The 8 best 70s-Inspired Hairstyles to Rock this Autumn
Free-flowing hair, blunt bangs, disco curls - we’re still inspired by these epic hairstyles from yesteryear. ‘70s screen sirens Farrah Fawcett and Jerry Hall, singing sensations Diana Ross and Donna Summer… these are just a few of the big names still influencing our hair habits today as we continue to dabble in the decades and welcome back their fierce, timeless looks. So, grab your arsenal of hair tools and strap in as we rewind to a retro era of ‘70s flicks and boho braids perfect for experimenting with this autumn!
1. Shag cut
No ‘70s haircut round-up would be complete without mentioning the classic face-framing layers of an iconic shag ‘do. The versatile shag haircut is a combination of long layers and a mullet rocked by the likes of Joan Jett and Jane Fonda back in the day. The bold, choppy cut is insanely flattering and is a great way to add texture and volume to your hair that works worn ultra messy or seamlessly straight. Pulled off by modern-day stars, including Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus, a shag cut will add depth and major cool-girl vibes to any length or style, whether you have bangs, a centre part or bouncy curls. To maintain your own shag cut, dry your hair with the 5Q Brilliance High Performance Dryer and finish by giving it a once over with the Straight & Curl Brilliance.
2. Boho braids
You can really rock the retro look with a crown of braids - one of the cutest hair trends to come out of the ‘70s! Whether worn as pigtails, across the forehead or as accent braids scattered throughout the hair, boho braids will never go out of fashion.
For the ultimate ‘70s look, wear your hair straight with a middle part, then braid two thin pieces of hair on either side of your face. Wrap the braids around the top of your forehead, pinning the ends behind your ears. Voila! An instant hair crown. To achieve that sleek, ultra-straight look, use the Frizz Defense Salon Straightener.
If you aren’t blessed with long enough hair to pull off this style, don’t worry; pay homage to the ‘70s by working a few accent braids through your tresses instead. You can really rock the hippie hairstyle with the addition of a few blooms for some flower power chic.
3. Farrah Fawcett flip
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So iconic it has its own name, ‘The Farrah’ was one of the most coveted hairstyles of the 1970s. The feathered, frothy mass of curls revolutionised the way women styled their tresses and has continued to inspire through the decades. The days of roller curls and endless cans of hairspray might be a thing of the past, but the Charlie’s Angels star’s big, bouncy mane has continued to set the trend for volume, bombshell curls and wispy layers. You can create this voluminous ‘do at home with a decent dryer and large barrel curler, curling the hair away from your face for a fun and sexy look that’s hard not to fall in love with!
4. Blunt bangs
Pair a bob with brow-grazing bangs, and you’ve got a positively fashion-savvy ‘70s ‘do. A match made in heaven for lobs, bobs and long haircuts alike, this razor-sharp fringe style is cut straight across, just above the brow, and works a treat on thick locks.
Styling a blunt bang is best done when wet. Use your fingers or a small paddle brush and aim your dryer down from above, drying in the direction you want your fringe to sit. You can finish with a little serum to give your bangs more weight or run over with a straightener for a statement horizontal finish. If you have a natural wave, use a straightener to create a rounded shape instead of pulling down, then separate with your fingers.
5. Disco curls
Image Source: angkay7
Show-stopping bombshell curls made famous by ‘70s icons Jerry Hall and Diana Ross are still giving us serious hair envy! For a modern take on these voluminous waves, section your hair, then use a 25mm barrel curler to create each curl. Apply a smoothing serum and run through the curls with your fingers to separate or use a brush to create even more volume for some serious dance-worthy disco waves.
6. Long, sleek hair
We welcome this signature bohemian style of a flamboyant decade back into our lives. Ultra-long hair styled to sleek perfection is a vision bestowed upon us by ‘70s icon Cher and has since been brought into the 21st Century by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Demi Moore and Nicki Minaj. To achieve the effortless poker-straight locks reminiscent of this era, you’ll need long hair, a decent hair straightener, a centre part and some smoothing serum. You can give this simple ‘do a glam twist by adding a headband or go for gold and add drama with balayage or colour-dipped ends. Meant to look natural and chic, this classy style will never go out of fashion.
7. The feathered cut
Channel your inner ‘70s rock chick with a feathered finish to your haircut that will add texture and a touch of Farrah femininity to your look. Often used to create volume in thin hair, this cut is super versatile and works on any type of hair from straight to curly. Often paired with excessive layering, the feather cut naturally frames the face, and you can further play around with it by adding choppy bangs for a more contemporary look. The great thing about this cut is how easy it is to style. We recommend leaving it to air dry, then apply some texturising spray for a messy-chic finish.
8. Volume
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70s hair was all about volume, from backcombing and bouncy curls to oversized afros and big blowouts. It was go big or go home! The larger than life, head-turning trend has never really stopped inspiring us with some of the biggest hairstyles spotted on the Fashion Week runway almost every year since. Whether you have a bob, natural curls or faux waves, you can make your hair go boom by tousling, teasing and backcombing those curls with a curler, bristle brush and your favourite mousse or spray.
So there you have it, some of the best hairstyles to come out of the ‘70s decade that you can recreate yourself at home to keep your style sassy and fresh all season long.
Love your style, from the VS Sassoon team. X