In the seventies, women wore subtle, minimal makeup that was more au naturel than garish. They knew how to accentuate their features, bringing forth a strong yet vulnerable femininity that is lost today. Stylists and the like, are trying to tap into the seventies like we've never seen before, staying true to the iconic while adding a touch of modernity. Hairstyles are a breathtaking sight when spotted on a runway, where the seventies is taking the world by storm in significant ways.
Speaking of hair, which do you think is the one hairstyle that stands out from the rest? It's got to be the Farrah Flicks hairstyle! If you aren't familiar with its name, think back in time to the original cast of Charlie's Angels. Yes, it was Ferrah Leni "Farrah" Fawcett who starred as one of the three crime-fighting beauties, making that voluptuous head of hair just as famous.
That's where the hairstyle gets its eponymous name from - Farrah's luscious hair. There are other hairstyles that took over this iconic decade, slowly moving away from the pass trends of the '60s, ditching the goody-two-shoes image for a wild, sexy, and independent take on style.
Hairstyles for Women from the '70s
AfroThe Afro, Cornrow, and Perm Style
African-American women (and men) of the seventies let their voluminous afros grow, rarely ever taming them by tying it up in a ponytail or braid. It emerged right out of the '60s as part of the Black Pride Movement, gaining popularity in the seventies. While still politically strong in its appearance, it turned into a style statement of sorts, where even fellow Americans were sporting the trend. Oprah Winfrey and Beyonc are two stars that have pulled off the 'fro with lan.
Stacked perms were also a hit in the seventies, with many African-Americans combining straight hair with thick curls. This sort of perm was done by straightening hair on the crown of one's head, with curls circling the bottom. Cornrows took center stage amidst the afro hoopla, turning into a full-blown trend in the '70s that is still very much in style today.
The Shag and Ape Style
This hairstyle has been spotted on actress Jennifer Aniston and TV presenter/model Alexa Chung, for its rugged and messy appeal. Hair is usually in line with one's chin or kept a little longer past the shoulders, commonly accompanied by a full fringe grazing across the eyebrows. While this hairstyle isn't easy to tie up into a ponytail, it's quite versatile to work with if styled using trusty hair products and techniques. It keeps it fresh and in sync with the seventies. The ape hairstyle closely resembles the shag, except that it lacks the full fringe and shorter hair length.
Long, Center-Parted, and Hippie Style
Shiny, sleek, and left to do as it pleased, untamed tresses were the highlight of the seventies; this hairstyle was usually center-parted or parted to one side, and left to fall loosely around one's shoulders. Gwyneth Paltrow is known for carrying off this hairstyle effortlessly.
Beach hair is tousled, wavy, and carries a wild, carefree feel to it, that is very reminiscent of the hippie era. Others have sought-after the beach hair (hippie) look for its raw sexiness - Kate Hudson, Lea Michele, Whitney Port, Natalie Portman, and Kate Moss, are some of many stars who have perfected the look.
Wings (Farrah Flicks) Style
The lovely 'angel' hasn't been forgotten as Hollywood's much-loved star of the '70s, for her beautiful feathered hair that got girls everywhere, green with envy. The prominent, outward flicks was what made this hairstyle stand out, often referred to as 'wings' for its curvy locks. This could be easily achieved using a blow dryer, where women would add flicks to even short hair for dimensional depth.
Punk Style
You've got to hand it to the women of the '70s who really knew how to experiment with style. Slowly making its way through the fold, were the punks with their otherworldly hairdos that gained recognition in later years. Nonetheless, this decade saw a lot of Mohican haircuts, colored hair (with creative designs and text), horns/spikes, and even shaved heads. While punk hair was an outlandish feature seen on 'bad girls' (as an outright show of rebellion), singers like Cyndi Lauper were taking the trend to new heights.
Pageboy and Purdey Style
The androgynous look made its way into the seventies, and saw women ditch their dainty demeanor for something more fun, hip, and experimental. While it still carried feminine undertones, the androgynous appeal fiercely took over. Actress Joanna Lumley - who played the role of 'Purdey' in the TV show 'The New Avengers' - gave birth to the iconic hairstyle. You could call it a revival of the androgynous trend, since fashion heavily relied on this impactful style much like the flapper women of the '60s.
It was then in the 1990s when the androgynous trend spread like wildfire. Rihanna and Miley Cyrus have incorporated a modern twist to the old-fashioned pageboy, turning it into a tough, edgy rendition of the original.
Hair has been through a lot of changes in the last few decades, where hair stylists are constantly reinventing trends to come up with something sensational, every single time. These hairstyles aren't going anywhere, anytime soon, so take advantage of what each kind has to offer.
