Still-stylish retro looks you can achieve at home
Revamp a classic look with nothing more than your at-home bathroom basics.
We know we should learn from our mistakes—and hairstyles are no different. We’ve taken a trip back in time and plundered the past to find the dos that still rock today.
We’ve sorted through the last few decades and chosen our top five looks. Draw inspiration from hits of the past, no matter your current hair length, type, or style.
60s Mod Pony
There’s so many ‘dos to love from the 60s.
You can master another of our favourites: the perky mod ponytail, whether you’ve got long or medium length hair (or short if you want to add hairpieces). Think Barbara Eden in ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ for design inspo. Make this modern style extra sleek to give you that made-up model look, or wear it curled at the ends to add extra fullness to your face and a bounce to your step.
Get the look:
It’s all about that bounce when it comes to the mod pony. Here’s how to get it:
No matter your type of hair, make sure you start with a clean, dry canvas. If your hair is wavy or has kinks, straighten it out all over with our Steam Straight Brilliance straightener to give you the right controllability for a super smooth pony.
- Take a comb and section the front third of your hair, sweeping it up into a tight ponytail at your crown. Secure with a snag-free elastic. Use a light spray of hairspray to keep any flyaways in place, and—while your hair’s still wet—comb upwards to create a clean, tight look. Check to make sure everything sits right before you move to the next step.
- Take the two-thirds of your hair leftover and repeat step #2, slowly adding sections to the first pony, using hairspray to smooth them out and then securing everything with a second snag-free elastic.
- Gently adjust the way your hair sits in the elastics to achieve the effect you want—tight and flowing straight down or spread out to frame your face.
- To create a neat finish, take a small section of hair from the base of your pony (shorter sections work well for this, so you don’t have to wrap so much) and wrap it around the base of your ponytail to conceal the elastics. Secure with a small bobby pin or clip underneath where the hair falls from your crown, where it can’t easily be seen.
- Take out your curling iron and start creating bounce! Our Unbound Cordless Auto Curler is perfect for this style as it creates consistent curls, every time. Make sure you curl the last few inches of your pony outwards to replicate the look.
- Use low heat and less time for looser curls, or crank it up for a tighter, bouncier look.
70s Farrah Hair— the Feathered Blowout.
While 70s dead-straight bangs will never get old, right now, we’re all about a feathered blowout look that gently frames your face. Keep it tidy or get messy—the choice is yours.
Get the look:
The feathered blowout is a great way to add volume to thin hair, but it works for all hair types.
- Properly section the top of your hair by following our guide for a tidy temple-to-temple part.
- Starting with your lower sections of hair, lightly curl large strands away from your face. Gently pull and twist the brush or styler through the strand. Remember, we’re trying to keep it airy.
- Our Brush N Style hairdryer and styler can simultaneously add the volume, shape, and shine you need. Plus, you can get very close to the scalp without the risk of burning yourself, unlike a traditional curling iron.
- Work your way to the top of your head, constantly pulling and twisting your styler away from your face.
- Keep it all in place with a light spritz of your favourite hairspray
80s Wavy Updo
Everything in the 80s was big—and that goes double for hair. But it wasn’t all rock-chick shags, spiral perms, and mullets! And the revival of the 80s wavy updo is one look we’re ready to rock.
The best part of this hairstyle is that it looks as good as you need it to. It’s perfect for special occasions where you want to pull out all the stops. Or a quicker, messier version will make you feel fab while you’re running around town and ticking off your to-do list
Get the look:
Work with your natural curls—or lack of—to get the best wavy updo results.
- Pin away some strands to frame your face later.
- Using your ceramic curler, run through about 40% of what remains. Remember, you want to work with what you’ve already got, so choose the right curler for you. Our ceramic curlers come in 19mm for tighter curls, 25mm for naturally wavy hair and 38mm for those with straighter hair.
- Pull the bulk of your hair into a high but loose ponytail, or use bobby pins to hold it all up for a more formal look.
- Let out those strands around your face and give them some volume with your curler.
- Accessorise with a headband or scrunchie for the ultimate 80s disco do.
90s Space Buns.
Ariana Grande’s iconic style is a throwback to a popular 90s festival look—and we love it! Space buns are easy to decorate and make your own. You can wear them tight or loose and flowy—either way, they’re a great base for your favourite accessories.
Get the look:
- Using a comb, create a dead straight part down the middle of your head.
- Brush, then straighten your hair in two sections, pulling away from the part. Treat yourself with our Steam Straight Brilliance straightener, which will rejuvenate your locks and give them a silky look and feel.
- Brush each section into position on top of your head, holding them in place with elastics. Then, twist each ponytail into tight buns as you usually would, pinning it into place.
- Leave out some loose strands to frame your face for a softer look. Or try creating mini space buns by leaving out the bottom half of your hair.
- Space buns are the perfect base for accessories! Decorate with elaborate scrunchies, glitter or braids to give your hairstyle a 90s nostalgia feel.
Noughties Mermaid Waves.
Don’t scroll past this section just yet—we know you’re probably cringing, and a throwback to the noughties is still too soon. Stress less: neon butterfly clips are no more. Today’s mermaid wave takes the heat lover’s crimping trend of the noughties to a whole new level.
The undone, natural look melds casual and formal into one style. Perfect this look, and you’ll have something up your sleeve for all occasions.
Get the look:
Mermaid waves are all about creating the perfect kink and stopping frizz in its tracks.
- Choose how you’d like to part your hair—anything goes with the mermaid wave!
- Our Frizz Defense Straightening Brush will have your hair smooth, silky and—most importantly—frizz-free.
- It’s time to start adding waves. For the ultimate Noughties mermaid feel, leave the roots of your hair straight and start waving from about ear height onward. We recommend using the Digital Sensor Straightener to crimp or wave your hair. Follow the tutorial below for even and undone waves.
Nostalgic hair’s never been so fun or easy to do. Pull off these salon-quality, modern-revival hairstyles from the comfort of your own home.