s in the best way. The ends turn outward just enough to catch the eye, while the length keeps everything versatile and easy to wear.
- Length: Lob length around the collarbone.
- Cut Type: Blunt or lightly layered lob.
- Styling Method: Blow dry the ends outward with a round brush.
- Products Used: Lightweight mousse, texture spray, smoothing cream.
- Optional Variations: Try soft highlights or a side part for extra shape.
This cut works for busy schedules, casual outfits, and people who want a fun style that still behaves in professional settings. If you skip the styling, the ends can just sit there politely and miss the whole point. A little round brush work makes the difference.
9. Long Shag With Fringe
A long shag with fringe delivers texture from root to tip, and it never looks precious. The layers move openly, the fringe adds edge, and the overall effect feels cool, slightly rebellious, and very aware of itself.
- Length: Long.
- Cut Type: Long shag with strong layering and fringe.
- Styling Method: Scrunch, diffuse, or rough dry for airy movement.
- Products Used: Texture spray, lightweight cream, dry shampoo if needed.
- Optional Variations: Wear the fringe full, wispy, or slightly parted.
This look suits creative style, music lover energy, and wardrobes built on denim and easy knits. It is perfect for anyone who likes hair that looks good even when it is not perfectly controlled. Who has time for perfect anyway? Keep the product light, or the fringe may stage a rebellion.
10. Soft Perm Inspired Curls
Soft perm inspired curls bring plush texture and springy volume that look fresh rather than fussy. The curls create a rounded shape with body everywhere, and the style gives off cheerful carefree energy that feels very alive.
- Length: Short to long.
- Cut Type: Layered curl shape with rounded balance.
- Styling Method: Define curls with scrunching or finger coiling.
- Products Used: Curl cream, gel, leave in conditioner.
- Optional Variations: Try a center part, side part, or looser curl pattern.
This look suits people who want more body, more definition, and a little retro fun. It also pairs nicely with vintage dresses, bright prints, and confident lipstick. Curls need moisture and patience, because frizz with opinions is not exactly the dream.
11. Side Swept Glam Layers
Side swept glam layers create drama in the best possible way. The hair moves across the forehead, opens up one side of the face, and creates a lush cascade that feels elegant, flattering, and just a bit old school in a good way.
- Length: Medium to long.
- Cut Type: Layered cut with a dramatic side sweep.
- Styling Method: Blow dry with direction toward one side and finish with loose movement.
- Products Used: Heat protectant, shine spray, flexible hairspray.
- Optional Variations: Add glossing or warm color placement for more glow.
This style works for parties, formal events, or any day when you want a romantic silhouette. It also suits fashion lovers who enjoy strong earrings and necklines that have room to breathe. It needs crown lift to stay lively, because flat roots kill the whole moment.
12. Short Cropped Shag
The short cropped shag packs a lot of attitude into a small shape. It feels cheeky, textured, and slightly punky, with layers that give movement without needing much length to make an impact.
- Length: Short.
- Cut Type: Cropped shag with texture and fringe.
- Styling Method: Rough dry and pinch pieces for separation.
- Products Used: Texture paste, dry shampoo, light finishing spray.
- Optional Variations: Wear the fringe blunt, wispy, or swept aside.
This cut works beautifully for creative wardrobes and anyone who wants a haircut that looks intentional even when the morning is chaotic. It stays low effort, which is lovely, but shape still matters. Ignore trims for too long and the cool edge starts fading, which is rude but predictable.
13. Wispy Bangs With Layered Length
Wispy bangs with layered length bring softness first, then a quiet little flirtation. The fringe sits lightly across the forehead, the layers keep the length moving, and the overall look feels airy rather than heavy.
- Length: Medium to long.
- Cut Type: Layered cut with wispy fringe.
- Styling Method: Light blow dry or round brush the fringe and let the rest move softly.
- Products Used: Small amount of mousse, heat protectant, dry texture spray.
- Optional Variations: Keep the center fuller or soften the temples more.
This style suits people who want bang energy without full commitment. It works with soft outfits, simple makeup, and anyone who likes a gentle frame around the eyes. Sweat, wind, and humidity all love to test wispy bangs, because apparently they enjoy chaos too.
14. Glossy Straight Hair With Face Framing
Glossy straight hair with face framing feels sleek, clean, and quietly powerful. The long lines make the hair look healthy, while the front pieces soften the edges and keep the style from feeling too severe.
- Length: Medium to long.
- Cut Type: Straight cut with face framing layers.
- Styling Method: Smooth blow dry or flat iron for a sleek finish.
- Products Used: Heat protectant, smoothing serum, shine spray.
- Optional Variations: Use a middle part or a soft side part with subtle gloss.
This look suits minimalist style and anyone who prefers a neat finish over a heavily textured one. It also works nicely if your mornings already involve enough chaos. Straight hair shows every frizz halo and crooked parting, so yes, the mirror will keep receipts.
15. Big Volume Blowout With Layers
A big volume blowout with layers delivers full on 70s drama in the most delightful way. The crown lifts, the body expands, and the curtain of layers moves like it knows it is fabulous. It has confidence, bounce, and a little bit of boss energy.
- Length: Medium to long.
- Cut Type: Layered blowout cut with strong shaping.
- Styling Method: Blow dry with tensection at the roots and a round brush through the ends.
- Products Used: Volumizing mousse, root lift spray, heat protectant, finishing spray.
- Optional Variations: Try a center part with lift or a side part with extra glamour.
This style suits special events, nights out, and anyone who likes hair with presence. If your personality already leans bold, this one will feel like home. It takes commitment, heat, and a little patience, but the payoff is pure main character hair.
How Different Hair Types Change The Look
Straight hair makes 70s hairstyles look crisp and clean, especially on styles with flips, smooth blowouts, and sharp face framing. It also shows off partings and color placement really well, which is great if you want a polished finish.
Wavy hair gives these cuts a natural head start. Feathering, shagging, and curtain bangs all look especially easy on wavy texture because the movement already lives there. Why fight it when you can let it do half the work?
Curly hair adds softness, bounce, and personality to 70s hairstyles, especially shaggy shapes and rounded silhouettes. The key is to keep enough layering for definition without removing the fullness that makes the texture exciting in the first place.
Coily hair creates some of the most stunning versions of these looks. Volume heavy shapes, shaped fringes, and rounded cuts can look incredible when the hair keeps its natural density and lift. The result feels bold, sculptural, and full of energy.
Fine hair often benefits from layered cuts that bring the illusion of body. Feathered layers, blowout bobs, and flipped ends can create more movement without weighing the hair down. A little root support goes a long way here.
Thick hair can carry the drama beautifully, but it needs thoughtful shaping so the layers do not turn into a heavy block. Shags, long layers, and face framing cuts help release weight and keep the style from feeling bulky.
Color Pairing Ideas Worth Considering
Dimensional brunettes work beautifully with 70s hairstyles because the layers need contrast to show up. Deep espresso, chestnut, and soft mocha tones give feathered cuts and shags more depth, which makes the movement look richer.
Warm blondes bring out that sun touched nostalgia that so many 70s looks love. Honey, beige gold, and buttery tones can make blowouts, curtain bangs, and long layers feel brighter and softer at the same time.
Copper shades are a very good idea if you want the hair to look bold and energetic. They bring warmth to shags, bobs, and voluminous shapes, and they make textured layers look even more alive under natural light.
Rich black tones give these hairstyles a strong graphic feel. They work especially well on glossy straight styles, rounded afros, and short cropped shags where the shape needs a clear edge.
Highlights can add movement without changing the whole identity of the haircut. I especially like them around feathered layers and flipped ends because the light catches the turns and makes the style feel more dimensional.
Balayage softens the overall effect and keeps the hair looking lived in. It pairs nicely with long shag layers, curtain bangs, and everything that benefits from a blended grow out.
Money piece color placements can wake up a 70s hairstyle in seconds. A brighter front section around the fringe or face frame adds focus and helps the shape read instantly, which is great if the rest of the hair stays deeper or darker.
The Styling Products That Make The Biggest Difference
- Texture sprays: These help shaggy cuts, feathered layers, and tousled lengths keep separation and movement without looking too set.
- Mousse: This adds body at the roots and through the mid lengths, which is ideal for blowouts and styles that need lift.
- Heat protectants: These matter for almost every 70s hairstyle because blow drying, curling, and flipping usually involve heat.
- Shine products: These give smoother 70s hairstyles that glossy finish that makes the shape look intentional and healthy.
- Curl creams: These help curly and coily versions hold definition while reducing frizz and supporting softness.
- Lightweight oils: These work best on the ends, where they add polish without flattening the volume you worked so hard to create.
The right product can completely change the mood of a hairstyle. A shag without texture spray feels sleepy, while a blowout without heat protection feels like bad decision making in a bottle.
Common Mistakes People Make With 70s hairstyles
Overloading The Crown With Product
Too much product at the roots can flatten the lift that makes 70s hairstyles feel special. A little support helps, but heavy layers of spray or cream often drag everything down.
Ignoring Face Framing
The front sections matter a lot in this era inspired styling. If the fringe or face frame feels off, the whole haircut can lose its shape and charm quickly.
Choosing The Wrong Parting
Parting placement changes the entire mood of the look. A center part can feel sleek, while a side part can add drama, so it makes sense to test what actually flatters your face and routine.
Skipping Regular Trims
Many of these styles rely on clear shape, and shape disappears when the cut grows out too far. Regular trims keep the ends fresh and the layers from collapsing into one heavy mass.
Forgetting Texture Needs
70s hairstyles are all about movement, not stiffness. If you skip the styling that supports your natural texture, the look can fall flat or feel unfinished.
Celebrity Inspired Variations
Celebrity inspired versions of 70s hairstyles usually come down to personal tweaks rather than a total reinvention. Some people lean into fuller volume and dramatic layers, while others prefer cleaner lines, softer fringes, or a more modern color palette.
That is the fun part, really. One person might wear a feathered cut with bright highlights and serious crown lift, while another keeps the same silhouette sleek, dark, and low key. The haircut stays familiar, but the vibe changes completely.
Partings also make a huge difference. A strong center part feels cool and current, while a side part can make the same style feel softer or more glamorous. Add in different lengths, and suddenly a familiar shape starts telling a completely different story.
Hair texture plays a big role too. Some trendsetters let their natural wave or curl create the body, while others use smoothing or blowout techniques for a more refined finish. That flexibility is exactly why 70s hairstyles still inspire so many modern looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do 70s hairstyles need trims?
Most layered 70s hairstyles need a trim every six to ten weeks if you want the shape to stay clean. Heavily layered or fringe based cuts usually need more frequent upkeep.
Can I style 70s hairstyles without much heat?
Yes, but the result depends on the cut and texture. Wavy and curly hair can air dry beautifully, while straighter styles often need some heat or setting to keep the shape from falling flat.
Which hair types suit these looks best?
Almost every hair type can wear a version of these styles. The key is choosing the right cut structure, because fine hair, thick hair, curls, and coils all need different layering strategies.
What face shapes work well with curtain bangs?
Curtain bangs flatter many face shapes because they open in the center and soften the cheeks. A stylist can adjust the length and sweep to suit your features better.
What should I tell my stylist at the salon?
Bring reference photos and describe the length, layers, fringe, parting, texture, and color placement you want. Be specific about how much volume you like and how much styling time you are willing to spend.
Which products matter most for these styles?
Texture sprays, mousse, heat protectants, shine products, curl creams, and lightweight oils all play useful roles. The best product depends on whether you want lift, softness, polish, or definition.
How do I grow out a 70s hairstyle gracefully?
Ask for soft shaping instead of sharp lines as it grows out. You can also shift the parting, add face framing, or reduce fringe length gradually so the cut keeps looking intentional.
Wrapping It Up
70s hairstyles work because they mix personality with movement, and honestly, that is a pretty irresistible combination. Whether you love feathered layers, shaggy cuts, or a blowout with serious bounce, there is room here to make the look feel like you.
The best part is how adjustable these styles are. You can go softer, bolder, sleeker, messier, brighter, or more natural, and the whole thing still keeps that retro charm.
So pick the version that makes you feel a little more interesting in the mirror and a little more like yourself in real life. If you ask me, that is always the best kind of hairstyle.
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